Goldendoodle Dog: Facts, Care & Tips To Know

On average, Goldendoodles live around 12 years.

Goldendoodles with Miniature Poodle genetics stand 14 to 17 inches at the shoulder, while dogs with Standard Poodle genetics will generally reach about 17 to 21 inches tall.

Miniature Goldendoodles weigh between 25 and 35 pounds, medium Goldendoodles weigh at least 36 pounds, and larger Goldendoodles can weigh over 50 pounds.

The American Kennel Club doesn’t officially recognize Goldendoodles, since they’re a hybrid breed.

While most will have one of the above coat colors, not all Goldendoodles are golden! Any color is allowed under breed standards.

Goldendoodles were bred to shed very little, so many will have low-shedding coats. This depends on an individual dog’s DNA, however.

While they may enjoy a good cuddle, Goldendoodles aren’t couch potatoes. Expect to spend at least an hour a day exercising them.

Goldendoodles aren’t one of the most talkative dog breeds, but some do like to talk more than others.

Goldendoodles can thrive in just about any living situation, from keeping a single senior adult company to playing with a family full of kids.

Goldendoodles may be prone to genetic conditions like progressive retinal atrophy, von Willebrand disease, and degenerative myelopathy.

Goldendoodles are natural athletes who can spend hours running and playing.

Goldendoodles are often naturally friendly, like their Retriever side. But they can also be prone to anxiety around strangers and other dogs, which makes early socialization essential.

According to GANA’s breed standards, Goldendoodles should always have what’s known as “furnishings,” or extra long hair around the eyebrows and muzzle. Furnishings can make a Goldendoodle look even cuter, but this also helps them shed less. The furnishing gene is linked to a low-shedding coat! 

While you may have heard that a Goldendoodle’s fluffy coat is “hypoallergenic,” that’s actually a myth. No dog is truly hypoallergenic. Allergies to dogs come from dander in a dog’s skin, which comes off when they shed.

F1 Goldendoodles typically shed at a similar rate to Golden Retrievers, while multigen Goldendoodles shed less, according to Terri Seymour, GANA gold-certified Goldendoodle breeder and owner of Loving Hearts Goldendoodles. She says reputable breeders should DNA test their dogs so you’ll understand their allergen level. 

While curly “teddy bear” hair is most common, Goldendoodles can also have wavy or straight hair, depending on their genetic history. 

The first generation offspring of a Golden Retriever and Poodle is a true 50/50 mix of both parent breeds, Seymour says.

The second generation comes from breeding two f1 Goldendoodles together. According to Smith, this generation tends to experience inconsistencies called the “f2 breakdown,” where some puppies look more like Golden Retrievers or Poodles than a hybrid of the two.

This is the offspring of an f1 Goldendoodle breed with a Poodle or Golden Retriever. By crossbreeding dogs in this way, knowledgeable breeders can sometimes avoid the f2 breakdown and reintroduce desired traits, like a low-shedding coat. 

Any Goldendoodle bred after the first few generations. Multigen dogs usually have the most consistency in appearance, personality, and shedding levels, Seymour says. 

Goldendoodles are prone to eye conditions like progressive rod cone degeneration (PRCD-PRA) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Both of these can cause vision loss and eventual blindness.

Goldendoodles can inherit brain disorders from their Poodle parent, including neonatal encephalopathy with seizures (NEWS). This condition can cause extreme weakness and seizures and is usually fatal. 

Other neurological conditions like degenerative myelopathy (DM) can cause weakness and muscle loss.

Von Willebrand disease makes it tougher for a dog’s blood to clot. Even minor cuts and scrapes can lead to dangerous blood loss.

Overweight or obese dogs can be more at risk of conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and joint issues. But feeding your pups a well-balanced diet with minimal treats and making sure they get plenty of exercise can help them maintain a healthy weight.

When it comes to grooming, Goldendoodles are fairly high maintenance. They need brushing at least every other day and haircuts every 4 to 8 weeks. They also need regular tooth brushing, nail trims, and ear cleaning, Seymour says—like all dogs do, of course!  

Goldendoodles are active dogs with a lot of energy to burn! Smith recommends they get at least an hour of exercise a day as an absolute minimum—most thrive with a more active lifestyle. She suggests splitting this activity up throughout the day—like a 30-minute walk in the morning and by a hearty 30-minute play session in the evening. 

These dogs aren’t all brawn! Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world, and Goldendoodles inherited their powerful brains. They need mental stimulation throughout the day, like quick training sessions or access to puzzle toys. Remember, bored dogs often find their own fun—like digging holes or tearing up cushions.

“Goldendoodles are highly intelligent and very cooperative,” Smith says. Their will to please makes them easy to train. Like all dogs, positive reinforcement is the best way to hold their attention. 

Seymour explains that reputable breeders will start the training process before puppies go home. For example, Smith starts potty training her Goldendoodle pups at two weeks old!

As with all dogs, Goldendoodles need a nutritionally balanced diet. Choose a food that’s appropriate for your dog’s size. For example, Smith prefers the “Life’s Abundance” brand and feeds Miniature and Medium Goldendoodle puppies the small/medium puppy food and Standard Goldendoodles the large-breed puppy food.

While Goldendoodles are very energetic, Smith and Seymour agree they don’t necessarily need their own backyard. They can make good apartment dogs with an outlet for exercise, like daily walks and trips to the dog park.

A Goldendoodle’s gentle, easygoing nature makes them great with kids. They can also get along well with other pets, like dogs and cats. Just make sure you follow the steps for a proper introduction to get off on the right paw.

These pups have a high play drive, which means they’re down for just about anything, from a romp in the dog park to a day swimming at the lake. They make great companions for an active, outdoorsy lifestyle, Smith explains. 

Most Goldendoodles will enjoy activities like hiking, swimming, and dog sports like dock diving and agility.

Goldendoodles can do well in both hot and cool weather, Smith says. That said, if you live in a place with extreme temperatures, it’s important to keep them inside during heat waves and cold snaps. 

If you can’t take your dog outside, Smith suggests indoor activities to keep your dog entertained, like tug-of-war, hide and seek, or even indoor agility.  

Choose a breeder who belongs to GANA and has either a bronze, silver, or gold certification. These qualifications mean the breeder follows the club’s ethical breeding standards and health tests their dogs for genetic issues. 

“Stay away from any breeder who is raising dogs in an unclean or disorganized area,” Smith says. Parent dogs and puppies should be well-fed, have regular vet visits, and be physically and emotionally cared for. Ask to see the dogs’ living space on a Zoom call or when visiting the breeder.

A breeder isn’t the only way to find a Goldendoodle for your family. Plenty of shelters will have Goldendoodles and other Doodle crosses.

Organizations like IDOG Rescue specialize in rehoming Goldendoodles and Labradoodles across the country. Consider visiting their website first to find out if you connect with any pups in need!