All About Goldendoodle (2022 Complete Guide)

The breed with the heart of gold! The Goldendoodle is probably the most popular hybrid breed. It is a loving, friendly, loyal, and playful dog with an exceptional temperament.

Is a Goldendoodle dog for you or not? 

Well, in this article we will provide you with all the necessary information about Goldendoodle which will clear all your confusions and doubts and answer all the questions about the breed.

So, if you are planning to get a Goldendoodle puppy and looking for a comprehensive guide on the breed, read this article to find all the important facts about the Goldendoodle.

What is a Goldendoodle?

Also known for its intelligence and low shedding coat, it is an amazing dog that is popular for its affectionate, friendly nature and loyalty. It is a hybrid breed, the product of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.

It is ranked among America’s most popular dogs because of its friendliness and the ability to adapt to new families.

Fun Fact: Goldendoodle is called Groodle in Australia and New Zealand.

What are the other names for Goldendoodle?

These lovely dogs have different names given to them in different countries such as Golden Poo, Curly Golden, Groodle, and Curly Retriever.

Related: Goldendoodle Puppy Starter Kit

History and origin of Goldendoodle

Behind Goldendoodle, there is a graceful woman named “Monica Dickens”, the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens. She came up with an idea to produce a friendly and intelligent dog that has a low-shedding coat. So she combined two breeds that have service quality, a low-shedding coat, intelligence, and an exceptional temperament.

Finally, in 1969, the first cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle happened which resulted in a loyal dog; Goldendoodle.

Characteristics of Goldendoodle

Undoubtedly, they are attention seekers and have the specialty of making friends very quickly. This special quality attracts people towards them.

Apart from that, they are highly intelligent dogs and adapt to different things and situations very quickly. Training a Goldendoodle is easier than other breeds but consistency is the key.

It has a vast amount of energy and it is always ready to play and go for a walk.

What does a Goldendoodle dog inherit from its parent breeds?

Poodle

If we put an eye on Poodles, they are very smart, intelligent, and graceful dogs. Their low-shedding fluffy coat gives them more popularity, people adore them like a family member. They are very friendly with kids, strangers, and even other pets while their barking tendency is very low. So, we can say that they are not suitable as guard dogs.

Poodles are a very preferable dog for crossbreeding and breeders go for this dog due to its low shedding. That is why they have been crossed with many other breeds. Other popular Poodle mixes are Bernedoodle, Labradoodle, and Irish Doodle.

The Poodle dog comes in three different sizes from smallest to largest i.e. the Toy, Miniature, and the Standard. There is another type of Poodle called Moyen Poodle that is not recognized by the AKC.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is among the top 5 breeds in the world and is known for its friendly, smart, and tolerant nature. This dog was specially bred for retrieving ducks and other physically involved jobs but now, it is probably the most popular home pet. As it is a working dog, it requires a fair amount of daily exercise.

Now, we can say that Goldendoodle inherits tolerance and friendliness from Golden Retriever, while intelligence, elegance, and low-shedding coat from the smart Poodle.

Goldendoodle Physical Appearance and Body Features

Weight and Size: Goldendoodle dogs weigh between 10 to 90 lbs (Toy is the lightest while Standard is the heaviest one). Similarly, their size may vary between 10 to 24 inches (Toy is the smallest and Standard is the largest).

Color and Coat: Usually, their coats rely on the parent breeds and they may have straight, wavy, or curly coats. No breeder can guarantee their coats though. While their color may vary from dog to dog but often seen as Chocolate, Gold, Cream, Gray, Black, Apricot, Red, Brown, Parti, and different patterns.

Eyes: The majority of the Goldendoodle dogs have brown and hazel eyes but it might be changed in some dogs after their puppyhood.

Fun fact about puppies: Their eyes keep changing their color till 16 weeks from birth.

Lifespan: The life expectancy of the Goldendoodle is approximately 12 to 15 years. But some healthy dogs are also seen crossing this limit if they do not develop any health issues.

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Goldendoodles Pros and Cons you should know about

Like other dogs, Goldendoodle also has some pros and cons. And to be safe, you should be aware of the consequences which you may face while having a Golden Poo dog. So let’s see them one by one.

Pros

Low-Shedding coat: They are more likely to have a low-shedding coat which means they will not mess your floor, furniture, and carpet with hair. Due to that, it is an ideal dog for those who are allergic to dog hair and dander.

Highly social: They are very social towards strangers, kids, and other dogs that is why they are the best family dogs.

Easy to train: Their smart brain adopts anything very quickly which makes them an easily-trainable dog. They will understand and follow your instructions quickly as compared to other breeds. However, for better results, you must keep patience during training lessons.

Natural Servers: By nature, they serve people with their excellent attitude. They are great companions for the elderly and sick folks.

Cons

Daily Exercise and Outdoor Activities: They are active dogs so up to 60 minutes of hard exercise/activity is required daily. If not provided, then you may expect separation anxiety and destructive behavior.

Not suitable as a guard dog: They are known for their loving and friendly nature and they will always be ready to make friends even they see a predator. We can say that they make terrible guard dogs.

Separation Anxiety: They may show aggressive and rude behavior if not given enough quality time by their family or left alone for a long time.

Goldendoodle Generations

Goldendoodles have 4 different generations, i.e., F1 Goldendoodle, F1b Goldendoodle, F2 Goldendoodle, and F2b Goldendoodle. Let’s have a quick look on these generations.

F1 Goldendoodle

Also known as the first-generation cross, an F1 Goldendoodle is the direct cross between the purebred Golden Retriever and Poodle. It is among the healthiest generation of all the Goldendoodle generations. Their puppies may have a straight, wavy, or curly coat depending on the tendency of the parent breed.

F1b Goldendoodle

An F1b is the cross between Poodle and F1 Goldendoodle so it is 75% Poodle and 25% Retriever OR it may also be a cross between a Golden Retriever and F1 Goldendoodle, in that case, it would be 75% Golden and 25% Poodle. It is also known as the first-generation backcross.

If it is an F1 Goldendoodle + Poodle cross, it is most likely to have a more low-shedding coat than the F1. So, it is ideal for those families who have mild allergies from dog hairs or dander.

F2 Goldendoodle

An F2 Goldendoodle is also called the second-generation Doodle. It is a combination of 2 F1 Goldendoodle dogs. It is usually the same as an F1 generation dog in terms of features but healthier than that. Similarly, their coat may also be more low-shedding than the F1.

F2b Goldendoodle

Usually, they are a mixture of various Goldendoodle generations i.e., an F1 and F1b or maybe F2 and F1b respectively. They are also known as multi-generation Goldendoodle. Their traits and features may vary depending on the tendency of the parent breeds.

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Goldendoodle Behavior and attitude

If we could define the Goldendoodle’s behavior in just one word, that would be Friendly! They have very friendly nature towards everyone.

They become familiar with almost everyone instantly that is why they are stranger, kid, and pet-friendly dogs. Along with that, they are intelligent dogs and adapt to things quickly.  They have an eagerness to please their owners and they follow their owner’s instructions.

Like Retrievers, they also like to do different activities and are always ready to please people. Whatever you do, the Goldendoodle is always there beside you. Their calm and non-aggressive behavior makes them more popular as companion dogs.

Perks of the Goldendoodle Temperament

Goldendoodle is a gentle and non-aggressive dog. It has an exceptional temperament and is smart enough to make new friends. While you are with a Goldendoodle, you would not get bored.

However, they get bored if ignored by the owner which results in separation anxiety. They require daily exercise or outdoor activities to keep themselves mentally and physically healthy.

In short, they are friendly, loving, social, and well-tempered dogs that can adapt to different types of families.

Related: Bernedoodle Temperament

Exercise

Like humans, dogs also require daily exercise in order to stay healthy. In the same way, Goldendoodles also require at least 30 minutes of daily exercise.

They love anything- swimming, walking, running, and hiking, etc. You have a lot of options for them to burn out their calories. You just need to provide them with one of their favorite activities.

A combination of 1-2 small walks, a couple of mental stimulation activities, and an indoor game would be the perfect activity package for them.

Training

You will be happy to hear that they are easier to train than other dogs that make them ideal for first-time dog owners. If you start training them from day one they arrive at your house, it will be easier for you to handle them in the future.

Start training by teaching them the basic commands such as sit, stop, fetch, etc, and then gradually move to other important things. Also, crate training, potty training, and early socialization should be an integral part of their daily routine. To encourage them during the training sessions, use treats as rewards and never go harsh on them,

Feeding and Diet:

Like other dogs, Goldendoodles also need a well-balanced diet to stay happy and healthy. Recommended food for your dog includes vitamins and proteins. Make sure you feed your puppies with specific food for puppies and not for adult dogs.

On the other side, if we talk about the number of meals, 2-4 cups of food are enough for it, and it should be divided into 3-4 meals per day.

Another important thing to note here is that you should not feed them with the same food every time you try to change the meal and add something new at least once to twice a week.

Goldendoodle Grooming Requirements

As we have already said they have a low-shedding coat, you may need to spend some more time grooming them in order to remove hair from their coat. There are quite a few things you need to remember while grooming your Goldendoodle. So, let’s learn more about their grooming.

Brush and Bathing

It is good to brush them every 2-3 days to avoid tangles and matting in their coat. Along with that, you should get them groomed by a professional groomer once every 2-3 months.

They do not require to be bathed more often. But sometimes it depends on the activity so if they get into muddy areas, you may need to bathe them to keep them clean and healthy.

Nails

By nature, their nails are filed down automatically if regular exercise is given to them. But make it a routine to check their nails once a month to make sure they are not too long. And if their nails are long, you should clip them accordingly.

Ears

Ears are a tricky part for dogs so you should be careful while cleaning their ears. It’s recommended to check their ears once or twice a month for any possible infection, wax, or a foreign object. If you find some sort of redness or wax, it may be an infection. In such a case, you should immediately get them checked by a vet.

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Living Requirements for Goldendoodle

It is an ideal breed for a small home with a little yard so it can walk, run, and play around. But a Standard Goldendoodle may be a misfit for a small home or apartment due to its bigger size.

They are not a demanding breed but make sure you give them the space that is needed for them. Also, indoor and outdoor activities are a must to keep them happy and healthy.

Overall, they are an ideal breed for all types of homes and families and can adapt to different types of lifestyles very easily.

Common Health Issues of a Goldendoodle

Usually, hybrid dogs do not have specific health issues but those that they may inherit from their parent breeds. A responsible breeder will get the dogs checked for genetic diseases before breeding them and provide their customers with the health records of puppies’ parents. You are also recommended to check the health certificate before getting the Goldendoodle puppies to make sure their parents do not have any complex genetic issues.

Some common health issues that a Goldendoodle puppy may inherit are:

Hip Dysplasia:

In this painful disease, the dog’s thigh bone does not fit into the hips. The common symptoms of this condition are that the dog may feel difficulty in moving and stop walking immediately. If you feel your dog is facing difficulty in walking, you should see your vet immediately.

Elbow Dysplasia:

It is another inheritance disease in Goldendoodles that may affect your dog’s lifestyle. It is caused by the irregular growth of three bones that make up the dog’s elbow. Like Hip Dysplasia, this condition also stops your dog from walking, running, or jumping normally.

Separation Anxiety:

Goldendoodles are very loving pets. They love their family more than anything. And sometimes, their extreme love becomes a headache for their owners because they may develop Separation anxiety if their owners do not give them enough time or leave them alone for some time.

The most common symptoms of separation anxiety are excessive barking, growling, destructive chewing, digging, and aggressiveness towards others.

Goldendoodle Health Precaution Test:

It’s a good practice to check the puppy’s health certificates, as well as, its parents’ health certificates before getting the puppy. While for breeders, it is highly recommended to do a few health tests and screening to avoid generic issues in the puppy.

Following are some tests which you should do before breeding:

Health Tests for Golden Retrievers and Poodles:

• Von Willebrand disease I and II
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Osteochondrodysplasia
• GM2 Gangliosidosis
• Heart Diseases
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration

Read 7 Common Puppy Health Issues to Watch For

Goldendoodle FAQs

Given below are common questions that people may ask about a Goldendoodle.

Are Goldendoodles and Groodles the same?

Basically, both breeds are the same. Australians call them Groodle while other countries like the US and UK call them Goldendoodle.

Does the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognize Goldendoodle dogs?

AKC only recognized pure breeds and Goldendoodle is a mixed breed; therefore, it is not recognized by the AKC.

Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?

No dog in this world is hypoallergenic and all of them shed. Similarly, Goldendoodles do all shed but their coat is low-shedding and you won’t be seeing much hair fallen from them.

What is the price of a Goldendoodle puppy?

You may get a Goldendoodle puppy between $2500 and $5500 depending on different factors and the reputability of the breeder.

Final words

Goldendoodles are among the friendliest dogs. They are loving, social, and well-tempered, which makes them an ideal dog for families. Moreover, their low-shedding coat makes them an ideal breed for those with allergies. This dog is a complete package for anyone. Plus, they are the most suitable breed for first-time owners.

So, if you are looking for a loyal companion, Goldendoodle could be the best choice for you.

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