Goldendoodle: Your Complete Guide
The goldendoodle is an incredibly popular mixed breed dog that finds itself at home among loving and active families. This dog is playful, intelligent, and friendly, and they are often noted for their sociable and outgoing nature. Many individuals love goldendoodles for their ability to be a companion dog and soak up affection, and it’s easy to see why this breed has become so popular in recent years.
If you are thinking about adding a goldendoodle to your life, you will need to learn the basics of this breed and how to care for them properly. Proper care and a loving home are both essentials to helping your goldendoodle thrive and to enjoy a lifetime with this companion dog at your side.
Quick Look at the Goldendoodle
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 15 to 24 inches, 40 to 75 lbs |
| Coat Type | Curly, wiry, medium to long |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Affectionate, friendly, playful |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits |  |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
What Is the History of Goldendoodles?
Goldendoodles are mixed breed dogs that are created by crossing a standard poodle with a golden retriever, something that creates a medium to large sized dog with high intelligence, a gentle disposition, and an eager to please nature.
The goldendoodle has likely been around since the 1960s, but it grew to rapid popularity in the 1990s as breeders started actively working to preserve and develop this breed. The concept behind the goldendoodle is to create a dog with the sweet disposition of the golden retriever and the low-shedding hypoallergenic coat of the standard poodle.
Goldendoodles are very popular today, though these dogs have yet to be standardized, and they are not a breed officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Due to the lack of standardization among goldendoodles, you may get a dog that is more like its golden retriever parents, one that is more like its poodle parents, or one that is a perfect mix of both. It is important to note that all goldendoodles will vary in size, personality, and preferences due to a general lack of standardization across the breed.
What Do Goldendoodles Look Like?
The goldendoodle appears much like a mix between its two parent breeds – this dog will have curly hair, though it might be a little longer and wavy if this dog takes more after its golden retriever parent, and its face will be sweet, alert, and friendly. The goldendoodle will have the longer legs of a standard poodle, and their ears are generally floppy.
The most common coat colors are shades of gold and brown, though this dog can be seen in brown or even white, depending on the genetics of its parents.
What Size Is a Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodles range in size from medium to large, and their exact size depends on their parents. Because these dogs aren’t standardized, they can be fully in the medium-sized category, or they can be fairly sizable. On average, a goldendoodle will stand between 15 and 24 inches tall and weigh between 40 to 75 pounds.
What Is a Goldendoodle’s Coat Type and Length?
The goldendoodle has a curly coat that may be a little wiry or even somewhat silky and straight, depending on the genetics of their parents. These dogs will have a medium or long coat, and they require a fair amount of grooming and maintenance to ensure their fur stays in good condition.
What Is a Goldendoodle’s Temperament?
The goldendoodle is a positive, upbeat, and outgoing dog, mostly thanks to its golden retriever parent. These dogs are friendly, and they love to meet new dogs and people, so you won’t have any issue with them warming up to strangers or being reluctant to go on new adventures. These dogs are very social, and they will need to spend lots of time around their families to stay happy.
Your goldendoodle will be active and require lots of exercise and dedicated playtime each day to stay healthy, in addition to consistent training to keep their more rambunctious behavior under control. You may find that your goldendoodle develops separation anxiety or acts destructive when they are bored, something that training and lots of time spent playing with your dog can help to reduce.
Are Goldendoodles Good With Kids?
Goldendoodles are known for being a very child-friendly dog, and these pups are especially tolerant of children of all ages. The goldendoodle is gentle and playful, and they generally won’t mind if a young child pulls on their fur extra hard or accidentally topples on top of them from time to time. However, you should always monitor your children’s behavior with your dog and teach your children how to interact with dogs safely to ensure the well-being of both your goldendoodle and your children.
Are Goldendoodles Good With Other Animals?
The goldendoodle will typically get along well with other animals, especially animals that they have been raised alongside. These dogs are friendly and affable, and they don’t usually demonstrate aggressive or territorial behavior, nor are they aloof when it comes to meeting other animals. Your goldendoodle is also not likely to have a very high prey drive, but whether or not your dog actually gets along well with small animals depends on their unique personality.
Are Goldendoodles Aggressive?
Goldendoodles are not known for being aggressive, and these dogs are generally very sweet, tolerant, and gentle. Your goldendoodle may become anxious from time to time, which can result in aggressive behaviors out of fear or stress. It’s important to monitor your dog and take them for proper training sessions if you suspect they are developing anxiety or stress issues.
Do Goldendoodles Bark?
Goldendoodles can be vocal, though they usually don’t bark too often without reason. These dogs are often alert, and they may use their barks to indicate something is not meeting their expectations or to show their excitement while playing. Your goldendoodle is likely easily trained, however, and they may be able to live comfortably in places with noise restrictions as long as they have lots of opportunities to exercise and get rid of their energy outside the home.
Are Goldendoodles Affectionate?
The goldendoodle is a very affectionate dog, as these pups are known for their loving natures and the strong bonds they form with their families. You can expect your goldendoodle to love to play, cuddle, and be pet, and they will likely want to spend as much time as they possibly can at your side, whether they are exercising with you or cuddling up on the couch after a long day.
Are Goldendoodles Intelligent?
The goldendoodle is a very intelligent dog, which is no surprise as its parent breeds are both intelligent and curious. The standard poodle and the golden retriever are often used for service dog work, and they are very perceptive dogs. Your goldendoodle will be no different, and this dog is quick to learn new routines or tasks. You will need to make sure your goldendoodle receives plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy.
Are Goldendoodles Energetic?
Your goldendoodle is likely to be an energetic dog, and they may need a fair amount of exercise depending on their size. These dogs will need several lengthy walks per day, and they will benefit from having a fenced-in outdoor area to play in throughout the day. Your goldendoodle will also enjoy going on hikes or other long walks with you, and they will benefit from regular outings to the dog park.
Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train?
In general, goldendoodles are an easy breed to train. These dogs are eager to please, and they love to learn new things. You can expect your goldendoodle to enjoy regular training sessions with you, though this dog can sometimes be so sociable and excitable that you may need to work hard to keep them focusing their attention on you throughout the training. Short and consistent training sessions with high-value treats work best for this breed.
Are Goldendoodles Good Watchdogs?
Goldendoodles do not make the best choice if you need a watchdog for your home, as these dogs are very friendly and unlikely to perceive many things as a real threat. This breed can be alert and brave, but they are more likely to run over and greet a stranger with love and requests for belly rubs than they are to alert their owners to danger or other threats on their property.
Are Goldendoodles Good Service Dogs?
The goldendoodle makes a good service dog, as the parent dogs of this breed are both noted for the excellent service dog work they do. Your goldendoodle will be eager to learn and intelligent enough to learn new things, including complex service dog tasks, and they will love to have a job that they can complete alongside you. Your goldendoodle will also be strong enough for service dog tasks like guidance, mobility support, and opening or closing doors as needed.
Additionally, this breed is fairly affectionate and loving, and they will make good candidates for emotional support animal work or therapy dog work.
How to Care for a Goldendoodle?
The goldendoodle does not have particularly high maintenance care needs, but they will need their exercise and mental stimulation needs met every day. You should be walking your dog several times a day, dedicating at least an hour of playtime to your dog each day, and training your dog on a consistent basis.
You should not leave your goldendoodle home alone for long hours, as this can cause anxiety and lead them to engage in destructive behaviors. Your goldendoodle will need their own space in your home, complete with toys, a bed, and food and water bowls, and you should feed your dog high-quality wet or dry dog food two to three times a day.
Make sure your goldendoodle’s grooming needs are met by brushing them regularly and taking them to a professional groomer for baths and hair trims when necessary.
Do You Need to Groom a Goldendoodle?
Your goldendoodle will have curly, wiry hair, and they may also have some spots of straight and wavy hair, depending on their genetics. Regular brushing several times a week is necessary to remove any dead and shed fur, and your dog will need to visit a professional groomer every few months for a bath and to ensure their fur is trimmed.
Do Goldendoodles Shed?
The goldendoodle is not known for shedding a lot, and this is thanks to the curly coat of this breed. Goldendoodles are also notable for being hypoallergenic, a trait they get from their standard poodle parent and one that makes them suitable for individuals with mild dog allergies.
What Health Problems Do Goldendoodles Have?
The goldendoodle, like many other dogs, may be prone to certain health issues due to their genetics and the traits of their parents. The following health conditions are common in goldendoodles:
- Hip dysplasia
- Arthritis
- Eye problems
- Von Willebrand disease
- Cancer
- Allergies
- Hypothyroidism
If you suspect your goldendoodle has any of these problems, take them to your vet for a check-up as soon as possible. Quick care is vital to ensuring your dog is taken care of before health issues become too serious.
How Long Do Goldendoodles Live?
On average, your goldendoodle will have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. Proper care and notable health issues can impact your dog’s lifespan, and routine vet visits can help keep your dog healthy.
What Should a Goldendoodle Eat?
The goldendoodle will need to eat a diet of wet or dry food or a combination of both types of food. This breed will need between 1.5 and 3 cups of food each day, though you should pay attention to the caloric content of the food to ensure you are not overfeeding or underfeeding your dog. Speak with your vet if you have any concerns about your goldendoodle’s diet.
Is a Goldendoodle the Right Dog for Me?
The goldendoodle is a popular dog, and this breed is well-suited for families or active individuals. The goldendoodle is the right dog for you if you have the time and space to keep your dog’s physical stimulation needs met, you can dedicate time to training your dog, and you won’t leave your dog at home alone too often. This breed needs plenty of time and attention from their owners, and they will love to be included in every adventure possible, curling up by your side on the couch after a long day of fun.