The Ultimate Guide to the Goldendoodle

If you are looking for a puppy, you probably want one that is friendly, good with kids, and easy to train.

If this describes you, you may want to add a Goldendoodle to your home!

At Infinity Pups, we know that finding the perfect dog for your family is a serious undertaking. That's why we've written this article about Goldendoodles, so you can figure out if this breed is a good fit!

Goldendoodles are a crossbreed between Poodles and Golden Retrievers, bringing out the best traits of both parent breeds.

From the Poodle, it brings intelligence, low-shedding tendencies, and obedience. And from the Golden Retriever comes devotion, desire for human companionship, and gentleness.

Ready to learn why the Goldendoodle is a perfect choice for your family?

Let's go!

History

Breeders first created Goldendoodles in the 1960s, but the dogs didn't become popular until the 1990s.

The original purpose for the Goldendoodle breed was to design a crossbreed that would be an ideal guide dog without as much shedding and the allergies accompanying shedding.

The result was a designer dog called the Goldendoodle.

To create a designer dog, simply cross a purebred poodle with another purebred breed. Most designer dogs are bred to link the Poodle's non-shedding coat with the positive characteristics of another breed.

So what is the result of mixing two different pure breeds?

When you intentionally mix two pure breeds, you create a crossbreed, such as the Goldendoodle, Aussiedoodle, or Bernedoodle.

A pure breed has been deliberately bred over several generations from animals of common ancestors.

Conversely, a crossbreed is the result of mixing two pure breeds with different genetics.

Very few multigenerational Goldendoodles exist where two Goldendoodles were bred together. Instead, the most popular method continues to be the Goldendoodle as a crossbreed directly from a purebred poodle and purebred golden retriever.

Goldendoodle Variations

There are two main types of Goldendoodles. Your available space needs and goals dictate which type is best for you.

Miniature: Miniature Goldendoodles range from 13 to 20 inches in height and 15 to 40 pounds.

Standard: Standard Goldendoodles range from 20 to 24 inches in height and 40 to 100 pounds.

Which type is best depends on how large a dog you want to keep in your available space.

Personality Strong Points

Breeders created the Goldendoodle to bring together the best of the Poodle and golden retriever.

These pure breeds have many positive characteristics, but bringing them together in the Goldendoodle crossbreed results in a few outstanding features.

NOTE: Remember that you never know precisely what you'll get with a crossbreed. You cannot control genetics, and while you can hope that mixing two breeds creates a new dog with the "best of both worlds," there's no guarantee what mix of traits you'll end up with.

Here are the top five characteristics of the Goldendoodle:

Affectionate

Like their Golden Retriever parents, Goldendoodles love humans! They quickly become attached to their owners and people they come in contact with regularly.

Spending quality time with a Goldendoodle, especially when they are a puppy, creates a long-lasting bond and a relationship with your dog that lasts a lifetime.

The downside is that Goldendoodles can suffer from separation anxiety if you neglect them for long periods.

Intelligent

Because of their intelligence, Goldendoodles do well in specialized situations. They can make excellent guide dogs and companions for people with special needs or health concerns.

Groomability

Goldendoodles' hair often reflects their poodle parents' hair. The result is that they don't usually shed as much and can be groomed and trimmed easier than long-haired dogs.

It is important to note that because the Goldendoodle is a crossbreed, there is no guarantee that your dog will not have some of the hair characteristics of the golden retriever. However, the Goldendoodle generally has fewer grooming issues than long-haired breeds.

Trainable

Goldendoodles are not only intelligent, but they also are easy to train. This is particularly true if you train them as new puppies with consistent and non-threatening methods.

Whether basic house training or more advanced training involving tricks and other unique commands, the Goldendoodle is well prepared to learn everything you teach him.

Friendly

The Golden Retriever side comes out in these dogs' friendliness! Their high levels of emotional intelligence and kindness make them excellent family dogs.

Goldendoodles will show friendliness to strangers, children, and other dogs. Most will also show friendliness to other kinds of animals, cats included!

Other Characteristics

Like any other animal, the exact characteristics of the Goldendoodle vary based on the puppy you choose, the environment where it is raised, and the regular attention and care it receives.

There are a few characteristics of the Goldendoodle that some people may not find ideal for their particular situation or wants.

These are not necessarily negative characteristics, but you should consider them before you choose a puppy.

Regular exercise needed

The Goldendoodle is an active dog and needs regular exercise. As a general recommendation, Goldendoodles should get a good 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise.

What constitutes daily exercise?

Daily exercise could include playing in the backyard or local park, walking or running, or swimming.

Remember that puppies should not be involved in vigorous activities such as jogging until they are six or eight months of age. Over-exercising early can cause joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Begin with taking your puppy on short walks with frequent breaks.

If you are looking for a low-energy dog that will be content to sit on the couch with you and not require regular aerobic activity, then the Goldendoodle may not be the best breed for you.

Not the best watchdog

Because they are so friendly to everybody, Goldendoodles do not make the best watchdogs.

This doesn't mean your Goldendoodle will not bark when a strange person or vehicle approaches the house--they will!--but your dog will not be as quick to step in and ward off intruders or protect people in danger.

Space Considerations

Space is a concern with any pet, and Goldendoodles are no different. Because of their need for daily exercise and the potential size of the larger standard variation, you will want to ensure you have enough space in your house or backyard for your Goldendoodle.

Many people do not recommend standard Goldendoodles for small apartments or spaces because of their active nature and size. Choosing a miniature Goldendoodle may be wise if you have limited space for your dog.

Grooming

Even with their poodle DNA and easy groomability, the Goldendoodle's coat cannot be ignored!

One of the keys to success in adequately grooming your Goldendoodle is to start when they are a puppy. If you do grooming and care regularly and gently from the start, the Goldendoodle will become used to it, and you can get it done quickly.

So what are some of the best grooming practices?

Goldendoodles should be brushed regularly, preferably several times a week. The best grooming method is to use a slicker brush that will work well with curly hair.

Since they are partly Poodle, should you do regular trimming?

Longer coats will mean more shedding, more knots in the hair, and a harder time grooming your Goldendoodle. You should have your Goldendoodle clipped several times a year and aim for 2-3 inches of hair length. If you trim your Goldendoodle regularly, you will find that the grooming process is much faster and easier.

If you groom and trim your Goldendoodle properly, you will not need to bathe it regularly. Of course, the exception is if it's dirty and needs to be cleaned. A Goldendoodle's skin has its own oils and moisture, and regular bathing can strip these natural oils.

Other care for the Goldendoodle includes routine dog care. Be sure to keep their nails trimmed. You should also brush their teeth several times a week with approved toothpaste.

Health

Health is a critical factor in your Goldendoodle's quality of life, as well as how long it will live.

The Goldendoodle is subject to many common disorders and illnesses of all dog breeds, but a few are more specific to the Goldendoodle breed.

Your first line of defense?

The best time to look for health issues in your Goldendoodle is during regular grooming. Looking for sores, rashes, unusual skin or hair color, or other issues when you groom your Goldendoodle will help you get a jump start on any problems.

One of the more common issues found in numerous dog breeds is hip and elbow dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia occurs when a joint in the dog's leg or hip becomes weakened or malformed. This can result in painful arthritis, or even lameness if it goes untreated.

Thankfully, dogs can be tested for this since it is a genetic disorder. Ask your breeder if they have any dysplasia testing or health records on your puppy's parents. If your puppy shows any adverse signs, be sure to have them seen by your local veterinarian.

So what health problems are more specific to the Goldendoodle?

Because of their longer ears, Goldendoodles are more prone to get ear infections. This occurs when moisture gets inside their ears but does not dry because their larger ears prevent adequate airflow.

This also occurs in other breeds with larger ears. The best prevention against ear infection is to ensure the ears are thoroughly dried if your Goldendoodle has been swimming or gets significantly wet.

The best time to check for moisture or infections in the ear is during regular grooming.

Allergy Characteristics of a Goldendoodle

As was already mentioned, one of the original purposes of the Goldendoodle crossbreed was to find a dog that would be good with people without the negative allergic reactions that accompany long-haired dogs.

This raises the obvious question:  Do Goldendoodles have fewer allergens than other dog breeds?

This question is difficult to answer with a definitive "yes" or "no."

However, it does raise a second question that needs to be answered:  What causes people to be allergic to dogs in the first place?

The simple answer is dander. Dander is caused by the dead skin cells shed by dogs and other animals, including humans.

While Goldendoodles tend to have less dander due to their curlier and shorter hair, it is essential to understand that maintaining low dander levels is accomplished mainly with proper and regular grooming, trimming, and brushing.

If you don't groom your Goldendoodle properly, it can result in higher levels of dander and the corresponding allergens.

Choosing Your Dog

When choosing and bringing home your dog, there are several options.

You can purchase from a previous owner, adopt from a shelter, or buy them as a puppy.

What are some pros and cons of the three places you can get your dog?

Buying from a Previous Owner

The first 16 weeks of a puppy's life are critical stages of its development. When you buy a Goldendoodle that is already several years old, those early stages of development have already passed. This means that much of the training and development has already happened, whether good or bad!

A well-trained dog will save you much time and energy on training, but a poorly trained dog will require work to break their bad habits.

It can also take longer to bond with an older dog with a previous owner. Thankfully Goldendoodles are social and can adapt quickly if given love and attention.

You should also ask for any veterinarian records on your dog. This will allow you to keep up-to-date records on your dog's health, as well as help you and your veterinarian know that your dog is current on all recommended vaccinations.

Adopting from a Shelter

Adopting from a shelter will provide a loving home to a dog in need, and the results can be beautiful.

Animal shelters are constantly looking for good homes and families to adopt homeless pets, and this provides a way to give back to your local community and humane society.

If you choose adoption, you want to be aware that it might require additional TLC, patience, and training. Much of this depends on your dog's condition when it arrives at the animal shelter and the environment from which it came.

The animal shelter may know very little about the dog's background, so spending some time with the Goldendoodle in person will help you learn more about its personality.

Buying as a Puppy

Many people like to buy their Goldendoodles as puppies, especially if they want a family pet.

Buying a puppy provides a pet that will live a long, full life. It also allows you to provide quality training during the critical stages of development. And, of course, you'll also get to enjoy the cute and cuddly puppy stage!

One of the biggest benefits of buying your Goldendoodle as a puppy is that you maximize the amount of time you can spend with it.

Why is this important?

If you can bond with your Goldendoodle right away as a puppy, this will establish a strong bond between the puppy and your family.

When you purchase a dog as a puppy, you can provide it with a quality environment from day one. You can avoid issues resulting from a poor environment, negligence, or lack of training.

You may also have the opportunity to meet one of the puppy's parents, allowing you to see your dog's potential size and personality.

One negative in purchasing a puppy is that you are responsible for all the training. You can do all the training yourself or enroll your puppy in a local obedience school.

Remember: no matter how you acquire your dog, you should be fully prepared for the new responsibility! For more help, please read our blog post on 22 Easy Steps to Prepare for A Puppy.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a family-friendly, caring, and loyal dog, look no further than the Goldendoodle!

Purchasing a Goldendoodle will ensure you and your family a companion that loves every minute they can spend with you, and we can guarantee that you will love every minute with them as well.

If you are ready to add a Goldendoodle to your family, head to Infinity Pups to view our available Standard Goldendoodle and Mini Goldendoodle puppies.

Our puppies are never from puppy mills; they have a 1-year health guarantee.

If you think a Goldendoodle may not be suitable for you and you want to see a few more options, check out our other breeds! Or read about them in some of our other articles:

A GUIDE TO THE CAVACHON

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAVAPOOS

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CORGIS

We can't wait to match you with the puppy that's right for you.