What Is A Golden Labradoodle? [Full Breakdown]

One way to achieve the golden Labradoodle coat is by breeding a yellow Labrador with an apricot-coated Poodle. However, this method is not fool-proof because, as is usually the case with mixes, the puppies’ traits are impossible to predict.

The golden coat is just one of the many colors a Golden Labradoodle can have. Other standard coat colors include:

Cream
Silver
White

Black
Red
Chocolate Brown

How Does A Golden Labradoodle Differ With A Goldendoodle?

The Golden Labradoodle shouldn’t be confused with the Goldendoodle. While the Golden Labradoodle blends Poodle genes with a Golden Retriever’s, a Labradoodle is a breed that results from mixing a Poodle with a Labrador Retriever.

What Is The Origin Of Golden Labradoodles?

The lovable Golden Labradoodle was created in Australia in the mid-1980s in a quest to come up with a hypoallergenic dog.

The first mix breeding between a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever was initiated by the famous Australian breeder, Wally Conron, who works for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia (RGDA).

The idea was sparked by a request from a blind woman for a non-shedding guide dog. The breeding attempt resulted in a smart and friendly dog who inherited the qualities necessary to make a great guide dog and who has a non-shedding coat to boot.

Conron named the dog Sultan, who turned out to be an intelligent and capable guide dog. Because of his non-shedding coat, Sultan was a great fit with the blind woman who suffers from allergies.

The experiment’s success sparked a great interest in the hybrid, and breeders started making their own modifications that led to today’s Golden Labradoodle, which has become a popular family pet and therapy dog.

What Is The Temperament And Personality Of A Golden Labradoodle?

A dog who is like a ray of sunshine, that’s how many owners of Golden Labradoodles usually describe their pet. It’s not surprising because this breed is known for its sweet and easy-going personality.

That being said, the temperament of Golden Labradoodles is influenced by various factors, which include genetics, socialization, and training.

As such, getting your puppy from a reputable breeder and making an effort to train and socialize your pup can help ensure that your Labradoodle turns into an ideal family pet.

Being part Labrador Retriever, which is a working dog, the Labradoodle is an active breed and needs plenty of exercise, both physical and mental.

Pent-up energy and boredom tend to lead to destructive behavior. If your heart is set on having a Golden Labradoodle for a pet, be ready to provide lots of physical and mental stimulation.

This dog breed benefits from early socialization. Because they’re friendly by nature, introducing your pet to new people won’t present too much of a challenge. Letting your Labradoodle pup get used to strangers, new places, and situations helps promote a well-rounded personality.

Golden Labradoodles love to please their owners. They are also tenacious when it comes to completing a task, and they have boundless enthusiasm that can get out of hand without proper training.

A sweet, companionable, smart, and delightful pet, those qualities sum up the positive attributes of a Golden Labradoodle.

Do Golden Labradoodles Have Negative Traits?

No dog is perfect, and like with any breed, a Golden Labradoodle can have negative traits.

Being a mix, it can inherit some undesirable qualities from either parent line. From its Labrador forebears, it can acquire the tendency for destructive chewing, while its Poodle ancestry may make it prone to anxiety or nervousness.

However, with Golden Labradoodles, their positive qualities far outweigh the few negative traits they could inherit from their parent breeds.

Golden Labradoodle Care

Living Conditions

Whether your Golden Labradoodle lives indoors or outdoors, they need a safe and comfy place to rest and play. They can live outside provided that they have a place to go to during inclement weather and other threats.

This dog breed loves to be with people, especially their owners. As such, Golden Labradoodles thrive best when they can be with their human. They can live almost anywhere but are not really suited for apartment living.

Keep in mind that Labradoodles require plenty of exercise, so they would do better in a place with a fenced-in yard where they can run around to expend their considerable energy. Otherwise, they might turn to destructive behavior such as chewing because of boredom.

Whether you live in a rural area or urban setting, your Labradoodle won’t have much trouble adjusting to the environment. They may have been bred to be working dogs but what they crave most is human companionship, so they’ll be happiest when they live within the comforts of your home, with you by their side.

What About Crates?

Dogs need their own space even when they’re inside your home. A crate, bed, or kennel is a good option. This is your Labradoodle’s haven, a place they go to for some quiet time when things get overwhelming for them.

Crate training your pooch helps them get used to confinement and to spend time on their own. Being in a crate also keeps them from making a mess all over the house during the toilet-training phase and prevents them from getting into things that will put them at risk.

However, it would be best if you didn’t leave your pet in a crate for long periods. The crate should be a haven and not a place your pup will hate going into.

Living Outdoors

If your Golden Labradoodle needs to spend time outdoors, make sure they have access to your home by providing a doggie door. They should also have a comfortable doghouse that will protect them from inclement weather and extremes in temperature.

Please don’t leave your Labradoodle outside without any shelter, and be sure to check on them often. Remember that dogs are social creatures and do not enjoy being by themselves so check on your Labradoodle frequently to ensure their wellbeing and prevent behavioral problems.

Training And Exercise

Training

You won’t lack for Labradoodle training tips if you search the web, and many of those tips must have worked somehow. However, each dog is unique, so don’t get frustrated if you don’t see any results with your pet when you use those training tips.

Labradoodles are highly trainable since they came from mixing two breeds known for their intelligence. Add to that, both the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever love to please their humans. These two factors ensure that with the right method, your pup can turn into the kind of pet you have always dreamed of.

But if training tips abound, how do you know which are the right ones to use in training your Labradoodle? Well, whatever method decide on, there are basic guidelines you can follow. And right at the start, keep in mind that because they’re gentle, affectionate dogs, Labradoodles do not respond well to training methods that use punishment as the motivation.

Pointers In Training Your Precious Fur Baby

Train Your Dog To Keep Still

A Golden Labradoodle simply oozes with energy. As such, your pet may get easily distracted by every little thing. A dog will have trouble learning if they are overexcited and keep reacting to all the events happening around them. So, at the outset, you need to teach your Golden Labradoodle how to focus.

Using treats is one great way to train your dog to disregard other stimuli and remain focused on you, ready to listen to your commands.

Provide Physical And Mental Challenges

It’s well and good to exercise your dog. They do need that. But many owners tend to forget that their pet also requires mental stimulation. More so with a Golden Labradoodle. Boredom is the root of many behavioral issues such as destructive chewing, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and the like.

So, in training your pet, include plenty of games and toys that challenge their mind. Being a smart dog, your Golden Labradoodle will benefit from the mental exercise, and you will benefit from having a calm, well-behaved pet.

Resolve Issues One At A Time

It’s natural for a dog to have several behavioral issues. It’s also natural for the owner to want to manage those issues all at the same time. However, that may prove to be counterproductive as you may end up confusing your pet and resolving nothing.

Focus on one issue at a time. For example, if your Labradoodle tends to become overly excited during your walks and won’t sit still while you’re putting on their leash, resolve the won’t-sit-still issue first before venturing out of the house.

When your pet manages to keep still, practice next on making it wait patiently by the door instead of bounding out and running ahead of you.

After your dog mastered the first two tasks, then you can take them out and work on curbing their over-enthusiasm during your walk.

End The Training On A High Note

Like people, dogs get tired, too. There may also be days when they’re not at their best. If you notice that your pet’s energy is flagging or their attention is wandering, consider ending the training session.

But to leave your Labradoodle with a sense of accomplishment, it’s wise to make them do a task you know they’re good at. When your dog manages it successfully, give lavish praise and end the session.

Bonus – Want to know the best treats you can give your Golden Labradoodle while training? Learn more here.

Exercise

Because a Labradoodle descends from a working breed, it has a lot of energy. If that energy remains unspent, your dog can develop behavioral issues like barking and destructiveness around the house. What’s more, like humans, dogs also benefit from engaging in regular exercise.

The beneficial effects of daily exercise for your Labradoodle

Helps prevent weight problems
Boosts the cardiovascular and respiratory system
Aids with digestion

Keeps joints flexible
Helps improve muscle tone

How Much Exercise Do Labradoodles Need?

The exercise requirements of Labradoodles depend on various factors. These include age, size, temperament, health, and energy level.

On average, you should give your pet one hour of daily exercise. A less active Labradoodle might be satisfied with 45 minutes, while an extremely active one needs one and a half hours of physical exertion to drain their excess energy.

Your puppy’s exercise requirements increase as they grow up. If your pet is young, at around eight weeks old, exercise sessions that last for roughly ten minutes are ideal. But be sure to monitor your pup’s reaction to determine if they’re getting too much exercise.

At 15 months, your Labradoodle pup can handle up to 15 minutes’ worth of vigorous activity. They are experiencing a growth spurt as their muscles, joints, and skeleton develop at an increased rate. Like when they were still young pups, monitor their response to the duration and intensity of exercise you provide.

Grooming

Labradoodles are known as non-shedding dogs. However, that’s not 100% true all the time as there are Labradoodles that do shed. Whether they shed minimally or not at all, they will still need some grooming to keep their coats and skin in good health.

Moreover, this energetic dog breed loves to play and explore, which means they get into all sorts of places that may make them dirty and stinky. Because of this, you’ll need to bathe and groom your beloved pet.

Tools You’ll Need For Grooming Your Labradoodle

It’s not that difficult to groom your Golden Labradoodle, and having the basic tools on hand makes the task more straightforward.

Here are the things you’ll need.

Slicker brush (the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is one of our favorites)

Check Out On Amazon

Steel comb

Dematter
Thinning shears
Nail clippers

Styptic powder (you’ll need this to stop the bleeding if you accidentally cut the quick of your dog’s nail)
Grooming shears with a blunt tip
Detangler spray (TropiClean Sweet Pea Tangle Remover Spray For Pets is a good bet)

Check Out On Amazon

Dog shampoo and conditioner
Ear powder
Ear cleaner

Dog towel
Grooming gloves

Check your Labradoodle’s coat for tangles, knots, dirt, and debris regularly, and establish a schedule on when you’ll do your basic grooming.

Brush your pet’s coat with a slicker brush and pay special attention to areas that are prone to matting, such as the chest, behind the ears, and under the neck and armpits.

Bathe your Labradoodle with a mild shampoo.

Don’t forget to clip their nails and clean their ears. If you’re not confident in doing the job, you can take your pet to a professional groomer.

Food And Nutritional Requirements

Because each dog is unique, there’s no one best food for your Labradoodle. What we can give you is a general rule on what most dogs need.

First of all, since dogs are carnivores, meat should be included in their meals. In fact, the pet food you choose should list meat as the first ingredient, which will meet the protein needs of your fur baby.

Aside from protein, dogs need carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals to round up their nutritional requirements. Feeding your pooch pet meals that contain prebiotics and probiotics plus omega 3 and 6 fatty acids will aid in their development and help maintain good health.

Your pet can’t get all the nutrients it needs from just one brand or type of pet food, so it’s best to choose two to three different variants and brands and rotate those brands every month or so. In this way, you ensure that your Labradoodle doesn’t miss out on the essential nutrients it needs.

FYI – Want to know the best food for your Labradoodle especially with a sensitive stomach? Learn more here.

How Much Should You Feed Your Labradoodle?

Feeding your pet the right amount helps prevent obesity and will aid in their optimal development.

Puppies

Your Labradoodle pup needs the most nutrients at this stage of its life. It’s important to lay a good nutritional foundation to ensure that your pet grows up strong and healthy, also to minimize the risks of developing medical issues later on.

Because of their rapid development, puppies need more calories in relation to their body weight compared to their adult counterparts. At the outset, you should feed your fur baby the calories that equal the amount they get from their mother’s milk.

Puppies are prone to allergies, so be on the lookout for signs that your pup’s food does not suit them. Diarrhea, vomiting, and skin irritations are some of the symptoms of food sensitivity.

Consult the feeding guide that comes with the dog food pack you buy to work out the right amount to give your pup. You can also ask your vet for guidance.

Get to know the best food you can give your Labradoodle puppy. Learn more here.

Adult Dogs

After your pet reaches one year, they’re considered adults. By this age, they no longer require as many calories proportionally as when they were puppies. Overfeeding is not a good idea as it can lead to obesity, which is the root of many health issues.

At most, your Labradoodle needs around three cups of dog food per meal, two times a day. Provide them plenty of water.

Senior Dogs

Labradoodles at age 11 are considered senior dogs. You can continue feeding your pet the same brand and type of dog food they’ve been getting but consider reducing the quantity if your dog is no longer as active as before.

Golden Labradoodle Life Expectancy

Fortunately for you, the Poodle and Labrador Retriever from which your Labradoodle descended are long-living breeds. Both average around 12-14 years. As such, you can expect your Golden Labradoodle to also have roughly the same lifespan of 12-14 years.

One of the factors that influence the life expectancy of your pet is the type of nutrition and care they get. So be sure to give your Golden Labradoodle the right type of food, plenty of exercise, and of course, lots of loving attention.

Golden Labradoodle Common Genetic Issues And Health Problems

Being hybrids, Labradoodles can inherit genetic issues and health problems that are typical of their parent lines. But like with other breeds, each dog is different, so not all Golden Labradoodles will come down with the same kind of ailments that befall their kin.

The Most Common Genetic And Health Issues Of Golden Labradoodles

Hip Dysplasia: This is a health condition where the hip joints weaken, thereby causing weakness, limping, and difficulty in walking.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This refers to eye diseases where the photoreceptor cells deteriorate over time until the condition leads to blindness.
Bloating: This is a potentially dangerous condition that occurs when gas or food causes a dog’s stomach to expand and exerts pressure on other organs, thus impeding blood flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does A Golden Labradoodle Make A Good Family Pet?

There is no straightforward answer to this question because of the various circumstances associated with different pet owners.

Where you live, what are the ages of the members of the household, how much time you can devote to pet care, and other such considerations will determine if a Golden Labradoodle will be a good pet for you.

In general, however, due to their intense loyalty, devotion, friendly and affectionate nature, Golden Labradoodles make great family pets. They are intelligent and highly trainable. They are also playful, so they’re excellent choices for families with kids.

To ensure that you’ll have the Golden Labradoodle you’ve always dreamed of, get your pup from a reliable breeder. Alternatively, you may choose to visit a shelter and adopt an adult dog. In this way, you’ll have a clear picture of the kind of Labradoodle you’ll be getting, and you have a chance to change a dog’s life for the better, too.

How Much Does A Golden Labradoodle Puppy Cost?

Because they’re such popular dogs, Golden Labradoodle pups cost a considerable amount. On average, be ready to pay around $1,500-2,000 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.

You may be able to find puppies at a much lower price but be wary when they’re offered way below the average selling amount. They may be from puppy mills, which are notorious for breeding low-quality pups.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can contact your local animal welfare shelter and find out if they have Golden Labradoodle rescue dogs. Acquiring one from a shelter has the added advantage of providing a better life for a dog that had gotten a tough break.

Hope you enjoyed this post about what is a Golden Labradoodle.

If you enjoyed this post, then you will love these posts:

How Long Do Large Labradoodles Live? [Real Truth]

Do Labradoodles Get Cold? [Full Breakdown]

Thanks for reading! You can get many more tips and tricks for your Labradoodle here.