Goldendoodle
Trait scores are tendency indicators from 0-100. Example: 42% alone tolerance roughly maps to around 4 hours alone.
Goldendoodles are designer crosses between Golden Retrievers and Poodles, bred for low-shedding coats and friendly temperaments. These energetic, social dogs typically need substantial exercise and training like their Golden parent, while their coat texture varies wildly and often requires extensive professional grooming despite being marketed as low-maintenance.
Quick Facts
Group
Sporting Mix
Life Expectancy
9-13 years
Height
21-27 in
Weight
45-95 lb
Alone-Time Tolerance
About 4 hours
Exercise
75 min/day
Sporting Mix context: Mixed-breed profile with strongest traits in the Sporting lineage. Sporting breeds were developed for bird and field work. They are usually active, social, and trainable.
Finding Your Goldendoodle
🏠Consider Adoption First
Many wonderful Goldendoodles are waiting in shelters and breed-specific rescues. Adoption saves lives and gives deserving dogs a second chance.
Adoption Resources
Search for Goldendoodles in shelters and rescues near you.
Responsible Breeder Checklist
- Provides health clearances for both parents
- Allows you to visit the breeding facility
- Offers a written health guarantee / contract
- Provides references from previous buyers
- Asks you screening questions about your home
- Breeds only one or two breeds
Whether you adopt or buy from a breeder, always prioritize the dog's health and well-being. Avoid puppy mills and pet stores that source from irresponsible breeders. Mixed breeds often have fewer health issues and make wonderful companions!
Life Stage Simulator
Who This Breed Fits
Watch Out For
A Day in the Life
A purposeful walk and short training game helps them settle for the day.
Most do best with another activity block before winding down near their people.
Longer outings and enrichment games noticeably improve behavior and sleep quality.
People often underestimate how quickly behavior slips when routines are inconsistent.
Exercise & Activity
Varies depending on mix lineage, but most do best with daily walks, play, and short training sessions.
High
Very High
Mental Enrichment Ideas
Health
Health outlook is variable in mixes and depends on lineage, structure, and preventive care. Routine screening and weight control improve long-term outcomes.
Known Health Concerns
Abnormal hip joint development can lead to pain and arthritis over time.
Environmental allergies can cause chronic itching and recurrent skin or ear issues.
Plaque and periodontal disease are common without consistent home dental care.
Size, exercise demand, and care complexity determine boarding availability and price.
Behavior Reality Check
Good news! This breed typically has manageable behavior traits with proper training and socialization. Of course, individual dogs vary, but Goldendoodles generally don't present severe behavioral challenges.
Temperament & Traits
All traits rated on a 0-100 scale representing tendency scores.
Lifestyle & Activity
High
Very High
~6h alone capacity
Moderate
Social & Compatibility
Very High
Very High
Very High
High
Very High
Training & Behavior
Very High
High
Moderate
High
Maintenance & Care
Moderate
High
Moderate
Low
Environment & Adaptability
Moderate
High
High
High
High
Grooming & Coat
Moderate
High
Moderate
Low
Coat care needs depend on coat type, but weekly brushing and routine nail, ear, and dental care are baseline requirements. Professional grooming frequency rises sharply for curly, silky, and wire coats.
Shedding varies by coat type; double-coated breeds and many mixes shed heavily during seasonal coat changes.
Common Barking Triggers
Lifestyle Planner
PROInteractive Cost Calculator
Adjust the options below to see how your choices affect ownership costs.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Annual Cost Summary
Estimates based on breed size, grooming needs, and health risk. Actual costs vary by location, individual dog health, and lifestyle choices. Emergency vet visits and unexpected health issues not included.
10-Year Cost Calculator
PRONeighborhood Compatibility
Breed History
Origin
The Goldendoodle originated in Mixed.
Original Purpose
Goldendoodle lines were developed for companion and household versatility. That working role still shows up today in temperament, stamina, and day-to-day needs.
Breed Group: Mixed. Mixed-breed profile with strongest traits in the Sporting lineage. Sporting breeds were developed for bird and field work. They are usually active, social, and trainable.
In modern homes, this history matters because it predicts what helps the dog thrive: enough movement, clear structure, and outlets that match their original instincts.
Fun Facts
Goldendoodles are a modern hybrid breed created in the 1990s by crossing Golden Retrievers with Standard Poodles to create a hypoallergenic family dog.
The breed wasn't intentionally created by breeders—it started as an accident when a woman bred her Poodle to her Retriever, and the resulting puppies became so popular they inspired the 'Doodle' craze.
Goldendoodles can inherit the Poodle's non-shedding coat or the Golden Retriever's heavy shedding coat, making their grooming needs unpredictable.
The breed's popularity led to indiscriminate breeding by puppy mills, resulting in severe genetic health problems in many lines.
Goldendoodles are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), though health screening is less standardized than in purebreds.
Famous Goldendoodle Dogs
Notable representatives
This breed has notable examples across working roles, sport, and companionship media.
Modern ambassadors
Current visibility is usually driven by active owners, trainers, and rescue advocacy.
Practical Next Steps
First-Month Supplies Checklist
Breeder Red Flags
Preparation Timeline
Week Before
Purchase all supplies, puppy-proof your home, choose a veterinarian, and set up training schedule.
Day 1
Gentle introduction to home, establish crate/bed location, first bathroom break routine, quiet time to adjust.
Week 1
Vet checkup, start basic training, establish feeding routine, begin socialization carefully.
Month 1
Start formal training classes - this breed excels with early training! Regular vet visits for vaccinations, establish grooming routine.
Training Priorities for Goldendoodles
- • Gradual alone-time training (high separation anxiety risk)
Recommended Products
Joint Supplements
Larger and active breeds often benefit from joint support supplements starting early.
Shop Supplements →Is Goldendoodle right for you?
Use our breed matcher to see how Goldendoodle compares to other breeds based on your lifestyle.
Try the Breed MatcherData Transparency
Quick facts for Goldendoodle are cross-checked against publicly available American Kennel Club breed pages.
AKC sync coverage: 188/188 non-mix breeds as of February 10, 2026.
Last updated: February 7, 2026
Sources: American Kennel Club (AKC) breed profiles, Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) breed standards, United Kennel Club (UKC) breed standards, Merck Veterinary Manual (canine health references), Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screening guidance