With a Golden Retriever's friendly and gentle nature and a Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat, this hybrid is a winning combination! 

Groodles' playful personalities make them perfect for families who love the outdoors as much as this fun-loving breed does. 

This is your go-to Groodle guide, perfect for first-time and experienced pet parents. Lyka’s holistic approach covers essential aspects of health, wellness, and training, helping your Groodle thrive with real food and care that makes a real difference. 

Top breed takeaways 

• Groodle temperament: Groodles (aka Goldendoodles) are energetic pups with bright and alert minds, so they need equal amounts of physical and mental exercise to keep them stimulated and happy.  Affectionate and easy-going, Groodles love to meet new people and pups. They’re highly trainable and often used as hypoallergenic service dogs. 

• What does a Groodle look like? Groodles adopt the dominant genes of their Golden Retriever and Poodle parents, so their appearance can vary. They’re often medium-sized with the stature of a Standard Poodle, but they can be smaller if their parent was a Toy or Miniature Poodle.   

  Groodle coats come in three forms: a flat, straight coat that can shed like a Golden Retriever; a wavy or slightly curly fleece (most common); or a thick and curly wool coat. They are usually low-shedding (depending on which genes are dominant) and light-coloured (cream, apricot, gold, or caramel) but can also be chocolate brown, black, ruby, or red and sometimes have white patches. 

  Groodles are also known for their distinctive teddy-bear appearance common to most oodles, especially when they’re puppies. 

• How long does a Groodle live? Groodles have a lifespan between 12-15 years. Support your pup’s long, healthy life with a holistic approach to health, including nutritious food, and plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. 

• How big does a Groodle grow? If you’re wondering when a Groodle is fully grown, Mini or Medium Groodles usually reach maturity by 12 months and Standard Groodles by 18 months. Their height and weight depend on their parentage and gender.  

Mini Groodle (Golden Retriever cross Toy/Miniature Poodle)

Height: 33-51 cm
Weight: 7-16 kg

Standard Groodle (Golden Retriever cross Standard Poodle)

Height: 51-61 cm
Weight: 23-41 kg

Caring for a Groodle puppy 

Whether you're a first-time Groodle puppy owner or are just getting started with the breed, here's what to expect as a parent. 

Feeding a Groodle puppy 

Groodle puppies benefit from a diet rich in high-quality protein for tissue growth, essential vitamins and minerals for bone development and brain function, and low GI carbohydrates for sustained energy. 
 
Puppies don’t need specific puppy food if they’re getting the right proportion of nutrients to support their development. Knowing how much to feed your Groodle puppy is essential — Lyka makes feeding easy with custom-portioned meals tailored to their nutritional needs and life stage.  

🐶 Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development →

How to train a Groodle 

Groodles are full of beans but don’t let their playful nature fool you – they're also highly intelligent and trainable. They thrive when they’re given ample mental and physical exercise, otherwise they can become bored and engage in undesirable behaviour. 

It’s always best to start training from a young age, but you can still teach old dogs new tricks. Groodle’s receptivity to training can improve with the right nutrition, optimising their cognitive abilities, energy levels, mood, and memory. 

Training a Groodle puppy 

When you first welcome a Groodle puppy into your home, toilet training is usually the number one priority. Puppies can hold their bladder for one hour for every month of age, so they’ll need to relieve themselves throughout the day and night. Each toilet trip is a great opportunity to reinforce your routine. If you’re patient and consistent, they’ll get the hang of it in no time, but there’s bound to be a few accidents along the way. 

Enrichment activities and supervised socialisation opportunities are vital for your puppy’s development. They help your dog understand commands, learn self-regulation, and grow into a happy and healthy adult. Early training is crucial to channel their intelligence in a positive direction. Groodles learn quickly but can easily pick up bad habits, so be consistent from day one. 

The gold standard of training is force-free training, focusing on building obedience through positive reinforcement. 

Exercising a Groodle 

Bubbly and energetic, Groodles need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. Combine on-leash walks or runs, off-leash activities, and interactive playtime to keep their body fit and their mind sharp.  

How to groom a Groodle 

All Groodles need to be groomed to maintain excellent coat and skin health. It's also a great opportunity to inspect your dog’s skin condition, clean their ears, clip their nails, and check their oral health. 

Pups with flat coats have inherited dominant Golden Retriever genes meaning they can shed more than fleece or wool-coated Groodles. Brush flat coats daily to remove excess hair and reduce shedding. Fleece or wool coats need a weekly brush and regular clipping to prevent tangles and matting.  

If you'd like the fuss-free option, you can always take your Groodle to a reputable groomer. However, if you'd like to take care of grooming yourself, here’s what to look out for: 

How often should I wash my Groodle? 

Groodles need a bath every 6-8 weeks, unless they’ve rolled in something particularly dirty or smelly. 
Always use dog-friendly shampoo, as human products can irritate their skin. 

Why does my Groodle smell? 

All clean and healthy dogs have a slight doggie aroma. But if your pup has a particularly unpleasant odour, it could be: 

• Ear infections. Ear mites leave a malodorous dark brown, waxy discharge. Speak to your vet about treatment. 

• Oral health. If your dog has bad breath, they may have a dental issue, like gingivitis, that requires further investigation by your vet. Remember to clean their teeth regularly. 

• Skin infections or allergies. All dogs can suffer from skin allergies. If hives are scratched, they can become infected and smell if left untreated. 

• Digestive issues. Food that’s high in wheat, corn, or legumes (like beans, peas, and chickpeas) can lead to unpleasant gas or anal gland issues. Feed them a fresh, real food diet, like Lyka, which is more digestible! 

Feeding your Groodle 

When there are so many dog food options to choose from – where do you start? One thing’s for sure; what’s in their bowl should do more than just fill a hungry belly.

This spirited breed needs nutritious food to fuel their clever minds and energetic bodies. Each mouthful should be packed with the right balance of high-quality protein, nutrient-dense ingredients, and healthy fats, so they’re nourished from the inside out. We know that our mind and body thrive when we eat healthy food and the same goes for Groodles. 

Variety is important too. Not just in terms of providing a wide range of ingredients for their health benefits, but for the joy of eating. Groodles have tastebuds, just like we do, and their noses are particularly sensitive, so their mealtime experience can be a fantastic opportunity for bonding and enrichment.  

Maintaining the right weight and body shape with a portion-controlled, real food diet is also crucial for a Groodle’s health and wellbeing. Every dog is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, which is why Lyka calculates your pup’s portions based on their age, weight, and activity level. 

Common Groodle health concerns 

Skin itchiness and allergies 

Skin allergies are a common concern for Groodles, often triggered by food or environmental allergens. Dogs who experience allergies typically have red, itchy, and inflamed skin, hives, or recurring ear infections. 

🐶 Read more: Dog skin allergies: triggers, symptoms and itch relief treatment →

Sensitive stomachs 

Groodles can experience digestive issues that cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gassiness, or constipation. They’re one of the most common reasons to visit a vet and can be linked to food sensitivities, infections, dysbiosis (an imbalanced microbiome), or chronic enteropathy. 

🐶 Read more: Sensitive stomachs in dogs: how to relieve your pup's discomfort →

Anxiety 

Groodles are intelligent dogs that create strong bonds with their families. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods as this can trigger separation anxiety – a challenging condition for pups and parents alike.  

🐶 Read more: Top 5 types of dog anxiety and how to treat them naturally →

Cost of owning a Groodle 

If you’re thinking about sharing your life with gorgeous Groodle, we’re right behind you: the bond between a pup and parent is very special. But it’s a lifelong commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially for a clever and active Groodle.  

If you’re wondering how much a Groodle costs, a puppy from a reputable breeder can cost up to $6,500. In addition to the initial cost of buying or adopting a dog, there’s the ongoing cost of ownership like healthcare, food, training, exercise, and equipment.  

Veterinary bills can be expensive and unexpected, so it’s worth considering pet insurance. According to PetSure, the most common health concern for Groodles requiring veterinary treatment was skin-related. Maintaining your dog’s health with a holistic approach, including nutrition from fresh food, is essential for their wellbeing and can be a preventative measure against common health concerns, like skin conditions. 

🐶 Read more: How much does a dog cost? The real price of dog ownership →

Groodle FAQs 

Are Groodles hypoallergenic? 

Generally speaking, Groodles are low-shedding dogs, regarded as hypoallergenic. But if they have a flat coat, inherited from their Golden Retriever parent, they may shed more often, making them not hypoallergenic.   

Always check the coat type with your breeder before you commit to adopting a puppy.  

Do Groodles get along with cats and other pets? 

Groodles are easy-going, social pups that can get on well with other pets. Supervise all early interactions and use positive reinforcement to support their training.  

Is a Groodle a good family dog? 

Absolutely! Golden Retrievers and Poodles are great family dogs, and the Groodle is the best of both breeds. Always supervise small children with dogs. 

When should I desex my Groodle? 

Most pups are desexed when they reach physical maturity. Your vet will consider your dog’s age, size, health, and behaviour to determine the right time for the procedure. 

For how long is a Groodle pregnant? 

A Groodle is pregnant for around 63 days or nine weeks from conception. 

Where should my Groodle sleep? 

This is completely up to you. Be consistent in your expectations from the start as it’s much harder to change your routine later down the line. Wherever they sleep, make sure it’s a warm and comfortable bed away from cold draughts.  

Parenting a Groodle comes with many decisions. Lyka exists to make mealtimes easy, with tailored meal plans delivered to your door. We’re proud to be fueling Groodles across Australia — from energetic pups, all the way through to dogs in their golden years.  

Join our pack of proud Groodle parents today.