Goldendoodle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The goldendoodle is a crossbreed between a golden retriever and a poodle originally developed in the late 1960s to serve as guide dogs for those allergic to dogs. Goldendoodles vary in size because of the poodle's size variations. The breed typically has curly, hypoallergenic hair and hardly sheds thanks to its non-shedding poodle ancestors. Goldendoodles are highly intelligent, athletic, and lovable dogs that are great with kids and other pets.

Learn more about the beloved goldendoodle to decide if it's the right dog for you and your family.

Characteristics of the Goldendoodle

The goldendoodle is known for their affectionate personality and willingness to please, making this a popular choice for families. Due to their gentle temperament and high trainability, they have been used as pets, agility dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, diabetic dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

History of the Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles were first bred in 1969 to be guide dogs, but the breed gained popularity among breeders during the 1990s. This designer mix was bred to combine the poodle's non-shedding coat with the golden retriever's desirable temperament.

The idea for the crossbreed was inspired by the successful breeding of the Labradoodle, a poodle and Labrador retriever hybrid. As one of the most popular domestic dog breeds in the United States, the golden retriever was an obvious choice for crossbreeding with the delightfully hypoallergenic poodle.

The first three dogs to earn the American Kennel Club Obedience Champion title after its introduction in 1977 were golden retrievers, which proves their loyalty and ease of trainability poodles were originally bred as retrievers and water dogs, and both are among the smartest dog breeds. These genes pass on to the goldendoodle, so owners can expect an athletic, intelligent, and obedient companion.

Goldendoodle Care

Though they're not high-maintenance dogs, goldendoodles require adequate exercise, grooming, and training. They make great house pets but enjoy plenty of time to play and explore outdoors. A fenced yard is ideal for goldendoodles to romp around, but they shouldn’t be kept there all day. This social breed thrives with their family and friends inside.

Exercise

With average to above-average energy levels, goldendoodles require daily exercise and love to go for walks, runs, hikes, and swims. Their playful nature and retriever genes make them great fetch partners, too. Owners should aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day including walking, running, swimming, and tackling agility courses.

Grooming

The goldendoodle's coat varies, but is often somewhere between the two parent breeds when it comes to grooming. Though goldendoodles don’t shed excessively, they still need to be brushed regularly to remove dead hair and prevent matting. To keep their skin and coat healthy, they need a moisturizing bath every few months. Depending on the dog, a goldendoodle may grow long hair over the eyes or between the toes, so appropriate trimming is required.

Training

Goldendoodles are obedient, athletic, and smart so they take well to training and are eager to please. Agility comes to them naturally and courses are a great place for goldendoodles to burn energy and create a strong bond between owner and companion. They respond best to positive, reward-based training and will gladly show off their tricks for a tasty treat.

Common Health Problems

Goldendoodles tend to have excellent health if bred responsibly. They may inherit health problems associated with poodles and golden retrievers, but crossbreeding may reduce the chances of some health problems due to their genetic diversity. In your puppy search, it’s important to find a reputable breeder who is committed to breeding healthy dogs.

• Hip Dysplasia: Poodles and golden retrievers are both prone to hip dysplasia, so a hip exam is highly recommended to keep a potential issue in check.
• Eye Disorders: Eye issues are also a common problem among poodles and golden retrievers. Setting up an annual eye exam with your veterinarian is a great idea for all goldendoodle owners.
• Skin Conditions: The breed may also be prone to allergies, which may lead to skin and ear infections. Bacterial or yeast infections in the ear are more likely to develop if their ears get wet. It's important to check and clean the ears as needed and keep them dry.

Diet and Nutrition

Because goldendoodles are active, they need a high-quality diet to keep them happy, strong, and energetic. Look for dog foods high in protein and healthy fats with meat as the first ingredient. They should be fed measured meals twice a day rather than free-feeding, which can cause weight gain.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Goldendoodle

Check with your local animal shelter or rescue group to see if there's a goldendoodle available for your home. The IDOG Rescue, Inc., group is dedicated to finding new homes for all types of doodles, including Goldendoodles, that need a loving family. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue also includes goldendoodles in the type of dogs that it rescues.

If you're interested in buying a goldendoodle puppy, find a reputable and responsible breeder and watch for signs of a bad or backyard breeder. The Goldendoodle Association of North America provides a list of breeders on its website.

Goldendoodle Overview

The goldendoodle is an intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dog that thrives in active homes, especially those with kids. They're fairly easy to train and have relatively low-maintenance care.

Pros of the Goldendoodle

• Smart and fairly easy to train
• Good for those allergic to dogs
• Friendly dogs that are good with kids and other pets

Cons of the Goldendoodle

• Needs at least 30 minutes to an hour of daily exercise
• Doesn't do well being left alone for long periods of time
• Some are prone to allergies

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Like goldendoodles? You might also enjoy these breeds:

• Bernedoodle
• Cockapoo
• Cavapoo

Learn even more about our favorite furry friends by checking out additional dog breed profiles.