Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are part golden retriever and part poodle and full of all the best characteristics of both! They are outgoing, friendly, and smart – and rising in popularity since the 1990s. They have been bred to be hypoallergenic and are known to be a great family dog, great with kids of all ages.

Goldendoodle History

Goldendoodles first emerged in the 1960s, but they were not an official hybrid breed until the 1990s. Their popularity came after the success of other poodle mixes like cockapoos and labradoodles. It has been steadily growing in popularity ever since. 

Goldendoodles were intentionally bred to get the larger size and friendly personality of the golden retriever mixed with the low dander, low shedding, and intelligence of the poodle. Because they are a newer breed, many goldendoodles are still in the first generation of their breeding and there are not many crossbreeds between goldendoodles. 

Goldendoodles are not currently recognized by the AKC and there is no breed standard in place. They are, however, recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club. 

Goldendoodle Appearance


Goldendoodles, much like other hybrid dogs, vary in their appearance, based largely based on their parents. They can have a curly to wavy coat, about two to three inches long, though they may be born with straight coats. 

The most popular color for goldendoodles is golden brown, but they can also be red, apricot, gray, white, cream, copper, and black. Their coats are often low shed, but they can still carry dander that irritates those with allergies. How hypoallergenic goldendoodles are depends on the type of coat. 

There are typically three sizes of Goldendoodles, which are based on the poodle parent. 

• Miniature goldendoodles weigh between 15 to 35 pounds and are 13 to 20 inches tall.
• Standard goldendoodles weigh between 40 to 50 pounds and are 17 to 20 inches tall.
• Large goldendoodles weigh between 50 to 90 pounds and are between 20 to 24 inches tall.
  

No matter what your goldendoodle looks like, they are happy, fun-loving dogs, always with a smile on their face and ready to help serve their families. 

Goldendoodle Personality


Goldendoodles have a great personality that is good for first-time and experienced dog owners alike. They are affectionate, gentle dogs that are highly sociable. They are easy to train and patient, though goldendoodles do have a playful, mischievous side! Goldendoodles have a lot of energy and can keep up with active families and kids with ease. 

Goldendoodles make great service dogs because they are smart and obedient, and their gentle and affectionate nature makes them great therapy dogs. They have even been known for their sense of smell, alerting owners with severe allergies to avoid certain foods. If you are looking for a Goldendoodle to serve as your service dog, there are plenty of training courses available to help hone their skills.

Because they are very friendly dogs, Goldendoodles are not great watchdogs, but they make up for it in their loyalty. They want to be around their people, and due to their highly sociable nature, they can suffer from separation anxiety. You will want to make sure that they do not spend too much time alone lest they can use their curious nature to get into all sorts of trouble.

Goldendoodle Exercise Requirements


Goldendoodles have an average energy level and typically only require about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be through short walks or running around in the backyard. Goldendoodles do best in homes with fenced-in yards so they can run around outside with ease. 

In addition to walks, they also love swimming as another form of exercise. Goldendoodles are indoor dogs, so they should not be kept outside or in a kennel. If they spend too much time away from their family, they may develop separation anxiety and become destructive. Goldendoodles, especially the larger ones, are not recommended for apartment living.

You should give your Goldendoodle plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. This will prevent boredom that leads to destructive behaviors like digging, shredding, and more.

Goldendoodle Training and Care


When you are looking to train your Goldendoodle, make sure that you use plenty of positive reinforcement. Goldendoodles are very smart dogs that want to please their owners. Their gentle, affectionate dispositions will develop over time with proper socialization and patience. 

If you are looking to utilize your Goldendoodle as a service dog, they will need to undergo specialized training, but because they are agile, highly intelligent dogs, they will pass with ease as long as you train with patience and consistency.

Depending on their size, your Goldendoodle should receive between 1 to 4 cups of high-quality dry dog food per day, split up between multiple meals. It is very important not to feed your Goldendoodle meals that are too big as they can suffer from gastric torsion or bloat if they eat too much too fast.

If you have questions about how much and what type of food you should be feeding your Goldendoodle, please consult a veterinarian. 

Goldendoodle Health


Much like other hybrid breeds, Goldendoodles have been bred to avoid some of the common health issues that plague their parent breeds. However, some of these are still possible in Goldendoodles, particularly:

• Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism
• Patellar Luxation
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Von Willebrand’s Disease 
• Allergies 
• Gastric Torsion
  

Your breeder should be able to provide health clearances for the parent dogs from accredited organizations before you purchase your Goldendoodle. These health screenings should give you a sense of what health conditions your Goldendoodle may develop, though these will likely be unavailable if you adopt. 

Goldendoodle Grooming

Goldendoodles have a low to no shed coat, but they still require grooming to keep their wavy or curly coat in top shape, and that includes both trims and brushing. Your Goldendoodle should be brushed every one to two weeks if they are not trimmed, and every few weeks if they receive regular haircuts. This will help keep their coats shiny and dander-free. 

They should only be bathed occasionally when needed. Too frequent bathing can strip your Goldendoodle of natural oils and moisture that keep his coat and skin healthy. Goldendoodles need their nails trimmed at least once a month, and you should brush your Goldendoodles teeth at least two to three times a week to prevent oral health issues. 

Goldendoodles are prone to ear infections, so you want to make sure to check their ears for redness or debris. Wipe the ears frequently with a damp cotton ball to prevent infections.

Goldendoodles are low-maintenance dogs that do not require too much grooming to keep them happy and healthy.