A Goldendoodle is a hybrid dog whose parent breeds are a golden retriever and a poodle. Thanks to their curly, low-shedding coats, poodle mixes abound. The Goldendoodle puppy generally inherits the intelligence and coat of its poodle parent, along with the friendliness and playfulness of its golden retriever parent.
If you’re considering adopting a Goldendoodle puppy or an older dog, it helps to understand their temperament. Understanding any dog’s temperament is the best way to determine if that dog breed is a good fit for your family and lifestyle.
Below are seven things you should know about the Goldendoodle temperament before deciding:
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1. They’re Intelligent
Poodles are among the most intelligent dog breeds, even though they get a bad rap for being pampered lapdogs. Most Goldendoodles are as intelligent as their poodle parent — a trait that can have both pros and cons.
Goldendoodle owners will tell you the most significant benefit of their dogs’ intelligence is that they’re easy to train. They pick up tricks and commands relatively quickly compared to other dogs.
Additionally, these dogs will learn to pick up on their owner’s non-verbal commands or “feel” the emotions of a household. So if you’re stressed, sad, happy, or excited, your Goldendoodle dog will be able to sense that.
This intelligence does have a downside, however. Goldendoodles (like golden retrievers) can become destructive if left to their own devices for too long. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to this problem.
You’ll want to ensure your adult dog or puppy has plenty of playtime with you or other family members. Likewise, the dog should have ample access to toys when you aren’t there. Some Goldendoodle puppies are even smart enough to solve puzzle toys or complete mazes.
2. They’re Easy to Train
Thanks to their high intelligence, Goldendoodles are very easy to train, and training can go beyond the usual tricks and commands if you want. These dogs can be trained to work as therapy dogs or participate in dog course contests.
Most Goldendoodles will find this extra training fun since it helps keep their minds engaged as well as their bodies. Even a Goldendoodle rescue dog can be trained as an adult if you have a little extra time and patience.
3. They’re Playful
Whether you choose a miniature Goldendoodle or a standard-sized one, these dog breeds are incredibly playful. A Goldendoodle will thrive on ample playtime with you and the rest of your family, acting much like it’s another child. Like some other dogs, they can also be quite funny at times and will enjoy making you laugh.
Of course, this playfulness can sometimes be a little exhausting. Like a toddler, your Goldendoodle puppy may not know when to stop playing and start relaxing.
They’re known for getting the “zoomies,” where they run back and forth for some time without stopping. Goldendoodles (like a purebred golden retriever) can also get bored quickly if they don’t get the proper amount of daily exercise, leading to destructive behaviors like chewing or digging.
4. They’re Friendly Dogs
Goldendoodles are very affectionate dogs that love being around children, other animals, and their owners. Unfortunately, these hybrid dogs don’t make good guard dogs because they aren’t very protective over their territory in most cases. Instead, they’re more likely to welcome strangers onto your property and beg them for a head pat.
While they don’t make great guard dogs, they’re perfect for people who often have others in their homes. If you run a home business or would like to bring your dog to work with you, a Goldendoodle is a perfect choice.
5. They Make Ideal Service Dogs
A combination of easy training and friendliness makes Goldendoodles excellent service dogs. In fact, with the proper training, a Goldendoodle can offer all the same services as its golden retriever parent does.
For example, Goldendoodles can be trained to:
- Assist those with hearing or vision impairments
- Act as guide dogs for those with a disability
- Learn how to open doors
- Learn how to switch lights off and on
- Alert their owners to oncoming seizures or other medical issues
- Be taught to bring extra help in the event of an emergency
- Provide emotional support for anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses
Goldendoodles are also often used as support animals for veterans and others with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many believe service dogs help provide a significantly better quality of life for those battling PTSD. Not only can they help calm anxieties or fears, but they can help “ground” their handlers in the moment during flashbacks.
6. They’re Perfect Family Pets
Goldendoodle puppies are excellent family dogs. Families with other pets and young children will quickly feel comfortable with their new family pet. Like any animal, Goldendoodle temperaments can vary based on genetics, health, training, and more.
The Goldendoodle is a perfect companion for children. Not only are these dogs incredibly loyal to their human families, but they’ll also love playing with the kids! As a designer breed, they have always been bred for human companionship.
7. They’re Very Social
Big family? Lots of activity going on at your home? Want a dog you can take everywhere you go, from outdoor dog patios to state parks and beyond? A Goldendoodle is an excellent choice.
A Goldendoodle is friendly with other dogs, children, strangers, and other animals. Miniature Goldendoodles are small enough to fit in dog carriers (like dog purses) if that’s what you prefer. Of course, the best thing you can do is start socializing your healthy dog as early as possible.
The downside is that your Goldendoodle can become a very anxious dog when left alone for long periods. You can try crate training if you’re gone a lot during the day for work, but they do better in households where they aren’t alone for extremely long periods. When you leave the house, your Goldendoodle may suffer from separation anxiety, which can cause many issues. For example, dogs with separation anxiety tend to become destructive or use the bathroom in the home.
If the idea of a great family pet outweighs the ability to leave your dog alone, consider alternatives for your workday. You might hire a dog walker to visit your home once or twice to give your Goldendoodle exercise. Or, you could hire a dog sitter during the day.
Goldendoodles vs. Bernedoodles
Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles are both doodle breeds, meaning one parent is a toy, mini or standard poodle. There are other doodle breeds also, but these two are exceptionally popular. While similar in many ways, several key differences exist in the Bernedoodle and Goldendoodle personalities.
For starters, the Bernedoodle tends to be calmer than the Goldendoodle. So while a Goldendoodle may make the perfect pet for an active family with rambunctious kids who like to run and play, a Bernedoodle often does better with a calmer family or young children.
Bernedoodles are quite a bit larger than Goldendoodles. A standard Bernedoodle averages 23 to 29 inches tall at the shoulders when fully grown and weighs anywhere between 65 and 90 pounds. On the other hand, standard Goldendoodles will only average 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 50 to 70 pounds fully grown.
Miniature Goldendoodle or Bernedoodles will likely be the better choice if you have a smaller home or apartment.
Besides personality traits, appearance and price are other considerations. Bernedoodles are often tricolored, while Goldendoodles will most often be a solid color.
Bernedoodles also cost significantly more than Goldendoodles, so they may not be the best choice for families with a strict buying budget.
Overall, a Bernedoodle may be a better choice if:
- You have a calmer family or a more relaxed lifestyle
- You have plenty of room
- You have more buying budget
- You like larger dogs
- You prefer the appearance of Bernedoodles more
A Goldendoodle may be the better choice between the two if:
- You have a smaller living area
- You’re looking for a more affordable poodle hybrid
- You prefer the appearance of Goldendoodles more
- You’re looking for a service dog
- You have an active lifestyle or a more energetic family
Learn More About the Goldendoodle Temperament Today
If you’d like to learn more about the temperament of our Goldendoodle puppies or other key aspects of the breed, feel free to contact us for information.
If you’re looking for a reputable breeder of Goldendoodle puppies, contact us today to learn about our high breeding standards and why we are well known for raising Goldendoodles with desirable temperaments.
We have a few healthy Goldendoodle puppies for sale which would love to find their new forever homes today.
