Though crazy cat ladies/gentlemen may argue otherwise, dogs may well be man’s best friend. And few of them make a better friend than Goldendoodles do.
For those of you who don’t know, a Goldendoodle (sometimes called a Groodle) is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. You can tell their pedigree from their hair: Their coat tends to fall somewhere between Golden Retriever’s straight hair and Poodle’s curly hair.
A Goldendoodle’s coat can have different colors, including:
- Black
- Orange/Golden
- White
- Gray
- Dark Brown
Some Groodles can have coats of many colors too (well, two or three, anyway).
Good looks aren’t all that these pooches have going for them—they’re also smart, friendly and very loyal. Here are eight things you might not know about Goldendoodles.
1. Goldendoodles didn’t exist until recently.
If you were alive in the 1980s, odds are very high that you never saw a Goldendoodle. That’s because they didn’t even exist back then.
Groodles started showing up in Australia and North America in the 90s. Dog breeders began breeding them after realizing that pet owners might like a dog with the characteristics of both Poodles and Golden Retrievers.
What are these characteristics, you ask? Well, things like our next seven facts.
2. Goldendoodles are genetically predisposed to have great dog health.
Goldendoodles are a “designer dog” (i.e. a first-generation hybrid). They’re often lively and strong thanks because they’ve been bred from two purebred dogs. Animal breeders call this “hybrid vigor.”
In a way, dogs with hybrid vigor get the best of both worlds: They inherit the best qualities of two different breeds. Not only that, they tend to be much healthier than either of the purebreds that created them.
This leads to one big benefit of having a Goldendoodle: They don’t need as many major veterinarian visits as other breeds do. In other words, you won’t need to pay as much to keep them healthy and happy.
It’s worth noting, however, that Groodles may have health problems that their Golden Retriever and Poodle parents typically do. These include:
- Hip disorders
- Elbow disorders
- VonWillebrand’s disease (a blood clotting disorder)
3. You can predict a Goldendoodle’s adult height and weight.
It’s actually very easy to figure out how tall Groodles will be and how much they’ll weigh when they reach adulthood. All you need to know is the height and weight of a Goldendoodle’s parents. When you add the two heights/weights together and divide by two, you’ll get your Goldendoodle’s height/weight.
Adult Goldendoodles typically fall into one of three size categories:
- Standard Size: 45-100 lbs.
- Medium Size: 30-45 lbs.
- Miniature/Mini Goldendoodles: 15-30 lbs. (This usually occurs because the Groodle’s mom or dad was a toy Poodle.)
4. Goldendoodles Need a Lot of Grooming!
A common misconception is that Doodles are low maintenance, especially with their grooming needs. However, this is farther from the truth. Our I Love Goldendoodles fan page gets asked constantly on how to keep your doodle’s hair from getting matted, at-home grooming tips for doodle owners, and what products we recommend for daily/weekly/monthly grooming maintenance. Here are some helpful doodle grooming tips to maintain your doods coat.
5. Even people with dog allergies might love Goldendoodles.
Goldendoodles make great pets for people who like dogs, but have mild animal allergies. That’s because, like many Poodle hybrids, Goldendoodles don’t shed a lot.
Even if your allergies are pretty bad, you might still be able to own a Snickerdoodle. But instead of a first-generation Groodle, you’ll want to get a “backcross” (i.e. second-generation) dog. These dogs will have a first-generation hybrid for one parent and purebred Poodle for the other. As a result of this breeding, backcross Goldendoodles shed even less than their first-generation counterparts.
6. Goldendoodles make fantastic guide and therapy dogs.
As we mentioned earlier, Goldendoodles get the best characteristics of their purebred parents. On the one hand, they have Poodles’ brains. On the other, they have the loyalty and obedience of Golden Retrievers. Thanks to this combination, Goldendoodles can make wonderful guide or therapy dogs.
Goldendoodles can make wonderful companions for:
- Blind people
- People in nursing homes
- Elderly hospice residents
- Hospital patients
7. Goldendoodles are naturally friendly.
Here’s another trait that Goldendoodles inherit from Golden Retrievers: They’re naturally very amiable. More often than not, they’re happiest when they get to hang out with humans or other pooches.
Admittedly, this can become a problem if you can’t spend a lot of time with them. If you’re away working or travelling too much, Goldendoodles may not take it very well. They can start behaving badly when they’re left alone for too long.
However, if you have a household with kids and other pets, Goldendoodles can make a great addition to your family. They bond with people and animals easily and can give you many years of love and affection.
8. Goldendoodles love learning new stuff.
Apparently, no one ever told Goldendoodles that old dogs don’t learn new tricks. Even as they age, these dogs love learning new tricks and commands. Not only are they excellent companions, but they can also help you stay on your toes too.
Putting the “Best” in Man’s Best Friend
Over the past three decades, dog owners have come to adore Goldendoodles. They’re smart, they’re friendly and they’re healthy. If you’re looking to get a new dog, a Groodle can be a great choice!
Want to learn more about this adorable breed? Check out our 39 Fun Facts About Goldendoodles!
I love my labradoodle so much…Dexter is absolutely the best friend I’ve ever had…good Lil guy….
#1 Until the 90s, this cross was called a mutt, and most resulted from an accidental cross.
#2 Hybrid vigor is not guaranteed. In some cases it may, indeed, result in healthier dogs, but in an equal and opposite result it can compound health problems found in both breeds. All breeding stock, even of “Designer dogs” should be thoroughly health tested. Too often, that’s not the case.
#3 Genetics does not average. A blue eyed person who has a child by a brown eyed person cannot expect brownish-blue eyed offspring. A small dog bred to a bog dog will result in small or big pups, not medium sized.
#4 You might want to talk to a groomer on this one. Longer haired more poodle coated versions need regular grooming, not just a bath & comb out.
#5 Shedding is not the only cause of pet allergies. Dander production is even more important to consider. Once again, a low shed/low dander cross to a high shed/ high dander does not guarantee all pups will take after the preferred parent, allergy wise.
#6 This can be true, but it is not a guarantee. As with any breed or mix, it’s a matter of having the proper temperament for the job.
#7 & #8 are probably the most accurate of any of these statements, assuming both parents have temperaments typical of their breed. Issues can arise however, if breeders simply breed for the money and do not carefully evaluate the temperaments of their breeding stock.
#4 is dead wrong. Without daily combing and brushing and a thorough coat grooming with clippers and scissors every 5 to 6 weeks, Goldendoodle coats become a matted misery requiring the dog be shaved down.
Thank you for pointing this out to us! We have updated the article to reflect the correct information.
Wow, so informative!