Goldador Doodle 101: An Intro To The Goldador-Poodle Mix

The fabulous Goldador Doodle is a triple hybrid cross consisting of three purebreds – the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and Poodle. In this guide, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the Goldador Doodle hybrid cross. We’ll talk about their appearance, size, coat types and shedding, training and exercise, grooming and maintenance, and so much more. Let’s get started! 

Table of Contents

• What Is A Goldador Doodle?
• Physical Appearance
• Goldador Doodle Pictures (Puppy & Adult)
• Goldador Doodle Size: How Big Will A Goldador Doodle Get?
• Variations & Generations
• Goldador Doodle Personality & Temperament
• Goldador Doodle Health: Do Goldador Doodles Have Health Problems?
• Exercise & Training
• Goldador Doodle Coat Care & Grooming
• Where Can You Get Goldador Doodle Puppies?
• Goldador Doodle: FAQ

What Is A Goldador Doodle?

A Goldador Doodle is a cross between the Goldador and Poodle. In fact, the Goldador breed itself is already a crossbreed – a mix between the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. Fluffy, loving, cute, playful, super friendly, and highly intelligent, the Goldador Doodle sure is a sight for sore eyes and an amazing companion for almost anyone. As the Goldador Doodle also features the Poodle in the gene pool, they’re usually great pets for people with allergies with their low-shedding and allergy-friendly coats. 

The whole Doodle world can seem confusing to some, there’s no shame in that! Especially considering that there’s also a Double Doodle called Golden Labradoodle that’s a mix between the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle. 

Essentially, both Goldador Doodles and Golden Labradoodles have a similar mix of those three purebreds – Goldens, Labs, and Poodle. However, the Goldador Doodle is created with the Golden Retriever-Labrador Retriever mix called Goldador that’s then crossed back to a Poodle. In contrast, the Golden Labradoodle uses a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever-Poodle mix) and a Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever-Poodle mix) instead. 

So, in this guide we’re not going to focus separately on Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, or Golden Labradoodles (but you can learn more about them by clicking on the links above). Instead, we’re going to dive deeper into this lesser-known Poodle mix called Goldador Doodle. They might not be as popular as the Doodle pioneers we all know and love, but they sure are every bit as wonderful! 

Physical Appearance

Goldador Doodles are usually medium to large-sized dogs with a muscular build, accompanied by floppy ears and thick, fluffy coats. Due to their heritage, they look quite similar to Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and Golden Labradoodles. At the end of the day, all puppies are unique and it all boils down to which genes they inherit from each of their three purebred parents. 

Color

Goldador Doodles most commonly come in creamy, yellow, apricot, and red hues that are often also seen in Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. Some puppies may also come with darker coats, such as chocolate, black, and blue. Others have lighter coats in silver, beige, and white hues. In addition to that, some Goldador Doodles come in fun patterned coats. These include abstract, brindle, parti, tuxedo, sable, phantom, or even merle patterns. 

Coat, Shedding, & Hypoallergenic Level

Goldador Doodles usually have thick, textured, fluffy coats that give them that signature Doodle look. They can have either curly, wavy, or straight coats. That’s because Poodles are super curly, whereas Labs and Goldens have straight coats. 

The important thing we have to note is that not all Goldador Doodles are hypoallergenic dogs as many would like to think. It’s true that purebred Poodles are praised for their hypoallergenic coats. They only have a single layer of fur that sheds very, very little. However, we must also take into account their Retriever heritage. 

Both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are double-coated breeds that shed a considerable amount of hair. Likewise, the Goldador is also a double-coated, shedding hybrid breed. Therefore, Goldador Doodles may just as well inherit the more Retriever like coat that’s straighter and can shed some hair.

The most common coat type in Goldador Doodles is the wavy coat that’s a combination of the curly and straight coat. The wavy coat is usually the easiest to groom, since it’s not the most prone to matting. It may or may not come with a shedding undercoat, but the shedding is usually quite low. 

The curly coat, on the other hand, is more high-maintenance. It’s more prone to matting, because it can get very easily tangled. But the great thing about curly coats is that they’re also the best for people with allergies, shedding very minimally, if any at all.

Finally, there’s the straight coat that leans more on the Goldador’s side of the lineage. Straight coats are also thick and luscious, but they tend to come with a shedding undercoat. Therefore, this coat type is not the ideal choice for people with allergies. 

Goldador Doodle Pictures (Puppy & Adult)

Like we said before, the Goldador Doodle is a sight for sore eyes. They’re just so impossibly adorable, there’s no way to put this into words. So, see for yourself!

White and Black Goldador Doodle	@makinglifechic
Apricot Godador Doodle	@ridgevalleydoradoodles

Goldador Doodle Size: How Big Will A Goldador Doodle Get?

The Goldador Doodle is typically a medium to large-sized dog with a muscular build. Depending on the size of Poodle used in the mix, they can weigh anywhere from 25 and up to 90 pounds. Their height can range between 15 and 27 inches. 

	Mini Goldador Doodle	Standard Goldador Doodle
Weight	25-50 pounds	50-90 pounds
Height	15-20 inches	22-27 inches
When Full-Grown?	11-13 months	12.5-16 months

*A dog’s height is measured from their withers, which is the highest part of their shoulder blades.

As with any other crossbreed, the consistency of the dogs’ size can be hard to achieve. Especially if the parent dogs used in the mix are very different in size. Still, we can make some pretty good estimates based on the size of the Goldador Doodle’s parents. 

Since Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are similar in size, their Goldador offspring usually range between 60 and 90 pounds in weight. Their height is about 22 to 24 inches when measured at the shoulder. 

It gets a bit trickier when adding the Poodle into the mix. That’s because there’s not just one size of the Poodle, but three: Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles. Because the Goldador-Poodle mix is quite rare, they’re usually created with either Standard or Miniature Poodles.

The Standard Poodle is also a larger dog with a weight of about 38 to 70 pounds and a height of around 24 to 27 inches. Therefore, a Standard Goldador Doodle can weigh between 50 and 90 pounds and grow up to 22 to 27 inches tall. 

Meanwhile, the Miniature Poodle is a small dog with a weight of 10 to 20 pounds and a height between 10 to 15 inches. Based on that information, we can expect Mini Goldador Doodles to weigh between 25 and 50 pounds and grow between 15 and 20 inches tall. 

The Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, and Golden Labradoodle are also bred in the Toy size with Toy Poodles. So, we can expect to see Toy Goldador Doodles in the near future as well! Based on these estimates, Toy Goldador Doodles will likely weigh about 10 to 25 pounds and stand less than 15 inches tall. 

Variations & Generations

There can be all sorts of different varieties to the Goldador Doodle. They may come in different sizes, generations, even inherit different types of coats! For instance, as we learned from the previous chapter, even a Mini Goldador Doodle can greatly vary in size.

By the way, a Goldador Doodle’s gender can also play a role here, especially when concerning Standard Goldador Doodles. As with many other large-sized breeds, males are often a bit heavier and taller than females. 

In addition to that, a breeder can produce a litter of Goldador Doodles in different ways. Like other hybrid crosses, Goldador Doodles can come in different generations. A Doodle’s generation will tell us how they were bred and hint at their potential genetic makeup and other traits. 

The difference between Goldador Doodles and, let’s say, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, is that Goldador Doodles are always second-generation hybrid dogs. That’s because the Goldador is already a crossbreed in its own right that’s then bred back to a Poodle. 

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Golden Retriever*	% Labrador Retriever*	% Poodle*
F2 Goldador Doodle (second-generation)	F1 Goldador	Poodle	25%	25%	50%
F2B Goldador Doodle (second-generation backcross)	F2 Goldador Doodle	Poodle	12.5%	12.5%	75%
F3 / Multigen Goldador Doodle	F2 Goldador Doodle or higher	F2 Goldador Doodle or higher	Varies	Varies	Varies

*These are generic calculations only – genetics are rarely mathematically accurate.

As we learned from the chart above, a Goldador Doodle’s generation can actually have a huge impact on their traits. For example, an F2 Goldador Doodle that has an F1 Goldador parent and a Poodle parent could lean on either side of their lineage. However, if a breeder crosses an F2 Goldador Doodle back to a Poodle, their puppies will likely lean more on the Poodle’s side of the lineage as well. Therefore, with each consecutive generation, a breeder can potentially achieve more control over the puppies’ traits and also expect more consistency in the litter.

Goldador Doodle Personality & Temperament

Goldador Doodles are very outgoing, friendly, affectionate, and playful dogs. Much like their Goldendoodle and Labradoodle cousins! They’re generally gentle with children and they make great family dogs. Goldador Doodles are also very intelligent dogs. Thanks to their eagerness to please and natural intelligence, they’re fairly easy to train, too. 

But just like Goldadors and Poodles, Goldador Doodles are energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise each day. If they don’t get to express all that pent up energy, they’ll soon become bored and resort to destructive behaviors both inside and outside the house. That’s something you should keep in mind!

Another thing to remember with Goldador Doodles is that they don’t tolerate being alone for the majority of the day. So, the Goldador Doodle is best suited for someone who either works from home, gets to bring their pup to the office, or who can hire a dog walker for work hours. Separation anxiety is a common issue in Poodle mixes! 

All in all, Goldador Doodles are non-aggressive dogs that are super friendly and social pets. But at the end of the day, early socialization and training are crucial to raise your pup into a well-behaved and well-rounded dog that doesn’t shy away from meeting new people and other pets. 

Goldador Doodle Health: Do Goldador Doodles Have Health Problems?

Although Goldador Doodles tend to be healthier than purebred Goldens, Labs, or Poodles, they can be prone to certain health issues, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye diseases like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts, digestive issues and bloat, certain heart conditions, and hormonal diseases, including Addison’s Disease, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. 

Less serious health problems in Goldador Doodles include ear infections, skin sensitivities and allergies, food sensitivities and allergies, and a skin condition called sebaceous adenitis. All of these problems can be prevented or managed with simple lifestyle changes. For instance, if your Goldador Doodle is allergic to a certain food ingredient, switching out the protein source in their kibble will often do the trick. Likewise, ear infections can be easily prevented with a good ear hygiene regimen. 

What makes Doodle breeds and other hybrid breeds a desirable choice for many is that they’re often healthier than their purebred parents due to something called hybrid vigor. What this means is that hybrid breeds inherit a more diverse genetic makeup, minimizing the risk of certain health conditions that are common in purebreds. Still, only extensive genetic testing and health screening of the breeding dogs will minimize the risk of any serious genetic health conditions. 

The average lifespan of a Goldador Doodle is around 12 to 15 years. Usually, we can expect smaller Mini Goldador Doodles to outlive their larger Standard Goldador Doodle cousins by a few years – this is common in most dog breeds. 

Exercise & Training

Goldador Doodles are both active and intelligent dogs, which means that you’ve got to set aside plenty of time for their daily exercise and mental stimulation. About 60 minutes of exercise is ideal for Goldador Doodles. Daily walks, light jogging, some swimming, and playing fetch, Goldador Doods will enjoy all of these activities. 

In addition to the physical stimulation side of things, you’ve also got to make sure that your Doodle pup is getting to use its smart lil’ brain each day. Again, this is to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. A great way to squeeze in some mental stimulation is to provide your pup with plenty of chew toys, interactive toys, and puzzle games to enjoy. 

By the way, training is part of mental enrichment, so don’t overlook this part of your dog’s upbringing. We recommend you start with potty training, crate training, and obedience training from the moment you bring your new puppy home to establish good, desired behaviors early on. By doing that, it’s guaranteed those behaviors will stick! Make sure that you’re only using positive reinforcement training methods and always reward your Dood with plenty of praise and tasty treats. 

In addition to that, socialization is crucial for Goldador Doodles (or any dog for that matter…). Not only will this teach your pup how to interact with people of all ages and other pets, it’ll also prevent fear in those new situations and encounters every time your dog meets someone new. 

Enroll Your Pup In An Online Puppy School

A great way to set your puppy (or adult dog) up for success is to get help from true professionals in the field. Of course, one option is to enroll your pup to in-person training classes that are excellent for socialization as well. However, we’ve also found the Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella especially useful when dealing with certain topics, such as potty training or leash walking, to name a few. 

For a one-time fee, you’ll get lifetime access to countless resources on all things related to dog training. The great thing about this program is that you’ll be the one teaching your dog, forming an unbreakable bond between you two. You can also cover different topics as you please and do it from the comfort of your own home. It’s definitely worth checking out! 

Goldador Doodle Coat Care & Grooming

Goldador Doodles need to be groomed often to keep their coats free from mats. As a bonus, this will also ensure that your Doodle’s coat is fluffy and gorgeous, just the way you like it! 

Although Goldador Doodles are usually low to non-shedding dogs, it does come at a price. Namely, these dogs need to be brushed daily to prevent matting and to also minimize shedding. We recommend you get a good quality dog brush and a stainless steel comb for this. Here we’ve picked out the best recommendations for Goldador Doodles (article not published yet, please link once it is). 

About every 6 to 8 weeks you also need to have your Goldador Doodle’s hair trimmed. Keep in mind that their hair can grow quite long, very fast! A great way to save some money in the process is to learn how to groom your Doodle at home yourself with the help of our online course. Or, if you don’t mind spending money and time getting your Dood to a professional grooming salon, you can also opt for that. 

Then there are other activities that you should include into your Goldador Doodle’s grooming routine, such as regular bathing with a specially formulated dog shampoo and conditioner, weekly nail trimming, regular teeth brushing, and cleaning your Dood’s ears to prevent ear infections.  

Where Can You Get Goldador Doodle Puppies?

It can be difficult to track down reputable Goldador Doodle breeders, as this is a rare and relatively new crossbreed. For this reason, we decided to do the legwork for you and create our very own Doodle Breeder Directory that lists responsible Doodle breeders all across the US and other countries. 

The key thing when choosing a Doodle breeder is to do your research. And lots of it! Reputable breeders stand out from the rest with their ethical breeding practices. For example, they only use health and DNA tested parent dogs in their breeding programs to ensure that their puppies are healthy and live long, happy lives. Of course, there’s so much more that goes into responsible breeding, which we cover more in-depth in this guide here. 

If you’re wondering how much a Goldador Doodle costs, then you can expect to pay around $1,500 to $4,000 for a puppy in the US. Of course, the exact price will depend on a variety of factors, such as your location, the breeder’s reputation and experience, and even what size or color of Goldador Doodle you’re planning to adopt. 

Goldador Doodle: FAQ