Goldendoodle

Golden heart wrapped in curls

Temperament

FriendlyEnergeticLoyalIntelligentPlayful

Pros

  • Low to no shedding
  • Highly trainable
  • Great with children
  • Sociable

Cons

  • High grooming costs
  • Variable coat type
  • High energy
  • Health screening needed

Ancestry

Old European water dogs28%
Wavy-Coated Retriever23%
Barbet and water spaniels23%
Water spaniels9%
St John's Water Dog7%
St Hubert Hound3%
Old scenting hounds2%
Old setting spaniels1%
Old Irish water dogs1%
Poodle and Barbet water dogs1%
Old black-and-tan setters1%

Our best guess, not hard science. These figures come from history and old breeding records, our viewpoint, not proven fact.

PuppyAdolescentAdultSeniorAged025507510002468101214Age (years)Function & Health

Cost to care

Just like owning a car or any other liability, upkeep and maintenance is required — and dog ownership is no different. Particular breeds need more attention from the vet, others have higher grooming costs, while others will eat you out of house and home. We have built this tool to help you understand what to expect from owning this breed.

Low MaintenanceSick as a dog
Typical expected scenario
Annual cost*
£2,012
Lifetime cost*
£26,156

* Projected figures based on breed-typical UK costs (2026). Individual dogs will vary.

The Lifespan Diagram

A visual guide to how this breed moves through life. The horizontal axis shows age from birth to old age; the vertical axis represents overall function, health and quality of life. The curve rises quickly through puppyhood, holds high during the prime adult years, then gradually declines into the senior stage. The exact shape varies by breed. This is a conceptual illustration, not a clinical or veterinary prediction for any individual dog.

Method & sources

The curve score is a conceptual illustration, not observed veterinary data. Published median lifespan informed the x-axis. The y-axis was generated by piecewise mathematical functions.

GOLDENRETRIEVER58%POODLE42%22%18%16%7%28%23%28%23%24%17%15%13%30%20%26%22%9%21%18%18%7%28%23%30%18%7%15%13%13%10%25%15%10%30%20%30%20%30%20%
Goldendoodle

A softer, fluffier take on the doodle, crossing the Golden Retriever with the Poodle. Tap a circle inside to keep digging.

Suitability

ChildrenOtherdogsCatsSmall home1st-timeownerTimealone
Children
Other dogs
Cats
Small home
1st-time owner
Time alone

Scores reflect typical breed traits. Individual dogs vary with upbringing and environment.

Exercise needs

80min/dayDaily average
🏃Active
Copes with rest days
1h 20m
Mon
1h 20m
Tue
1h 20m
Wed
1h 20m
Thu
1h 20m
Fri
1h 36m
Sat
1h 36m
Sun

Goldendoodles are lively and social. They thrive with two good daily walks plus play and mental stimulation.

Typical breed guidelines. Individual dogs vary by age, health and temperament.

Grooming

Wavy or curly low-shedding coat
⏱30minHome grooming per week
£60/moProfessional groomingEvery 8 weeks
Shedding
Minimal
Tools you will need
Slicker brushWide-tooth combDetangling spray

Goldendoodle coats are low-shedding but mat quickly without regular home brushing and professional grooming every 8 weeks.

Typical breed guidelines. Costs vary by location and coat condition.

Training

1out of 5EasyHard
Enthusiastic and quick
  • Eager to please and picks up commands with ease
  • Responds exceptionally well to positive reward-based methods
  • Loves having a job to do alongside family life
Excels atObedience, therapy work and assistance dog roles
Watch out forTheir sociable nature can make focus difficult around other dogs -- proof commands carefully

Typical breed traits. Individual dogs vary with socialisation and consistency of training.

Goldendoodle50%Golden Retriever👁45%Wavy-CoatedRetriever👁30%Tweed WaterSpaniel👁55%Water spaniels👁45%St John's WaterDog👁15%Irish Setter👁35%English Setter👁50%Old settingspaniels👁30%Pointer👁30%English Foxhound👁25%Greyhound👁25%Bloodhound👁20%Setter👁20%Water spaniels👁25%Irish WaterSpaniel👁55%Old Irish waterdogs👁45%Poodle andBarbet waterdogs👁20%Gordon Setter👁65%Oldblack-and-tansetters👁20%Bloodhound👁60%St Hubert Hound👁40%Old scentinghounds👁15%Collie👁20%Pointer👁30%English Foxhound👁50%Southern Hound👁30%Greyhound👁20%Talbot hound👁25%Greyhound👁60%Celtic Hound👁40%Ancient easternsighthounds👁25%Bloodhound👁60%St Hubert Hound👁40%Old scentinghounds👁20%Setter👁10%Bloodhound👁60%St Hubert Hound👁40%Old scentinghounds👁50%Poodle👁55%Old Europeanwater dogs👁45%Barbet and waterspaniels👁

Known health conditions

Goldendoodles can inherit conditions from Golden Retrievers and Poodles. Cancer risk from the Golden Retriever side is an important consideration for prospective owners to be aware of.

ConditionSeverityLikelihood

This is a general guide based on published breed health surveys and veterinary literature. Not all dogs will develop these conditions. Always obtain health-tested parents from a responsible breeder and maintain regular vet check-ups.

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