Goldendoodle puppies are the adorable result of a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They are smart, friendly, and active dogs that love to be part of a family. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also eager to bond with humans and are among the most docile dog breeds, making them a popular choice among hopeful pet parents.
If you want to add a Goldendoodleto the family, it’s important that you understand the breed before choosing it. Carefully exploring the different generations of Goldendoodles and understanding their grooming needs, energy levels, and personality traits will help you make an informed choice.
A Goldendoodle can certainly become an inseparable part of your family. In this guide, we explore factors that will help you decide how to choose one!
How Many Types of Goldendoodles Are There?
Since this is a hybrid mix, it comes in various generations. These depend on the breeding combinations of the parents. For instance, F1 Goldendoodles are created by mating a purebred Golden Retriever with a Purebred Poodle, therefore acquiring 50% genes from each parent.
F1B puppies, on the other hand, come from a cross between a Poodle and an F1 Goldendoodle. These various generations produce puppies with different coats and colors. Depending on the ratio of the genes, their personality and grooming need also differ.
| F1 | 50% Golden Retriever, 50% Poodle |
| F1B | 25% Golden Retriever, 75% Poodle |
| F1BB | 12.5% Golden Retriever, 87.5% Poodle |
| F2 | 50% Golden Retriever, 50% Poodle |
| F2B | 37.5% Golden Retriever, 62.5% Poodle |
| F2BB | 18.75% Golden Retriever, 81.25% Poodle |
| F3 | Various generations |
Other than various generations, Goldendoodle puppies also come in various sizes depending on the size of the Poodle parent. The size you select will depend on your experience with dogs and the space you can provide for them.
| Goldendoodle Size | Height | Weight |
| Standard/Large Standard | 20-24 inches | 50-90 pounds |
| Medium/Small Standard | 17-20 inches | 40-50 pounds |
| Miniature | 14-20 inches | 15-35 pounds |
| Toy | 10-15 inches | 10-20 pounds |
What Do Goldendoodles Cost?
Cost is a major factor in choosing a puppy. Goldendoodles can cost you between $500 – $4,000 depending on where you live and whether you adopt a puppy or buy one. On average, a reputable breeder will sell a standard Goldendoodle puppy for around $2,100-$2,300, while Miniature and Toy puppies will be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Which Generation of Goldendoodle Is Best for Allergies?
Before you bring a new puppy into your home, it is important to consider whether you can provide a forever home for them. Dogs often end up abandoned due to family members being allergic to dander caused by pet hair.
If this is not a problem for you, any Goldendoodle generations will make for an ideal pet. However, if you or a family member does suffer from allergies or asthma, you must pick a generation that sheds the least. Thier cousin the Sheepadoodle is similar.
Technically, there are no dogs that are 100% hypoallergenic. However, some shed minimally or not at all and are therefore unlikely to trigger allergic reactions. The F1B, F1BB, F2B, and F2BB generations are considered ideal for this.
The ‘B’ in these generations stands for back-cross. If we explore the parents, Golden Retrievers are heavy shedders, while Poodles don’t shed at all. Your best bet at getting a Goldendoodle puppy that won’t shed is to get one with more Poodle than Golden genes.
Generally speaking, any generation with over 60-70% Poodle genes will have a curly coat that doesn’t shed.
Which Goldendoodles Are Difficult to Maintain?
All Goldendoodles are high-energy dogs that need lots of attention and playtime from their families in terms of energy. If you opt for this breed, you should prepare to become active, go on lots of walks, and offer sufficient playtime in the backyard.
Additionally, except Toy and Miniature Goldendoodles, all generations and sizes prefer a home with open space instead of an apartment.
The maintenance is medium-high across the breed but differs when it comes to their coats. If you choose a back-cross generation, you will definitely be free of dealing with shedding pet hair and dander. However, this also means that your dog will have a curly coat that will need regular brushing and trimming so that it does not tangle or lead to matting.
On the other hand, if you get an F1 or F2 generation, the puppy will likely have a straight or wavy coat. While this won’t need trimming or face matting issues, these generations do shed. Therefore, you should be prepared to minimize it with the right diet, regular brushing, and adequate cleaning tools around the home.
Regardless of the generation, you buy, it is important to understand that buying a dog is certainly a responsibility. You will have to put effort into maintaining their health and appearance, but their love and companionship will more than makeup for it!
Tips to Choose a Goldendoodle Puppy
If you have been given an exciting chance to choose a Goldendoodle puppy from a litter, or if you are trying to ensure if the puppy a breeder is providing is healthy, observe the following traits:
- Energy levels. A healthy puppy will always be very active and playful. If the puppy appears to be constantly lethargic and is unexcited when meeting new people, it might be sick.
- Eyes and ears. Healthy and ethical breeders produce puppies with bright and alert eyes and clean, odorless ears. Red eyes or ear mites can indicate poor breeding and care.
- Weight. Puppies are almost always cute and chubby! If a Goldendoodle puppy appears malnourished, this may indicate sickness or poor early diet, leading to diseases in the future.
- Coat. Inspect your new potential puppy for a shiny and even coat. Ticks, fleas, and bald spots can indicate health problems.
- Behavior. All healthy puppies are excited to play with humans as well as with other puppies. If a Goldendoodle puppy is reluctant when you approach it or doesn’t like to play with other dogs, it may have health issues. Healthy behavior around other puppies also ensures that they will get along with other pets you have or might have in the future.
Bringing home a Goldendoodle puppy can be an extremely exciting process! Remember that there is no ‘perfect’ dog or generation, but one that is perfect for your needs. Ensure you pick the right generation for your family’s needs and ensure that the puppy is healthy and bred ethically.
These factors, coupled with the right socialization and training techniques, will give you a dog that is friendly, loving, and a happy part of your home!
