About Goldendoodles

General Description

A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. While there are many different variations in size, coat and color, there are only ever these two types of dogs in the cross.

Goldendoodles are intelligent and obedient family companions. They are friends with everyone and strangers to no one, which makes them a wonderful choice as a family dog.

Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning make them very easy to train. If you teach a Goldendoodle with positive reinforcement techniques, showing him what you like by rewarding him with praise and treats, he's likely to astound you with how quickly he can learn.

Generations F1, F1B, F1BB

A First Generation (F1) Goldendoodle is produced when you cross a Golden Retriever with a Poodle. This combination produces an F1 Goldendoodle. You can cross a Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle or a Moyen Poodle to get different sizes, but this cross is always called an F1 Goldendoodle.

An F1B Goldendoodle is produced by crossing an F1 Goldendoodle with a Poodle. Puppy coats will typically be half curly and half wavy in a litter. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with moderate allergies.

An F1BB Goldendoodle is produced by crossing an F1B Goldendoodle with a Poodle. Puppy coats can be all curly, or a half and half mix of wavy and curly in the litter, depending on the Goldendoodle parent. These dogs will have an even higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.

Grooming

Goldendoodles must be groomed every 8-12 weeks. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or mites or infection and pull out hair that is growing inside their canal. The teeth need regular scaling. The most common cut for Goldendoodles is an easy-care clip called a Pet Clip, puppy clip or lamb clip where the coat is cut short all over the body and the ears muzzle and tail are kept longer.

Activity Level

The Goldendoodle requires a moderate amount of exercise. Daily walks are a must if you don't have a safely enclosed area for them to run freely. They love games and many are attracted to water and love to swim. Because of the Retriever in them, many of them love to play ball - they will fetch a thrown ball over and over and over . . . you get the picture!

Size

A Standard Goldendoodle size is typically in the range of 50-70 pounds. Mediums generally fall into a 40 - 50 pound range, Minis from 35-45, and Toys from 20 - 35. The size is bred down by breeding a Retriever with a smaller size Poodle. Breeding this cross to another smaller Poodle (an F1B) will bring the size down even further, which is where the Toys come from.

Coat

In general, Goldendoodles are very low to non-shedding. The coat of a Goldendoodle can vary from wavy to curly. An F1B Goldendoodle is more likely to have a tighter wave or curlier coat, which will have a higher success rate for non-shedding.

Puppies

Goldendoodle puppies look like little teddy bears. As with any dog, socialization and training should start while the dog is still a puppy and continue throughout its life. A well-socialized, well-trained Goldendoodle is a happy Goldendoodle and a wonderful family companion.

Health Concerns

Poodles and Retrievers can both have health issues. However, when you breed them together, these are often dispelled because the breeds have different health issues and it takes two copies of the unhealthy gene to affect the puppy. This is known as hybrid vigor - where the offspring of a pair are often more healthy than the parents. We also do health testing to avoid genetic health issues.

Life Expectancy

12-15 years