The Ultimate Groodle Dog Breed Guide

A groodle is a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle. They are a very intelligent dog breed with a ‘golden’ personality.

Their affectionate and care free nature makes them the ideal family pet. They get along great with children, all dog breeds and other pets.

In 1969, the first groodle was bred by Monica Dickens, the great-granddaughter of the famous writer Charles Dickens.

In the 1990s, breeding labradoodles as a hypoallergenic guide dog was a great success.

This started an ‘oodle’ hybrid breed craze with groodles and other poodle crosses booming in popularity.

Other Names

The groodle is known by various names, including:

• Golden doodle
• Golden poo
• Curly retriever
• Curly golden

What is an F1 / F1B / F2 Groodle?

Groodle generations can be a little confusing. However, it is important to understand the differences.

Your groodle’s generation can impact its physical characteristics and therefore whether it is a suitable fit for your family.

This is especially important if you want a groodle because of its allergy friendly, low shedding coat.

A poodle has a hypoallergenic coat whilst a golden retriever does not.

Therefore, the more poodle you have mixed into your groodle, the more suitable they are for allergic people.

All groodles are a golden retriever and poodle mix but at different levels.

F1 Generation

A F1 (1st generation) groodle is the result of a purebred golden retriever and purebred poodle mating. Their appearance and coat type can vary a lot depending on the parents.

These dogs are closely related to golden retrievers so shed more hair and are not as suitable for severe allergy sufferers.

For this reason, they are usually a bit cheaper than other groodles.

F1B Generation

A F1B (aka. back cross) groodle is a F1 bred with a poodle. They are more poodle than F1 and barely shed.

They are the most suitable choice for high allergy sufferers. This makes them more desirable and therefore the most expensive of all the groodles.

F2 Generation

A F2 (2nd generation) groodle is two F1 dogs bred together. They are still half golden retriever and half poodle but their genes are mixed more.

They shed a minimal amount and are suitable for owners with mild allergies.

• Multi-Gen

Multigenerational groodles are 3rd or subsequent generations. This allows more selective breeding with physical or personality traits.

A breeder should be able to tell you what generation their multi-gen groodles are.

Physical Appearance

Groodles are gorgeous dogs. They have floppy ears, long legs and an athletic build.

Because they are a hybrid dog, their appearance can vary a great deal depending on the dogs they were originally bred from.

Size

Groodle dogs come in 3 size variations. This is determined by whether they are crossed with a toy poodle, miniature poodle or standard poodle:

• Toy groodle – shorter than 40cms, 10kg
• Miniature groodle – 40cms – 50cms, 107kg – 18kg
• Standard groodle – taller than 50cms , 18kg – 40kg

Coat

Groodle coat types can vary depending on what generation groodle dog they are.

Some have straighter, shaggy fur like a golden retriever and others have a poodle’s curly coat, but generally there are two more common types of coats.

Groodle Fleece Coat

The Groodle dog fleece coat is a high-quality, long lasting material.

It has an elasticity which will never lose its shape and no matter what size or age your pet may be, it’s perfect for you!

There are two different types of coats that the groodle can have; wavy curls or soft loops.

The best part about this type of fur is it won’t shed so if allergies bother you then rest assured knowing that with this option there’ll be nothing to worry about when putting on their furry friend each day before going out in public.

Groodle Wool Coat

The wool type coat is like a beautiful textured jacket that would keep your pup warm during the winter.

It should have an appearance of spiraling wool and not be too dense or tightly curled to avoid shedding among other problems.

Colours

The groodle breed comes in multiple colours including:

• Gold
• Cream
• Black
• Red
• Chocolate
• Silver / Grey

They can be one solid colour or have white markings on their fur.

Health

Groodles are a healthy dog breed and have very few problems. Their life expectancy is 10-15 years.

Crossbred dogs have a lower likelihood of genetic diseases, making them healthier than purebred dogs. F1 groodles will therefore have less genetic problems than multi-gen groodles.

Problems

The most common groodle health problem is skin allergies. They can develop rashes, experience general discomfort and excessive hair loss.

Other health issues include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy and Von Willebrand’s disease (a bleeding disorder which can be life threatening). These are typically inherited from their parent breeds.

If you suspect your pet groodle is unwell, always get it looked at by a vet. Even healthy groodles should be taken to the vet annually for a check up.

Proper tick and flea control measures should also be taken.

Groodles as Pets

Groodles make wonderful family pets. They love to be around people and are the ultimate companion animal. Their playful nature makes them a high suitability for families with children.

Grooming

Your groodle’s coat type will impact how often it needs brushing.

Those that don’t shed hair (aka. those with more poodle in them) need regularly brushing to avoid tangles while those that do shed hair (aka. those with more golden retriever) will need to be brushed regularly to remove loose fur.

They need regular bathing. It is recommended you take your dog to a professional groomer every six weeks to have their hair washed, trimmed, nails cut, ears cleaned and eyes wiped off.

Brush your dog’s teeth regularly at home or feed it dental treats to prevent gum disease.

Exercise Requirements

They are an intelligent dog breed, mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation.

They naturally have a lot of energy and will need to be exercised and worn out everyday. This will keep them happy and healthy.

Large groodles, usually those mixed with standard poodles, will have more energy than smaller groodles. At least one hour of exercise daily is recommended.

The best way to wear out your pet groodle is a long walk through the neighbourhood or a play at the dog park.

Training

Groodles are highly intelligent and love to make their owners happy, making them easy to train. They can learn many commands and tricks. When training them, it is important to be patient and persistent.

An important part of training is early socialisation with other breeds and other pets. This can prevent any fears or aggression developing. Regular trips to the dog park are a great way to do this.

Another part of training that sometimes gets overlooked is teaching your groodle to be left alone, to prevent separation anxiety developing. It is easiest if you start this training from a young age.

You can more easily train your groodle as a puppy however it is never too late to train them. Your dog can continue to learn throughout all life stages.

Groodles for Sale

Once you decide to welcome the golden doodle breed into your family, you will need to do research on where to buy one from.

Where to Buy and Price

‘Oodle’ dogs are in high demand, making them expensive to buy.

If you decide to buy a dog, consider your financial situation. There is the cost of buying the dog initially but there are also many ongoing costs such as food, grooming and vet bills. Make sure your personal circumstances will be able to support a pet dog long term.

Groodles Puppies

A groodle puppy in Australia can cost around $5,500. It will cost extra if you require the puppy to be transported to you, especially if it has to travel by plane.

There is a high demand for this breed so most breeders will require a deposit and waiting periods can be quite long.

Buy a puppy from a registered breeder who treats their dogs well.

Do your research to find one you feel comfortable with. Ask them lots of questions, visit the home the puppies live in and trust your instincts.

Most Grodle breeders will sell their puppies when they are 8-12 weeks old. By then, they should have already seen a vet and received their first vaccinations.

Adult Groodles

Groodles are such a lovable breed that it is rare for anyone to give one up. But sometimes adult groodles can be adopted from shelters or rescue organisations. This is a great way to give an older dog a second chance at a forever home.

Adopting an adult dog is cheaper and typically costs around $500. This covers them being desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and checked by a vet.

Related Articles

Oodle Dog Breeds

Labradoodle Dog Breeds

References

www.populardoodle.com/goldendoodle-breed-info-golden-retriever-poodle-mix/