| Origin | A Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever and Poodle cross. Goldendoodles, also called Golden Poos, Goldie Poos, or Groodles, have been bred in North America and Australia since the mid-1990's. As the smaller poodle hybrids had been such a success in filling the niche for small, allergy friendly family pets, Golden Retriever breeders decided to try a breeding with a standard poodle for a larger family pet. The quick rise of the popularity of Goldendoodles is due to the dogs themselves. They are a most marvelous hybrid. |
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Hybrid Vigour & Goldendoodles |
Goldendoodles are a first generation cross, and as such they exhibit hybrid vigour. This is a phenomenon in animal breeding referring to the fact that the first cross between two unrelated purebred lines is healthier and grows better than either parent line. The hybrid cross between these two parent breeds are terrific family dogs, friendly, intelligent, affectionate and easy to train. |
| Description | The Goldendoodle's ancestry along both parent lines is as hunters and water dogs. The physical appearance of the Goldendoodle runs anywhere from a shaggy-looking retriever to a curl-relaxed poodle, but usually it falls somewhere inbetween. The length when left unclipped grows to about 4-8 inches. The color of the coat can be cream, gold, apricot, chocolate, gray and black. Most Goldendoodles have a Standard Poodle as a parent, and are standard sized. Those with a miniature Poodle as a parent, are about 25-45 pounds and are called miniature Goldendoodles. Like many poodle crosses, most Goldendoodles are light to non-shedding, and most live easily with families with MILD allergies. - see Dood Database Families with moderate to severe allergies often find that Goldendoodle backcrosses can work well. |
| Generations |
The first generation
(F1) standard size Goldendoodle was the first to be bred. It
is the product of a standard Poodle crossed with a Golden Retriever.
Most first generation Goldendoodles either don't shed or shed lightly,
and are compatible for most families with mild allergies. The backcross (F1B) Goldendoodle is produced by crossing an F1 Goldendoodle with a Poodle. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies. A few breeders are breeding second generation (F2) Goldendoodles which are the product of a Goldendoodle crossed with another Goldendoodle. For a more detailed description of the generations - click here |
| Registries |
At present there is no Goldendoodle registry. 99% of all Goldendoodles are desexed first generation hybrids
or backcrosses and there is no need. The few around may be more about publicizing or legitimizing the registries
themselves than serving any useful function to the Goldendoodle community.
Few Goldendoodle breeders breed on, but most who do breed with integrity and keep good records. When the breeders themselves decide on a breeding plan and the need for a registry, then they will likely form an entirely new organization, including a registry, perhaps following the example of the Australian Labradoodle breeders and the IALA. |
| Temperament | Goldendoodles are an intelligent and obedient family companion. They are everybody's friend and devoted to their family. They are friendly towards children, other dogs and pets, and easy with strangers. They are social dogs, happiest when with people. Goldendoodles are likely to get into mischief and develop behavior problems if they spend most of their lives alone. Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning make them very easy to train. They are medium-to large sized family dogs with easy dispositions. |
| Height, Weight |
Standard Goldendoodles are a medium to large sized dog about the size of a
Standard Poodle, perhaps more robust.
Height: Males 21-29 inches. Females 20-25 inches. Weight: Males 55-90 pounds. Females 45-65 pounds. While the average Goldendoodle seems to be in the range of the above sizes, some have been known to grow to over 100 pounds. Miniature Goldendoodles are a small to medium sized dog, depending on the Poodle used to sire the litters. Toy Poodles will produce smaller litters than Miniature Poodle studs. There can be a large difference in size of the pups. Height: 13" - 21" tall Weight: 25 - 45 lbs |
| Health Concerns | As a hybrid cross they grow healthier and live longer than either parent line. The only genetic diseases they can be prone to would be those shared by both the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. No Major Concerns. Minor Concerns - CHD, PRA, VonWillebrand's, Elbow and patella disorders. Suggested tests - hip, eye and vWD. |
| Living Conditions & Exercise | Goldendoodles require a moderate amount of exercise and their coats are generally low maintenance. They can live in the city or on a farm. They are social dogs and they are happiest when they are with people. |
| Life Expectancy | About 15 years. |
| Grooming | As a hybrid cross, Goldendoodles will inherit fur that looks retriever-like, or poodle-like, but usually something in-between. Unclipped Goldendoodles will have hair about 4-7 inches long, shorter on the face and longer on the body, tail and legs. They require combing every few weeks. Depending on how often the dog is groomed, clipped Goldendoodles are groomed several times a year. |
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