Goldendoodle (Standard)

Whilst this larger variety is more tolerant and patient with children, their size and exuberance can still be a bit much for little ones. They can make great playmates for slightly older children who have the stamina to keep up with them! 

Whilst they may be too strong for children to handle on a lead, running and playing in fields with them is fine – and great fun! Both the Retriever and the Standard Poodle have gundog (hunting) roots, so they may steal soft toys if given half a chance. The good news? This may encourage children to put their toys away! 

Absolutely – all sizes of Goldendoodle are affectionate. They love physical attention and crave playful interactions. They’re also partial to a good snuggle on the sofa and even your bed (if allowed!). This isn’t a problem for the smaller-sized types, but you might want to think twice about the larger variety if you think they’ll be a bit much! These dogs show their affectionate nature by following around their humans, nuzzling and leaning on you for strokes.  

Yes! All types of this crossbreed love to play. The medium and larger variety in particular adore seek and find games, as well as chasing and retrieving toys. The Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever have gundog (hunting) roots, so they’re hardwired to use their nose and have things in their mouth.  

The Poodle in them – a very smart breed – needs lots of mental stimulation, which can be satisfied through play. So if you’re considering a Goldendoodle ask yourself: ‘Have I got enough time to dedicate to playtime?’ 

This depends on the size of the dogs used for breeding, as it will determine the amount of noise they make. The standard/large size Goldendoodle will bark to let you know that someone is at the door, but they’re not prone to nuisance barking. Whilst their size may scare off possible intruders, they aren’t known for protecting homes. So if you’re looking for a guard dog, the Goldendoodle might not be for you. 

This active, smart, goofy crossbreed makes a wonderful family pet or companion. But only if their needs are met, including things like training, exercise, and mental stimulation. If your Labradoodle feels bored or frustrated, they’ll let you know. Expect nuisance barking, chewing, and/or digging holes in your garden!       

It’s fair to say they’re social butterflies, so they need to be socialised well to ensure they have good manners around people – which means not jumping or barking in excitement too much! Socialisation is about teaching a puppy to interact in an appropriate way with people and other dogs. Like all dogs, Goldendoodles need your time, care, and attention for them to live their best life.

As you can imagine, the size of your Goldendoodle will determine the type of home environment they need to thrive. If you choose this larger variety type, a good-sized garden is great for bouncing around to their heart’s content. Even better if they have daily access to open green spaces. It’s vital they get the opportunity to stretch their legs and have some fun!  

A Goldendoodle needs lots of attention and exercise, as well as time spent on grooming their glorious coats.  

They can live happily with other animals, but socialisation is key to giving them the best chance of getting on! 

If you meet their needs, mature Labradoodles can be left home alone for a few hours at a time. But this isn’t a dog you can ignore – they adore people! 

The standard/large Goldendoodle is a big bundle of energy. They need at least 90 minutes of exercise a day. This can be divided into two short walks, but daily off-lead exercise is also a must. Both of the parent breeds are fantastic swimmers, which is a great form of exercise. Their gundog (hunting) roots mean they also love to use their noses and play retrieve games.  

As Poodles are one of the most intelligent breeds, it’s essential their brains are exercised as well as their bodies!  

Poodles are one of the brightest breeds available and the Golden Retriever ranks highly when it comes to intelligence too. So it’s fair to say that Goldendoodles pick up training pretty quickly! 

Socialisation and habituation training is essential for all puppies and the Labradoodle is no exception. Socialisation is about teaching a puppy to interact in an appropriate way with people and other dogs. Habituation is teaching a puppy to ignore some people, other dogs, traffic, noises, livestock, etc. 

Teaching these large, strong dogs recall is essential so they can enjoy off-lead exercise, as well as loose lead walkies. 

Goldendoodles can excel in all sorts of different canine sports. They’re a great way to keep them mentally stimulated!

As a tall dog which really loves their food, you can expect them to try their luck at stealing treats from kitchen worktops. So be on your guard and keep them away from this area if you can! 

Whatever the parentage of your Labradoodle, they’ll need lots of time spent on their coats, which can be curly, wavy, fleecy, or straight.

This crossbreed isn’t a heavy shedder. But that doesn’t mean they don’t shed, so daily grooming is still a must! If they’ve been crossed with a Poodle, they’ll shed less. But their curly coat will still need maintenance every day to prevent knots forming. The Poodle coat mats and knots very quickly, and these can pull on their skin and become painful. You’ll need to spend around 30 minutes a day on grooming. 

It’s also advisable to visit a professional groomer every six to eight weeks for a proper pamper, including a bath, groom, trim, ear clean and nail clipping.  

Both the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever are affected by a number of genetic health issues, which a trusted breeder should test for before selling them. These include: 

Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia: a genetic condition affecting the joints, leading to pain and mobility issues.

Eye cataracts 

Heart problems

Thyroid issues 

Von Willebrand disease (where the blood doesn’t clot properly) 

Cancer 

You can help keep your dog in tip-top shape with regular health checks, a good diet and exercise.