Groodle

How big do Groodles get?

Due to the varying sizes of Poodles, a Groodle's adult weight can be anywhere from 8-45kg. There are 3 different sizes of Groodles, referred to as Minature Groodles, Medium Groodles and Standard Groodles. Minature Groodles are usually 8-15kgs, Medium Groodles weigh 15-25kg and Standard Groodles can weigh anywhere from 25-45kg. Their height also varies from 35-70cm at the shoulder. The best way to tell how big your puppy will grow is to take a look at their parents - in general, puppies will grow to be approximately the average weight of their parents.

Do Groodles shed?

Groodles are frequently advertised as a non-shedding breed however that isn't entirely accurate. They do shed far less hair and dander than other breeds but you should still expect to experience some degree of shedding at various times of the year.

It is important to remember that your Groodle pup may have a higher shedding coat if their Golden Retriever genes are stronger than their Poodle genes. Their degree of shedding will also vary with their coat type (short vs long, curly vs straight). If a non-shedding coat is important to you then a purebred Poodle may be a better choice.

How long do Groodles live?

The life expectancy of a Groodle ranges from 12-15 years. Generally, the larger the breed, the lower the life expectancy. So Standard Groodles will have a life expectancy closer to 12 years, while Miniature Groodles will be closer to 15 years. As with any breed, they will live much longer if you take good care of them, never let them become overweight, and keep their teeth in top condition!

How do I choose a Groodle breeder?

It is important to choose a puppy from a reputable breeder who actively aims to improve the health of the breed by selectively breeding healthy traits and good temperaments. This dog is going to be in your life for the next decade at least so you want to put time into researching a reputable breeder. Never purchase a puppy without inspecting the breeder's premises, seeing their dogs, and asking the 10 Breeder Checklist Questions first. Good breeders socialise their animals, house them humanely and allow you to inspect their premises. Read our Guide to Finding a Good Breeder for more tips.

How much does a Groodle cost in Australia?

Groodle pups in Australia generally cost from $3000-$5000. Of course, as with any breed, it is cheaper to adopt an adult dog from a rescue.

Are Groodles good pets?

Groodles are sociable, fun-loving dogs full of love and affection making them wonderful family pets. It is important to remember that their high intelligence teamed with their high energy levels means they require daily activity and mental stimulation.

Despite their 'golden' personalities and stunning beauty they are prone to a number of different medical conditions so pet insurance is strongly recommended! They will also require regular grooming to keep that beautiful coat looking it's best.

As with any breed, proper socialisation is essential to ensure your dog forms positive associations from a young age. Always supervise interactions between children and dogs and give your dog some space if they seem fearful or stressed.

Do Groodles bark much?

Groodles aren't usually big barkers and aren't known for excessive barking without reason. With that in mind, if your Groodle is barking there is usually a reason for it; excitement, play, anxiety, fear, boredom.

As with any dog, they can be trained not to bark incessantly with proper training and exercise. To reduce your Groodle's barking, ensure you train with positive reinforcement from a young age and reduce problem behaviours before they begin!

How much exercise do Groodles need?

Groodles are an active and outgoing breed that benefit from at least an hour of moderate exercise every day. A brisk 30 minute walk twice a day, and a frolic at the dog park will help to keep this intelligent breed from going stir crazy. Remember Groodles need to exercise their brain, not just their body. These smart cookies will be looking for interaction and intellectual challenges throughout their day so be sure to provide lots of interactive puzzle toys to keep their brain's ticking.

AFP Chill Out Sprinkler Mat

Connecting right up to your garden house this sprinkler mat sprays multiple jets of water up to one metre into the sky. Your Groodle will love jumping for the water jets and splashing around on the mat..

KONG Aqua

With a rope for easy throwing and retrieval this durable floating fetch toy will give your Groodle hours of fun and exercise, in and out of the water.

Zippypaws Interactive Puzzle Donut Slider

Keep your dog's mind active with this donut slider puzzle game. Fill the hidden compartments with treats or kibble and watch as your Groodle works through the exciting challenge to get to their delicious treats.

Petsafe Chilly Penguin Freezer Dog Toy

Fill the centre of this dishwasher safe chilly penguin with broth, yoghurt, or wet food and freeze for a delicious frozen treat that is sure to keep your Groodle occupied. The round base wobbles giving your pup a little extra challenge.

The Curious Big Dog Box

There are three types of coats Groodles can have, and all require regular brushing (especially behind the ears, around the mouth and the tail plume) which can take 1-2 hours a week. It is recommended that Groodles with any coat type are bathed regulary and clipped by a groomer every 6-8 weeks to avoid painful matting.

Flat coats

Flat or straight coats are similar to that of a Golden Retriever, and are the most likely to shed. They require regular brushing (at least weekly) to remove any loose fur.

Fleece coats

Fleece coats are soft and silky and can be wavy or straight. They require brushing 1-2 times per week to ensure they dont become matted.

Wool coats

The wool or curly coat is more dense like that of a poodle and is the least likely coat type to shed. This coat type also requires regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling.

It is important to start the grooming process when Groodles are puppies, so they get used to the regular brushing, bathing and clipping needed for coat upkeep.

Along with brushing and clipping, Groodles need regular baths. When they are puppies, it is best to use a puppy shampoo on their sensitive skin. To help with detangling your Groodle puppy's coat try the matching puppy conditioner by PAW Blackmores.

For adult Groodles, a soothing shampoo like Aloveen or Dermcare are great for keeping their coats shiny and soft.

PAW Blackmores Puppy Shampoo

This gentle puppy shampoo provides delicate cleansing for puppies. It is also hypoallergenic, maying it perfect for puppies with sensitive skin.

PAW Blackmores Puppy Conditioning Spray

This gentle conditioning and detangling spray is perfect for a soft coat, and is ideal for sensitive puppy skin.

Aloveen Starter Pack

This shampoo and conditioner set contains oatmeal and aloe vera to soothe and calm skin.

Dermcare Natural Shampoo

This hypoallergenic shampoo harnesses the gentle, natural moisturising properties of coconut oil and is great for dogs with with normal or sensitive skin.

Best Food For Miniature Groodle Puppies

The following diets are suitable for Miniature Groodle puppies that fall into the medium breed category (adult weight between 10-25kg). The best way to tell how big your puppy will grow is to take a look at their parents - in general, puppies will be approximately the average weight of their parents.

Advance Puppy Oodles

This super premium Australian product is formulated to accommodate the specific needs of both small and large 'oodles'.

Royal Canin Medium Puppy

This premium dry food is tailor made to support your pup's healthy development.

Eukanuba Medium Puppy

A complete and balanced dry food diet that contains beet pulp and prebiotic fibres for healthy digestion.

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Venison

Containing highly digestible protein in the form of pasture-fed and pasture-raise bison and venison, this diet is highly palatable, with a smaller kibble size to suit puppy mouths.

Best Food for Standard Groodle Puppies

The following diets are suitable for Standard Groodle puppies that fall into the large breed category (adult weight over 25 kg).

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Despite being a hybrid breed, the Groodle is prone to a number of health conditions inherited from both the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.

Allergies

Both food and environmental allergies are common in Groodles, particularly in Australia. Atopic dermatitis is a generalised allergy caused by things in the environment such as pollen, dustmites or grasses. It usually results in itching, hairloss and red, inflamed skin. Often affected dogs may lick their paws excessively and have recurrent ear infections. Food allergies, on the other hand, may present as recurrent gastrointestinal upset or itchy skin.

Management involves a multimodal approach and close coordination with your dog's veterinarian to reduce or eliminate allergens from the environment or diet if possible, rigorous parasite prevention, and in some cases desensitisation and medication such as Apoquel.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is the abnormal growth and development of the hips. A healthy hip joint operates as a smooth gliding 'ball and socket' joint. Hips that are dysplastic typically have a flattening of the 'socket', resulting in a shallow joint that the 'ball' cannot sit in securely. This leads to instability of the joint; causing pain, inflammation, and the development of osteoarthritis.

The condition is primarily genetic in origin with varying degrees of disease seen between dogs due to a combination of factors such as body weight, exercise, nutrition, and hormonal factors. Rapid growth due to incorrect diet can worsen the dysplasia of the hip joint in affected puppies making correct nutrition so vital at this important stage of growth and development.

To learn more, check out our article on Hip Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia affects the elbow joint and is common amongst large breed dogs. This heritable condition occurs due to differing rates of bone development in the elbow. It leads to signs of pain and lameness developing in one or both front limbs at around 4 to 10 months of age, with arthritis appearing and worsening with age.

As a heritable condition, all good Groodle breeders should use hip and elbow scoring to screen their breeding dogs and bitches to help prevent the condition being passed down to their pups. It's worth noting that while hip and elbow screening of the parents reduces the risk a puppy will have hip or elbow dysplasia, it doesn't remove the risk completely.

Von Willebrand's Disease

Von Willebrand's disease is the most commonly inherited bleeding disorder of dogs. It is characterised by a defect in the clotting factor called Von Willebrand's factor. This factor usually acts as the glue to hold platelets together to form a clot in order to stop bleeding. Dogs with this faulty clotting factor may appear quite normal until they experience prolonged or excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery. In more severe cases spontaneous bleeding can occur without any history of trauma. If you are considering getting a new puppy, read our vet article on how to find a good breeder to compile your full checklist of questions to ask, including those about genetic disease.

Addisons Disease

Addison's Disease, or Hypoadrenocorticism, is a disease caused by a decrease in hormone production by the adrenal glands. The hormones cortisol and aldosterone usually act to regulate a number of the body's normal functions, such as maintaining electrolyte and mineral balance. Without this careful balance in place there is a profound effect on the body; negatively impacting the kidneys, heart, gastrointestinal tract, immune system, and liver. Without correct diagnosis and treatment Addison's Disease can become life threatening. The good news is, although not curable, once diagnosed it can be treated and easily managed long-term.

Best supplements for Groodles

Due to their high propensity for developing joint conditions, joint supplements are beneficial for all Groodles, especially standard Groodles. Joint supplements contain Omega fatty acids for their anti-inflammatory properties, as well as other ingredients like green lipped mussel, glucosamine, and chondroitin. You can find joint supplements in an array of forms so there is an option for even the fussiest pup.

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Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.