New
May 19, 2023

Does a Goldendoodle Shed?

Before we look into the shedding qualities of a Goldendoodle, we need to understand what breeds create the Goldendoodle and the different types of Goldendoodles and genetics they possess...

Before we look into the shedding qualities of a Goldendoodle, we need to understand what breeds create the Goldendoodle and the different types of Goldendoodles and genetics they possess. This is a big factor when looking at which Goldendoodles may shed the most.

What is a Goldendoodle?

A Goldendoodle is a crossbreed dog between the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. Goldendoodles typically make amazing family pets. This is because they tend to inherit the best temperament traits of both the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. Some of the temperament traits of the Goldendoodle are loyalty, intelligence, and affection.  

Are Goldendoodles a designer breed?

Goldendoodles are oftentimes referred to as a “designer breed.” These designer-breed puppies are created intentionally by experienced breeders. They are the result of crossing two purebred dogs. This is how many designer breed puppies inherit their low shedding qualities. The practice of creating a designer breed is becoming very popular as families looking to adopt puppies often search for these types of breeds and many suffer from pet allergies.

Most experienced breeders will perform genetic health testing on these designer breed dogs to ensure they will inherit the best genetics possible. Genetic testing will help to avoid major health problems as well. Although these designer breeds are crossbred, there are registries that breeders may use if they wish to register their litters. Registering their puppies will help to isolate health issues and keep track of the coi (Genetic coefficient of inbreeding).

How much will my Goldendoodle shed?

How much your Goldendoodle will shed depends on many things. One of the main factors of how much your Goldendoodle will shed depends on the type of coat your Goldendoodle inherits. This is mostly determined by the type of Goldendoodle you have.

There are 4 types of Goldendoodles-

  • F1 Goldendoodle (Purebred Golden Retriever X Purebred Poodle)
  • F1B Goldendoodle (Purebred Poodle X F1 Goldendoodle)
  • F2 Goldendoodle (F1 Goldendoodle X F1 Goldendoodle)
  • F2B Goldendoodle (F1 Goldendoodle X F1B Goldendoodle)

The Goldendoodles with a higher percentage of poodle in their DNA will most likely shed less since the Poodle is far less likely to shed than the Golden Retriever. Keep in mind the Goldendoodles coat may vary because a Goldendoodle is a crossbreed. However, many breeders work hard to create consistency in their coats.

One of the main reasons pet owners love Goldendoodles is due to their hypoallergenic qualities.  Many dog breeders market their Goldendoodles as “hypoallergenic” or non-shedding. This is in fact a myth, there are no breeds that are 100% free from shedding. The good news is that these “hypoallergenic” breeds will shed drastically less than a non-hypoallergenic breed and are usually suitable for people who suffer from pet allergies.

A hypoallergenic breed will produce far less dander and shedding than other breeds which is the main cause of pet allergies. If you suffer from severe pet allergies, we recommend visiting some of these puppies and spending a prolonged period of time with them to test the waters before bringing a new family member into your home.

The Poodle and the Golden Retriever

As you may know, the Golden Retriever has much different grooming needs than the Poodle. The Golden Retriever was originally bred for retrieving small game for their owner, hence the word retriever. The Golden Retriever will hunt year-round, so a heavier coat is useful in cold or wet conditions. The Golden Retriever will shed these thick coats a couple of times a year. During this period of shedding a simple daily brushing will help your pup.

The Poodle, first discovered in France, was known as a duck dog or “Caniche”. You guessed it; the Poodle was also originally bred as a hunting dog to bring game back to its owner. Their coat usually will not shed but requires more maintenance than the Golden Retriever. Their curly fur will require combing and brushing daily to prevent matting issues.

Since the Goldendoodle inherits genetics from the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, their coat may vary causing the Goldendoodle’s grooming needs to vary as well. Learning which type of Goldendoodle you are adopting will help you to prepare for their grooming needs.  

Does a Goldendoodle shed?

I hope that this article helped you understand more about the shedding qualities of a Goldendoodle. When looking to bring home a new Goldendoodle puppy I strongly suggest consulting with the breeder on what type of Goldendoodles they are breeding. We would also recommend asking about the parents of said litter and what their shedding habits look like.

Good luck fur parents!