Weight: miniature, 15 to 30 pounds; medium, 30 to 45 pounds; standard, 45 to more than 100 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Miniature or Standard Poodle. Like both of his parent breeds, he’s intelligent, friendly, and at least moderately active.
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability
5 stars
Dog Friendly
5 stars
Shedding Level
3 stars
Affection Level
5 stars
Exercise Needs
4 stars
Social Needs
5 stars
Apartment Friendly
5 stars
Health & Grooming
5 stars
Stranger Friendly
5 stars
Barking Tendencies
3 stars
Health Issues
4 stars
Territorial
3 stars
Cat Friendly
5 stars
Intelligence
5 stars
Trainability
5 stars
Child Friendly
5 stars
Playfulness
4 stars
Watchdog Ability
3 stars
General Breed Information
Goldendoodles are the perfect pet for temperament and people with allergies. Perhaps one of the best reasons to get a Goldendoodle is that they are low-shedding to no-shedding, depending on the generation. If you have a more severe allergy to dogs, you may want to try an F1B or higher generation puppy to control the shedding.
Coats
The Goldendoodle may have one of three coat types:
Straight
The straight coated Goldendoodle will have taken after the Golden Retriever side. If you are looking for something with less maintenance and a sporty look, this is a great choice, however, they will most likely shed. We wrongly assumed our Goldendoodle named Dolly had this coat, but as she got older, the coat became more wavy. A true straight-coated Doodle will not change with age.
A straight/flat coated Goldendoodle looks more like a retriever.
Loose & Wavy
Dixie Chick and Dolly are good examples of this coat type. They require moderate grooming, but still portray a bit of the curly look. As you can see, it is a loose curl which is really pretty.
Dolly, just about ready to be weaned and come home.Dolly getting a little bigger!!
Dolly, before her hair-cut! Dolly, full grown with her new trim!
Delta (just weaned) -on our way home from picking her up!
Delta has a loose & wavy American Cream colored coat.
She is pictured above.
Curly
The curly Goldendoodle coat takes more after the Poodle side and has a nice tight curl throughout the body. It is hard to know for sure what coat type your puppy will have at a young age, but if you see some waviness around the ears and flank area, this is a good sign your puppy will have a curly coat! Our red Goldendoodle named Reba has this coat.
Here are three photos of how Reba’s coat developed:
Above Photo: Reba and her litter-mates as newborns
Reba, getting a little bigger! She has a nice black nose and is dark red in color. It is common to show no curl right away, but it didn’t take long until we could see some waves on her ears and lower body.
Reba getting ready to be weaned!
Reba is pictured above, full grown. Her coat matured to a tighter curl and she continues to look super cute!!!
Health Concerns
As a hybrid breed dog, Goldendoodles are generally healthier than either of their parents, and there is very little concern of any major medical issues. They have a life expectancy of 12-16 years.
Colors
You will find Goldendoodles in a range of colors, including creme, gold, tan, brown, grey, black, or a mixed combination of these. Cream is the most common Goldendoodle color.
Generations (WE ONLY BREED F1 & F1B’S)
F1 Goldendoodle = Golden Retriever X Poodle
(50% Poodle – 50% Golden Retriever)
F1B Goldendoodle = F1 Goldendoodle X Poodle
(75% Poodle – 25% Golden Retriever)
F2 Goldendoodle = F1 Goldendoodle X F1 Goldendoodle
(50% Poodle – 50% Golden Retriever)
F2B Goldendoodle = F1 Goldendoodle X F1B Goldendoodle
(65% Poodle – 35% Golden Retriever)
F3 Goldendoodle = F1B Goldendoodle X F1B Goldendoodle OR F2 X F2
(75% Poodle – 25% Golden Retriever OR 65% / 35% for F2 x F2)