Thinking about getting a dog that has the sought-after Goldendoodle temperament and what it might cost? Well, the Golden Retriever Poodle mix is an Excellent C
Finding the Perfect Goldendoodle and Price
If you'd like to add a Goldendoodle puppy to your family, you’re probably wondering where you can find one.
You may have better luck finding a Goldendoodle for sale from a breeder, rather than adopting one from an animal shelter. At the very least, you can talk to the breeder about whether the dog is a First-Generation mix. The shelter likely will not know for sure.
What's the Goldendoodle Price?
On average, the Goldendoodle price runs between $1200 and $2200 if you buy from a reputable breeder. But the range can be more like $800- $4000+. Expect to pay more towards the higher price end. The Goldendoodle puppies for sale by breeders have steadily risen in price each year due to their popularity.
Adoptions are always cheaper but don’t forget about the “hidden costs,” if you will, like regular vet check-ups, monthly food bills, and costs associated with treats, accessories, and training.
Goldendoodle Adoption and Rescue
If you want to adopt a Goldendoodle puppy, you might be able to find one at your local rescue organization.
This is your best bet for finding a dog for under $1000.
Make sure, though, that you inform the shelter that you are looking for a First-Generation dog. If by any chance, they are aware of the dog’s history when he comes in, you’ll be one of the first people they call.
If, however, you don’t mind adopting a dog who may be less healthy because the shelter is unsure of whether he is First-Generation or not, then, by all means, adopt him.
It is far better to bring a dog home from the shelter if you have the means to care for him than to let him live out his life in a cold kennel.
And, if you’re adopting an older dog, there are some pros and cons to this. For one thing, you don’t have to worry about housetraining him, or that he will be a chewer!
However, you may end up stuck with a dog who has bad habits because his former owners never trained him properly.
Goldendoodle Breeders
You always have to be careful when selecting a breeder, especially for the price you pay for their puppies, but you have to be especially careful when selecting a crossbreed breeder.
Ask as many questions as you can, and make sure you get the proper documentation to back up everything the breeder says. Sure, he or she can tell you their pups are First-Generation, and then you learn the hard way when you bring him home, and he’s sick all the time.
Always research the breeder online first to see what others have to say. And be sure to scope out the breeder’s home before you buy. Look for signs that the pups are living in filthy or dangerous conditions, and pay attention to the habits and temperaments of the pup’s parents. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, so whatever tendencies you see in the parents (like aggression) may be what you end up bringing home in their offspring.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Continuing on, here is a quick overview of the key things you should know about this mixed-breed dog, many of which also affect the price you will pay and the lifetime cost of owning the Goldendoodle.
Goldendoodle Size
Goldendoodles are a type of poodle mix that pairs a Golden Retriever with a Poodle.
They range in size from miniature at 15-30 lbs., medium at 30-45 lbs. to standard, which weighs in at anywhere from 45 to over 100 lbs. As far as height goes, they range anywhere from 2 to 2.2 feet tall at the shoulder for males, and between 1.8 to 1.9 feet tall for females.
There’s a variety of sizes to choose from, so you can easily find the one that fits your family best.
The breeding between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle began back in the mid ‘90s, when breeders decided they wanted to be able to offer a larger poodle mix.
Let’s look closer at the Goldendoodle’s behavior and personality traits.
Nothing but Smarts
This hybrid dog gets his intelligence from both of his parents, making him a very quick learner. In fact, he actually loves to learn!
Early training with treats and praise will give you a well-trained and reliable adult dog.
Because the Goldendoodle temperament is so well-suited to training, they make excellent guide dogs. They are also good at certain activities, like working as therapy dogs for those suffering from PTSD.
What to Look for in a Puppy
Known for being friendly and loving dogs, Goldendoodles generally carry the best traits of his Golden Retriever and Poodle parents.
These traits vary from dog to dog and depend largely on who the dog’s parents are.
Breeding goes a long way in these crossbred dogs.
Typically, Goldendoodles are devoted members of the family and are very friendly. If you notice during your visit to the breeder that the parents of the pup you’re interested in is showing signs of aggression or shyness, then these traits are likely to show up in their pups, too.
Because they combine the best of both worlds of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, the Goldendoodle temperament consists of “hybrid vigor.”
What this means is that first generation mixes are generally healthier than either of the parents’ lines.
Their ancestry makes them great hunters and water dogs too, especially within the Golden Retriever’s lineage.
Goldendoodle Grooming
While some hybrid dogs are low maintenance when it comes to grooming, Goldendoodles are not. Their fur ranges anywhere from shaggy to loose curls, or somewhere in between.
Use a slicker brush to brush them at least every other day to prevent matting. It’s also not a bad idea to see the professional groomer every 2-3 months.
Because they are part Poodle, the Goldendoodle actually does not shed much. Regular grooming for him is more in line with keeping him looking nice and preventing skin or fur problems.
One thing you can count on is that Goldendoodles are a good choice for a hypoallergenic dog. This is because of their Poodle qualities. However, no breed is truly allergen-free. The best way to tell if you’re allergic? Spend some time with the dog you want to bring home.
Ear infections can be an issue, though, because flaps cover their inner ears, giving moisture and bacteria a kind of breeding ground. Keep your Goldendoodle’s ears clean and dry, particularly after a bath or a swimming session.
If you choose a smaller Goldendoodle, make sure to brush her teeth on a regular basis. Smaller Goldendoodles are more prone to gum disease than bigger ones.
Colors the Goldendoodle comes in tend to include cream or apricot, though there are several colors of Poodles alone that can make for some interesting combinations.
Staying Healthy
Make sure you get all the dog’s health certificates from the breeder. And if the breeder puts you off in any way, take this as a red flag and walk away. A reputable breeder will gladly give you those certificates – and it’s not too difficult to find a reputable breeder.
Goldendoodles, like any of the other poodle mixes out there, can inherit health issues from either parent. However, they may also be more immune to the health problems that tend to plague either breed. It all depends on the dog.
To get the healthiest puppy possible, and the one with the best temperament, make sure the crossbreeding is first-generation. This means you have one Golden Retriever parent and one Poodle parent.
The life expectancy for the average Goldendoodle is about 15 years.
Note: if you agree that your health and your dog's health should be a top priority then get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. Your Goldendoodle friend will love you for it. This guide will help save you money, time and most of all help you keep your dog healthy.
A Goldendoodle By Any Other Name
In case you have difficulty finding a Goldendoodle in your area, some of the other names a Goldendoodle goes by including Golden Poos, Goldie Poos, and Groodles. You can try asking for any of these if you are interested in adopting a dog from your local animal shelter.
A Great Family Pet
The Goldendoodle temperament lends itself well to the idea of the perfect family companion. They love to play, and they get along well with children of all ages.
Goldendoodles are easygoing when it comes to strangers, making them the embodiment of a truly social dog. They are happiest when they’re around all sorts of people.
Goldendoodles love to romp around the yard and require a moderate amount of exercise each day. Because of their love for activity, Goldendoodles are perfect for sports like flyball and agility.
Goldendoodle vs. Labradoodle
Now don’t go getting your “doodles” mixed up! As you can tell by the name, while a Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, a Labradoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever.
The three main differences between the two dogs are their coats, size, and temperaments.
As far as size goes, Labradors are slightly larger than Goldens, and when you mix those with a slightly smaller Poodle, the size possibilities are seemingly endless!
Temperament is one of the most important traits when selecting a pet, so this is probably the trait you’re going to want to know the most about. When it comes to the main difference between these two, the Labradoodle’s energy level is slightly higher than that of the Goldendoodle.
Additionally, the Labradoodle is slightly stronger than the Goldendoodle, so if you need a dog you can put to work, the Labradoodle is the better choice. Both dogs, however, are devoted, loving, and active, so either choice makes for a great family pet!
A Brief History of the Goldendoodle Breed
Do you know how the Goldendoodle came to be? We can actually thank Monica Dickens, the great-granddaughter of author Charles Dickens! She developed the crossbreed in 1969.
People fell in love with the Goldendoodle breed in the ‘90s when breeders in both North America and Australia got involved.
Training
Socialization is, of course, everything when it comes to training your dog. This goes for any breed. It’s a lot easier to train a dog who’s less sheltered and reserved than a dog who’s happy and outgoing.
Perhaps the most important thing you need to know about training is that you must start training your dog while he’s a puppy – even if he doesn’t have any issues! Do not wait until he starts showing signs of behavioral issues because they can become even harder to correct by that point.
Above all, be firm and consistent. Your dog needs to know that you are the leader here, not him.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Goldendoodle
Exercise
A Goldendoodle needs very active, very regular exercise. He has the build to take whatever you dish out, so bring him jogging, hiking, swimming – whatever you like to do.
They also love mental challenges that are just as taxing. For example, give him a toy stuffed with food, rather than food in a bowl, and make him work for it – he’ll love it!
These dogs don’t do well when you leave them alone for hours at a time and only take them to the dog park twice a week. If you don’t have the time to give these dogs the activity they need, then you are not a good match – plain and simple.
Top Goldendoodle Mixes
Your best shot at getting a healthy pet when adopting or buying a Goldendoodle is to get a First Generation dog (i.e. a dog that is not cross-bred past the initial cross-breed). However, if you find yourself falling for a mixed breed and you simply can’t help yourself, here are some of the more common Goldendoodle mixes out there.
- Double Doodle (Goldendoodle and Labradoodle)
- Petite Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and Poodle)
- Miniature Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Toy or Mini Poodle)
Ready for Your New Friend?
The Goldendoodle temperament, no matter whether he is small or large, will fill your life with happiness and activity. Just be sure to pay attention to the lineage of the puppy you’re interested in, as you can learn about him from the habits of his parents.
The Goldendoodle is the perfect family dog, being part Poodle and part Golden Retriever. And he comes in a variety of sizes! Just be sure to stick to first-generation crossbreeds to ensure your best shot at getting the heathiest possible dog.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.