29 Goldendoodle Pros and Cons: What It’s Like to Love a Goldendoodle

With so much teddy bear cuteness, the Goldendoodle is a popular family dog. But is this Golden Retriever-Poodle cross breed a good fit for you? What are the Goldendoodle pros and cons?

Goldendoodle Pros and Cons: What It’s Like to Love a Goldendoodle

As the mom of a full-grown red Goldendoodle named Chloe, I’m a Goldendoodle lover through and through. When someone asks me about Goldendoodles, I can’t help but gush about all the “Golden” moments—the pros of being a parent of a comical fur baby who keeps me smiling even through these uncertain times.

My beloved Doodle dog is my inspiration every day and has changed the path of my life. (In fact, her soft whiffle breath is the perfect accompaniment to the tapping of my fingers on my laptop as I’m composing this article.)

If you’ve been researching Goldendoodles, you’ve probably seen all the lingo surrounding the breed—smart, intuitive, friendly, social, great family dog, highly trainable. From my experience, every single one of these descriptions is true. Chloe is all that and a bag chips!

Understanding everything Goldendoodle

However, as much as I gush about Chloe, I want to share all the 4-1-1 on everything Goldendoodle. By doing so, I hope you find the info you need to decide if a Goldendoodle is the the unequivocally perfect fit for your family situation, so you can experience the unconditional love of a dog too.

Goldendoodles are like a box of chocolates…

Before jumping into the pros and cons, you may be curious about the heritage of the Goldendoodle. These furry teddy bear dogs are a cross breed—a hybrid between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle breeds. Because they are essentially a mixed breed dog, there is more variation in traits than you’d find in a purebred dog.

Put another way, Goldendoodles are more like a box of chocolates than a Hershey’s chocolate bar. You never quite know what you’re going to get, but that’s what makes them so ridiculously yummy!

29 Goldendoodle pros, cons, and action items

While a pro and con list is helpful in making decisions on whether a Goldendoodle is right for you, I also want to offer up some helpful ideas and solutions to the “cons” on the list. That’s why in addition to the pros and cons, you can find some suggestions and ideas for how to prepare for a Goldendoodle—should you decide that one is right for you.

PROS	CONS	ACTIONS & INSPIRATION
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Goldendoodles are companion dogs full of unconditional love for you.	Like all dogs, their beautiful lives are way too short.	Follow your Doodle dog’s lead and live in the moment! Enjoy every age and stage of your Goldendoodle’s life.
Goldendoodles tend to be lower shedding dogs.	Lower shedding does not imply low maintenance. Goldendoodles have a variety of coat types and some need more grooming than others. But they all will need regular grooming.	Budget for professional grooming (about $80 every 6 weeks) OR learn at-home Goldendoodle grooming. OR plan to keep your Dood’s coat short. (Trimmed coats are super cute too!)
Goldendoodles are a beautiful mix of sizes, weights, colors, and personalities.	If you have your heart set on an exact weight, size, or color, a Goldendoodle may not be your best option.	Enjoy the surprise and delight of watching a Goldendoodle puppy grow into adulthood.
Fluffy Goldendoodle “Muppet” feet are adorable!	Muppet feet + water/mud = paw printed floors.	Learn to love muddy paw prints or ask your groomer to trim the hair around the paws shorter.
A Goldendoodle’s round fluffy beard is so kissable!	Neat freaks be forewarned: The Goldendoodle’s beard soaks up water and drips on the floor.	Ask your groomer to trim the beard shorter. Place water bowls in a mud room. Learn to love the splash.
Goldendoodles tend to be smart, intelligent and easy to train.	Intelligent minds need stimulation or they will find their own brain games—chewing your shoes or digging in the dirt, for example	Enroll in a puppy training class. Give your Goldendoodle an abundance of love, time, and attention. Plan brain games and enrichment activities. (Related post: 29 Things to Do With Your Dog)
Goldendoodles love energy burns and tend to have a zest for life.	Lack of adequate physical activity can result in destructive behavior.	Daily walks offer physical and mental stimulation. A simple round of fetch is a great energy burn. Plan a play date (inviting another Goldendoodle over for a Doodle romp) for your social Dood.
PROS	CONS	ACTIONS

PROS	CONS	ACTIONS & INSPIRATION
Goldendoodles are social and enjoy being with you.	Sometimes Goldendoodles may have “Velcro” dog tendencies and have may have separation anxiety.	Consider a puppy sitter for extended periods of time when your dog is home alone. Plan to bring your dog along with you on dog-friendly adventures.
Goldendoodles tend to get energized during cooler weather.	If you’re a cozy-on-the couch-type, you’re gonna need to don the sweater and embrace the chill.	Enjoy the fall leaves as you go on a walk together. Plan pet-friendly fall and winter adventures with your Goldendoodle.
The Golden Retriever and Poodle heritage brings many positive traits to the Goldendoodle such as friendliness and intelligence.	Golden Retrievers and Poodle breeds have can have health issues like hip dysplasia.	Choose a reputable breeder who provides health and genetic testing certifications. “Vet checked” is not the same as genetic testing.
Goldendoodle puppies are entertaining, adorable, and loving.	You may experience puppy overwhelm…it’s a thing. Puppyhood can be exhausting!	Enroll in a puppy training class. Talk with your vet about puppy behaviors like puppy biting or pushy puppies. Consider adopting an adult Goldendoodle.
Both the Golden Retriever and Poodle parent breeds have a natural affinity for retrieving—making Goldendoodles natural fetch dogs.	Ball dogs tend to love to put things in their mouths. You may wonder if your Goldendoodle puppy is part goat!	Watch your Goldendoodle puppy like a hawk. Give them lots of exercise including fetch games.
Goldendoodles love to explore…	…and as puppies, they love to explore with their mouths. You may fish mulch, rocks, worms, sticks, leaves, mud, socks, and more from your puppy’s mouth.	Give your puppy plenty of safe toys to satisfy their curiosity. Be vigilant in watching your puppy. Pick up your socks. Seriously. Goldendoodles have a nose for finding a lone sock under the couch. Keep your vet’s number handy. Research pet insurance.
Goldendoodles tend to love to connect emotionally. Some make great therapy dogs.	If you don’t want to bond with your dog, a Goldendoodle is not the dog for you.	Enjoy every moment of Doodlehood!
PROS	CONS	ACTIONS & INSPIRATION

Thank you for taking valuable time from your day to learn about the pros and cons of Goldendoodles. I hope that my story has helped paint a clearer picture of Goldendoodlehood.

Most of all, I hope you find joy and happiness from giving a dog the best life possible.

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