Dog breeds / Goldendoodle
Photo: Chris Rue · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Dog breed
Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, first bred in the United States in the 1990s to produce a friendly companion dog with a coat that sheds less than a Golden's. The breed is a designer hybrid rather than an old working breed, so individual dogs vary a good deal in size, coat and temperament depending on the parents and generation.
Most Goldendoodles are affectionate, people-oriented and eager to please, and they tend to stay playful well into adulthood. They are generally sociable with strangers and visitors, though many are more attentive than alarmed, and they are not usually heavy barkers. They like to be included in whatever the household is doing and can become restless or clingy if left alone for long stretches.
Day to day, a Goldendoodle needs regular walks, daily play, and time with its people. Its coat needs brushing several times a week to prevent mats, particularly in wavier or curlier types. Mental work such as short training games or puzzle toys keeps a Poodle-influenced dog settled and engaged.
Good for: Active families, first-time owners who want a sociable dog
| Size | medium |
| Weight | 35–71 lb |
| Height | 15–24 in |
| Life span | 10 years |
| Exercise | about 60 min a day |
| Shedding | low |
| Origin | England |
Plan for regular grooming and daily companionship, since the coat needs brushing and the dog dislikes being left alone for long.
Living with a Goldendoodle
Exercise
Most adult Goldendoodles need about an hour of exercise a day, split between walks and active play such as fetch or swimming. Without enough activity they can become bored, restless and inclined to chew or dig. Mental stimulation through training and puzzles counts toward their needs as well.
Grooming
Coat type varies from loose waves to tight curls, and most are low to moderate shedders. Brushing several times a week helps prevent mats, and a professional trim every 6 to 8 weeks is common. Bathe as needed, check and clean the ears regularly because of their floppy shape, and trim nails monthly.
At home
With children, Goldendoodles are often gentle and patient, though their size and enthusiasm mean supervision is wise with toddlers. They usually get along well with other dogs and with cats they have grown up with. In an apartment they can adapt well if walked and played with daily; a house with a yard suits their energy better. They do not cope well with long periods alone and are best with someone home for much of the day or with a second pet for company.
Training
Goldendoodles are intelligent and generally keen to work with their owners, so they respond well to positive, reward-based methods, short sessions and plenty of variety. Early socialising with people, places and other animals helps them grow into confident adults. Expect some stubbornness at times, along with sensitivity to harsh correction. Recall can be a work in progress, especially in the more energetic lines, so consistent practice is important.
Health
Goldendoodles can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and ear infections. Ask the breeder for health test results on both parents and discuss screening and prevention with your vet.
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Ear infections
Known tendencies, not a diagnosis: ask your vet about this breed.
The numbers for a Goldendoodle
Feeding, adult
3–4 cups a day
About 1,214 kcal, roughly 23 lb of dry food a month at 35–71 lb. Start here and adjust to the bag and your vet. Portion calculator →
What a year costs
$2,000–$3,350
Food about $893, plus routine vet care, parasite preventives and gear. US averages; insurance and emergencies on top.
Weather
Watch above 75°F, stop at 85°F
Coat or short walks below 32°F. Comfortable in most weather: watch pavement heat above 85°F and add a coat below freezing if the coat is short.
Where a Goldendoodle is comfortable
Easy most of the year: California, Delaware, Kentucky, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington.
Summer needs care (early walks, shade, AC): Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, DC.
Winter needs care (coat, short walks): Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Both seasons need care: Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah.
From typical July highs and January lows by state and this breed's heat and cold limits. Indoor life changes everything; this is about walks and time outside.
Right now
Latest dog food recalls
Fromm: Fromm wet canned dog food
Fromm Family Foods LLC · Aug 21 · Potential metal contamination
Oma’s Pride: Canine Food
Miller Foods, Inc. · Aug 17 · Contaminated with Salmonella
Pedigree: High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food
Mars Petcare US, Inc. · Jul 2 · Potential foreign plastic contamination
Popular Goldendoodle names
From 10,101 licensed Goldendoodles in New York City. All forty, with counts →
Is a Goldendoodle right for you?
- Yes if you want a dog that stays close and loves being part of family life
- Yes if you can give daily walks, play and mental work
- Think twice if you are out of the house for long hours
- Think twice if you are not ready for regular brushing and grooming visits
- Yes if you want a friendly dog that is usually good with children and other pets
Questions owners ask
Do Goldendoodles shed?
They are generally low to moderate shedders, but coat type varies. Dogs with wavier or curlier coats shed less and need regular brushing to prevent matting.
Can a Goldendoodle live in an apartment?
Yes, if it gets daily walks and play. They are adaptable, but they do best with someone home often and enough exercise to stay settled indoors.
Do Goldendoodles bark a lot?
Usually not excessively. They tend to alert with a bark or two, but they are more likely to be vocal when bored or left alone too long.
How much exercise does a Goldendoodle need?
About an hour a day for most adults, combining walks, active play and some training or puzzle work to keep the mind busy.
How long do Goldendoodles live?
Typically 10 to 15 years. Size and health history can affect this, so ask the breeder about the parents' health.
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Written by Pawdeck editors · updated Nov 12, 2026 · facts from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons; health notes are general veterinary guidance, not a diagnosis.