What health testing should a Goldendoodle breeder do?

Because the Goldendoodle is a cross, its health depends on both parent breeds being screened. Look for documented hip, eye, and heart clearances on both parents, plus awareness of the Golden Retriever's cancer risk and the Poodle's risk of Addison's disease and progressive retinal atrophy.

Goldendoodle

Q: What size do Goldendoodles get?

It depends on the Poodle parent. Standard Goldendoodles can reach 50 to 70 pounds, while Medium, Mini, and Toy or Petite versions come from smaller Poodles and can finish anywhere from about 15 to 45 pounds. Because size is not fixed by a breed standard, ask about the size of both parents.

A friendly Golden Retriever and Poodle cross bred to be a sociable, trainable family companion.

About the Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is a designer crossbreed — a deliberate hybrid of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle — that first became popular in the 1990s. It is important to be clear from the start: this is not a recognized purebred. The Goldendoodle is not registered as a breed by the American Kennel Club and does not have a single official standard the way a Golden Retriever or Poodle does. What you are buying is a first- or later-generation cross, and its exact look, size, and coat depend heavily on which parents were used and how the litter was bred.

Because a Poodle can be a Standard, Miniature, or Toy, Goldendoodles come in a wide range of sizes, usually marketed as Standard, Medium, Mini, and Toy or Petite. A Standard from a large Poodle parent can top 50–70 pounds, while a Mini or Toy from a smaller Poodle may finish under 30 pounds. Generations are worth understanding honestly. An F1 is a straight Golden Retriever crossed with a Poodle. An F1B is an F1 Goldendoodle bred back to a Poodle, which raises the odds of a curlier, lower-shedding coat. Multigenerational (multigen) dogs come from breeding doodles to doodles over several generations.

Goldendoodles are prized for temperament, and this is where the cross tends to shine. They are typically friendly, social, and eager to please, inheriting the Golden Retriever's affectionate nature and the Poodle's quick mind. That makes them highly trainable and a good fit for active families, first-time owners, and homes with children or other pets. They are people-oriented dogs that do not enjoy being left alone for long stretches, and without company and activity they can become anxious or bored. They are not the effortless, hypoallergenic, no-shedding dog they are sometimes marketed as, so it pays to go in with realistic expectations.

Breed Characteristics

Stamina Level: Moderate to high — a genuinely active dog that needs daily exercise
Grooming: High; the wavy or curly coat mats easily and needs regular brushing plus professional grooming every 6–8 weeks
Training Ease: Excellent — intelligent, food-motivated, and eager to please
Size: Varies widely (Toy/Petite, Mini, Medium, Standard; roughly 15–70 lbs)
Temperament: Friendly, social, affectionate, and strongly people-oriented

Care Requirements

The Goldendoodle's coat is the single biggest commitment. Whether wavy or tightly curled, it does not shed out on its own and instead tangles close to the skin, so it mats easily. Brush thoroughly several times a week — ideally most days — right down to the skin, and book professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. The often-quoted "low-shedding" or "hypoallergenic" label is a tendency, not a guarantee: coat type and shedding vary from litter to litter, and some Goldendoodles shed and trigger allergies more than owners expect.

These are active dogs that need real exercise, not just a quick stroll. Plan on daily walks, play, and some training or puzzle work to keep their sharp minds busy, or you may see chewing, digging, and nuisance barking. On health, remember this is a cross, so soundness depends on whether the breeder health-tested both parent breeds — hips, eyes, and heart, plus the Golden Retriever's elevated cancer risk and the Poodle's risk of Addison's disease and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Insist on documented parent testing rather than a general promise that "hybrids are healthier."

FAQs

Not guaranteed. Low shedding is a tendency the Poodle side can pass on, not a certainty. Because the Goldendoodle is a cross, coat type and shedding vary from litter to litter and even puppy to puppy. Curlier, more Poodle-like coats (often seen in F1B dogs) tend to shed less, but no dog is truly hypoallergenic. If allergies are a concern, spend time with the actual dog before committing.

It depends on the Poodle parent. Standard Goldendoodles bred from a large Poodle can reach 50–70 pounds, while Medium, Mini, and Toy or Petite versions come from smaller Poodles and can finish anywhere from about 15 to 45 pounds. Because size is not fixed by a breed standard, ask the breeder about the size of both parents and previous litters rather than relying on the label alone.

These label the generation of the cross. An F1 is a Golden Retriever bred directly to a Poodle. An F1B is an F1 Goldendoodle bred back to a Poodle, which increases the chance of a curlier, lower-shedding coat. Multigenerational (multigen) dogs come from breeding Goldendoodles to Goldendoodles over several generations. The generation gives you a rough idea of coat and shedding, but individual results still vary.

Because the Goldendoodle is a cross, its health depends on both parent breeds being screened. Look for documented hip, eye, and heart clearances on both the Golden Retriever and Poodle parents, plus awareness of the Golden's elevated cancer risk and the Poodle's risk of Addison's disease and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). A responsible breeder shows you the paperwork; be wary of anyone who simply claims that crossbreeds are automatically healthier.