Goldendoodle Breed Characteristics
Height
35 to 63 cm at the shoulder
Weight
7 to 36 kg
Life Expectancy
10 to 15 years
Coat Colours
Golden, cream, red, black, brown, white, grey
Goldendoodle
Gentle, sociable and sensitive
About the Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle, a combination of the Golden Retriever and the Miniature or Standard Poodle, is part of the expanding Oodle or Doodle breed category; which is when a Poodle is bred with another dog breed.
The Goldendoodle ranks highly among other breeds due to a gentle temperament and great love for human beings. They make for excellent companion animals and household pets.
As a mixed breed, puppies within the same litter may have different characteristics. However, a well-trained and well-socialised Goldendoodle is the picture of kindness, sociability, and loyalty. Thus, they make for a beloved member of any household.
Here are some of the qualities you can expect from the Goldendoodle, rated from one to five stars. However, all dogs are individuals, and your dog may not display exactly the same characteristics.
Family Life
Rated 5 out of 5
Friendly with Kids
Rated 5 out of 5
Friendly with Dogs
Rated 5 out of 5
Ease of Grooming
Rated 3 out of 5
Exercise Needs
Rated 5 out of 5
Prey Drive
Rated 1 out of 5
Tendency to Bark or Howl
Rated 3 out of 5
Good for Novice Owners
Rated 3 out of 5
Apartment Living
Rated 1 out of 5
Goldendoodle Breed History
Much of the history of the Goldendoodle comes from the Labradoodle, another Doodle dog, which is created from the mating of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. Dog lovers wanted a similar dog to the Labradoodle, but with the temperament and appearance of a Golden Retriever, however, this was not attempted until the 1990s – surprising to researchers and dog lovers alike considering the Golden Retriever has been around for ages.
This history also means that most Goldendoodles are first generation doodles as people who bred Goldendoodles either took more from one breed than another or these first generation breeders have not yet went beyond using F1 Goldendoodles for breeding versus F2 (beyond first generation).
Caring For a Goldendoodle
- Temperament: Goldendoodles inherit many parental traits, often blending the Poodle’s gentle nature with the Golden Retriever’s fun-loving disposition.
- Grooming: Their coat may be curly like a Poodle’s, wavy like a Golden Retriever’s, or a mix. Regular brushing and grooming are essential.
- Exercise: Since both parents are high energy, Goldendoodles tend to be the same. They need one to two hours of outdoor exercise per day.
- Nutrition: Adult Goldendoodles should eat two to four cups of dry dog food a day. Goldendoodle puppies need about half that amount, in three to four meals daily. Note this may differ with size so vet your options for exact amounts.
- Training: With both parent breeds ranking high in intelligence, Goldendoodles are quick learners. Regular obedience training is essential, especially as they can grow large.
How to Choose a Responsible Goldendoodle Breeder
Since this breed is still new, it’s important to buy your Goldendoodle from reputable, ethical breeders who know how to create well-tempered, healthy puppies. They should understand the genetic profiles of their breeding animals and test their puppies for common health issues.
If you can, go to the breeder to see how they keep their breeding animals and ask to meet the puppy’s parents, the dam and stud, so you can get an idea of your intended animal’s temperament.
Looking for a Groodle breeder? Find one here: https://responsiblepetbreeders.com.au/groodle-breeder/
Looking for a Groodle stud? Find one here: https://responsiblepetbreeders.com.au/groodle-stud/
Looking for a Golden Retriever breeder? Find one here: https://responsiblepetbreeders.com.au/golden-retriever-breeder/
Looking for a Golden Retriever stud? Find one here: https://responsiblepetbreeders.com.au/golden-retriever-stud/
Looking for a Poodle breeder? Find one here: https://responsiblepetbreeders.com.au/poodle-breeder/
Looking for a Poodle stud? Find one here: https://responsiblepetbreeders.com.au/poodle-stud/
Goldendoodle FAQ
Can Goldendoodles be left alone throughout the day?
Goldendoodles tend to be adaptable and can often entertain themselves if they have enrichment activities when left alone. However, they can be prone to developing separation anxiety. It’s best not to leave them alone for too long, or they may develop negative behaviours.
Do Goldendoodles make good watchdogs?
No, the Goldendoodle is not known to bark excessively, even when strangers approach their home. They’re friendly to a fault and may even welcome intruders.
Dog Breeds Similar to the Goldendoodle
The information is for general use only. For any specific advice or queries, please consult with your veterinarian.
