If you’re searching for a doodle that has the friendly temperament of a Golden Retriever, but has the allergy-friendliness of a poodle, a Goldendoodle is the perfect dog for you. Goldendoodles are becoming increasingly popular since they’re such great family dogs. Here are some of the top questions and answers:
Breed Breakdown:
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What are the parent breeds: Poodle + golden retriever
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Do Goldendoodles shed? Yes, but not much.
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How big do Goldendoodles get? 25-70 pounds
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How much is a Goldendoodle? $1000-4000
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How long do Goldendoodles live? 10-15 years
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What’s a Goldendoodles temperament? Energetic, sociable, smart
Do Goldendoodles Shed?
Because a Goldendoodle is a mix between a poodle and a Golden Retriever (a breed that sheds a lot), they do shed. However, they don’t shed nearly as much as purebred Golden Retrievers, and in the grand scheme of dog breeds, they don’t shed much comparatively.
Because there are different types of doodles (f1 Goldendoodles, f1b Goldendoodles, f2 Goldendoodles, etc.), your dog will shed according to the type of doodle you own. To be more specific, it depends on the percentage of poodle vs. Golden Retriever in your dog. If your dog is more poodle, it won’t shed as much as if it was a higher percentage of Golden Retriever.
A Goldendoodle can have different coats depending on three factors: coat curl, coat length, and furnishings. Curl refers to whether or not their coat is curly; this gene is inherited from their parents. Coat length is fairly self-explanatory, and since both poodles and golden retrievers both have relatively long coats, the average Goldendoodle has a longer coat than, for example, a Labradoodle. The absence or presence of the furnishing gene gives the greatest variation in Goldendoodles. The furnishing is often referred to as the “mustache” or put simply, the longer hair on the face. Dogs with the furnishing gene tend to look like they have a fluffier snout and longer eyebrows.
Goldendoodles come in 4 different coat types: straight, flat, wavy, and curly. A straight coat Goldendoodle has very straight hair. A flat coat is also straight hair, but these dogs usually do not have any furnishings. A wavy coat occurs when a dog gets one curl gene from one parent and one non-curl gene from the other. Lastly, when each parent contributes a curl gene, the Goldendoodle puppy ends up with a curly coat. Although this type of coat can be harder to brush, it is the least likely to shed.
Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, there is no dog breed that’s truly 100% hypoallergenic. All dogs have fur that can shed, making it a potential issue for individuals with allergies. Despite being completely hypoallergenic, these doodles are an allergy-friendly dog breed.
This is due to the incorporation of poodles into the breed mix. Pet dander, saliva, and urine are the three elements that produce allergic reaction symptoms in individuals who have allergies. Luckily, poodles have only a single coat with low dander, and their fur is non-shedding. Therefore, if your Goldendoodle is more poodle than Golden Retriever, your pet will be more allergy-friendly. In other words, an f1b Goldendoodle (Goldendoodle + a poodle) will be more allergy-friendly than an f1 Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + poodle).
How Big Does a Goldendoodle Get?
When it comes to Goldendoodle size, there are generally three classes: miniature, medium, and standard.
Mini Goldendoodles, sometimes called toy Goldendoodles, are between 25-30 pounds when they’re an adult Goldendoodle. They’ll stand around 15-16 inches. This is a great choice if you don’t have as much space for a large dog, or if you just prefer smaller dogs. Keep in mind, though, that regardless of their size, Goldendoodles have higher energy, so they still need to be able to run around and play.
Medium Goldendoodles are a bit bigger, and will generally weigh between 35-50 pounds when they’re full-grown. These dogs will usually stand at 16-20 inches tall.
Standard Goldendoodles are the most popular size, and they’re great for people who prefer the security of a bigger dog. Standard doodles weigh above 45 pounds, and will generally reach about 55-70 pounds when fully grown adults. Because this is the biggest type, these dogs require more space to run around and play.
How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost?
Pricing depends on a number of factors, although a general price tag will fall between $1000-4000.
Due to their hypoallergenic nature and their cute and fluffy looks, these breeds are more expensive than other dog breeds. There are also a number of factors that affect their price, such as:
Color: There are a number of different Goldendoodle colors. In addition to the typical apricot Goldendoodle or black Goldendoodle colors, you can find breeders who specialize in breeding red Goldendoodles, white Goldendoodles, chocolate Goldendoodles, merle Goldendoodles, brown Goldendoodles, or English cream Goldendoodles, among others. The more “exotic” the color, the higher the price tag.
Coat: Breeders charge different prices based on the coat. Essentially, the more “poodle” within the dog’s genetics, the more allergy-friendly the dog is. This can result in a higher price tag.
Size: Because the most common size of Goldendoodles is the standard size, you can expect to pay more money for a smaller version.
Location & Demand: Prices can fluctuate based on where you live along with how high the demand is. Bigger metropolitan cities like Los Angeles or New York will often have higher price tags, both because of the higher general cost of living, but also because these cities usually have a higher demand for allergy-friendly dogs.
Reputation of the Breeder: When it comes to purchasing a doodle from a breeder, you certainly want to do your research so that you purchase from a reputable, established breeder. While it may be cheaper to buy your doodle from an at-home breeder or from Craigslist, a good breeder can mean a world of difference. If you want a healthy, long-living dog, then it can certainly be worth spending the extra money on a reliable breeder who has done their due diligence in producing healthy pups.
How Long do Goldendoodles Live?
In general, Goldendoodles will live between 10-15 years. There are a few factors that can result in outliers, however. Smaller dogs, for example, usually live longer than larger dogs. An increased lifespan can also be attributed to crossbreeding (crossbred dogs usually outlive their purebred counterparts), and purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder.
What’s a Goldendoodle’s Temperament?
Because of their friendly and smart personalities, Goldendoodles are perfect family dogs and are great around children. They’re easy to train and really enjoy socializing with humans and with other dogs. Because of their size and their energetic nature, exercise is crucial for them. If you purchase one, they’ll need plenty of exercise and space to play. One of the main personality differences between Goldendoodles and Labradoodles is that Labradoodles can be a bit more cautious when meeting new people or dogs, while Goldendoodles are naturally more friendly and social.
Conclusion
When you think about the perfect dog, you probably think about a cuddly, fluffy dog that’s also sociable, easy to train, and great around people. If that sounds like your kind of dog, then a Goldendoodle might be in your future. No matter if you’re a single individual or you’re looking to bring a dog into a large family, you’re sure to enjoy the addition of your loyal, friendly new family member!