Short answers to the questions we were asked most often in our years of breeding Goldendoodles, and the ones people still ask us. Each answer links to a longer guide if you want the detail.
Do you have puppies available?
No. We retired from breeding several years ago. We have no puppies, no upcoming litters and no waitlist, and we don’t refer people to specific breeders. This site stays online to share what we learned. If you’re looking for a puppy, start with our guide on how to find and evaluate a responsible Goldendoodle breeder. It covers the questions to ask, the health tests to look for and the red flags to avoid.
Can I contact you about a puppy?
We no longer take puppy inquiries, since we have none to offer. This site is purely an information resource. Everything we’d have told you on the phone is in these guides. The best starting points are finding a responsible breeder and choosing a puppy.
Should I look at rescue first?
We think so. Even when we were breeding, the first thing our FAQ said was: please check your local shelter first. Doodles do end up in rescue, and an adult rescue dog lets you see its size, coat and temperament before you commit. Doodle-specific rescues and your local SPCA are good places to start. There’s more in our breeder guide.
What’s the difference between an F1, F1B and multigen Goldendoodle?
An F1 is a first-generation cross: a purebred Golden Retriever bred to a purebred Poodle. An F1B is a backcross: an F1 Goldendoodle bred back to a Poodle, so the puppies are about 75% Poodle and more likely to have a curly, low-shedding coat. F2 means both parents are F1s. “Multigen” usually means F3 and beyond, or doodle-to-doodle breeding over several generations. Full details are in Goldendoodle generations explained.
What’s the difference between an English and an American Goldendoodle?
Only the type of Golden Retriever parent. English Goldendoodles come from British-type (“English Cream”) Goldens, which tend toward lighter colors and a sturdier build. American Goldendoodles come from North American-type Goldens. The coat is shaped mostly by the Poodle side and the generation, so the difference is smaller than the marketing suggests. See English vs. American Goldendoodle.
How big do Goldendoodles get?
It depends mostly on the size of the Poodle parent. The Goldendoodle Association of North America uses these categories, based on adult height at the shoulder: Petite under 14 inches (typically 25 lb or less), Miniature 14–17 inches (about 26–35 lb), Medium 17–21 inches (about 36–50 lb) and Standard over 21 inches (usually 51 lb and up). Our dogs were standards, and most of our puppies grew to roughly 50–95 lb. Any size estimate for a young puppy is an educated guess. Our Goldendoodle breed guide covers the breed in general.
Do Goldendoodles shed? Are they hypoallergenic?
Many Goldendoodles shed very little, especially those with curly or wavy coats and furnishings (the beard and eyebrows), which are more common in F1B and multigen dogs. But shedding and curl are controlled by different genes, so a curly coat is no guarantee. No dog is allergen-free. Dog allergens come from skin, saliva and urine as well as hair, and studies have found no breed that reliably produces less allergen. Some allergy sufferers do well with a particular dog, so spend time with the dog before committing. Read hypoallergenic dogs: fact or fiction?
How often do Goldendoodles need grooming?
More than most people expect. Wavy and curly coats don’t shed out much, so loose hair stays in the coat and mats. Plan on brushing right down to the skin several times a week, and a professional groom roughly every 6–8 weeks. The switch from puppy coat to adult coat, often somewhere between 5 and 12 months, is when matting is worst. Our Goldendoodle grooming guide covers tools, schedules and popular cuts.
Are Goldendoodles good with children?
In our experience, very. Temperament was the thing we bred for above all, and our dogs grew up with our own children. Both parent breeds are known for being people-oriented and gentle. But every puppy is an individual, and even the gentlest dog needs training and supervision around young kids. Good breeders match puppies to families with that in mind. See choosing a puppy.
How much exercise does a Goldendoodle need?
Both parents are active, intelligent sporting breeds. Most adult standard Goldendoodles do best with an hour or more of activity a day: walks, off-leash play in a safe area, fetch or swimming. They also need mental work like training, puzzle toys and sniffing games. Puppies need shorter, gentler sessions while their joints are growing. A bored doodle will find its own entertainment, and you may not like its choices.
Can I feed my Goldendoodle puppy a raw (BARF) diet?
We weaned all our puppies onto raw food and fed our own dogs raw, so we’re fans. But it takes planning. Growing large-breed puppies need correctly balanced calcium and phosphorus, and raw meat carries bacteria like Salmonella that matter in a home with young children. Many vets advise against raw diets for these reasons. If you go ahead, a commercial raw diet formulated to be “complete and balanced” is the easiest safe start, and involve your vet. Read our BARF diet guide and BARF diet FAQ.
What health tests should the parents have?
For a Goldendoodle, both parents should have hip and elbow evaluations (OFA or PennHIP), an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and a heart exam. A cardiologist exam is recommended for the Golden side. They should also have DNA tests for inherited conditions in both breeds, such as prcd-PRA, GR-PRA1 and GR-PRA2, degenerative myelopathy, von Willebrand disease and NEwS. You can look up OFA results yourself at ofa.org. See Goldendoodle health and finding a responsible breeder.
At what age should a puppy go home?
At least 8 weeks. Puppies learn a lot from their mother and littermates in those early weeks, and going home too young raises the risk of behavior problems. The Canadian Kennel Club’s code of conduct bars member breeders from selling puppies before 8 weeks, and some provinces and cities have their own rules. None of our puppies left before they were properly weaned. See bringing your puppy home for the first week.
What is a guardian home?
A guardian home program places one of a breeder’s future breeding dogs with a family who raises it as their pet. The dog goes back to the breeder for breeding and whelping, then is spayed or neutered and stays with the family for life. We ran one ourselves. It can be a good arrangement, but read the contract carefully first. Our guardian homes page explains how it works.
What did your puppies cost?
As a historical note: in 2015, our last years of breeding, our Goldendoodle and Parti Poodle puppies were $2,400 CAD including GST. That included vaccinations and deworming records, an information package, a three-year health guarantee against congenital defects and lifetime support. We don’t track current prices. Our breeder guide explains what a fair price should include.