Is a Goldendoodle the Right Dog for You?

After the labradoodle began to gain in popularity, breeders saw the benefit of crossing other pups with a standard poodle. Through this process, we’ve been given the gift of new mixed breeds like the berndoodle, cavipoo, maltipoo, and even the goldendoodle. So, what happens when you cross two of the smartest and friendliest dog breeds? We learned all about the goldendoodle and what kind of family would be ideal for one.

About the goldendoodle

The breed emerged in the late 1990’s but no one is sure of the exact date of the first pups. The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) says goldendoodles are extremely social, outgoing, non-aggressive dogs that thrive on human companionship. They have a great desire to please and to learn.”

The club’s information goes on to explain that, “Each individual breed (the Poodle and the golden retriever) score in the top 4 of the 150 smartest dog breeds.” This makes these dogs extremely intelligent and they have a strong desire to please their handlers. Because of their temperaments and overall health not only can these pups make great pets, but they are also good candidates for therapy dogs and service dogs.

The average goldendoodle weighs in at over 50 pounds and stands about 21 inches tall. In recent years breeders have begun to work to accommodate the demand for different-sized pups. There are now four categories for sizes – petite, mini, medium, and standard. So, even if a 51-pound pup is too big for your home or apartment you may still be able to have a petite or mini Goldendoodle.

Because there are a variety of coat colors within both breeds, there is a lot of color variation in the goldendoodle. Dogs may be pale and cream-colored, dark apricot, or even black or chocolate-colored. Goldendoodles are not always solid-colored pups and can have a wide variety of markings, making each dog unique!

3 Pros of goldendoodle

1. Intelligent

Since both poodles and golden retrievers are among the smartest breeds, there is no question that this mix will also produce smart pups. This means the pup will be a quicker than average learner and may be able to learn more advanced tricks or even jobs like a service dog. In order to ensure that your pup is using its brainpower for good instead of evil, training and socialization will be key!

2. Low to no shedding

For people who suffer from allergies, this might be welcome news. Although it is a myth that these pups are truly hypoallergenic, they may be suitable pets for those with a mild case of allergies. Dogs can be genetically tested for “furnishings” which means they have the type of coat that sheds the least and is most appropriate for those with allergies.

3. Great companion dogs

The Goldendoodle’s friendly and outgoing personality makes them a great family pet. They enjoy the company of people and want to run, play and hang out on the couch with their families. Like many dogs who love to eat, watch out for excessive begging if your pup is joining you at mealtimes.

3 cons of goldendoodle

1.Require extensive grooming

To keep the hair healthy and free from matting, your goldendoodle will need to be prushed daily and taken to the groomer every 6 weeks or so for a bath and haircut. Not taking propper care of your goldendoodle’s coat can result in painful skin issues and even issues walking if hair grows over the paw pads excessively. Grooming for a standard sized goldendoodle can run over $100 per session – before you even tip your groomer. If you don’t want to spend the money or learn to groom your dog at home, choose a pet with a lower maintenance coat.

2. Need a lot of exercise

Goldendoodles are bred from dogs who like to work so it’s no surprise that these pups need more than just a leash walk around the block a few times per day. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes a day giving them some physical and mental work to do. You can teach them tricks, romp in the backyard or try dog sports like agility or rally to help them work off their excess energy.

3. Can be expensive due to the popularity

With the rise in popularity of these adorable and coveted pups, you can expect to pay upward of $1500 for your Goldendoodle if you go through a reputable breeder with many pups costing triple that. Unless you have a specific need for a purpose bred dog, you can find many wonderful pups for little to no cost at a shelter or rescue. As a bonus, most of the pups in a shelter or rescue include the cost of spay or neuter surgery and all appropriate vaccines. There are a few Goldendoodle specific rescues so if you have your heart set on a Goldendoodle but don’t want to go through a breeder you can try that. Go online to find the rescue in your area.

Is a goldendoodle a good first dog?

Yes, with proper training and socialization, the goldendoodle can be a great first pup for a family. We have highlighted how these pups love to please their humans and make great companion dogs so if you are thinking about adding a dog to your family the goldendoodle might be a perfect choice.

If you need additional resources around getting and raising one of these amazing pups check out 11 Tips for Getting and Raising a Puppy, or reach out to GANA to find a breeder and learn how to best care for your pup.

Once your goldendoodle is settled in at home – its time to think about food. At Ollie, we know plenty about feeding and nourishing goldendoodles because it is one of the top 5 most popular breeds among all of our pet customers. Their parents find that our delicious Recipes keep their pups happy, healthy and full of only the good stuff. They tell us all the time that their pups love to see the big orange boxes get delivered and dig into the good stuff straight from our signature Puptainers!

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.