Goldendoodle Dog Guide: Tips on How To Care for Your Goldendoodle

Goldendoodle Dog Breed Overview

Goldendoodle dogs are a combination of the Golden Retriever and Poodle breeds. These dogs are naturally playful and friendly, and most people know Goldendoodles to be very intelligent and affectionate dogs. These dogs are also very agreeable with other animals and people as long as they are well socialized.

This family pet can do great in many different types of environments, thanks to the different sizes of these dogs. A Goldendoodle can happily live in an apartment building as long as they get their regular amount of daily exercise. Smaller versions of these dogs, as in ones mixed with Miniature Poodles or Toy Poodles, are much more likely to live comfortably in apartment buildings.

Goldendoodle puppies are also energetic and intelligent, which means that training sessions are great for them. They’re great pets for first-time owners because of how much they love to please their owners. Goldendoodle puppies make for wonderful family pets and have successfully become great emotional support animals and even therapy dogs. Many Poodle mixed breeds have also become helpful service animals. However, anyone looking to adopt a Goldendoodle just to have a dog best friend can rest assured knowing this loyal, friendly, and sweet dog is a gentle pup and can find happiness in any home style.

History of the Goldendoodle Breed

Goldendoodle puppies come from two of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, the Poodle, and Golden Retriever. Like many other hybrid breeds, Goldendoodle puppies were given extra breed names like the Golden Retriever Poodle mix and the Groodle. This newer hybrid breed doesn’t have a ton of history attached to them. Goldendoodle hybrids likely existed by accident over time, but it’s become commonplace to mix many popular dog breeds with hypoallergenic animals like the Poodle in the past few decades. These dogs grew in popularity in the mid-1990s when Goldendoodle puppies started finding families in plenty of homes across the country. Since the start of this mixed breed, many generations have come like the f1 Goldendoodle and the f2 Goldendoodle. Mixed breeds develop first-generation breeds like f1 Goldendoodle puppies that are the product of a purebred Golden Retriever and purebred Poodle. The f1 Goldendoodle is then considered a first-generation, f1 Goldendoodle. An f2 Goldendoodle is the product of two f1 Goldendoodle puppies. These generations can go on and on until a breed becomes more solidified in its traits and qualities.

Goldendoodle Size

A Goldendoodle puppy can stand anywhere from 13 to 24 inches tall at its shoulders and may weigh anywhere from 15 to 90 pounds. Dog breeds that are mixed with Poodles have larger variations in size thanks to the many variations of Poodles. Goldendoodle puppies mixed with Toy sized Poodles or Miniature sized Poodles will be on the smaller side of this scale, and will only be medium Goldendoodle puppies. In contrast, the Goldendoodle puppies mixed with a Standard Poodle will likely be much heavier and will be a larger size like a Standard Goldendoodle.

These dogs are very adaptable and will do well in many different home settings. However, smaller dogs would be better in apartments than the larger variations of this hybrid breed. Especially because this is a very energetic dog, and it can become somewhat difficult to keep a 90-pound dog happy in a tiny apartment bedroom.

Goldendoodle Puppy Temperament

Goldendoodle puppies have great temperaments, which is part of the reason they are such popular family dogs. This popular hybrid breed gets along great with new people, places, and pets as long as they’re properly socialized. These animals are naturally more social creatures and will likely get along great with any second dogs if you’re looking to adopt a dog friend for your puppy.

The Goldendoodle puppy is still a great pet, but they might develop some bad habits associated with their breed, such as barking. Owners can easily train these dogs out of this bad habit by catching them as soon as possible. There is no need to scream at your dog to get them to stop barking, as this often causes confusion, and they won’t understand the message you’re trying to send. The best way to help them not develop this issue is to provide a swift ‘no’ every time they bark.

Goldendoodle Breed Intelligence

Many retriever dog breeds are incredibly trainable and intelligent, as are dog breeds that used to hunt with their owners. One of the many reasons it’s become so popular to mix other dog breeds with Poodles is because the Poodle breed is the second smartest dog breed globally. Not only does this hybrid mix offer hypoallergenic qualities, but they also offer the combined natural intelligence and drive of Poodle and Golden Retriever puppies.

Dog owners will get the best results training their dogs if they keep the sessions short, consistent, and positive. Training sessions for your dog should be fun as possible since this is an excellent time to build a bond of trust and respect with your pet. The more fun you make these moments, the more likely they are to listen to you and the more eager they’ll be to train. Owners should only use a positive tone and plenty of verbal praise to reward their dogs. If your Goldendoodle puppy doesn’t respond to every command, then it’s good to try a different command to redirect their attention. Getting frustrated with your dog will only confuse them and taint the purity and fun training sessions should be.

Goldendoodle Shedding Habits

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of quality traits that Poodle puppies pass on to their hybrid breeds, which is why so many people purposely cross other breeds with Poodles. Poodles pass on parts of their hypoallergenic traits, making Goldendoodle puppies very low shedding and offering many options to those suffering from dog allergies.

Since pet allergies can be caused by saliva, dandruff, and dead hair, no animal can ever be 100% hypoallergenic. If you are looking to get a Goldendoodle because they might offer this trait, you should make sure to spend a little extra time with them before bringing them home to make sure you don’t have any bad allergic reactions.

Goldendoodle Health Overview

All dog breeds are predisposed to experiencing certain health conditions, and the Goldendoodle hybrid breed is no different. Even though this breed might develop some health issues, most Goldendoodle puppies will live long lives without ever experiencing any physical health ailments. In fact, Goldendoodles have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years long, and the smaller they are, the longer their average lifespan expectancy.

These dogs might suffer from minor health issues like joint problems, but every dog owner should be prepared for the psychological issues dogs deal experience. Goldendoodle puppies, like people, face stress and anxiety in their everyday lives. It’s a natural way to respond to the world, and owners shouldn’t worry too much about their dogs experiencing stress. The best thing owners can do to prepare for this is to take action and understand how to support their pets in these moments of need.

Common Psychological Health Issues

Stress

Stress in dogs is one of the most common psychological conditions they will experience. Goldendoodle puppies might have stress symptoms from poor socialization skills or past traumas. Some dogs have noise-induced stress, which is why many dogs don’t like fireworks, thunderstorms, or sirens.

The best thing a dog owner can do to prep for this condition in their Goldendoodle puppy is to understand the symptoms they might exhibit during these situations. Stressed-out Goldendoodle puppies might have their tail between their legs or have their ears back. Some dogs like to shake like they’re wet to relieve themselves of stress, and some might bark to express their feelings. Sometimes certain breeds get more vocal in times of stress, and since Goldendoodle puppies might develop a habit of barking, this might also be their way of communicating their stress to their owners. More miniature Goldendoodle puppies might try to hide behind their owners when they’re stressed and might develop a bad habit of standing directly under their owners’ feet.

No matter the symptoms, owners will be able to naturally understand their dog’s stress symptoms over time just by spending time around them. Then owners can best help their Goldendoodle get past these moments by either removing them from the stressful environment or by providing a calming remedy. For example, if your dog has poor socialization skills, you should begin training them in socialization skills so they can relax better. Some owners cannot do much to help their dogs, especially if they are scared of thunderstorms, and will find that calming supplements or Zen treats are the best way to help ease their dog’s symptoms.

Anxiety

All dogs will experience anxiety at some point, and smaller Goldendoodle puppies might be more prone to suffering from anxiety symptoms. Typically smaller dogs bond more with their owners and require more attention than larger dogs. Goldendoodle puppies are prone to separation anxiety because of how loyal their personalities are, and if they don’t get enough attention, they might act out.

The most common signs of separation anxiety are coming back to a destroyed house or if your dog urinates or defecates in your absence. Goldendoodle puppy owners can easily help their dogs with anxiety by figuring out the cause of their anxiety and then treating it based on the severity of their symptoms. Goldendoodle puppies are very prone to suffering from separation anxiety, which is why any potential owners should ensure they have plenty of time to devote attention to their pet.

If you have a Goldendoodle puppy that gets anxious around new people, you need to socialize them more to help them overcome their symptoms. However, if your dog shows signs of stress from thunderstorms, you can try to give them calming supplements or CBD before any storms to help ease their experience.

Calming Dog Products

Many owners with anxious dogs provide safe spaces to help their pets find a place to relax. Safe spaces usually comprise a dog bed, some water, and comfortable blankets. It’s a good idea for owners to invest in a calming bed for their anxious Goldendoodle. This way, they have a place to retreat to in moments of stress. Many dog owners also provide their Goldendoodle puppies with calming treats and supplements to ease their symptoms in stressful situations.

Common Physical Health Conditions

Many dog breeds experience different health conditions that they’re genetically predisposed to developing. Goldendoodle puppies are predisposed to many of the same health conditions as their parent breeds. It’s more common that most dogs will never experience any physical health conditions in their lifetime and that they’ll live a healthy and long life.

Patellar Luxation

This common joint condition occurs when a dog’s kneecap hops out of place often. Goldendoodle puppies have a somewhat higher risk of developing this condition than other dog breeds do. Whenever patellar luxation occurs, most dogs experience very minor arthritis or joint pain symptoms.

Most often, dogs with this condition will adopt a strange run every now and then where it looks like they’re hopping. Sometimes dogs will cry in pain whenever they get a pet on inflamed joints, and some might try to avoid jumping or using any stairs when they suffer from patellar luxation.

Severe cases of this condition will require surgery, but most dogs with this condition will need nothing but a couple of pain management aids to help ease their symptoms. As Goldendoodle puppies age, owners might find that dog CBD or other anti-inflammatory treatments can really help their pet with this condition.

Hip Dysplasia

Another common condition for many dogs is hip dysplasia. A dog’s hip joint works as a ball-in-socket, and whenever they experience this condition, it’s because their joint doesn’t slide as smoothly as it’s supposed to. Whenever dogs have a dislocated hip joint, it causes a lot of pain and can disrupt their limbs’ natural movements.

It’s pretty tricky for vets to diagnose hip dysplasia in dogs since most symptoms appear in how dogs move during their everyday lives. Common symptoms a Goldendoodle puppy with hip dysplasia may experience are avoiding jumping, climbing stairs, or running. Some dogs develop larger muscles in their shoulders as the muscles around their hip diminish. This occurs because the dog is trying to put more weight on the front of its body to ease the pain in its hips.

Owners can help their Goldendoodle puppy with this condition by providing anti-inflammatory medications to help ease their dog’s suffering joint. There are also plenty of joint supplements owners use to treat hip dysplasia since these can help lubricate a tight joint and allow for more range of motion.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia occurs when a dog’s elbow joint is misaligned at birth. Often when this occurs, symptoms won’t appear until a Goldendoodle puppy is much older—the majority of dogs that suffer from elbow dysplasia experience minor symptoms of pain and discomfort.

Most often, Goldendoodle puppies with this condition might develop a limp or cry when they stand or use any steps. Many pet stores carry anti-inflammatory pain agents that can help your dogs manage their symptoms and overcome this health condition.

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Oral Health

Many dogs struggle with their oral health because owners don’t brush their dog’s teeth enough. Goldendoodle puppies need their teeth brushed at least once a day, but smaller dogs need their teeth brushed more often. Smaller dogs often suffer from teeth overcrowding, which causes more bacteria and plaque to build up in their squished snouts.

The best way owners can help take care of their Goldendoodle puppies’ oral health is to brush their teeth once a week with dog toothpaste and a toothbrush. Owners also can help their dog’s oral health by providing them dental cleaning treats every day to take care of any plaque or tartar buildup in their mouth.

Poor oral health can lead to other serious issues such as heart disease and respiratory disease. The best way dog owners can help their dogs is by regularly cleaning their teeth and providing dental treats to take care of any bacteria buildup.

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Goldendoodle Breed’s Needs

Exercise

Goldendoodle puppies have tons of extra energy and will need anywhere from one to two hours of playtime. Smaller Goldendoodle puppies will benefit from smaller exercise routines, such as a quick walk around the block. However, larger variations of this breed will require much more vigorous activity to stay healthy.

Often, owners don’t take the dogs out for enough physical exercise, but they also forget the importance of mental activity. Mentally active dog breeds such as Poodles and Golden Retrievers usually have jobs to do and therefore need a lot of distractions to keep them entertained. Dogs who don’t get enough mental stimulation might become destructive or develop bad habits like barking. In order to help them, owners should provide plenty of enrichment and mental challenges for their Goldendoodle daily.

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Nutrition

Goldendoodle puppies have a large variation in dietary needs because of how much their size can vary. All dog’s diets change as they age, but they can also change based on size, sex, activity levels, and health conditions.

Owners should expect to give these dogs anywhere from one cup to four cups of high-quality dry dog food. It’s a good idea to check in with your vet if you’re concerned your pet isn’t getting the proper amount of nutrition. Owners should also be sure to count their dog’s total daily calories, including any treats their feed their pets.

Poodle mixes are at a higher risk of obesity than other breeds. Owners can avoid this affecting their Goldendoodle by giving their pets multiple small meals throughout the day to help them feel full for longer periods of time. This mixed breed is also at a higher risk of developing bloat, a life-risking condition that can be induced by fast eating or eating large amounts of food in one sitting. Vets aren’t entirely sure what causes bloat to occur in dogs, but they know that deep-chested breeds like the Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever have a higher risk of experiencing this condition. Monitoring how quickly your dog eats and ensuring you break their meals up as much as possible is one of the safest ways to prevent bloat in your Goldendoodle puppy.

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Grooming

Goldendoodle puppies have very rare hair because they’re a Poodle mix breed. It would help if you brushed these dogs biweekly to keep their fur clean and neat. These dogs require a little extra care when grooming them, but you can hire a groomer to take care of this for you if you don’t feel comfortable clipping their fur regularly.

Goldendoodle puppies have very soft hair that might matt or get tangles more easily. Owners can bathe their dogs regularly at home with special dog shampoo to keep their Goldendoodle looking as sharp as possible. However, many Goldendoodle owners find that they prefer taking their dog to a groomer every 5 to 8 weeks to manage their pet’s hair needs.

Top Product Picks for Goldendoodle Puppies

New Goldendoodle owners need to make sure that they have everything their dog might need before bringing their pet home. When getting a new dog, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but usually, changing home locations can be a very scary experience for these animals. A lot of dogs that come from shelters have already experienced dramatic changes and are more likely to experience stress and anxiety during big moves.

The best way to help your Goldendoodle puppy adapt to its new owners is to have dog food and some water ready before putting one paw in your home. Owners should have a collar, leash, dog bed, and crate at home waiting for their new pet.

Extra prepared owners can purchase other items like dog food storage containers, dog toys, treats, or portable food and water bowls. It’s a good idea to purchase a harness for your new pet, but you might want to wait until you have them with you to make sure it fits them right.

When you bring a new Goldendoodle home, allow them to explore at their own pace. It might be tempting to try to give them as many pets as possible, but they likely already feel overwhelmed. Encourage your new dog with a calm tone in your voice and plenty of verbal praise. If you know your new pet likes a certain type of treat, it’s good to give them plenty of snacks on their first big day in their new home. Do your best to let your Goldendoodle feel comfortable and let them come to you, and then you’ll start to see how truly lovable these pets are.

Other Resources

1. Goldendoodle Association of America

2. Golden Retriever Club of America

3. Poodle Club of America

4. ASPCA Goldendoodle

5. Wag Goldendoodle