When you combine one part Golden Retriever and one part Poodle, you get the best of both worlds! Goldendoodles are considered “designer” dogs for a reason: they’re a crossbreed of pups with a great attitude, striking features, and an affectionate nature.
Goldendoodles were created in the early 1990s, making this breed very new. Due to their short history, it’s rare that Goldendoodles crossbreed with each other, and many owners are still breeding with Poodles and Golden Retrievers directly.
After the successes of the Cockapoo (Cockerspaniel and Poodle) and Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Poodle), breeders wanted to combine two of America’s favorite breeds to see what physical and personality traits emerged. Not surprisingly, many Goldendoodle puppies end up having the intelligence of the Poodle, and the loyalty of the Golden Retriever.
Goldendoodle puppy facts
Goldendoodles are becoming increasingly popular, especially in Australia. In fact, they have their own version called the Australian Goldendoodle, combining an English Goldendoodle and an Australian Labradoodle. Here are some facts about this amazing breed.
| Size | Medium. Adult Goldendoodles weigh between 50 to 90 pounds (male and female). They usually measure 1 foot, 8 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder. They tend to come in miniature, small standard, and large standard, depending on what type of Poodle (miniature or standard) was bred with the Golden Retriever. |
| Breed Characteristics | The Goldendoodle generally has a wavy to curly coat and will have longer hair around the tail, body, ears, and legs. Goldendoodles come in a wide variety of colors, anywhere from black, copper, cream, golden or even red. The most common color is golden. |
| Temperament | Goldendoodle puppies are dedicated to their families but also very amiable with others. They enjoy human company and many experience separation anxiety when not engaging with their humans. Early socialization, exposure to diverse situations, and obedience training are important for this breed. They tend to want to say “Hello” to everyone they meet. |
| Grooming and Health Needs | Goldendoodles are generally healthy, however, finding a good breeder is important to ensure the puppy’s health and safety. Weekly brushing is important, though some owners may want to get their Goldendoodle regularly groomed due to the long fur. Goldendoodles are prone to ear infections and hip dysplasia and their ears and hips should be checked regularly. |
| Training | Goldendoodles are easy to train. They’re usually eager to please, which makes them a good choice for first-time dog owners. Early socialization classes are recommended, so your Goldendoodle can socialize well with other dogs and humans. They also love swimming and can be a perfect lake companion! |
| Energy Level | Goldendoodles are moderately energetic, preferring 20-30 minutes per day of daily exercise. They need room to roam, so having an outdoor fenced space is very helpful, though they primarily will want to be inside next to their owners when you are home. |
| Life Span | Goldendoodles live between 10 – 15 years on average. |
Who is the best human for a Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodles are happy in either urban or rural environments but are not great apartment dogs. They do best when they have a backyard to roam around in and shouldn’t be put in a kennel. Suitable for families with children, Goldendoodles are delightfully easy to train, and highly social animals. They’re great working dogs too, suitable as service or therapy dogs. Due to their agreeable demeanor, however, don’t expect your Goldendoodle puppy to grow up to be a guard dog.
Getting a Goldendoodle puppy
Whether to adopt or to work with a breeder for your new Goldendoodle puppy is a personal choice that requires research. Thankfully, there are many resources out there to help you find a rescue or breeder that offers healthy, ethically-sourced Goldendoodle puppies.
Knowing what you’re in for when you get a Goldendoodle puppy is an important step in being a responsible pet owner. Whether you find a responsible breeder or are planning on adopting, prepare yourself for an energetic and friendly addition to your household.
Finding a Goldendoodle breeder
It may be surprising to know, but adopting a Goldendoodle puppy is possible. According to the AKC, most breed rescues report that a majority of their rescue dogs come from individual owner surrender, with the most common reasons being a change in lifestyle or the breed not being right for them. This means that there may be many dogs and puppies out there that are looking for a new forever home.
The main difference between a breeder and a rescue is that a rescue may not always have young puppies to choose from. The benefit, however, is that most are mandated to only adopt out dogs that have been microchipped and spayed/neutered. This means you may end up with a dog who’s already been housebroken and doesn’t need these common medical procedures. You may also find a Goldendoodle mix who has all the traits you want from the breed, but with a little extra thrown in.
Goldendoodle puppy resources
After you find the right Goldendoodle puppy, it’s time to prepare your home! Here are a few resources to get you started.
