All About Goldendoodles

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having lunch with my mom.

As always, the subject of dogs came up, and we started talking about Goldendoodles.

My mom currently has a 10-year-old Golden Retriever named Augustine (aka Gussie). 

We started discussing the possibility of her getting a second dog before Gussie was too old to deal with a puppy.

Gussie is a very young 10-year-old, but as time goes on, I am sure that her patience with younger dogs will eventually wear thin. 

I often think that a well-behaved mature dog can help make puppy training go a lot easier and smoother. I feel that dogs tend to learn faster from one another than they do from their human parents.

My mother is in her 70s and though she is still quite active, lifting a large dog in and out of a car is becoming more and more difficult.

Gussie is 64 lbs. So not a huge Golden, but far from small.

A smaller dog would be better for her, but my mom strongly prefers the Golden Retriever breed.

So, I suggested she look into a Goldendoodle since they are part Golden Retriever; plus, they come in a variety of sizes.

Enter the Goldendoodle

Because I love dogs and learning about them, I told her I would do some digging to see if the Goldendoodle breed would be a good option for her.

Since I “dogsit” for my mom frequently, I needed to make sure it was a breed that would also be compatible with my four-legged part of the family.

Any new dog coming into our family needs to be good with other dogs since we bring them to most family events.

In addition to being great with other dogs, the right dog for my mom needs to be easily trainable, get along with kids, and not too hyper, but energetic enough to go for daily walks. 

With my list in hand of what my mom was looking for, I jumped online to see what I could find.

Breed History

Of the different Doodle breeds, the Goldendoodle became popular in the 1990s following the boom of the Labradoodle.

The first documented Labradoodle was initiated because a hypoallergenic dog breed was required for a service dog. 

After the successful breeding of the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle became popular as an excellent hypoallergenic family dog. So, for all of the families wishing they could have a dog but couldn’t due to allergies, the Goldendoodle solved that problem.

Can’t decide which doodle to get? Check out our comparison of the Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle.

In addition to being hypoallergenic, Goldendoodles have the benefit of coming in a wide variety of sizes ranging from under 10 pounds to as big as 90 pounds.

Plus, the Goldendoodle comes in a variety of colors, too.

Types of Goldendoodles

The different types of Goldendoodles are categorized by their size.

There are four main size categories:

• Standard – The largest of the varieties.
• Medium – The second-largest, usually the size of a medium to large breed dog. These are the only ones that are not in the Poodle size categories.
• Miniature – These are fairly small and are the result of breeding a Golden Retriever with a Miniature Poodle. They are often between 10 – 15 inches tall to their shoulder.
• Teacup, Micro, or Petite – These are the outcome of breeding a Golden Retriever with a Toy Poodle.

Physical Characteristics of the Goldendoodle

Size

Lifespan

• Standard – 10 to 12 years
• Medium – 10 to 15 years
• Mini – 12 to 14 years
• Teacup – 12 to 15 years

Coat Types

There are four varieties of Goldendoodle coat types: curly, wavy, straight, or flat.

Though breeders can strive to produce Goldendoodles with a specific coat style, it is vital to point out that it is not an exact science and puppies of a diverse coat type can be produced in the same litter.

In addition to the style of the coat, the coats vary in texture and length.

Some dogs have silkier coats where other dogs have coarser hair more like the Poodle side of their genes.             

Coat color

There are three primary colors Goldendoodles come in: red, apricot, and cream.

Less common color options are black, chocolate, or multicolored (aka particolored^[2]).  

Much like the coat type of Goldendoodles, the color combinations that are produced from each litter can vary and include multiple colors.

Eye color

The most common eye color in Goldendoodles is brown.

There are a few anomalies in dogs with other colors such as blue or green, but this is a rare occurrence.

Nose color

Goldendoodles’ noses are black or brown.

Though like with all things Goldendoodle there are always exceptions, so a pinkish-brown nose is rare but possible.

Other Breed Names

There is a number of names the Goldendoodle is also known as:

• Groodle
• Double Doodle – This is a Goldendoodle mixed with a Labradoodle.
• Teddy Bear Goldendoodles aka English Goldendoodle – These are English Golden Retrievers crossed with a Poodle.
• Petite Goldendoodle – Miniature versions.

Personality Characteristics

Temperament

When people talk about Goldendoodle’s personalities, it’s usually to say how sweet, fun, and comical they can be.

They are happy dogs and love nothing more than spending time with their families and meeting new friends.

They are one of the most friendly dog breeds, but because of this, they make poor guard dogs.

In addition to adoring human companionship, Goldendoodles can often build quick friendships with other canine companions. Also, not only are they great in multi-dog households, but they usually get along with cats too.

Because Goldendoodles are so smart, they can be trained to live in harmony with a variety of creatures such as rabbits, guinea pigs, or even chickens.

Intelligence

The Goldendoodle is the result of two of the smartest dog breeds, so of course, these guys are going to be quite intelligent.

Because of their intelligence, they can often be trained to do different jobs like therapy or service dog work.

Trainability

Goldendoodles are one of the easiest dogs to train using positive reinforcement.

In fact, Goldendoodles love training as it is a combination of two of their favorite things: family and food.

They are sensitive dogs, so training cannot be punishment-based as it will cause your Goldendoodle to shut down.

This breed is one that strives to please and put a smile on their family’s face.

Exercise Needs

Goldendoodles need exercise like all dogs, but a daily walk is usually enough to keep them happy and healthy.

However, if you are looking for a dog who will enjoy weekend hiking and swimming, the Goldendoodle will have no problem keeping up.

Though Goldendoodles can be enthusiastic when meeting new people, mature Goldendoodles are not an overly energetic breed.

What Goldendoodles Excel At

Though the Goldendoodle is used as service dogs, the breed truly excels at therapy work.

The Goldendoodle’s friendly and sensitive nature makes them a fantastic choice to help the emotional needs of humans.

Therapy dogs can be found in a variety of settings:

• Hospital
• Nursing Homes
• Counselors/Psychologist offices
• Court Rooms
• Airports
• Libraries

People with therapy dogs can use them in their day to day professions, like counselors, or just in their free time, like volunteering at hospitals or libraries.

In addition to making fabulous therapy dogs, they can also be trained for nose work, agility for fun, flyball, and dock jumping.

Goldendoodles are happy, intelligent dogs, and there are few things they aren’t great at.

Even though they are great at several activities, they are best at being companions.

Just because Goldendoodles are capable of many jobs and games, they do not require specialized training or jobs to be happy.

Health Concerns

Although Goldendoodles were bred to combine the best traits of the two original breeds, the drawback of the Goldendoodle is that they also share negative genetic characteristics as well.

Some common health issues in Goldendoodles are:

• Subvalvular aortic stenosis (heart disease commonly found in Golden Retrievers)
• Hip dysplasia
• Sebaceous adenitis (skin disease common to Poodles)
• Eye diseases like retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma
• Addison’s disease

Best Foods for Goldendoodles and How Much do they Eat?

Goldendoodles generally don’t suffer from any specific digestive diseases, though they can have sensitive stomachs when it comes to switching foods.

So ideally, feeding a diet that’s been enhanced with probiotics would be best. 

A primary factor when choosing a dog food is the size of the Goldendoodle.

For the Standard, a large breed dog food would be optimal, and for the mini and teacup, a small breed food would be the best choice.

Some food options for food would be:

• Purina Pro Plan Savor– Contains Probiotics and would be good for any size Goldendoodle.
• Instinct Original Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Chicken – Contains Probiotics, perfect for toy or miniature.
• Core Wellness Grain-Free for Large Breeds– Enriched with joint support supplements, ideal for standard Goldendoodles.

You can find more options, and more in-depth info, in the article about what dog food is best for Goldendoodles.

Grooming and Maintenance

Although Goldendoodles are known for their lack of shedding, they still require regular grooming.

Goldendoodles can tend to become odorous unless bathed frequently, about every 3-4 weeks. Be cautious of over-washing your Goldendoodles as it can cause their skin to become dry and irritated. 

Special shampoos for Goldendoodles are available to help manage their fragrant nature.

Shampoos like:

• Healthy Breeds Deodorizing Shampoo
• Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control
• Pet Pleasant Lavender Oatmeal

However, if you have your dog’s haircut short, it will help to relieve some of the smell commonly associated with the Goldendoodle breed.

There are a variety of haircut options.

Not all people opt for a short haircut, there is no real breed standard for the cut, but it is encouraged to have the hair trimmed regularly to keep from mats forming.

Some of the common haircut styles are:

• Goldendoodle Lamb cut – Shorter haircut, but not as tight as a true short haircut with rounded cut feet, soft cut around the face, and full fantail.             
• Even Length Puppy Cut – The hair is cut to the same length on the body and face.
• Teddy Bear face – Leaving the longer on the face yet, softly trimmed to give a rounder look.

Goldendoodles are higher maintenance than other breeds when it comes to grooming.

Breeding

The age at which it is best to breed a Goldendoodle depends on the dog itself.

Generally, smaller dogs reach sexual maturity before larger dogs.

Male dogs can be fertile as young as six months and female dogs reach sexual maturity between six months and two years.

Female Goldendoodles should not be bred until after their first season.

Some breeders believe it is best to wait until a female dog is at least two years of age before using them for breeding.

When it comes to the Doodle breeds, there are different generations which significantly impact the outcome of a litter^[3].

The first litter of puppies from a Golden Retriever and a Poodle are known as F1. These pups are half of each breed, and though they are Goldendoodles, they tend to shed more than F2 puppies.

F2 Puppies are the result of breeding the F1 dog to a full-bred Poodle. The litter from this union creates a dog with less Golden Retriever traits and more Poodle traits, ultimately resulting a dog that sheds considerably less than other Goldendoodles.

How Many Puppies per Litter?

The average litter size for dogs is between 2 – 12 puppies.

The most significant factor in litter size is the size of the dog.

The general rule is the larger the dog, the larger the litter.

However, like in all things, there’s always going to be the exception to the rule.

So, for Goldendoodles, it very much depends on which of the varieties of Goldendoodle is being bred.

How Much do Goldendoodles Cost?

The cost of a Goldendoodle is dependent on a variety of factors. 

• Generation
• The reputation of the Breeder
• Gender
• Age
• Color
• Coat
• Location

Though the cost of a Goldendoodle is important, is it is crucial to find a reliable and reputable breeder.

You can typically expect these prices:

• Standard $1800 – $3100
• Medium $1800 -$2500
• Mini $2000 -$2500
• Teacup $1000 – $3800

Where to Adopt or Buy a Goldendoodle

If you are looking for a puppy finding a reputable breeder is your best option.

If you aren’t sure where to start in locating a good breeder, contact your local vet clinic as they are a great resource in the canine community.

If you are looking to skip the challenges of puppyhood but would still love to bring a furry friend into your family, there are two great options.

The first option is to go through a rescue organization. Not all rescue dogs have behavioral issues; many dogs are given up because of a family situation.

The second option is to contact a breeder to see if they have any adult dogs for sale.

Breeders will sometimes have older dogs that were formerly used for breeding. Also, some breeders may have slightly older dogs that weren’t adopted from a previous litter or ones returned because they were not a good fit for that family.

Final Thoughts

After spending a substantial amount of time learning about Goldendoodles, I think that this would be a perfect breed for my mom.

They meet all of the criteria she is looking for: ideal size, easily trained, great companion, and makes friends quickly with both humans and canines.

Outside of looking at this breed for my mom, I think that this is a perfect option for new dog parents.

In fact, they are an excellent breed for most families or individuals looking to share their lives with a dog that is intelligent, friendly, and loving.

FAQs

 

 

Resources

1. https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/about-the-breed/sizes/
2. https://www.goldendoodleacres.com/colors/
3. https://doodleadvisor.com/which-generation-of-goldendoodle-is-best/
4. https://doodleadvisor.com/when-do-goldendoodles-calm-down/
5. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g4748/top-smartest-dog-breeds/
6. https://goldendoodles101.com/goldendoodles-and-golden-years/
7. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/treating-and-preventing-hot-spots-on-dogs/