FAQ
Bringing a Goldendoodle home is a big decision and we’re here to make it easy. From coat types to shipping, health guarantees to training tips, we’ve covered it all. Dive into our FAQs and find everything you need to know.
Goldendoodle Origin
Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever and Poodle cross. Goldendoodles, also called Golden Poos, Goldie Poos, or Groodles, have been bred in North America and Australia since the early to mid-1990’s. As the smaller poodle hybrids had been such a success in filling the niche for small, allergy friendly family pets, Golden Retriever breeders decided to try a breeding with a standard poodle for a larger family pet. The quick rise of the popularity of Goldendoodles is due to the dogs themselves. They are a most marvelous hybrid.The term ‘Goldendoodle’ appeared soon after the introduction of the Labradoodle by Wally Conron. The earliest known use of the name ‘Goldendoodle’ comes from the Neelands family in the U.S.A in 1992. The family started calling their dog, Sugar, a ‘goldendoodle’ in response to a question from a passerby who asked “is that a labradoodle?”. They replied, “No, it’s a goldendoodle”, and have referred to her as such ever since
Hybrid Vigour & Goldendoodles
Most Goldendoodles are a first generation cross, and as such they exhibit hybrid vigour. This is a phenomenon in animal breeding referring to the fact that the first cross between two unrelated purebred lines is healthier and grows better than either parent line. The hybrid cross between these two parent breeds are terrific family dogs, friendly, intelligent, affectionate and easy to train. With each successive generation, vigour is lost.
Goldendoodle Description
The Goldendoodle’s ancestry along both parent lines is as hunters and water dogs. The physical appearance of the Goldendoodle runs anywhere from a shaggy-looking retriever to a curl-relaxed poodle, but usually it falls somewhere inbetween. The length when left unclipped grows to about 4-8 inches. The color of the coat can be cream, gold, apricot, chocolate, gray, black, parti or phantom. Most Goldendoodles have a Standard Poodle as a parent, and are standard sized. Like many poodle crosses, most Goldendoodles are light to non-shedding, and most live easily with families with MILD allergies. – see Dood Database Families with moderate to severe allergies often find that Goldendoodle backcrosses can work well.
Miniature Goldendoodles
Those with a miniature or toy Poodle as a parent, are about 25-45 pounds and are called Miniature Goldendoodles. Dr. Kate Schoeffel of Kate’s Family Pets in Australia introduced the miniature to North American Labradoodle & Goldendoodle breeders in 1999. Active on the forums, Kate Schoeffel, an honours geneticist, Vet and the first breeder of pet Labradoodles in the world, provided expert guidance and support to the breeders of these new hybrids.
Goldendoodle Generations
The first generation (F1) standard size Goldendoodle was the first to be bred. It is the product of a standard Poodle crossed with a Golden Retriever. Most first generation Goldendoodles either don’t shed or shed lightly, and are compatible for most families with mild allergies.The backcross (F1b) Goldendoodle is produced by crossing an F1 Goldendoodle with a Poodle. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.A few breeders are breeding second generation (F2) Goldendoodles which are the product of a Goldendoodle crossed with another Goldendoodle. For a more detailed description of the generations – click here
Height, weight
The size of the Dood depends on its parentage. A general rule of thumb is to add both the parents weights together and divide by 2 to get an average adult weight on the puppies. Within any litter there may be puppies that fall above or below the projected adult weights. Standard – A Goldendoodle that is predicted to be 45 lbs or more at adulthood.Medium – A Goldendoodle that is predicted to be 30-45 lbs at adulthood.Miniature – A Goldendoodle that is predicted to be 15-30 lbs at adulthood.Some standard Goldendoodles have grown to more than 100 pounds.
Goldendoodle Temperament
Goldendoodles are an intelligent and obedient family companion. They are everybody’s friend and devoted to their family. They are friendly towards children, other dogs and pets, and easy with strangers. They are social dogs, happiest when with people. Goldendoodles are likely to get into mischief and develop behavior problems if they spend most of their lives alone. Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning make them very easy to train. They are medium-to large sized family dogs with easy dispositions.
Goldendoodle Living Conditions & Exercise
Goldendoodles require a moderate amount of exercise and their coats are generally low maintenance. They can live in the city or on a farm. They are social dogs and they are happiest when they are with people
Goldendoodle Health Concerns
As a hybrid cross they grow healthier and live longer than either parent line. The only genetic diseases they can be prone to would be those shared by both the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. No Major Concerns. Minor Concerns – CHD, PRA, VonWillebrand’s, Elbow and patella disorders.Suggested tests – hip, eye and vWD.
Goldendoodle Life Expectancy
About 15 years
Goldendoodle Grooming
As a hybrid cross, Goldendoodles will inherit fur that looks retriever-like, or poodle-like, but usually something in-between. Unclipped Goldendoodles will have hair about 4-7 inches long, shorter on the face and longer on the body, tail and legs. They require combing every few weeks. Depending on how often the dog is groomed, clipped Goldendoodles are groomed several times a year.
Goldendoodle Group
Service dogs, field dogs
How often should I brush my puppy?
Your puppy needs to be brushed daily with a slicker brush followed by a metal comb. The slicker brush will only brush the surface. The comb will help you detect any mats that are forming underneath, which is a vital part of the process. Daily brushing will keep your puppy mat free and will also teach your puppy that grooming is a routine event.
How often should I clip my puppy’s nails?
Typically they need to be clipped weekly to be kept at the proper length. As they grow, you can move to once or twice a month. You will want to massage/play with your puppy’s toes on a regular basis to desensitize it to make clipping nails easier. A groomer will typically clip nails as part of the grooming service.
How often can I bathe my puppy?
Goldendoodles don’t need frequent baths. A bath once a month, or when they get dirty, is sufficient. Bathing too often can strip the coat of its natural oils, causing it to become dry and full. Use a gentle, dog specific shampoo to maintain the pH balance of their skin.
Should I brush my puppy’s teeth?
Your puppy’s baby teeth will fall out. However, you will want to brush your puppy’s teeth as soon as possible so it will be accustomed to this when its adult teeth come in. You can brush your dog’s teeth daily.
When should my puppy have its first hair cut?
Your puppy will probably be ready for its first hair cut at 4-6 months of age. You will want to find a groomer before you bring your puppy home so that you can take them to the groomer before their first hair cut to get them comfortable with the groomer and the process. Your groomer can do a “Face, feet, and fanny” before 4-6 months of age.
How much does a professional clip cost?
Pricing will vary based on location, kind of cut requested, and the length and condition of the coat. The typical price range is between $75 and $200.
How long does a professional clip usually take?
You can expect the grooming appointment to be 2-4 hours depending the size dog and the kind of cut you request.
Are goldendoodle puppies calm, or are doodles usually hyper?
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about Goldendoodles.
While some doodles can be high-energy, that is not the focus of our program. We intentionally select parent dogs with calm, stable temperaments and raise our puppies with structure, early socialization, and consistent handling.
Our goal is to produce puppies that are adaptable, easygoing, and able to settle into family life—not chaotic or overwhelming.
Many of our families specifically come to us because they are looking for a calmer, more balanced dog.
Can I choose my own puppy?
Yes, you absolutely can.
Families choose their puppies in the order deposits are received. However, we also provide guidance based on temperament, energy level, and your family’s lifestyle to help you make the best decision.
You are never forced into a choice, but you are also not left guessing.
This balance is what helps families feel confident in their decision long-term.
How does the puppy matching process work?
Around 6 weeks of age, we evaluate each puppy’s temperament, personality, and behavior.
We then combine that with what we’ve learned about your family to help guide you toward the best match.
This step is extremely important because choosing based only on looks can often lead to mismatches in energy and expectations.
Our goal is to help you choose a puppy that fits your life—not just one that catches your eye.
What comes with my puppy?
Each puppy goes home with:
- Food
- Vet records
- microchip
- A blanket with familiar scent
- Early socialization and handling
- 1 year health guarantee
You will also receive guidance on transitioning your puppy home, along with continued support after go-home.
Do you offer any training support?
Yes, and this is something we strongly believe in.
We offer access to Puppy Training with Cory, our online training program designed specifically for the first two weeks at home. This is a great help to start them off with clarity and confidence.
We may also occasionally have puppies available that have already begun training for families who want an even smoother transition.
What kind of health testing do you do?
We use genetically tested parent lines and carefully select breeding dogs with strong health backgrounds and stable temperaments.Testing for the most common genetic diseases for their breed. Our foundation parents and or grandparents also have OFA hip testing.
Puppies also receive a veterinary evaluation before going home, along with a deworming protocol and early developmental care.
Our goal is to set each puppy up for long-term health and success from the very beginning.
When can I bring my puppy home?
Puppies go home at 8 weeks old.
This timing allows them to develop properly with their littermates while also being ready to begin bonding and training with their new family.
Do you have a waitlist?
Yes, we do.
Families place a $500 deposit to reserve their spot, and puppies are chosen in the order deposits are received.
Deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to a future litter if needed.
We maintain separate waitlists based on size and type to help families get the best fit.
How often do you have litters?
We typically have 1–2 litters per month, which allows us to provide consistency while still maintaining a hands-on, family-based approach to raising each puppy.
What if I've never raised puppies before?
You are not alone many of our families are first-time puppy owners.
That’s exactly why we guide you through the process.
From helping you choose the right puppy to supporting you after go-home, we are here to make the experience feel clear and manageable rather than overwhelming.
What if something happens and I can't keep my puppy?
We understand that life can change, and we are here to support you if it does.
We offer rehoming assistance and will always help ensure that one of our puppies is placed in a safe and appropriate home.
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