Goldendoodle: Dog breed characteristics & care

👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Goldendoodles Charlie; Cooper is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Goldendoodles love Luna, then Bella.

• This crossbreed tends to be healthier than its purebred parents, a golden retriever and standard poodle.
• The curlier the goldendoodle’s coat, the less they’ll shed.
• They make excellent service animals thanks to the poodle’s intelligence and the golden retriever’s well-mannered disposition.

The goldendoodle has quickly grown in popularity thanks to its affectionate and easy-to-train personality. They love to play and exercise with their owners and thrive with daily walks, hiking, swimming, or sports like agility. Goldendoodles are also gentle and good with kids, making them ideal for families and first-time owners.

Goldendoodles are generally healthy but they can still be susceptible to health issues. These include:

• Skin conditions. Atopic dermatitis or eczema is an allergic reaction that causes dogs to rub, lick, bite, or scratch their skin.
• Knee injuries. What’s known as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in human knees is known as a CCL injury in dogs or ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments.
• Seizures. There may be several explanations for seizures in dogs, including epilepsy.
• Joint issues. Hip dysplasia is the loosening of the hip joint.
• Patella luxation. A luxating or dislocated kneecap is known as patella luxation.
• Blood clotting disorder. Known as von Willebrand Disease Trusted Source Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary school. Go to source , this inherited bleeding disorder has been known to affect goldendoodles.
• Progressive retinal atrophy. This slow loss of sight eventually leads to blindness in some breeds, including golden retrievers.

Cost of caring for goldendoodles

Since goldendoodles are typically healthy, the cost of caring for one usually involves regular vet visits, vaccinations, and other preventative care. However, if your pup develops a health condition, that cost can rise quickly. Get your dog insured to reduce out-of-pocket expenses — owners who sign their pets up early reap the greatest benefits — or set up a savings account to help in emergencies.

It’s unknown exactly when the first goldendoodles were born, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that the crossbreed took off in popularity. The golden retriever’s obedience and affection mixed with the poodle’s intelligence and trainability made the goldendoodle a sought-after companion. And while they’re called goldendoodles in the United States, they’re known as “groodles” in Australia.

Caring for any new puppy can be overwhelming. You’ll need to make your first trip to the vet and schedule your dog’s vaccinations. We can even help you puppy-proof your home and prepare for teething. Here are some other basics specific to goldendoodles.

Exercise

Golden retrievers and poodles are medium- to high-energy breeds, and the goldendoodle is no different. They require daily activity, whether it be long walks, swimming, hiking, obedience or trick training, agility, and other exercises.

Grooming

Because of the variation in coat patterns, grooming your goldendoodle might not look the same across the board. The curlier the coat, the more grooming the pup will need, but they’ll shed less than those with straighter coats. Find a reputable groomer familiar with doodle coats to maintain your dog’s coat or show you the ropes for at-home grooming.

👉 Goldendoodles sometimes have excessive hair inside their ears. To keep infections at bay, stay on top of their grooming.

Diet and nutrition

Goldendoodles are prone to allergies, so feeding your dog high-quality dog food is vital. Avoid feeding them table scraps and look into hypoallergenic dog foods if your goldendoodle is particularly sensitive. Check with your veterinarian if you aren’t sure what food is best for your pup.

Goldendoodles are known for being easy to train thanks to the intelligence and obedience of their poodle and golden retriever lineage. But, while training comes naturally to them, start that training early if you want a well-behaved dog — that energy level can lead to bad habits without the right guidance! Goldendoodles may be more sensitive than their labradoodle alternatives, so it’s better to use gentle reward-based training versus “tough love.” When in doubt, find a local certified dog trainer who works with goldendoodles to help you and your pup with the right techniques.

Not quite sure that a goldendoodle is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar dogs. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Labradoodle. Another “doodle,” this mix of a Labrador retriever and standard poodle tends to be tougher and more work-oriented than goldendoodles.
2. Cockapoo. A mix of a cocker spaniel and a poodle, this is a smaller crossbreed that tends to be less active than goldendoodles.
3. Puggle. A mix of a pug and a beagle, this pup isn’t hypoallergenic but is an excellent dog for first-time owners.