Discover Everything About Goldendoodle
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Goldendoodle overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
As a designer dog, the Goldendoodle is not subject to official breed-registry health requirements, which means buyers need to be especially vigilant. The breed carries the risk of hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) from both parent breeds, as well as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Without voluntary X-ray screenings and genetic testing of the parent dogs, buyers unfortunately often face an unpredictable health risk.
Lifespan
10–15 yrs
Height
53–63 cm
Weight
22–35 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 2,000 – 4,000 €
- Coat: Curly to wavy, medium length, undercoat present
- Origin: USA
Typical coat colors
- Cream
- gold
- red
- black
- brown
- gray
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Goldendoodle, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Goldendoodle right for you?
The Goldendoodle is a people-oriented, highly intelligent hybrid dog—a mix of Apportierhund (retriever) and Wasserhund (water dog) that is often marketed as a low-maintenance family pet, but genetically carries the working drive of two true hunting breeds.
Perfect for you if:
- You are keen on real training, as both parent breeds are Apportierhunde and Wasserhunde that need mental stimulation.
- You are looking for a cheerful, extremely social companion who loves to be everywhere you are.
- You have the time and budget for intensive grooming and regular professional grooming appointments, as their curly coat mats easily.
- You enjoy spending time outdoors and near water, and you don't mind a bit of dirt in the house.
Less ideal if:
- You blindly trust the myth of the 'guaranteed hypoallergenic, non-shedding dog'—the coat structure of this surprise package is genetically unpredictable.
- You expect them to relax on their own—the combination of two active working breeds can easily lead to overexcitement and frustration if they are under-stimulated.
- You need to leave them alone for long periods regularly, as this extremely people-oriented mix often suffers from severe separation anxiety.
The real vibes check
A Goldendoodle is not a ready-made stuffed animal from a catalog, but a surprise package consisting of two highly intelligent hunting breeds. If you are ready to work with the dog you actually have—instead of the perfect advertising promise—you will gain an incredibly versatile and loyal partner.
Breed Profile
The Goldendoodle is a hybrid dog created by crossing a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. It is not a breed recognized by the FCI, but rather a so-called designer dog. His appearance can therefore vary quite a bit depending on whether he has inherited more Golden Retriever or Poodle characteristics. However, it is generally similar to both breeds, with a robust build and a thick, curly or wavy coat.
| Height | 53 - 58 cm (Female), 55 - 63 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 22 - 30 kg (Female), 25 - 35 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 10 - 15 years |
| Character | Friendly, Intelligent, Playful |
| Coat | Curly to wavy, medium length, undercoat present |
| Coat Color | Cream, gold, red, black, brown, gray |
| Price | 2000 - 4000 € |
History
The Goldendoodle originated in the USA and was first bred in the 1990s. The breeders' goal was to create a dog with the best characteristics of both parent breeds: the kindness, loyalty and intelligence of the Golden Retriever and the hypoallergenicity and low shedding of the Poodle. Although the Goldendoodle is not yet recognized as a separate breed, it has quickly established itself as a popular companion and family dog.
The Goldendoodle was created by crossing the Golden Retriever and Poodle to create a hypoallergenic companion dog with a friendly nature.
USA
1990er
Character & Temperament
Goldendoodles are known for their friendliness, intelligence, and playful nature. They love the company of their humans and are usually in a very good mood. They are exceptionally social and get along well with children and other animals, making them excellent family dogs. Goldendoodles are generally very active and playful. They love long walks, playing in the park and other physical activities. Thanks to their intelligence, they are also well suited to dog sports that require mental work. However, their need for exercise is not as high as that of some other breeds, so they can cope well in a smaller apartment as long as they get enough exercise. A well-socialized and trained Goldendoodle is usually not inclined to exhibit strong hunting or prey-catching behavior, which makes it easier to live with. They also don't tend to be overly alert or territorial, meaning they are usually friendly towards strangers and make good visiting dogs in schools or retirement homes. Goldendoodles can learn to stay alone, but they definitely prefer to be around their people. However, like any dog, they should be trained to stay alone from an early age to avoid excessive attachment or separation anxiety. They are not loners and require lots of human interaction and mental stimulation to be happy and well-adjusted. Although the Goldendoodle is a friendly and sociable dog that loves to play and be active, it also has a calm and gentle side. They love relaxing with their family and can be very cuddly. They are very people-oriented and build a strong bond with their family. This love and loyalty, combined with their natural intelligence and desire to please, makes them wonderful companion dogs.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the name Goldendoodle is a combination of Golden Retriever and Poodle and this adorable breed became popular in North America in the 1990s to combine the hypoallergenic qualities of the Poodle with the friendly and loving temperament of the Golden Retriever?
What Awaits You
Goldendoodle: The Goldendoodle is a friendly and intelligent dog that comes from the crossbreeding of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs are very social and are well suited as family dogs. They are active, eager to learn, and require regular activity. Due to their hypoallergenic coat, they are especially suitable for allergy sufferers. Goldendoodles are versatile, for example as therapy or companion dogs.
Housing & Care
Goldendoodles are generally well suited to city life as long as they receive enough exercise and mental stimulation. They get along well with other dogs and are usually friendly with children as long as they are treated with respect. With their friendly and social nature, they can often adapt well to living with other pets such as cats.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog. | Excellent with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Adapts well to city living and urban environments. | Well-suited to city life |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Goldendoodles are intelligent and eager to learn dogs who generally enjoy training. They are well suited to a variety of dog sports, from agility to obedience. At the same time, it is important to ensure balanced training and avoid overworking. Like all dogs, Goldendoodles need rest and relaxation time. Some Goldendoodles can be "ball junkies." and love retrieving balls or other toys. The important thing here is to keep the game balanced and make sure the dog doesn't become obsessed with it. Impulse control and frustration tolerance are important skills to teach when raising a Goldendoodle.
Nutrition & Care
A Goldendoodle's diet should be tailored to its size, age, activity level, and health. They usually benefit from a balanced diet with high-quality proteins, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. When choosing food, you should choose a product that is specifically designed for your dog's size and life stage. Grooming a Goldendoodle can be challenging due to their curly coat. They have a dense undercoat and require regular brushing to prevent matting and skin problems. Depending on how curly your Goldendoodle's coat is, he may also need regular professional grooming. Goldendoodles cope well with the climate in Germany. Their fur protects them from cold and heat, but it is important to watch them in extreme temperatures and make sure they do not overheat or get too cold. They tend to shed moderately.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Barely any shedding — occasional vacuuming is enough. | Minimal |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
As a designer dog, the Goldendoodle is not subject to official breed-registry health requirements, which means buyers need to be especially vigilant. The breed carries the risk of hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) from both parent breeds, as well as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Without voluntary X-ray screenings and genetic testing of the parent dogs, buyers unfortunately often face an unpredictable health risk.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should focus on joint-friendly rearing, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular check-ups for eyes and skin to identify potential issues early on.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, and eyes tested and perform genetic screenings for skin conditions and blood clotting disorders to reduce risks within the lineage.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Goldendoodle
Claudia S., Halterin aus dem Sauerland (Rüde Loki, seit 2021)
Loki ist ein absolut liebenswerter Familienhund, er ist extrem schlau und versteht sich fantastisch mit unseren Kindern. Seine Fröhlichkeit steckt einfach an. Aber man darf eines wirklich nicht unterschätzen: die Fellpflege ist ein absoluter Fulltime-Job, besonders im Winter, wenn wir sein Fell etwas länger wachsen lassen.
Bei langem Fell müssen wir ihn wirklich zweimal am Tag bürsten, was jedes Mal ein bis zwei Stunden dauert. Wenn es draußen nass ist, muss er danach auch gründlich gewaschen werden. Vernachlässigt man das Bürsten auch nur für drei Tage, verfilzt das Fell komplett bis auf die Haut. Wer sich einen Goldendoodle anschafft, sollte sich also auf einen enormen Pflegeaufwand einstellen oder das Fell von vornherein sehr kurz halten.
Sabine M., Halterin aus Oberbayern (Hündin Nala, seit 2022)
Unsere Nala ist eine Seele von Hund – sportlich, menschenfreundlich und unglaublich lernwillig. Sie bringt so viel Freude in unseren Alltag. Allerdings kam bei ihr mit etwa einem Jahr der Jagdtrieb durch, was uns anfangs echt kalt erwischt hat. Wir mussten viel Zeit und Training investieren, um diesen Trieb kontrollierbar zu machen.
Man muss sich auch bewusst sein, dass man für diese Hunde beim Züchter oft horrende Preise zahlt – bei uns waren es über 2000 Euro für einen Mischling, was im ersten Moment verrückt klingt. Trotzdem haben wir die Entscheidung für Nala keinen einzigen Tag bereut, denn sie ist einfach ein großartiger Begleiter.
Stefan B., Halter aus dem Rheinland (Rüde Zorro, seit 2016)
Wir leben nun schon seit sieben Jahren mit unserem Goldendoodle-Rüden Zorro zusammen. Er ist ein sportlicher, absolut gutmütiger und menschenfreundlicher Hund, der uns problemlos überallhin begleitet. Er ist sehr verspielt, aufmerksam und liebt es, geistig gefordert zu werden.
Entgegen dem typischen Gerücht, dass Doodles überhaupt nicht haaren, verliert Zorro durchaus ein bisschen Fell. Ein befreundeter Goldendoodle, der etwas mehr nach dem Pudel kommt, haart zwar weniger, zeigt dafür aber auch deutlich mehr Jagdtrieb. Man sollte sich also darauf einstellen, dass jeder Doodle charakterlich und optisch eine kleine Überraschungstüte ist.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Goldendoodle
Is a Goldendoodle the right dog for me?
The Goldendoodle is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Goldendoodle live?
The average life expectancy of a Goldendoodle is 10-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Goldendoodle need?
Goldendoodle grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Goldendoodle good for families with children?
The Goldendoodle can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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