The Goldendoodle, a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, is probably the closest thing to the “perfect dog.” Also known as the Goldenpoo and Groodle, Doodles are one of the most adorable, playful, and intelligent dogs on the market, and today, we’re sharing everything we know about this wonderful breed.
Breed Overview
Height:
15 to 16 inches (Mini), 16 to 20 inches (Medium), 22 inches (Standard)
Weight:
30 pounds or less (Mini), 30 to 40 pounds (Medium), 50 to 60 pounds (Standard)
Lifespan:
10 to 15 years
Colors:
Golden, black, cream, gray, dark brown, solid colored with white
Suitable for:
All lifestyles
Temperament:
Affectionate, friendly, playful, gentle
The Goldendoodle is an extremely popular designer breed. What makes them so special is their loving temperament (thank you Golden Retriever genetics!) combined with “hypoallergenic” Poodle fur (there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic pet!). Goldendoodles are gentle around children, enjoy life to the fullest, and happily adapt to any living environment.
It even appears that the Golden Retriever and Poodle make the “ideal” dog for a lot of families in America.
Goldendoodle Breed Characteristics
Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
Goldendoodle Breed Puppies
Image By: anetapics, Shutterstock
Goldendoodles are like any other puppy when they’re first born. Considering how popular this mixed breed is, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a breeder. The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) is a great place to start.
GANA breeders live up to meticulous standards of what the mixed breed should be and have even set the first official standard for the Goldendoodle. All breeders through GANA can verify the parent dogs have had their health clearances so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
You may have some trouble finding a Doodle in a shelter—someone will surely snatch them up quickly—but it’s not impossible. Check daily with your shelter for any available Doodles so you can set a meet-and-greet appointment.
Goldendoodle Breed Origin & History
Goldendoodles made their official debut in the 1990s, but they existed for centuries beforehand. Poodle mixes have always been sought out because they’re typically agreeable and allergy-friendly. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that breeders started to take the mixed breed seriously.
Soon after, you could find Doodle’s in different sizes. The first Mini Doodle litter was born in 2002, and the first official Doodle standard was set in 2017. Still, the Goldendoodle is deemed a mixed designer breed and is not recognized by the AKC.
Image By: David Calvert, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Goldendoodle 🧠
Goldendoodles are extremely loving, gentle dogs. They love to play and form strong bonds with their owners. Besides their teddy bear-like features, Doodles are also known as smart and eager to please pups, making them relatively easy to train. They make great pets for first-time dog owners.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
Whether you’re single living in an apartment or have a large family and farm, the Goldendoodle can be a life-long friend. Goldendoodles are very versatile with their home lives and will do very well in any situation as long as basic needs are met.
Homes with small children will love having a Goldendoodle around to play and snuggle with their little ones (as long as they can handle the pet properly). But if it’s just you in the house, then that’s okay, too. Doodles don’t mind lounging about a house all day waiting for their owners to return from work. These dogs can adapt to any kind of lifestyle.
Image By: Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Generally, Doodles get along with all kinds of animals, including farm animals. You’ll still want to introduce new pets slowly- particularly prey animals, but the Doodle will be easy to train.
Things to Know When Owning a Goldendoodle:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Since Goldendoodles come in several sizes, it can be a challenge knowing how much to feed them. Goldendoodles do very well on high-quality dog food rich in protein, whether it’s a homemade diet or store-bought. You and your vet can decide on the right food brand and amount to feed based on your Goldendoodle’s size and activity level, as well as any individual health issues they may have.
Exercise 🐕
Exercise such as daily walks and some backyard play with a ball will keep your Goldendoodle happy and healthy. Doodles love to play in the water, so time in the sprinkler or a pond will make your Goldendoodle the happiest dog in the world.
Doodles also enjoy more strenuous forms of exercise, like long runs and hikes. Just make sure your Doodle is fully grown and healthy before incorporating tough workouts.
Image By: Lopolo, Shutterstock
Training 🦮
Goldendoodles are highly intelligent and are relatively easy to train given their eager-to-please personality. They can do well in just about any type of training and excel in service dog training. You’ll want to start them in a puppy training program first so they can learn basic commands.
Doodles are very sensitive and will respond much better to “gentle parenting” methods instead of harsh training techniques.
Image Credit: W.H. Photography, Shutterstock
Grooming ✂️
Depending on genetics, their fur will be either straight, wavy, or curly. Doodles with straight or wavy locks will have more Golden Retriever in their DNA and will therefore shed more. These dogs will require daily brushing. Many owners take their Doodles in for month trimmings to keep their fur well-groomed and free of mats.
Health and Conditions ❤️
Because of the genetic cocktail, Goldendoodles are much healthier compared to their purebred parents, assuming you’re purchasing from a well-trained breeder. Goldendoodles can still develop minor health problems, such as weight gain, dental disease, allergies, tick and flea-borne illness, and more. Regular vet exams, exercise, and a healthy diet will keep your Doodle in tip-top shape.
Minor Conditions
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy
Serious Conditions
Bloat
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Hypothyroidism
Male vs. Female
All Doodle’s vary in size depending on the parents, so it’s difficult to estimate their size based on gender alone. A qualified breeder can give you an estimate based on the dog’s ancestry. However, there really isn’t much difference between males and females overall.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Goldendoodle
1. Goldendoodles Have a Connection to Author Charles Dickens
Although the classical author Charles Dickens had nothing to do with Goldendoodles, his great-granddaughter bred Goldendoodles in the 1960s to serve as service dogs for people with allergies.
Health and well-being are crucial elements to any breeder. But since the Doodle varies in size and color, breeders choose to focus on the major characteristic that makes Doodles so popular- their temperament.
Image By: April Walker, Unsplash
3. A Great Dane Breeder Set the First Goldendoodle Standard
In 2017, Great Dane breeder and AKC Grand Champion Cindy Niske set the first Goldendoodle official standard.
Final Thoughts
Goldendoodles are one of the best dogs to add to your home. They do well in any lifestyle and adore children and other pets. It’s important to work closely with a breeder to really understand what kind of Goldendoodle you’ll get. Otherwise, you might end up with a moderately shedding Doodle when you need one that doesn’t shed at all.
Cassidy is a vet tech and professional pet sitter turned pet writer whose passion is all things animals, both domestic and wild. She’s had a multitude of pets over the years and loves writing about the animal-human bond. She and her husband now live in Wichita with a German Shepherd named Raven, two cats, Lucy & Strudel, and a few backyard chicks.
