Goldendoodle Adults
A woman with his Golden Labradoodle dog at home
Goldendoodle Adults:- Watching our Goldendoodle puppies grow into adults is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Every few days, we get heartwarming updates—texts and emails filled with pictures and stories of our puppies from their new families. In the evenings, I share these moments with my children around the dinner table, and they’re just as excited as I am to see how the little ones are doing. It’s amazing how much puppies change as they grow!
Coat Changes
Goldendoodle Adults typically develop wavier or curlier coats as they mature, and their fur often becomes lighter. In fact, it’s quite common for puppies to go through one or more coat changes as they grow. Most of these changes occur around 9 months old, but some puppies may start as early as 4 months, while others may experience changes as late as 4 years!
What to Expect:
Goldendoodle Adults are energetic dogs who need space to run and play, making them better suited for homes with fenced yards rather than apartments. They require about 30 minutes of daily exercise to stay healthy and happy.
With their sharp minds, Goldendoodles can easily get bored, so it’s important to keep them mentally stimulated with toys and activities to prevent mischief. However, they also enjoy snuggling on the couch. If you’re crate training, leaving toys and playing with some background noise, like the TV or radio, can help ease any anxiety when they’re alone.
While they might inherit some shedding traits from their Golden Retriever lineage, Goldendoodles generally shed minimally. They need baths every couple of months unless they get particularly dirty, but daily brushing is key to preventing their coat from matting. If kept in a shorter cut, brushing once or twice a week should suffice.
How Big Do Goldendoodles Get?
Standard Goldendoodles typically stand over 21 inches tall and weigh at least 51 pounds, though some can grow as large as 75 pounds or more, according to the Goldendoodle Association of North America.
Goldendoodles come in four main generations:
– F1 (First Generation): A cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.
– F1b (First Generation Backcross): Bred from an F1 Goldendoodle and a purebred Poodle (or occasionally a Golden Retriever).
– F2 (Second Generation): A result of two F1 Goldendoodles being bred together.
– F2b (Second Generation Backcross): Comes from breeding an F1 Goldendoodle with an F1b Goldendoodle.
Goldendoodle Size and Growth
Goldendoodles vary widely in size, largely depending on the type of poodle used in their breeding. Typically, they reach their full height by 12 to 14 months, though they may continue to gain weight until they are around two years old. On average, male Goldendoodles tend to be about 10% larger than females.
As Goldendoodles are not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, there aren’t standardized breed guidelines or growth charts available. However, many breeders have compiled average growth data based on reports from dog owners.
For instance, a breeder in San Diego notes that standard Goldendoodles typically weigh about 50 pounds by 8 months of age and can reach around 56 pounds by their first birthday.
If you’re interested in the potential size of your future Goldendoodle, it’s best to consult directly with your breeder for specific information.
How Much Should You Feed Your Goldendoodle?
To determine the right amount of food for your Goldendoodle, consult with your veterinarian. They will evaluate factors such as your dog’s lifestyle, health, reproductive status, allergies, and breed to calculate the daily caloric intake needed.
“Bring the food or a photo of the nutrition label to your vet, and they’ll help you figure out the correct portion size,” says Whittenburg. “If you’re feeding a homemade diet, a veterinary nutritionist can provide the necessary calculations.”
Typically, Goldendoodle puppies under 6 months old should be fed at least three times a day, while adult dogs are usually fed twice daily, depending on their age and stage of life. Whittenburg notes, “Although adults can technically be fed once a day, doing so might lead to anxiety and fixating on mealtimes. It’s better for their metabolism and mental well-being to feed them every 12 hours.”
What do Mini Goldendoodles look like as adults?
In their first year, Mini Goldendoodles go through various stages of development. When they’re very young (8–12 weeks), their fur is soft and delicate.
Between 4 and 7 months, they might hit an awkward phase as they transition from their puppy coat to their adult coat. During this time, their appearance can seem a bit scraggly as the two coats mix and the puppy fur begins to shed.
From our experience, this phase typically occurs around six months old. While I jokingly call it the “ugly stage,” my children still found our puppy adorable, showing that even during this transitional period, they remained as cute as ever in our eyes.
Around nine months, you’ll start to get a sense of what your Mini Goldendoodle’s coat might look like. Over the next few months, you can expect their fur to thicken up a bit. To illustrate this, we’ve included photos of our Mini Goldendoodle, Millie, with each image labeled to help you track the progression.
Keep in mind that Mini Goldendoodles can inherit one of three types of fur coats. The straight coat, which resembles a Golden Retriever’s fur, is the least common. The curly coat, which resembles a Poodle’s and is the least likely to shed, is the second most common. The wavy coat, shown in the photos below, is the most common among Mini Goldendoodles.
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