Goldendoodle Dog Breed Facts & Information

The Goldendoodle is a cross of a Golden Retriever and Poodle. Many people love this hybrid breed for their outgoing nature, friendly personality, and intelligence.

This relatively new breed came about in the 1990s and has grown in popularity alongside other Doodle cross-breeds like Bernedoodles, Boxerdoodles, and Labradoodles. Today, they’re one of the most most popular breeds in the country in the United States.

Goldendoodles have soft, wavy fur that sheds less than the fur of many other dogs, so some people believe them to be hypoallergenic. The risk of allergies can depend on the dog and the person, however.

Read on to learn more about Goldendoodles, from their creation to their family and guide dog potential. We’ll also help you decide they’re the right dog for you.

Breed Characteristics

Goldendoodle Appearance

Goldendoodles can vary widely in appearance and size from one dog to the next.

“There isn’t a universally recognized breed standard yet for Goldendoodles, leading to variations in appearance,” says Corinne Gearhart, Host of The Doodle Pro Podcast and Founder and Owner of The Doodle Pro training company.

This is due to the crossbreeding of two standard breeds, the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, that are very different. Plus, multigenerational breeding and variations like 3/4 Poodles can lead to dogs that look much more like one breed than the other, Gearhart explains.

Their size will also vary, depending on the Golden Retriever and Poodle used in breeding, Gearhart explains, adding that sizes can differ within the same litter. Reputable breeders typically provide a size range instead of a guarantee.

Standard Goldendoodle categories include:

• Toy: These weigh 5 to 15 pounds and stand 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. They usually reach their full growth between 8 and 12 months of age.
• Miniature: These weigh 15 to 35 pounds and stand 15 to 20 inches tall. Like toy Goldendoodles, they’re usually fully grown by their first birthday.
• Medium: These weigh 35 to 50 pounds and stand 17 to 20 inches tall. Medium Goldendoodles might keep growing until 15 months old.
• Standard: These weight 50 to 90 pounds and stand 20 to 26 inches tall. These Goldendoodles might keep growing until they’re 18 months or even 2 years old!

Fur type and colors

A Goldendoodle’s coat can range from flat, which lies along the body like a Golden Retriever’s, to curly, like a Poodle’s.

Gearhart says the most common colors for Goldendoodles are cream, gold, red, black, and parti—a coat with two or more colors. Red often fades to gold due to the Poodle’s fading gene. Some Goldendoodles come in chocolate, but this is less common.

To many people, Goldendoodles look a bit like teddy bears, which is a shape pet parents often request during grooming appointments. Gearhart says that beneath the coat and cut, you might find a blocky Golden Retriever head or the long, narrow muzzle of a Poodle, complete with the trademark ridge on the top of their head.

Types Of Goldendoodles

You may have come across breeders advertising their litters as F1B, or some other combination of letters and numbers.

“Breeders used to cross more Poodle in their Goldendoodles to try and prevent shedding and reduce human allergies,” Gearhart says. “Now genetic testing for shedding can make this less necessary, but it’s still common practice.”

Gearhart explains Goldendoodle types:

• F1: This is a first-generation Goldendoodle. It comes from crossbreeding a purebred Golden Retriever with a purebred Poodle. F1 Goldendoodles are 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle. 
• F1B: An F1B Goldendoodle is a cross between an F1 Goldendoodle and a Poodle. This cross increases the Poodle’s influence in the mix, often for allergy or shedding concerns. F1B Goldendoodles are 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever.
• F2: This generation results from the crossbreeding of two F1 Goldendoodles. F2 Goldendoodles are 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle, like the F1 generation. However, their genetic variation is more diverse due to the mix of two F1 dogs.
• F2B: An F2B Goldendoodle is a cross between an F1 Goldendoodle and an F1B Goldendoodle. This generation is 62.5% Poodle and 37.5% Golden Retriever.
• Multigen: Multigen Goldendoodles are bred from generations beyond F2B. 

Goldendoodle Health

Smaller dogs, generally speaking, have longer lifespans.

A Goldendoodle’s lifespan depends on their size. Gearhart says toy and mini Goldendoodles live between 12-15 years, on average. Medium Goldendoodles live between 10-13 years, on average, and standard Goldendoodles typically live between 10-12 years.

What health conditions are common for them?

As stated by the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA), common health issues include Hip and Elbow Problems, Eye Problems, Allergies, Ear Infections, Knee Issues, Thyroid Troubles, and Bloat.

Goldendoodle Personality

“Goldendoodles can inherit the personality traits of a Goldendoodle, a Poodle, or a mix of both,” Gearhart says. “They are generally athletic, energetic, and loving dogs.”

Yet while Goldendoodles can have either a Poodle’s intelligence, a Golden Retriever’s exuberance, or some mix of both, there’s no breed standard for this.

She adds, however, that they can also be prone to anxiety, barking, and sensitivity.

It’s also important to understand that Goldendoodles need more physical and mental exercise than many people realize. They require years to grow out of puppyhood and careful training to avoid increasing any possible anxiety or fear.

Goldendoodle Training

“Goldendoodles are notoriously challenging to train, with the exuberance of the Golden Retriever combined with the athleticism and smarts of the Poodle,” Gearhart says.

She says that Goldendoodles need training to manage their exuberance, jumping on visitors, and pulling on walks—and positive reinforcement training is a must for Goldendoodles. 

Goldendoodles can also learn tricks. From her experience as a Goldendoodle trainer, Gearhart says teaching a Goldendoodle to “sit pretty” or retrieve specific toys from the toy box can be crowd pleasers.

Ideal Human & Lifestyle For Goldendoodles

“Goldendoodles can be great matches for families, single people, or as therapy dogs, as long as pet parents are realistic about the unique and dedicated training and mental and physical demands their Goldendoodle needs,” Gearhart says.

In other words, Goldendoodles won’t thrive without plenty of exercise and mental enrichment. Larger Goldendoodles also have higher energy levels for longer periods, and they might have a hard time living in an apartment, especially in their younger years.

That said, a large backyard may not be enough to meet your Goldendoodle’s needs. In fact, Gearhart notes, dogs with yards usually get less walks and exercise than dogs who don’t have yards.

“Goldendoodles need extensive physical exercise and mental stimulation. They usually bond with everyone in the household, so involving all family members in training can create stronger bonds,” Gearhart says.

Grooming

Goldendoodles require frequent brushing and coat maintenance. You’ll need to brush them every other day, if not every day, at home, if you want to keep the “teddy bear” look, according to Gearhart—but a very close trim without fluff can cut down on maintenance.

“Their cute look and low to non-shedding coats require extensive and expensive upkeep, since Goldendoodles need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks,” Gearhart says.

She goes on to add that bathing a Doodle at home can be tricky, since you need to brush them before the bath and blow out and brush their coat after their bath. “I advise using a professional groomer for the health of your Goldendoodle’s coat.”

If you do choose to bathe and groom your Goldendoodle at home, Gearhart recommends getting a quality slicker brush, detangling spray, high-velocity pet dryer, and a Greyhound comb for checking tangles.

Getting A Goldendoodle

It always helps to keep The Cost of Pet Parenthood in 2024 in mind when you’re planning to get a dog, but you’ll also want to consider a few additional factors as you decide whether to adopt a Goldendoodle through a rescue or purchase one from a breeder.

“Goldendoodle adoption has become more feasible recently, but quality breeders still play a role in meeting demand,” Gearhart says. “The puppy market in general has flattened, leaving puppies of all breeds and mixes available for adoption.”

When buying a puppy from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 for a Goldendoodle puppy. Pricing can depend upon the puppy’s pedigree, coat color, and health.

According to Gearhart, Red and miniature Goldendoodles are the most popular, and they may have higher adoption or breeding fees due to their popularity.

You may pay less when adopting a Goldendoodle from a rescue or shelter—not to mention you’ll give an older dog a loving home!

And once you bring them home, you can check out our list of top Goldendoodle names to find the perfect name for your new friend!