While there are many AKC-recognized breeds, hybrid breeds have grown in popularity in the last few years. English Goldendoodles are a perfect sign of this.
Before you adopt a new puppy, it’s essential to understand how big it’ll grow.
The Medium Goldendoodle: A Complete Guide to These Cute Doods
People who wrongly estimate their pup’s future size are usually the culprits behind a large number of abandoned dogs.
What is a medium Goldendoodle?
But is size easy to guess in hybrid dog breeds? How can you know whether you’ll get a mini Goldendoodle, a medium Goldendoodle, or a standard one?
Luckily, you’re in the right place to find out.
History And Temperament
While all hybrid breeds are relatively new, Goldendoodles are actually older than some official ones.
They were first made in 1960 by crossbreeding a Poodle and a Golden Retriever.
They were intended to be a larger alternative to the popular Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix, the Cockapoo.
However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that this designer breed reached a wider audience and became a crowd favorite.
Despite this, most Goldendoodles you see today are first-generation, meaning their parents are a Poodle and a Retriever.
The same goes for many other widespread Poodle mixes, such as the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever/Poodle crossbreed), Bernedoodle, Cockapoo, or Danoodle.
Goldendoodles were supposed to be simply a hypoallergenic substitute for the long-haired Retriever because you’re adding low-shedding Poodles to the gene pool. Still, they slowly became much more than that.
As they are friendly and affectionate, yet highly intelligent, they make fantastic therapy dogs and guide dogs.
They will offer emotional support to people who need it, and they’ll do it in an entirely natural way.
At the same time, thanks to their high activity level, size, and Retriever genes, they are excellent watchdogs, as well as scent-tracking dogs.
No matter the size of your Goldendoodle, you should keep them in a house with plenty of outdoor space so they can run around freely.
As they have high energy levels, it wouldn’t be wise to keep them locked in a small apartment or a kennel the entire day.
While overall friendly, Goldendoodles can sometimes be shy and skittish.
Because of this, it’s essential to train and socialize your Goldendoodle puppy from the moment he turns eight weeks old.
Goldendoodles are an extremely emotionally responsive breed, so make sure you have the time to dedicate to them.
All of this makes them great family pets, with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
Goldendoodle Size Range
As is typical of hybrid breeds, Goldendoodles come in various different sizes. This isn’t a surprise since you can have miniature, medium, or standard Poodles.
This way, these dogs can accommodate their owner’s needs better.
Similar to their Poodle parent, Goldendoodles come in three regular sizes. This means we have:
Miniature Goldendoodle
Medium Goldendoodle
Standard Goldendoodle
Let’s take a more in-depth look!
The Miniature Goldendoodle
The mini Goldendoodle is initially made by breeding a miniature Poodle with a Golden Retriever.
Typically, any Goldendoodle weighing less than 30 lbs is considered a mini Goldendoodle. Still, there are some sub-types of this breed, as well.
This is because there is a considerable size difference between a toy Poodle and a Golden Retriever, giving the breed a huge versatility when it comes to dimensions.
As a result, you can also get a teacup and a toy Goldendoodle, both smaller than a regular mini Goldendoodle.
Mini Goldendoodles were bred for dog owners who don’t have too much living space since more and more people opt for apartment living.
To ensure a Goldendoodle puppy’s small size, breeders will ensure they have a higher percentage of mini Poodle genes.
Because of this, most miniature Goldendoodles are F1b – they have one Goldendoodle and one Poodle parent.
In return, this also means that mini Goldendoodles don’t have much Golden Retriever blood in them.
Sadly, there isn’t much to be done about this. The first generation of puppies will remain unpredictable in size, and there might even be some health issues.
For dog owners who want to ensure their pup has plenty of Retriever in his heritage, they should opt for a standard Goldendoodle instead.
Personality-wise, mini Goldendoodles seem to be the closest to their owners. They are incredibly devoted, which is both a pro and a con.
While you’ll have a loyal pet who’ll follow you around the house all the time, you won’t have much personal space.
At the same time, miniature Goldendoodles shouldn’t be left alone for too long.
They are quick to get separation anxiety, so if you spend most of your day working in an office, this is probably not the dog for you.
If you often travel via plane, these pups might be the right choice. They are very portable and might even fit the carrier underneath the seat.
However, they won’t do well in cars since they are prone to motion sickness.
Their tiny size makes them an excellent choice for many families.
First and foremost, you can leave them with your child, knowing that they won’t knock him or her over accidentally.
Just make sure your kids know how to be gentle with such small dogs.
They are easy to control, and you can walk them on a leash without any issues at all. If they run into some trouble, you can pick them up with ease.
Their light weight also means you can easily carry them with you, whether it be up the stairs or in and out of the car.
Since they are small, they are reasonably cheap to own.
They eat small amounts of foods, they won’t need too much flea prevention, they’ll even shed less, and it’ll cost you next to nothing to get them to a professional groomer!
Despite this, if you find some miniature Goldendoodle puppies for sale, you should expect them to be very expensive.
In fact, the pricing is so high that some toy-sized Goldendoodles can cost around $4,000!
The downside of these dogs is that they won’t be able to keep up with you if you are an active person.
Long walks will tire smaller dogs out as they don’t have as much energy as most medium to large canines.
As they are F1b Goldendoodles, they’ll commonly exhibit the mini Poodle’s overly excitable personality, which some owners can find somewhat annoying.
This can make them too impatient for young kids.
Many mini Goldendoodles get scared easily, so kids’ sudden movements might frighten them and cause them to snap at your child.
Also, while they have low stamina, they are very energetic. This means they’ll require plenty of short-term exercise throughout the day.
Sadly, mini Goldendoodles tend to have many health issues, so always make sure you get them from a reputable breeder who knows the dog’s genetics.
The Standard Goldendoodle
Standard Goldendoodles weigh 50 lbs or more. They’ll rarely be larger than 80 lbs, but their exact size depends on a dog’s specific parentage or the litter itself.
These Goldendoodles have the personality of a Golden Retriever. They are calm, patient, and gentle, and they’ll usually stay very tolerant of children.
Since Golden Retrievers and standard Poodles are similar in size, many breeders sell a first-generation cross.
There aren’t many variations in size. While you can never predict the exact characteristics, you’ll usually know what you’re getting into.
This is excellent for dog owners who want their Goldendoodle to have plenty of Golden Retriever lineage.
Keep in mind that a first-generation Goldendoodle might not be a great choice for allergy sufferers, as the coat type might still resemble that of a Golden Retriever.
Since both Poodle and Retriever are dog breeds that people commonly use as service dogs and in obedience competitions, they are excellent to train.
In fact, due to their calm nature, out of all Goldendoodle types, therapy dogs are mostly standard-sized.
They are also an excellent choice for dog owners who want their pets to protect their property.
While Goldendoodles don’t make exceptional guard dogs as they are friendly even towards strangers, a large dog will always make you feel safer.
When you have a big dog with a strong and deep bark, you feel more confident. An intruder who hears or sees a large canine won’t stop to try to pet him.
Their size might also enable you to feel safe during walks, as you know most other dogs at the park won’t easily hurt them.
This is always a plus when you have a large dog on the opposite end of a leash.
However, their fairly big size has its disadvantages.
Traveling with a standard Goldendoodle can be challenging. They are large dogs that take up a lot of space.
You might not be able to drive with them in a tightly-packed car, and you’d need special permits to get on a plane with them.
Also, if you don’t train a standard Goldendoodle properly, you will end up with a big dog you can’t control.
You won’t be able to manage them on a leash, and you can’t just pick them up as you’d do with a mini or a medium Goldendoodle.
They can easily push and break furniture, and reaching food is no big deal for them. Not to mention how they can chew on chair legs or anything else they find interesting!
While they are a trainable breed, you still have to dedicate some time to socialize them. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a force to be reckoned with.
In fact, just like with most larger dogs, even a well-trained standard Goldendoodle can do some damage without wanting to. For example, its wagging tail will easily knock any glasses off a table.
Due to their size, they can easily knock a child over during playtime. While no one in their right mind would consider Goldendoodles dangerous, they can unintentionally do some harm.
Standard Goldendoodles need plenty of space to roam freely and stretch their legs. While they don’t have as much energy as smaller dogs, they still require daily exercise.
A good side of this is that you’re bound to lose some weight with a standard Goldendoodle and stay active!
The Medium Goldendoodle
Medium Goldendoodles typically weigh around 30 and 50 lbs and seem to make a perfect middle-ground between mini and standard Goldendoodles.
They usually have the genetics of both miniature and standard Poodles, making their personality well-balanced.
Suppose you’re looking for a good family pet who is laid-back but who’ll stay at a manageable size at the same time. In that case, a medium Goldendoodle might be the dog you’re looking for.
They do great while traveling, as they are small enough to fit most vehicles while remaining calm. Due to their weight, they have higher centers of gravity, so they’ll seldom get carsickness, a common problem for many smaller dogs.
The medium Goldendoodle is still small enough for you to pick up in case of trouble while being able to withstand more challenging walks.
Of course, as their size can’t be precisely predicted, you can never be entirely confident in the future size of your puppy.
Typically though, a medium-sized female will stay smaller than a medium-sized male. If you don’t want your Goldendoodle to grow too large, you might want to get a female, just to make sure.
They are a fantastic compromise for active owners who cannot afford bigger dogs. Whether it is because of their small living space or the owner themself is fairly tiny, larger, standard Goldendoodles aren’t for everyone.
How Tall Will Your Goldendoodle Be?
With hybrid breeds, you can never be entirely sure how big a dog will grow to be.
Overall, the best way to determine the size of the offspring is to look at the parents. The weight of the puppies is usually between the weights of the parent dogs.
Of course, this isn’t an absolute calculation. Sometimes, a pup will inherit more traits from just one parent.
A mini Poodle and a Golden Retriever might still result in a small-sized pooch.
Because of this, breeders usually mate two parents of a similar size, as this makes it easier to predict the weight of the litter.
As for which size would be the best for you, that is up to you to decide.
Can you deal with an overly energetic dog who is small in size, or would you rather take a large but calm pup?
For those who are indecisive, a medium Goldendoodle is the way to go. They are the best of both worlds.
Just be prepared! A medium Goldendoodle’s size can be unpredictable. You may end up with a much larger pup than you expected – or a much tinier one.
Medium goldendoodle for sale
Goldendoodles are super popular “designer dog” hybrids that mix a Poodle with a purebred Golden Retriever. These dogs have been around for a long time, but have had a surge in popularity over the last few decades.
Goldendoodle puppies are well known for being incredibly affectionate and intelligent, and as a huge bonus, they barely shed at all, making them about as hypoallergenic as a dog can be. Additionally, Goldendoodle puppies are great dogs for new dog owners but also are the perfect companions for experienced owners too, they really are just all-around the best!
These puppies are super affectionate and playful, and they love kids and other dogs. Although they’re very loyal and loving towards their family, they probably wouldn’t make great guard dogs because they love strangers, too. Doodles are easy to care for and groom and can come in a range of sizes from mini to standard, so you can find the perfect size for your space.
They’re known for being easy to train, way too smart for their own good, and very high energy and playful. These dogs need lots of walks and playtime, so be sure you can give them this sort of attention if you plan to adopt one for yourself.
Goldendoodles typically weigh between 50 to 90 pounds and have a life span of 10-15 years. However, you can get miniature and medium-sized Goldendoodle puppies in Orange County that weigh significantly less.
Sunkissed Doodles Orange County
Sunkissed Doodles is another small, in-home family breeder located in Orange County that genuinely loves what they do and animals of all kinds. They are highly educated in the best breeding practices and operate their business with the utmost patience and care for the puppies they breed. One of their top priorities is the health of their dogs and puppies, which is one of the things that sets them apart from many of the money-driven breeders out there.
They have a very professional staff devoted to helping new puppy families learn the best techniques for integrating their new puppies into their lives, as well as tips for training and caring for them. They pride themselves on their extensive screening process to find the right families for their Goldendoodle puppies for sale and do many temperament checks on the puppies to find the right personality match for your family.
Goldendoodle Breeder Information:
Website: Sunkissed Doodles
Contact: 714-317-9196
Location: Orange County, CA
Riverdoodles Bernedoodle & Goldendoodles
First on our list of Goldendoodle breeders in Orange County is River Doodles. River Doodles is an excellent breeder in southern California that prides itself on being a home breeder— meaning they raise all of their puppies by hand in their own home, just like you would your very own pet. We applaud the high standards that this breeder holds themselves to for genetic testing and ethical breeding, as well as raising and handling their dogs and puppies.
They expose all of their puppies to social and environmental stimuli that they will likely encounter in your home, which helps prepare the puppies for their long and happy life with you. River Doodles specializes in Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles, and all of their puppies are top tier and super cute.
Goldendoodle Breeder Information:
Website: River Doodles Orange County
Contact: 714-784-6770
Location: Brea, CA
Golden Liberty Doodles
Golden Liberty Doodles is another of our favorite breeders in the SoCal area. This small breeder is GANA certified and a Blue Ribbon Goldendoodle breeder that diligently adheres to GANA health testing standards.
This breeder is well known for their great raising practices— they provide early neurological and social stimulation for all of their puppies, as well as behavioral training and exposure to environmental stimuli. They treat all of their dogs and puppies like parts of their family and are passionate about making sure that each beloved puppy is placed in the perfect home.
Their website has a ton of helpful resources to help you get ready for your new puppy and to help you through the adoption process. They are located very close to Orange County. If you’re looking for a GANA Goldendoodle breeder near Orange County, this should be your top pick.
Goldendoodle Breeder Information:
Website: Golden Liberty Doodles
Contact: 619-468-5400
Location: El Cajon, CA
Gail’s Doodles OC
Gail’s Doodles is a doodle breeder made up of Gail Ferrell and her son, Kevin. This mother-so duo is incredibly caring and passionate about what they do, and they operate at only the highest standards. While other members of their family love helping out, the mother and son team are co-owners of the business with plans for Kevin to take over operations when Gail semi-retires.
This sweet family has been breeding doodles since 2004 and they specialize in Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles of many different sizes.
Goldendoodle Breeder Information:
Website: Gail’s Doodles OC
Contact: Contact Gail’s Doodles Here
Location: Templeton, CA
Adopt Goldendoodle Puppies
We know it can be tempting to head straight for a breeder if you’re looking for a new Goldendoodle puppy for your family in Orange County, but we strongly urge you to consider adopting a puppy from a local animal shelter instead. There are countless dogs and cats that are currently sitting in animal shelters around the country, and many of these will be euthanized if they aren’t adopted soon.
If you have your heart set on a specific breed like the Goldendoodle, you may be surprised to learn that these coveted puppies aren’t that difficult to find in local shelters, and they come at a fraction of the cost. You can even use a few search engines to locate the breed you’re interested in shelters around the country, or even join social media groups dedicated to rehoming surrendered dogs of certain breeds.
There is no shame in buying from a breeder, of course— especially one of the caring breeders on this list, but we urge you to at least visit the shelter first to see if you find the perfect dog for your family.
Whether you decide to go the shelter or breeder route, just make sure you never purchase puppies from pet stores or off of craigslist. Many such places source their puppies from abusive places like puppy mills, and purchasing from them only reinforces the ability for such places to exist.
Goldendoodle Puppies Are A Lot of Work
You should also take some time to consider whether you are ready to own a dog right now. Hey, dogs are a ton of work, and there’s no shame in holding off until your life is less crazy! Dogs need a ton of attention, time, and money to stay healthy and happy.
In addition to all of the food and toys your furry friend needs, they will also need regular visits to the vet and routine medications like heartworm and flea and tick medicine.
Many shelter dogs were surrendered after their owners realized they didn’t have the ability to properly care for them, so it’s best to be honest with yourself about whether you really can care for a dog in the way that they need. Surrendering your sweet puppy would be traumatizing for both of you, after all!
