Goldendoodles are known for their unique hair coat and loving personality.
But, there is so much more to learn about this special breed!
Whether you are a Goldendoodle owner or admirer, this article is for you. Here are the top Goldendoodle facts you need to know.
Written by The Editors.
Goldendoodles first gained popularity in the 1990s
Poodle crosses of all kinds rose to popularity in the early 1990s.
These mixed breed dogs were highly regarded for their unique hair-coat.
The early Poodle crosses included Labrador Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels.
During this same time, Golden Retrievers remained one of the top dog breeds in the United States.
According to the Washington Post, their popularity peaked in 1998.
This was the year they became the most popular dog breed in the country.
However, one of the biggest complaints with Golden Retrievers is their excessive shedding.
Dog breeders found that the Poodle crosses had the lovable personality of the Golden Retriever, without all the excess hair.
With this discovery, the Goldendoodle breed took off.
Since their initial rise in the 1990s, Goldendoodle’s popularity has continued to grow. Commonly known as “designer dogs,” their unique look has made them popular stars on social media.
The American Kennel Club does not recognize Goldendoodles as a breed
It may surprise many dog lovers, but Goldendoodles are not considered purebred dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Goldendoodles are a mixed breed.
Most pure breed organizations, such as the AKC and the European Kennel club, do not allow Goldendoodles to be registered.
Luckily, some organizations allow Goldendoodles to register as mixed breed dogs.
These organizations include the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA). To register, dogs must meet specific standards.
Your Goldendoodle may not be golden
Contrary to their name, Goldendoodles are not always golden in color.
Their color variety comes from their poodle genetics.
The most common Goldendoodle color is a cream or light golden color.
However, other Goldendoodle colors include caramel, apricot, chocolate, grey, and black. These solid colored doodles can have white markings on their face, chest, and paws.
Some varieties of Goldendoodle are even multicolored!
If a Goldendoodle is more than 50% white and has other colored markings, they are called “Parti Doodles.”
Goldendoodles can range from 15-100 pounds
There are two types of Goldendoodles, the Standard Goldendoodle and the Miniature Goldendoodle.
This designation comes from the size of the poodle parent.
Breed registries recognize three different types of poodles based on size. These include the Toy Poodle, the Miniature Poodle, and the Standard Poodle.
Miniatuve VS Standard Goldendoodle
Miniature Goldendoodles can come from a cross with a Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle.
These Goldendoodles typically weigh between 15-35 lbs.
The Miniature Goldendoodle’s larger counterpart is the Standard Goldendoodle.
The Standard Goldendoodle comes from a cross with a Standard Poodle. The Standard Goldendoodle can vary in size but typically weighs 45-100 lbs.
Goldendoodles are not good guard dogs
Although they can be quite large, Goldendoodles do not make good guard dogs.
Goldendoodles are known for being extremely friendly and social dogs.
Instead of protecting their home, Goldendoodles are much more likely to try to make a stranger their new friend.
You can learn more about Goldendoodle’s personality here.
Not all Goldendoodle have the same hair coat.
According to the Goldendoodle Association of North America, Goldendoodles can have one of three hair coats.
The type of hair coat a Goldendoodle will have is dependent on a variant in the keratin-71 gene.
Goldendoodles inherit this curl gene from Poodles.
The number of copies of this gene a dog inherits will determine if they have a straight, curly, or wavy coat.
Genetic testing for this gene can help determine what kind of puppies a Goldendoodle or Poodle will have.
Many laboratories offer genetic testing, including the UC Davis Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories.
Grooming is essential!
Goldendoodles have a thick poodle-like coat and these coats need a good deal of maintenance.
Frequent brushing is essential to avoid thick mats.
Goldendoodle hair coats grow quickly, and hair cuts are essential for maintaining their coat. This maintenance can be overwhelming for many pet owners.
For this reason, most Goldendoodle owners take their dogs to a professional groomer.
Professional grooming appointments for Goldendoodles are typically recommended every 4-6 weeks.
Goldendoodles are not hypoallergenic
It is a common misconception that Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog.
Most people with dog allergies react to a protein in pet dander. With low shedding dogs, the thought is that there is less dander floating about in the environment. The problem is that all pets have some level of pet dander.
Contrary to the science, many people find that they have fewer allergy problems with low shedding dogs.
As such, Goldendoodles have become popular for people with allergies.
Some Goldendoodles have more Poodle genes than others
Not all Goldendoodles come from a Golden Retriever and Poodle parent.
It is common for Goldendoodles to be bred to Poodles or other Goldendoodles to create a more desirable hair coat.
The Golden Retriever and Poodle cross that most people associate with Goldendoodles is known as the F1 generation.
As a 50/50 cross, F1 Goldendoodles are more likely to have a straight hair coat.
Like their Golden Retriever parent, the F1 Goldendoodle is also more likely to shed than a Poodle.
- When two F1 Goldendoodles are bred, their puppies are known as F2 Goldendoodles.
- When an F1 Goldendoodle is bred to a Poodle, their puppies are known as F1b Goldendoodles.
Goldendoodles need lots of exercise
Goldendoodles require at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. They are high-energy dogs who love the outdoors and any form of activity.
The American Kennel Club recognizes both Golden Retrievers and Poodles as high-energy dogs.
So it should come as no surprise that Goldendoodles are the same.
Photo by Catherine.