Goldendoodle Breed Characteristics
Height
50 to 60 cm at the shoulder
Weight
50 to 90 pounds
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 is a hybrid of the Golden Retriever and the Miniature or Standard Poodle. They’re one of the increasingly popular Oodle or Doodle breeds, which are the product of breeding a Poodle with another breed of dog.
Goldendoodles are particularly successful and popular, due to their gentle nature and great degree of affection for humans. They tend to be wonderful house pets and companions for their owners.
Due to their nature as a crossbreed, different puppies in a litter may have different traits. In general, a well-trained and well-socialised Goldendoodle is a kind, friendly and loyal dog that any dog owner would be lucky to have.
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
5/5
Friendly with Kids
5/5
Friendly with Dogs
5/5
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Exercise Needs
5/5
Prey Drive
1/5
Tendency to Bark or Howl
3/5
Good for Novice Owners
3/5
Apartment Living
1/5
Goldendoodle Breed History
The Goldendoodle owes its creation to the Labradoodle, another Doodle breed that is the result of breeding a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. There were dog lovers who wanted a similar dog, but with the characteristics of a Golden Retriever instead. Surprisingly this idea only truly came to fruition in the 1990s, despite the Golden Retriever being one of the world’s most popular breeds for much longer than that.
Most Goldendoodles will be first-generation hybrids, and these dogs will have an even chance of inheriting the traits of either of the parent breeds. It is relatively rare to find Goldendoodle breeding programs that go beyond first-generation dogs.
That hasn’t stopped people from trying to form some sort of breed standard, and it is expected that there will eventually be official breed traits.
Caring For a Goldendoodle
- Temperament: These dogs inherit many of the traits of their parents, often getting the Poodle’s gentle nature and the fun-loving temperament of the Golden Retriever.
- Grooming: The coat of these dogs can be curly like that of a Poodle, wavy like that of a Golden Retriever, or a mixture of the two types. Expect to have to brush and groom your dog regularly.
- Exercise: Golden Retrievers and Poodles are high-energy dogs, and their puppies are no different. Most Goldendoodles will need one to two hours of outdoor exercise each day.
- Nutrition: Adult Goldendoodles will need two to four cups of dry dog food per day, while a Goldendoodle puppy will need around half that amount, spread out over three to four meals. Of course, this depends on the size of your Goldendoodle. Ask your vet for more specific amounts.
- Training: Both the Golden Retriever and Poodle are at the top of the charts for intelligence, so Goldendoodles are naturally quick to pick up on training as well. Regular obedience training is a must, as they can grow to be large dogs.
How to Choose a Responsible Goldendoodle Breeder
Because it’s such a new breed, you should buy your Goldendoodle puppy from responsible, ethical Goldendoodle breeders. They will have the best knowledge of how to produce well-tempered, healthy puppies. The breeder you buy your puppy from should know the genetic profile of their breedings animals, and have their puppies tested for common health issues.
If possible, schedule a visit with your breeder so you can see how they treat their breeding animals. Try to request a meeting with the parents of the puppy you plan to buy, as you’ll be able to get a better sense of the potential temperament of your future pet.
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.
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