Choosing a Goldendoodle Dog (Golden Retriever and a Poodle Cross)

Dogs

Breed Information on Goldendoodle Dogs 

The Goldendoodle dog is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, usually a Standard or Miniature Poodle. At their best, these dogs are intelligent, friendly and affectionate. Goldendoodle dogs are one of the most popular mixed breed dogs in the United States.

Goldendoodles come in three sizes: miniature, weighing 15 to 30 pounds; medium, 30 to 45 pounds; and standard, 45 to more than 100 pounds. Because they are a cross breed, their traits are not fixed, so there is not a guarantee that the Goldendoodle puppy you purchase will fall into the desired weight range. Goldendoodles are one of the most popular “designer mixed breeds” in the United States.

Personality of a Goldendoodle Dog

Goldendoodles have a moderate activity level. Larger Goldendoodles may be more active than their smaller kin. They need a good walk or active playtime each day, and if you're interested, they are athletic enough to participate in such dog sports as agility, flyball, obedience and rally. They can also be excellent therapy dogs.

Both of the breeds used to create Goldendoodles are smart and learn quickly. If you begin socialization and training early and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play and food rewards, you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion.

Poodles have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, meaning that they can be tolerated by people who have allergies to dogs. Because they have the Poodle in their heritage, Goldendoodles are sometimes promoted as being hypoallergenic.

But allergies are caused not by a particular dog coat type but by dander, the dead skin cells that are shed by all dogs (and people, for that matter). There is no scientific evidence that any breed or cross breed is more or less allergenic than any other dog. Some people with mild allergies react less severely to particular dogs, but no reputable breeder will guarantee that her dogs are hypoallergenic.