How Much Do Goldendoodles Shed? Facts & Care Tips
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
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Dog shedding—the age-old pet peeve for owners, no pun intended. So, if you’re looking for a low-to-no shedding breed, the Goldendoodle has certainly crossed your mind. What’s the deal? Are they hypoallergenic? Low shedding? Or is it all a ruse?
Goldendoodles can take on traits of both parent breeds. Just know—Goldendoodles are, in fact, low-shedding dogs—but some pups might shed more or less than others. It also depends on the generation. So, what does this mean? We’re going to break down all the details.
Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
As with all good things in the world, there are plenty of misconceptions about the Goldendoodle and its hypoallergenic coat.
Goldendoodles are considered hypoallergenic, and they certainly shed less than many other breeds. However, no dog is ever truly 100% hypoallergenic. All of them produce some level of allergen and could irritate those with severe reactions regardless.
Allergy sufferers get triggered by a protein in the dog tear ducts, saliva, and urine called Fel d 1. When a dog grooms themselves, they layer the protein onto their coat. When you pet, kiss, and cuddle your pooch, this protein transfers to you.
Because a Goldendoodle sheds less than a regular dog, these proteins don’t transfer quite as much onto your fabrics, clothes, carpets, and furniture. Daily cleaning practices are still a must to reduce the reaction.
So, the age-old question—are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic? Not by Webster’s definition, but they are usually as close as you’re going to get.
Goldendoodle Generation Matters
Goldendoodles are a hybrid breed. That means they have two sets of purebred parents to create the desired outcome. This dog is crossed between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. The Golden Retriever is a long-haired, high-shedding dog. However, the Poodle nearly never sheds.
So, when you cross these two dogs, the puppies generally pick up the hypoallergenic qualities of the Poodle. However, if there is one full Golden Retriever parent and one Poodle parent, the puppies might pick up more of the Golden Retriever side of the genetic pool and shed more, triggering allergies.
However, some further generations of Goldendoodle aim to breed out these traits ultimately by choosing hybrid parents or those that have significant Poodle influence. Here’s an example.
F1 Goldendoodle | Golden Retriever x Poodle |
F1b Goldendoodle | Poodle x F1 Goldendoodle |
F2 Goldendoodle | F1 Goldendoodle x F1 Goldendoodle or F2 Goldendoodle x Poodle |
F2b Goldendoodle | F1 Goldendoodle x F1b or F2 Goldendoodle x Poodle |
Multigenerational Goldendoodle | Breeding of two Goldendoodles beyond F2 generations |
Basically, in any generation beyond the first, you are less likely to develop an allergy to your dog. With more of a Poodle influence, it reduces the traits of the Golden, creating a higher probability that they will be low shedding.
If you purchase a Goldendoodle, your breeder should give you all of the information about their generation so you can select appropriately.
Poodle vs. Golden Retriever Coat Types
The Poodle has a very curly, single-layer coat that is incredibly easy to manage. These dogs do require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, but they certainly don’t produce a lot of shedding.
Golden Retrievers, on the other hand, have thick double coats that shed profusely. If you’ve ever owned a Golden, you know that the cleanup can be pretty extensive sometimes. Since they have double coats, they also go through bulk-shedding periods in the spring and fall months.
So, there is no way to guarantee that the Goldendoodle offspring won’t have a double coat that sheds more than the siblings and the litter. That is why if you are adamant about having a low-shedding dog, you’ll want to get the further generations of Goldendoodle instead.
How to Choose a Puppy
Choosing your puppy will be such an exciting experience! But it is essential to know what generation you’re getting when you pick out your breeder. The breeder should be able to supply all of this information to you without issue.
Some breeders advertise the generation, and others will explain it before you make any deposit or purchase. Be bold and ask questions. Reputable breeders will have no issue explaining the current generation and any information on the parents.
Once you finally choose your puppy, some breeders will require a deposit; often, they will require that you sign a puppy contract stating that you will return the puppy to the breeder if you are ever unable to care for them. This measure helps ensure that the puppy will never become homeless.
Managing a Goldendoodle Coat
Even if you have a very low-shedding Goldendoodle, taking care of their coats can still be pretty time-consuming. They grow quite long and require regular trips to the professional groomer.
You could get creative and come up with many hairstyles to do at home, permitting that you have the experience or the willingness to learn. There are tons of YouTube tutorials and resources on the subject.
You would have to buy the right supplies to perform this at home. If you’re new to the concept, it’s always best to have a helper on hand who can hold your Goldendoodle still. If you choose to go to a professional groomer, this will be a pleasant experience for both you and your dog.
They can get out of the house, like a spa day for people. And you can enjoy your four-legged friend’s wonderful smelling, freshly cut appearance.
Although no pet is completely hypoallergenic, regular bathing can help reduce the amount of dander and other allergens in their fur and the air. We highly recommend Hepper's Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for this job!
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General Information About Goldendoodles
There are a lot more perks to owning a good Goldendoodle than their lack of shedding. Here is more about the breed so you can gauge whether you want to bring one into your family.
Personality
Goldendoodles have gained popularity for a good reason. These dogs are incredibly cheerful, amiable, and fun-loving. They will enjoy romping around with the kids and cuddling up with their owners. They are incredibly versatile dogs that love nothing more than time spent with their families.
These friendly cuties also get along very well with other pets, especially if they are raised around them. They are suitable for single owners, growing families, and all in between.
Training
Goldendoodles are generally very easy to train because they are eager to please and brilliant. You should have next to no issues with potty training and basic commands. But what’s also unique about this breed is that they make excellent service and emotional support animals.
Health
Goldendoodles are generally very healthy dogs. However, since they are a hybrid, they can take on health issues from either parent. Proper breeding practices worked diligently to remove any genetic ailments in the bloodline.
Regular vetting is key to getting ahead of any issues that might be developing for your Goldendoodle. Sometimes, these issues crop up anyway. But it is nice to know exactly what you can expect, so you can know what to look for.
- Hip dysplasia
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Subvalvular aortic stenosis
- Addison’s disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
Early detection can lead to proper management of most of these problems. Many pet parents are opting for pet insurance to help lessen the financial burden associated with vet care.
So, if you worry about fitting it into your budget, look into your options before any issues can develop.
Other Hypoallergenic Crosses
Goldendoodles aren’t your only option if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog. There are plenty of other crosses in purebreds that offer this quality. Here are a few you can also check out.
Conclusion
So now you know that the Goldendoodle is considered a hypoallergenic breed. But we want to stress that just because these dogs are considered hypoallergenic doesn’t mean they don’t shed at all or don’t trigger allergies.
However, they are a lot less likely to do so than other breeds. Remember that if you buy an F1 Goldendoodle, they might be more likely to trigger allergies than future generations due to the strong Golden Retriever influence.
Goldendoodles make fabulous additions to almost any family. So, if you’re looking for a low-shedding breed, this is definitely one you should consider.