Is Goldendoodle a Real Breed?

Goldendoodles may not be officially recognized as a pure dog breed, but the name was coined in 1992, a combination of golden retriever and poodle. This is the most common identifier for Goldendoodle puppies, but they have several other nicknames like Groodles, Doodles, and sometimes Goldenpoos. Silly and adorable, just like the cute dogs themselves!

Are Goldendoodles Good Pets?

These large dogs are wonderful family pets because of their friendly nature, but they also have what it takes to fill a more serious role. A mixture of intelligent poodle and obedient Golden Retriever, big Goldendoodles make excellent service dogs. Whether a guide dog or a therapy dog, they can do it all; plus, this breed is ideal for hospital patients and people in nursing homes.

However, Goldendoodles are no couch potatoes! This breed of dog is extremely high-energy, which means they need plenty of exercise and play. They weigh around 50 to 100 pounds on average and enjoy going out for walks, hikes, runs, and even swimming adventures with their owners. So, if you are someone who enjoys outdoor activities or sports, Goldendoodle puppies might be the best choice for you.

Are There Different Types of Goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. These often oversized big bundles of joy are incredible for some pet owners, but not everyone has what it takes to provide for a large mixed breed dog. Enter the miniature Goldendoodle - a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Toy Poodle - perfect for people with an apartment. And if you’re wondering how big will a mini Goldendoodle get, you’ll find this just a little bit below!

Then, of course, size isn’t the only factor when it comes to Goldendoodle types. In fact, Goldendoodle isn’t the only representative mix of the Doodle kind, and some of the most popular crosses are: 

• Labradoodle: Labrador Retriever + Poodle
• Aussiedoodle: Australian Sheepdog + Poodle
• Bernedoodle: Bernese Mountain Dog + Poodle
• Sheepadoodle: Old English Sheepdog + Poodle
• Goldendoodle: Golden Retriever + Poodle

To make your choice easier, though, Goldendoodles (or any other Doodles, for that matter) can also be classified by generations. It looks like this:

• F1 Goldendoodle: 100% Golden Retriever x 100% Poodle
• F1b Goldendoodle (first generation backcross): 100% Poodle x F1 Goldendoodle
• F2 Goldendoodle: F1 Goldendoodle x F1 Goldendoodle OR F2 Goldendoodle x Poodle
• F2b Goldendoodle: F1 Goldendoodle x F1B OR F2 x Poodle

This is very important to know if you’re choosing your doggie for its hypoallergenic qualities. While an F1 type Goldendoodle will be 100% hypoallergenic, an F2 type Goldendoodle might not have the hypoallergenic coat you were looking for. 

How big can a Goldendoodle get? 

Goldendoodles most often come in three size variations: miniature, medium, and standard. Here’s how big they can get for each size group: 

• Mini Goldendoodle – around 15 inches and 30 pounds when fully grown, or around 38 cm and 13 kg;
• Medium Goldendoodle – 15-30 inches and 30 to 45 pounds or 38 to 50 cm and 13 to 20 kg;
• Standard Goldendoodle – 22 inches and 50 or 56 cm and 23 kg. 

Hopefully, this chart will give you an idea of how big is a Goldendoodle!

Now, besides these traditional size types, a truly big Goldendoodle might happen. In that case, it would be called a giant Goldendoodle. This big plushie will be several inches taller and quite a few pounds bigger than the standard Goldendoodle. However, a giant variation of the type is kind of a deviation from the norm that happens extremely rarely.

Are Goldendoodles Good for People with Allergies?

Goldendoodles are a hypo-allergenic breed thanks to their Poodle side, allowing people with dog allergies to enjoy these furry creatures. This also means they won't shed all over your furniture and clothes, as they have hair instead of fur. In addition, even the big Goldendoodles require low grooming, unlike the poodle, just a bath and a comb through every two weeks, along with a routine trim at the groomers.

Are Goldendoodles Healthy?

As a hybrid dog, Goldendoodles are predisposed to having excellent health, known as hybrid vigor. The reason for this is that they inherit the best qualities from both of their different contributing breeds. They even tend to be healthier than the purebred dogs that created them. This added health benefit means fewer visits to the veterinarian! Some disorders that they may inherit from their parents include hip disorders, elbow disorders, or VonWillebrand’s disease (a blood clotting disorder).