Goldendoodles: everything you need to know

What do you get when you cross a Poodle with a Golden Retriever? You guessed it - a Goldendoodle. This charming portmanteau directly translates to ‘seriously cute ball of fluff’ - and don’t, whatever you do, quote us on that.

This cute crossbreed, otherwise known as the Groodle, is one affectionate, intelligent, four-legged fluffball. Perfect for new pet parents and experienced sitters alike, these pooches are the definition of ‘the best of both worlds’. With the wisdom of the Golden Retriever and irresistible coat of curls from the Poodle, they’re known for their socialite personality and love for activity.

These canine companions thrive when close to those they love, but are also great as sniffer, therapy, and service working dogs. And they haven’t been around for long. In the 1990s, breeders combined the two beauties to make a truly unique (and sometimes healthier) crossbreed. 

So if you’re thinking about welcoming a Goldendoodle home or have just secured your dream sit with these fluffy cuties, read on to get clued up on this dog breed before you meet your new best friend.

Goldendoodle breed characteristics

Here are a few bread and butter facts about these cuddly balls of energy.

• Origin: Due to the success of the Cockapoo and Labradoodle dog breeds, the Goldendoodle was first bred by combining a Golden Retriever and Poodle in the 1990s.
• Size: 17 to 24 inches tall; 50-90 pounds.
• Breed characteristics: Goldendoodles are dog breeds known for their thick, fluffy double coat that’s easily matted (but SO worth the work). They’re low-droolers and don’t shed much which is ideal for keeping your house clean.
• Character: The socialites of the dog world, Goldendoodles are naturally curious and so usually great around children, cats and other dogs. To avoid shyness and anxiety, socialise these cuties from a young age, and know that they do bark, but it’s merely for self expression!
• Health needs and grooming: They’re easy to groom and low-shedders which means they can sometimes be a good match for people with allergies. There are a few health issues they can be prone to, so take a look below for more details!
• Training: Like their parents, they’re easy to train which means they’re great for first time pet parents.
• Energy levels: To be expected as a result of Golden Retrievers and Poodles, these fluffballs have bags of energy and so need lots of room to run around and play.
• Intelligence: Goldendoodles are known for their big brains, but don’t suit guard or watchdog roles!
• Lifespan: 10-15 years.

What does a Goldendoodle look like?

Like other Doodles, these golden cuties don’t hang about when it comes to fur (head to this Irish Doodle guide for more Doodle fun). 

Whether it’s their Caramac-coloured coat or the sheer masses of it, Goldendoodles are a seriously beautiful dog breed. Their coat can be flat, straight, wavy or curly, depending on whether they take after their Poodle or Golden Retriever parents on the fur front. If it’s loosely curled, it’s probably hypoallergenic; but if it's simply thick, it could irritate those with allergies. One thing that you can rely on though is the dense, double coat. We’d advise regular grooming to avoid matting and dirt clumps.

While the name implies otherwise, you can find copper, cream, red, grey and black Goldendoodles. And you might find that as these Doodles age, their fur will get whiter, especially around the feathering (edges).

As with other pooches, male Goldendoodles tend to grow slightly larger than female. They’ll reach between 17 to 24 inches at the shoulder, and weigh between 50 and 90 pounds. 

Goldendoodle personality

Goldendoodles are known for their infectious, affectionate nature. They’re perfect for new pet parents and sitters as they’re easy to train, gentle, and obedient. As highly social pooches, they’re at their best when around those they love. Taking after their Poodle and Golden Retriever heritage, they LOVE exercise - perfect if you enjoy being out, about and active.

What’s the ideal home for a Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles are an energetic bunch, so we’d always advise a medium to large size garden - they certainly wouldn’t do well with apartment living. These pooches need tiring out, much like their four-legged parents. So, regular walkies, games of fetch and lots of fuss is what these cuties are after. They also LOVE affection and fuss from those they love, so cuddles between playtime is very much advised. 

When it comes to dinner, split your furry friend’s munchies into two meals per day. As for size of the meal, follow the instructions on whichever food you choose for your pooch, as it varies. As tempting as sneaking scraps under the table can be, avoid that - Goldendoodles can develop begging habits and human food can cause weight gain along with various other health problems.

What type of person is most suited for a Goldendoodle?

As we've established, the Poodle, Goldendoodle and Golden Retriever all have winning personalities (and the good looks to match!). But is the hybrid Gooldendoodle the right pooch for you? Well, maybe!

Great for first-time pet parents and well-seasoned dog lovers alike, Goldendoodles are happy so long as you’ve got lots of love to give, along with motivation for walkies, fetch and fun! Some Goldendoodles also have hypoallergenic fur, so they’re also great if you’re prone to sniffles around your canine friends. 

Tips for training a Goldendoodle

Like their parents (canine parents, that is), Goldendoodles are famously easy to train - one reason why they’re so fab if you’re new to the furry scene. Like with any pet pal, they need regular, consistent training and socialisation. But once they’re used to your house rules, they’ll soon learn to trust you and make for the perfect, obedient buddy. Training classes aren’t essential, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt. Goldendoodles are super social, so it’s a great idea to get them amongst other pets from an early age. And the same can be said for other Doodle breeds, but how to tell them apart? Check out our handy guide on to find out the differences between the Goldendoodle vs. Labradoodle.

Goldendoodle health

In general, Groodles are healthy dogs. But like any of our four-legged friends, you’ll need to keep an eye out for a few different health issues. These can include Addison’s disease, sebaceous adenitis (a skin disease), subvalvular aortic stenosis (a heart condition), progressove retinal atrophy, cataracts and glaucoma (all eye diseases). Golden retrievers are also prone to various types of cancer, so we’d advise getting a health check of your Doodle pup, and scheduling regular yearly check-ups at the vet.

Goldendoodle breed history & origins

The Goldendoodle was first bred in the 1990s with the aim to create a large Doodle (i.e. anything crossed with a Poodle) with the low-shedding coat and friendly, intelligent nature of the Golden Retriever. Some studies have shown that crossbreeds are generally healthier than purebred pooches, so along with a super fluffy coat and affable nature, Goldendoodles *may* have less health issues than their Golden Retriever and Poodle parents.

How to groom a Goldendoodle

One thing we LOVE about Goldendoodles is their mop of adorable fluff. A reward like that doesn’t come without a bit of maintenance, though. Regular grooming is highly advised as they’re prone to matting and can easily collect dirt. So, if your pooch is into river swimming or muddy puddle rolling, be sure to shower that cutie down as soon as you’re back in the warm. Along with regular maintenance at home, it’s also worth taking your Doodle to the groomers for a pampering every four to six weeks. Not only will they feel like a queen, it’s also a fab way to make sure knots don’t build up, and that stunning coat won’t get matted.

Goldendoodle useful information

Scout for a few handy links if you’ve just got a new pup!

• How much does a Goldendoodle cost?
• Poisonous plants for dogs to avoid
• What to do if your pet is crying
• How old is your dog?
• Beginner’s guide to puppy training
• How to toilet train a puppy
• Puppy training tips and hints
• Basic puppy cues
• New puppy checklist

So, there we have it, everything (most things) you need to know about these adorable fluffballs.

Potty about Poodle mixes?

Understandable. Next up, read our Newfypoo breed guide and get ready to expand your Poodle pup horizons.