Groodle (Goldendoodle) Dog
The Groodle, a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, is an intelligent dog known for its gentle and affectionate nature. Easy to train and with a low-shedding coat, Groodle dogs are a family favourite worldwide.
Quick Facts about Groodles
| Size | The Groodle is a medium dog that can weigh between 8-45kg and stand 35-70cm tall, depending on their type |
| Types | Miniature, Medium or Standard (determined by the Poodle parent’s size) and available in a range of coat colours |
| Lifespan | A sweet and loving, playful and energetic companion who suits active families looking for a dog to include in their everyday life |
| Temperament | A gentle giant who is dignified and loyal and thrives on human companionship and affection |
| Suitable | A low-shedding coat makes them great for allergy sufferers, with their highly trainable, intelligent and gentle nature making them perfect for families with kids or those needing a loyal friend |
| Health | Generally, a healthy breed, but may be predisposed to specific Groodle health concerns |
*Petsure Data 2024
Trainability - Are Groodles Easy to Train?
The Groodle, often known as a Goldendoodle, is one of the most trainable dog breeds. Their eagerness to please their owner and their high intelligence levels make training your Groodle a positive experience. Socialisation and training should start early in life with positive reinforcement like praise, treats and love. They respond quickly to common commands like sit and stay and quickly pick up house training. As an active dog, leash training is vital from a young age so they learn how to walk beside you without pulling. Take some treats on your walk to reward good behaviour. Groodles are good dogs to train, with persistent, positive reinforcement training coupled with lots of praise and affection.
Grooming Requirements - Keeping Your Groodle Looking Great
Although the Groodle coat is low shedding, it requires high levels of grooming to keep it healthy. Depending on their breeding, your Goldendoodle’s coat may be curly, wavy or shaggy. Curlier coats should be brushed at least twice weekly, with wavy or shaggy Groodle coats needing weekly brushing to avoid excess shedding and matting. Their coats should be trimmed every six to eight weeks, with many owners finding a professional groomer for this role. A groomer can also cut their nails, something you should start early to get them used to the experience. Their floppy ears will also need regular cleaning to prevent infections and regular teeth brushing is recommended to avoid doggy breath.
Protect Your Pet Today
Your pet’s health is priceless. Don’t leave it up to chance.
See What Our Clients Have to Say
Common Health Complaints – Keeping Your Groodle Healthy
Groodles are generally considered healthy dog breeds when bred through responsible breeders. However, like any dog breed, they may be prone to specific health conditions. Regular vet checks and pet insurance can help keep your furry family member healthy.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip Dysplasia is a condition in which the head of the femur (thigh bone) doesn’t fit in the hip socket correctly. This can cause your Groodle discomfort, pain, and lameness. To alleviate discomfort, this condition is treated with physiotherapy, correct diet and exercise, or surgery in some cases.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia affects the elbow joint of your Groodle and causes significant discomfort. Your Groodle may struggle to stand and walk, and eventual lameness may occur. Weight management, pain medication and surgery are all options to alleviate the symptoms of this condition.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): PRA is an inherited eye condition in which both parents carry the gene. With this condition, your Groodle’s retina gradually deteriorates, eventually leading to blindness. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PRA; however, your vet can advise you on how to manage their condition and help them to live comfortably at home with you.
- Gastric Dilation: Groodles are susceptible to this life-threatening but preventable condition at any stage. It happens when food, fluid or air is trapped in the stomach, making it expand and often twist, trapping the contents and restricting blood flow to organs. An emergency vet visit and surgery will be required to save your pup’s life.
- Ear Infections: Part of the Groodle charm is their long, floppy ears. Ear infections can happen when water, dirt or allergens (like grass seeds) are not removed from their ear skin or canal. Regular cleaning and ensuring their ears are dried after playing in water are required. If your Groodle is pawing its ear, it’s best to visit your local vet so they can check if anything is stuck in their ear canal and provide medication to treat ear infections.
- Skin Infections: Like ear infections, Groodles may be prone to skin infections caused by incorrect diet, bathing products or environmental factors. Your vet can help you determine what’s causing the infection so you can remove the allergen and provide you with medications or ointments to clear up the infection and stop your pup from itching.
- Cancer: With Golden Retrievers one of the main breeds to suffer from cancer, your Goldendoodle is at a higher risk of developing this disease. Routine blood tests and vet checkups can help monitor for cancer, with early diagnosis and treatment your best bet to help your Groodle tackle this disease.
- Anxiety: As highly sociable and lovable dogs, Goldendoodles are prone to separation anxiety, which will present as excessive barking or destructive behaviour. Lots of mentally stimulating toys are needed to keep them entertained. Your vet may be able to recommend some dog-calming products to help your Groodle feel at ease when you’re away from home.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): With this inherited condition, your Groodle’s heart muscle is affected, leading to an enlarged heart. The heart valve leaks with the fluid building up in the chest and abdomen. DCM can’t be cured, but your vet can prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms, along with advice on diet and exercise to help your Groodle live a happier life.
- Dental Issues: Groodle puppies can experience problems with their baby teeth growing incorrectly. While this changes as they grow, your vet can advise whether you’ll need to surgically remove their puppy teeth to allow adult teeth to develop correctly. Adult teeth should be regularly brushed to prevent gum disease and decay.
Looking to protect your pet? Learn more about our dog insurance for your Groodle here.
Kerry Blue Terrier
Exercise Requirements - Do Groodles Need a Lot of Exercise?
The Groodle breed has naturally medium to high energy levels and needs room to play and run around. Suitable for active families, your Golden Groodle will need at least 30 minutes to 2 hours of daily activity to keep them fit and healthy. As a Groodle puppy, limit walks to 15-30 minutes and break up play/training time so they’re not over-exerted. Daily activities can include walks, runs in a dog park, swimming or games of fetch or chasey in your backyard. You must mentally stimulate your Groodle dog during the day to avoid destructive behaviour. Puzzle treat toys, play mats, balls, and tug-of-war ropes work well for this breed. Playtime and walking can strengthen your bond with your Groodle and keep them a happy and healthy family member.
Intelligence - Are Groodles Smart?
The Golden Retriever and Poodle breeds are praised for their intelligence levels, so the Groodle is very smart. Their intelligence and obedience make them excellent service, therapy, and guide dogs. They are even known to detect allergens like peanuts to prevent owners from coming into contact with them!
Their cleverness makes them easy to train but can also lead to destructive behaviour (chewing, digging or barking) if they’re not mentally stimulated. Food-related puzzle games like snuffle mats and leaving a TV or radio on will help entertain them while you’re away. They’ll also enjoy off-leash walking and running in a park or beach where they’ll love to swim. The Groodle intelligence will help you train them to ‘come’ when they’re off leash.
Family Friendly- Are Groodles Friendly?
If you’re looking for a sweet, friendly, loving family member, you can’t go past a Groodle dog. As a highly social dog, they love nothing more than being included in your everyday life and are suited to people who have time and love to give them. This loving nature means they’ll get along with other pets and adore all their family members, including children. Some Groodles can grow tall and are often excitable, so care should be taken around younger children so they’re not knocked over during play. With their high intelligence levels, your Groodle will quickly learn the household rules as they’ll want to be included in your routine. Your adorable Groodle will form strong bonds with each family member and happily lap up attention (and share a bed) with anyone willing.
Indoor/Outdoor? - Ideal Living Conditions
Groodle dogs are highly sociable and crave their family’s attention. For this reason, it’s best to allow your furry family member to live inside with you. When you housetrain your Groodle puppy from an early age, they’ll quickly pick up the household rules and become toilet trained. Although they’ll love a backyard to run around, they are usually better suited to indoor living. Goldendoodles are prone to separation anxiety, so when you’re not home, leave a TV or radio on for noise, and make sure to leave plenty of mentally stimulating games to keep them entertained. If you must leave your Groodle outside, ensure you’ve provided adequate shade, toys and a comfortable place to sleep.
Responsible Breeding
Groodle puppies, especially mini Groodles, are adorable with their big floppy ears and teddy bear appearance, but you need to take your time, do your research, and not rush into buying one. To ensure you get a well-bred, healthy puppy, it’s vital that you buy from a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill. You should be able to ask the breeder about genetic testing for diseases and see the parents. A reputable breeder will care about the health of your new puppy and should have vaccinated and started training them so they can adjust to your family home. Sourcing a responsible breeder may take some time, but it’s worth it when you bring home a healthy, well-adjusted puppy you’ll love for many years.
Contact PIA for Pet Insurance for your Irish Wolfhound
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their Rottweilers. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
Pet Insurance Australia policies entered into for the first time prior to 8 May 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted, distributed and arranged by PetSure’s Authorised Representative (AR) Pet Insurance Australia Pty Ltd ABN 85 113 507 850, AR 326233 (PIA). Pet Insurance Australia policies entered into for the first time on or after 8 May 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted, distributed and arranged by PetSure’s AR, PIA. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at petinsuranceaustralia.com.au.
