Dog breed

Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard or Miniature Poodle, valued for its friendly nature and wavy or curly coat. It is not a breed recognized by the FCI, so size varies a lot: the standard type usually weighs 18–32 kg, the miniature 7–16 kg. It is an active, easy-to-train family dog that needs plenty of exercise and regular haircuts.

Low shedding
Not FCI-recognised
a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle (Standard or Miniature), not recognized by the FCI

Weight: 7–32 kg
Height: 30–61 cm
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin: none (crossbreed)

How much food for this breed?Compare with another breed

Photo: Gullpavon, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The Goldendoodle usually combines the Golden's gentleness and sociability with the Poodle's brains. A veterinarian writing for Chewy describes it as sweet, energetic and quick to learn, and both parent breeds get top AKC marks for good-with-children and trainability. At home, it's a people-oriented dog that likes being part of family life, bringing toys and greeting every guest like an old friend. As a watchdog, it's useless. Young dogs can be very boisterous, jumping on people and carrying everything in their mouths, so teach calm greetings from the start. It usually gets along with other dogs and cats without trouble. Its weaker side is being alone: a dog with such a strong need for contact, left all day, can get bored and destructive.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Goldendoodle for?

The Goldendoodle suits active families with children, first-time owners who want a gentle dog, and people who'd like less hair around the house. The miniature type does better in an apartment. We don't recommend it for people without time for daily exercise and regular groomer visits, or for anyone looking for a guard dog.

Pros

very friendly with people and animals
easy to train
usually low shedding
great with children

Challenges

frequent, costly coat care
size and temperament vary a lot
lots of energy in young dogs
doesn't cope well with being alone

Size and looks

Size and looks: Goldendoodle
Height at the withers	males 30–61 cm, females 30–61 cm
Weight	males 7–32 kg, females 7–32 kg
Lifespan	10–15 years
Coat	curly
Colors	gold, yellow, cream, apricot, red, chocolate, black
Country of origin	none (crossbreed)
Classification	a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle (Standard or Miniature), not recognized by the FCI
Also known as	Groodle, Golden Doodle, Mini Goldendoodle, Golden Retriever Poodle mix

Care and exercise

60–120minof exercise a day

4/5grooming needs

2/5shedding

A Chewy veterinarian estimates that a Goldendoodle needs one to two hours of exercise a day, depending on size and age. Long walks, fetch, swimming and scent games work best. A young dog gets bored fast, so short training sessions several times a day help a lot. The coat is a whole topic of its own. Curly and wavy coats shed little but mat as fast as a Poodle's, so they need brushing down to the skin several times a week and a haircut every 6–8 weeks. Dogs with a straighter, Golden-type coat shed more. Check the ears after every swim in a lake. Watch its figure: both parent breeds love to eat, and extra weight is bad for the joints.

How much should the Goldendoodle eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

A Chewy veterinarian gives the Goldendoodle a lifespan of 10–15 years and lists bloat, cancer and joint problems, namely dysplasia and luxating patella, as typical concerns. Much of the risk comes from the Golden Retriever, in which the AKC lists dysplasia, juvenile cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and subaortic stenosis. Poodles bring their own eye and skin diseases. In the large British McMillan et al. (2024) study, crossbreeds as a group lived 12 years on average, no longer than many purebreds. A reputable breeder will show you joint X-rays, eye exams and heart exams for both parents.

hip and elbow dysplasiaInherited from both parents; the basics are joint X-rays of the parents.
luxating patellaMore common in the miniature type, from the small Poodle side.
bloat (GDV)A risk in large, deep-chested dogs and an emergency.
cancerA Chewy veterinarian lists it among the main health risks for this cross.
eye and heart diseases from the Golden RetrieverIn Goldens, the AKC lists juvenile cataracts, PRA and subaortic stenosis, among others.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

hip and elbow X-rays (HD/ED)
eye exam (ECVO)
heart exam (echocardiogram) of the Golden parent
PRA-prcd DNA test

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Goldendoodle is one of the best-known Poodle crosses, along with the Labradoodle. The authors of a 2024 British longevity study run by Dogs Trust classify such dogs as “designer” crosses, meaning deliberate pairings of two purebreds. Breeders wanted a dog with a Golden Retriever's personality but the Poodle's lower-shedding coat. The Goldendoodle has no standard and no breed club recognized by the FCI. The name is used to sell first-generation puppies as well as backcrosses to the Poodle and later generations, so size, coat type and health can vary greatly.

Fun facts

A Chewy veterinarian notes that Goldendoodles with a wavy, Golden-type coat shed noticeably more than dogs with a curly Poodle coat.
The miniature type is bred using a Miniature Poodle and can weigh as little as 7 kg.
The Golden Retriever parent has the lowest possible barking rating from the AKC.
Chewy lists seven typical Goldendoodle colors, from cream and apricot to chocolate and black.

Frequently asked questions

Do Goldendoodles shed?

Usually less than a Golden Retriever, but every dog sheds. Dogs with a curly Poodle coat shed the least, while those with a wavy or straight Golden-type coat shed noticeably more. No dog is fully hypoallergenic, so anyone with allergies should spend time with the specific dog first.

How big does a Goldendoodle get?

According to Chewy, the standard type stands 51–61 cm at the shoulder and weighs 18–32 kg, and the miniature 30–51 cm and 7–16 kg. Size depends mainly on the Poodle used in the cross, but even a single litter can vary quite a bit.

How long do Goldendoodles live?

Most often 10–15 years. Smaller dogs usually live longer than large ones. The parents' health matters a great deal, including cancer, which Chewy lists among the main risks, and so does keeping the dog lean.

Goldendoodle or Labradoodle?

They are very similar Poodle crosses. The Goldendoodle usually has a slightly gentler, less excitable Golden-type temperament and a longer coat, while the Labradoodle can be more boisterous. Either way, choosing a breeder who health-tests the parents matters more than the name.