What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Goldendoodle? Good or Bad Dog? (2024)

Monica Dickens, great-granddaughter of the legendary Charles Dickens, is credited with breeding the first Goldendoodles back in 1969.

However, this new crossbreed did not really take off until the 1990s when intensive breeding began.

Goldendoodles quickly took the dog world by storm and remain one of the most popular designer dogs today. They are adorable, friendly, loving, and gentle. What’s not to love?

What are the Pros and Cons of a Goldendoodle? Goldendoodles are excellent family dogs with a gentle and reliable temperament, high level of intelligence, and affectionate nature. However, some people may find their exercise requirements and amount of grooming involved to be less than desirable.

While in reality there is no “perfect” dog, some seem to come closer to that description than others do. The Goldendoodle is one of them. 

An honest look at the good and the not so good aspects of the Goldendoodle will help you decide for yourself. We’ll be looking at a variety of traits including their temperament, trainability, and shedding characteristics as well as things to be aware of when considering a Goldendoodle.

There is so much to learn about Goldendoodles – terms like generations, the truth about shedding tendencies, what’s the grooming process like, etc. The list of questions goes on and on. 

That’s where a comprehensive book specifically on Goldendoodles can be a lifesaver.

In The Owner’s Guide to the Perfect Goldendoodle, we answer all your questions (even those that haven’t occurred to you yet) in a clear, easy-to-read manner.

It’s the most complete guide to the breed available – the one you’ll turn to again and again as questions and issues arise. 

Grab your copy today to start your Goldendoodle journey off on the right track and help your little pup grow up to be the dog he was meant to be.

Traits That Make Goldendoodles Great

A Goldendoodle owner could probably talk for hours about all the wonderful traits of their pup.

A common complaint is that these dogs are not immortal. That says a lot about this trending crossbreed.

Let’s look at some specific traits that make the Goldendoodle truly great.

Family Friendly

When you think of a dog that would do really well with families, what comes to mind?

Perhaps your first thoughts involve a dog with a sweet, reliable temperament and a forgiving spirit.

Maybe you consider a dog who is adaptable, eager-to-please, affectionate, and able to keep up with active children. Well, the Goldendoodle is all of these things and more!

The loyal Goldendoodle is usually well tolerated by those who have allergies.

Strong and sturdy enough to endure the occasional rough-housing of over-eager, excitable children, yet famously gentle and loving, the Goldendoodle truly is an amazing choice for families.

Low-Shed/Allergy Friendly

Thanks to the addition of Poodle in their bloodlines, Goldendoodles tend not to shed very much (we talk about this in more detail here).

As with all crossbreeds, there are exceptions, but on average, Goldendoodles shed much less than other breeds.

The more Poodle in their heritage, the lower their shedding tendencies will be.

Goldendoodles with a curly, Poodle-like coat are also very low-shedders. The curlier, the better.

The low amounts of shedding mean less mess on your floors, furniture, and clothing and less time spent vacuuming.

Goldendoodles are usually allergy-friendly, again thanks to those Poodle genes. Allergies are usually triggered by proteins found in dog saliva, dander, and urine.

Since many Goldendoodles do not shed very much, their dander tends to remain trapped beneath the coat instead of freely broadcast throughout the house.

Routine grooming with the correct tools for your dog’s coat will effectively remove the dander buildup to further decrease the likelihood of allergic reactions being triggered.

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Trainability

Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles were originally bred to be intelligent, easily trained hunting dogs (surprising, huh?).

While they are now mainly bred to be companion pets, their intellect and trainability have been passed down to Goldendoodles.

Goldendoodles are typically easy-going and strive to please their owners, so they are usually quite easy to train using positive reinforcement methods.

Adamantly ignore the bad behavior and reward good behavior with treats or praise, and these smart dogs will rapidly catch on.

Speaking of treats, these are my favorite training treats (check them out on Amazon). They are 100% all-natural, bite-size treats made with organic chicken.

My dog will do practically anything for them, so training was actually super easy.

Overall Temperament

Goldendoodles are widely known for their friendliness. They enthusiastically greet new people and consider everyone to be a friend.

They will happily lavish affection on anyone who holds still long enough and expect the same in return.

This crossbreed is fairly active, but will also be content for long periods of snuggle-time with family members, both young and old, on the couch.

Goldendoodles are people-oriented and delight in taking part in any family activities.

Most Goldendoodles love to play and will quickly become masters at games like fetch or Frisbee. Swimming and going for hikes are also favorite activities.

These social dogs also enjoy trips to the local dog park where they are free to romp and play with new dogs and people alike.

Goldendoodles do not have a reputation for aggression at all (learn more here) and typically get along very well with not only other dogs but all kinds of animals as well, including cats and the family guinea pig.

These loving, laid-back dogs are often described as being very tolerant and even-tempered. They will bear indignities, like being dressed up in silly outfits, much better than other breeds.

If they are properly trained and socialized, they can adapt well to homes that often host large dinner parties and have frequent company.

They likewise do just as well in homes where children and their friends are always coming and going.

As you can see, the Goldendoodle is an exceptional family dog, typically does not shed much, is great for those with allergies, is easy to train, and has an all-around fantastic temperament.

So, are there any cons at all for this crossbreed?

Things to Understand about the Goldendoodle

There are a few facets of Goldendoodles that some people would regard as not so good or even negative.

Keep in mind that every dog is an individual and what is true of one Goldendoodle may not be true of another.

Exercise

Goldendoodles are fairly high-energy dogs and do require at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day, sometimes more, depending on the dog.

This can be in the form of long walks, jogging, or swimming, but games like tug-of-war and fetch can also do the trick.

Puppies though have entirely different exercise needs and can actually be injured if given too much too soon.

Be sure to read our Goldendoodle puppy exercise guide to learn how to give little ones the right amount and correct forms of exercise.

Grooming

Some coat types are easier to care for than others, but all Goldendoodles will need to be brushed regularly to prevent mats from forming.

For Doodle dogs, you really need to invest in a sturdy slicker brush like this one from Amazon that releases collected hair with the press of a button.

It’s perfect for daily use, helps distribute the skin’s natural oils throughout the coat, and helps remove dander and debris caught within the coat.

Check Price on Amazon

If your Goldendoodle has longer hair, I’d definitely recommend picking up a stainless steel two-sided comb to help prevent mats and a dematting comb like the one I use.

It quickly works through knots and/or mats without chopping up huge chunks of fur and damaging the coat.

Keeping the coat clipped in a short style can make grooming easier but, unless you learn how to do it yourself, will involve the services (and bill) of a professional groomer.

Occasional baths will be necessary too. With my Doodle dog, there are two products that I would not want to do without.

They make bath time so much easier and don’t irritate Oliver’s skin at all.

When I used this shampoo for the first time, I knew I had found the one.

It smells amazing, is soap free, and doesn’t contain any potential allergy-triggers like sulphates and paraben.

Pair that with my favorite detangling conditioner, which can also be used on a dry coat (awesome feature!), and my dog is super clean, tangle free, and smelling great.

Excitability

Goldendoodles are so incredibly social, they sometimes get a little too excited when playing with active children or when meeting new people or dogs.

Do they tend to be hyper? We address that in this article.

Little ones may be accidentally knocked down as the oh-so-happy dog tries to play with them.

Goldendoodles may forget their manners and jump up to greet people with sloppy kisses, though proper training can correct these issues.

Because jumping on people tends to be such a common problem with these friendly dogs, we devoted an entire article on how to break the jumping habit with steps proven effective 90% of the time.

Chewing

Puppies of any breed come with their own set of trials, and Goldendoodle pups are no different.

Although usually easy to train and housebreak, they can be a little “mouthy” as puppies, chewing on things they shouldn’t, including fingers.

This problem can be resolved by offering a variety of chew toys and “puppy-proofing” your house.

As far as chew toys are concerned, you won’t find more bang for your buck than you’ll get with this 12 pack.

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A lot of toys marketed for puppies are actually too big for their little mouths. Not so with these toys. 

They’re just the right size for pups, and with so many included included in the pack, you can put a few in every room of your house so your puppy will always have something to gnaw on when the urge strikes.

Molding the Perfect Goldendoodle

Just like any dog, a Goldendoodle needs guidance, experience, and rules in life in order to grow up to be a well-rounded, well-behaved dog.

How is this accomplished? Through proper training and correct socialization (so important!).

Training your Goldendoodle is not just about teaching him basic commands.

It establishes you as the leader of the pack, and your dog grows to understand that consistent obedience is the only option that gets rewards.

Remember, training isn’t just for your benefit. It is vital for your dog’s safety as well.

Socializing your Goldendoodle is just as important as training him is and is not hard to do if you know how to socialize your dog correctly.

Guiding your puppy through new experiences and introducing him to many new people, animals, sights, and sounds in a positive way will give him confidence and teach him what’s expected of him as he goes through life.

A well-trained and socialized Goldendoodle is a delight to be around and can embark on many adventures with you and your family without you worrying about how he might behave in new environments and situations.

Related Questions:

Do Goldendoodles bark a lot?

Although some Goldendoodles will naturally be more vocal than others, on the whole, Goldendoodles are not categorized as excessive barkers.

Most will only bark with good reason or when they are overly excited. Excessive barking in any dog is usually indicative of underlying problems.

Learning how to differentiate between good and bad barking can help you nip this problem in the bud before it morphs into a nuisance problem.

What’s the biggest difference between a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle?

There is one key difference that accounts for all other minor differences – their lineage.

A Goldendoodle will have traits similar to a Golden Retriever such as extreme friendliness and soft coat, while a Labradoodle is often a bit reserved and has a courser coat like a Labrador Retriever.

You can learn more about Labradoodles by clicking here, and you’ll find our lineup of Goldendoodle articles here, so check them both out if you’re having trouble deciding between the two.

Don’t forget! 

If you want to be able to raise your new dog confidently and enjoy watching as he transforms into the dog you’ve always dreamed of, grab your copy of The Owner’s Guide to the Perfect Goldendoodle today!

Last update on 2024-04-26 at 02:54 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API