Goldendoodle

What is a Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles pair the Golden Retriever's affectionate, eager-to-please nature with the Poodle's sharp mind and low-shedding coat. A first-generation (F1) Goldendoodle comes from a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. A Goldendoodle can also be bred with a Poodle (those puppies are F1B) or with another Goldendoodle. They are adaptable dogs that thrive as family companions, hiking buddies and therapy prospects alike. Coats range from loose waves to tight curls, in shades from light cream through champagne and apricot to deep red. Generation shapes the coat too; our F1 vs F1B guide covers the difference.

The History of the Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is a recent arrival, first bred in North America in the 1990s. The goal was a dog that carried the Poodle's intelligence and light-shedding coat alongside the Golden Retriever's trainability and easy friendliness. The earliest Goldendoodles were bred as service dogs, for people who needed the work a guide dog does but could not live with the coat. It did not stay a specialist breed for long. Families recognized the combination immediately, and the Goldendoodle is now one of the most popular crossbreeds in North America.

Living with a Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are wonderfully adaptable and can thrive in many different kinds of homes and lifestyles. Their friendly, people-oriented nature makes them fun to include in everyday life, from neighborhood walks and family outings to playtime in the backyard and relaxing at home.

One of the joys of living with a Goldendoodle is how engaged they are with the world around them. They’re expressive dogs that seem to have an opinion about everything, and their faces and body language often tell you exactly what they’re thinking. They’re alert and observant, quick to notice someone at the door or a change in the household routine. Most of all, they like to participate. If you’re going for a walk, working in the yard, heading out for an adventure or settling in for the evening, your Goldendoodle will probably be ready to join you.

American vs English Cream Goldendoodles

Both are Goldendoodles. The difference is which Golden Retriever line stands behind them, and it is a question of lineage rather than color: a puppy is only an English Cream if its Retriever ancestor was an English Cream Golden Retriever.

American lines give the wider range, from white and cream through apricot and red to black, often on a slightly finer frame. English lines are paler and stockier, with the broader head that earned them the Teddy Bear nickname, and a steadier temperament. We have said for years that our English girls do everything in slow motion.

Both are friendly and easy to train. If the look and the calm are what you are after, see our English Cream Goldendoodle puppies.

Temperament

Goldendoodles are eager to please, and that one trait makes everything else easier: training, travel, meeting new people, living with children. They are genuinely clever and genuinely busy, so they want daily exercise and something to think about, and interactive toys and puzzles earn their keep. They have a low prey drive, love water, and bond hard to their people. Families tell us the same thing often enough that it is worth repeating — “this is the best dog I’ve ever owned” — and a great many of them come back for a second.

Size

Goldendoodles come in every size we breed. Mini Goldendoodles are our most asked-about size: small enough for easy travel, sturdy enough for kids. Mediums suit families who want a classic retriever feel in a lighter frame, and standards bring the full-size golden experience with less shedding. Whatever the size, temperament comes first in our pairings. Weights are estimates based on the combined average weight of the parents and cannot be guaranteed.

Mini Goldendoodle litters reserve quickly. If a mini is your match, the waitlist is the reliable path.

Color Preference

Coats we see in our Goldendoodle litters. Tell us on your application if you have a color in mind, and we will keep it in view when we match you.

A Poodle coat often lightens as a puppy grows, and there is no reliable way to predict which way any individual puppy will go. We would rather tell you that now than have you feel surprised later.

Questions?

See our frequently asked questions page for everything from pricing and generation types to reserving and preparing for pick-up day.