Goldendoodle at a glance
- Height
- 50–61 cm
- Weight
- 22–41 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Size, Time alone, Children.
Is the Goldendoodle right for you?
Like every breed, the Goldendoodle is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You would enjoy training a dog that is usually eager to learn.
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You have, or would like, another dog.
- You have a cat and can introduce them carefully.
Consider another breed if…
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- This would be your first dog.
- You cannot commit to daily grooming.
How would the Goldendoodle fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed between a Golden Retriever, from either show or working lines, and a Standard Poodle. Sometimes a Miniature Poodle is used to produce a smaller dog. It is an active, highly social dog that wants to be part of the family, and it is sometimes known as the Groodle.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Exercise
Very high
Usually needs several hours of activity or work a day.
- Energy level
Very lively
Very lively and usually keen to be busy.
- Grooming
Daily
The coat usually needs brushing every day.
- Shedding
Low
Tends to shed little, though every dog sheds some hair.
- Trainability
High
Usually eager to learn and quick to pick things up.
- Good with children
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Often fine
Often lives with cats when introduced carefully.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Tends to be quiet
Usually a fairly quiet dog around the home.
- Time alone
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
Goldendoodles can be first crosses, with one Golden Retriever and one Poodle parent, or they can be bred back to one of the original breeds, or two Goldendoodles can be bred together. This means there is a lot of variety in size, shape, coat type and temperament. Personality tends to be more consistent in first crosses.
The Goldendoodle is one of the newer doodle types. It was first bred on purpose in the 1990s, following the success of the Cockapoo and the Labradoodle. As a crossbreed, it is not recognised by the UK Kennel Club, so it has no breed standard.
Goldendoodle temperament
Like most crossbreeds, a Goldendoodle's personality depends on its parents and on how it has been bred and reared. Both parent breeds are very active and intelligent, so most Goldendoodles need much more exercise and attention than many new owners expect.
They are usually friendly and sociable, generally get along with other dogs, and are typically quiet. They make poor guard dogs, as they tend to greet strangers warmly rather than bark at them. A bored or untrained Goldendoodle can easily become unruly and boisterous.
Size and appearance
Goldendoodles are usually medium to large, depending on whether a Standard or Miniature Poodle is used. Purina gives a typical height of 50–61 cm and a weight of 22–41 kg.
They can come in any colour seen in Golden Retrievers or Poodles, including black, copper, white, cream, grey, golden, apricot and red. Golden is the most common.
How much exercise does a Goldendoodle need?
Goldendoodles are highly active and are usually happy with more than two hours of exercise every day. They also enjoy games, training, interactive toys and being involved in family activities.
They are large, active dogs that need a good-sized living space, and they appreciate a large garden and access to the countryside for long walks.
Training a Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are a joy to train, because both parent breeds are intelligent and love working with their owners. They learn bad habits as quickly as good ones, though, so training needs to start early and carry on throughout their life.
- Start reward-based training early and keep it going.
- Always use positive handling: Goldendoodles can be sensitive, and rough handling can worry them greatly.
- Teach them to enjoy handling and grooming from puppyhood, as they will need a lot of it.
- Teach them to happily give up items they would rather keep.
- Try dog sports such as agility or pet gundog work to give them an active job.
Goldendoodle grooming
It is hard to predict what kind of coat a Goldendoodle will have. A Poodle-type coat may shed little or not at all but needs regular trimming, while a Golden Retriever-type coat sheds and may be unruly and prone to matting. Coat care can be anything from low to high maintenance, so be prepared for either.
Find a good local groomer who can either care for the coat or teach you how to do it yourself. Ear care matters too, as excess hair inside the ears can lead to sore ears and infections.
Living with a Goldendoodle
A well-bred Goldendoodle that has been trained from puppyhood can make a fabulous family dog that gets on with everyone. Their size and energy mean they may need extra supervision around children, and an untrained or bored dog can become overly boisterous.
Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Often lives with cats when introduced carefully.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A garden is helpful.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Goldendoodle health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Health in a crossbreed varies, because some dogs take after one parent breed more than the other. Purina advises looking at the health information for the Golden Retriever and the Standard or Miniature Poodle to understand what may affect a Goldendoodle. Knowing about possible problems helps you ask a breeder the right questions; it does not mean every dog will be affected.
Bloat and stomach problems
Like most large dogs, Goldendoodles can be prone to bloating and stomach problems.
Ear problems
Poodles can have excess hair inside the ears, which can cause infections or sore ears, so regular ear care is important.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Goldendoodle home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Goldendoodle cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Goldendoodle home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically 10–15 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Goldendoodle
If you have decided the Goldendoodle suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Goldendoodles looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find Goldendoodle adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
Goldendoodle FAQs
Can the Goldendoodle live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Goldendoodle need?
Very high: usually needs several hours of activity or work each day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Goldendoodle shed?
Tends to shed little.
How much grooming does the Goldendoodle need?
Typically: daily.
Is the Goldendoodle easy to train?
Usually eager to learn. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Does the Goldendoodle bark a lot?
Tends to be quiet. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Goldendoodle good with cats?
Often lives with cats when introduced carefully. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Goldendoodle live?
Typically 10–15 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Goldendoodle get?
Adults typically stand 50–61 cm at the shoulder and weigh 22–41 kg.