Goldendoodles- what’s not to love?! Affectionate, playful and highly trainable, they are extremely popular in the U.S.
Did you know that Goldendoodles do not have to be golden?! If you’ve ever wondered “Can a Goldendoodle be black?” The answer is yes, they can!
You may have arrived at this article wanting to find out more about the black golden doodle, be seeking a Black Goldendoodle puppy, or even looking to adopt a rescue dog, so here is pretty much everything you’ll need to know in our Complete Guide to Black Goldendoodles.
Table of Contents
What is a Black Goldendoodle?
A Goldendoodle is usually the result of crossing a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, or the offspring of 2 Goldendoodle parents (F1).
Puppies from these crosses tend to be golden, red or brown, so Black Goldendoodles are actually quite rare. As the gene for black coat color is recessive, both parents need to carry the black gene if there is a chance of them having black puppies.
You increase the chance of black puppies if you cross a Black Goldendoodle with a black poodle (This would result in F1B Black Goldendoodles).
Depending on the size of the poodle parent, Black Goldendoodles can be petite, mini, medium or standard sized.
So for example, a cross between a Golden Retriever and a toy or miniature poodle is more likely to produce a Black Mini Goldendoodle. This should be used as a guide as the size of a crossbreed dog is not always easy to predict.
The Goldendoodle is usually a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle.
History of the Black Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle as we know it really started to become popular in the 1990s. Breeders were most likely inspired by the popularity of the Labradoodle as a low-shedding family pet.
Fans of the Golden Retriever realized that they could achieve similar results by combining the fabulous Goldie temperament with the low-shedding coat of the Poodle.
Black Goldendoodles have always been quite rare but in the last few years some breeders have been focusing their efforts on intentionally breeding Black Goldendoodle puppies as demand from dog owners increases.
Golden doodle
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Appearance of the Black Goldendoodle
The appearance of the Black Goldendoodle varies according to which characteristics the dog has inherited from its parents. It can be quite difficult for breeders to predict the size and appearance of a cross-breed dog.
Some Black Goldendoodles are more robust and others are more elegant like the poodle. In general, the Black Goldendoodle is a well-proportioned and athletic-looking dog, with drop ears and a long, slightly curved tail.
Black Goldendoodles are categorized into Petite, Mini, Medium, and Standard but the measurements that determine these categories are only taken once the dog is mature.
So if a breeder tells you that the puppies will be Mini Black Goldendoodles, this can only be their best guess and you won’t know for sure until your pup grows up.
Height
(at the withers)
Weight
Petite
Under 14"
under 25lbs
Mini
14 - 17"
26-35lbs
Medium
17 - 21"
36-50lbs
lifespan:
exercise requirements:
grooming frequency:
shedding:
trainability:
friendliness:
good with children:
What is the Black Goldendoodle’s coat like?
The Black Goldendoodle typically has a curly, wavy or straighter coat, depending on what genes he has inherited.
Black Goldendoodles usually have long facial hair that gives them the characteristic eyebrows, mustache, and beard (known as ‘furnishings’) that they are famous for. However, if a dog has inherited more of the Golden Retriever type coat, it may have short facial hair and lack ‘furnishings’
The coat color of the Black Goldendoodle is, of course, black. Some dogs have a few white markings on the paws and the chest.
You may, very occasionally, come across a black and white Goldendoodle, with larger areas of white on the body. Dogs with white patches have inherited this from their Poodle parent, Golden Retrievers never have white patches.
Black Goldendoodle temperament
Goldendoodles are known for their fabulous temperaments and the Black Goldendoodle is no exception. Not only are they loyal and affectionate towards family members, they tend to be friendly towards strangers too.
That’s not to say they won’t alert you with a warning bark when someone comes to your door, but they are more likely to lick a burglar than bite them, so they’re maybe not a great choice if you are looking for a burly guard dog!
Black Goldendoodles tend to be gentle and fun-loving so they make excellent family pets.
It is always important to make sure your dog has his own space when living with children, and ensure your children know not to pester the dog as even the most tolerant dog has limits.
Black Goldendoodles are usually very sociable with other dogs. They can also live with other species such as cats and horses if they are well socialized with them as puppies.
Occasionally, Black Goldendoodles can inherit the tendency to be possessive of toys and other items, contact a force-free behaviorist if you notice this tendency in your puppy.
How much training and exercise does a Black Goldendoodle require?
Black Goldendoodles are super-smart!
Poodles are known for being incredibly intelligent, they were historically trained as circus dogs. Golden Retrievers are gundogs, bred to work closely with their humans and follow instructions.
The combination of the Poodle and Retriever traits means that Black Goldendoodles are highly trainable. They will excel at almost any dog sport or activity.
The downside to having a seriously clever canine with a strong work ethic is that they get bored easily. Owners of Black Goldendoodles will need to schedule in regular training sessions- especially when the dog is young.
Find a local dog training class with trainers who can guide you through the first few months with your puppy. Weekly puppy classes will give your Black Goldendoodle puppy socialization opportunities and show you how to teach basic obedience.
A full-grown Black Goldendoodle can be a large dog so having them well-trained will make your life easier and mean they can have more freedom.
Just make sure you choose a force-free puppy trainer who only uses positive training methods.
The amount of exercise required will vary from dog to dog, but the average Black Goldendoodle will need around 1-2 hours every day.
Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers were originally working dogs and they are both high-energy breeds. The Black Goldendoodle is not a couch potato and will need regular exercise and space to run and play!
Exercise can be in the form of on-leash and off-leash walks, activities such as agility or swimming, hiking, or accompanying you on a run.
Due to their gundog ancestry, Black Goldendoodles tend to enjoy scent work activities. Scent work is great physical and mental exercise so it provides excellent enrichment for these energetic dogs.
Grooming and care of the Black Goldendoodle
All Black Goldendoodles require regular grooming, regardless of whether they have a curly, wavy or straight coat.
Dogs with the curly poodle-type coat won’t shed very much but that means they need regular brushing to remove dead hair and dirt. They will also need to visit a professional groomer every once in a while for a full bath, brush and trim to keep the coat healthy and looking neat.
Dogs with a straighter, retriever-type coat will shed more and will need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and to keep the hair off your carpet!
If your dog has a straight coat that doesn’t grow too long, he may not need to visit a professional groomer as his coat will be more straightforward to care for.
Some owners like to keep their Black Goldendoodle’s coat shorter for convenience whereas others prefer it longer. The longer the coat, the more likely it is to mat so it will need regular maintenance.
All Black Goldendoodles will need regular nail trims if they mainly exercise on grass or dirt. Weekly health checks will keep your Black Goldendoodle in top form.
Check that his eyes are bright and have no discharge, check that his ears aren’t red, inflamed, or smelly, and check his teeth and gums for signs of tartar or redness.
If he will let you, brushing your dog’s teeth will keep them clean and reduce the likelihood of him needing dental treatment.
Ensure your Black Goldendoodle sees a vet at least once a year for a full health check and vaccinations. Also speak to your vet about appropriate parasite control for your dog.
Do Black Goldendoodles shed?
Poodles tend to shed much less than other dogs and many poodle mixes will also be low-shedding.
Black Goldendoodles tend to be low-shedding dogs, but exactly how much they shed will depend on what coat type they have inherited.
Dogs with curly, poodle type coats will shed less than dogs with straighter, retriever type coats. Those with wavy coats will be somewhere in between.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. However, low-shedding breeds may be tolerated better by people with allergies.
Nutrition
Like all dogs, Black Goldendoodles require the right balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to keep them healthy. The easiest way to provide this is by feeding a good quality commercial food that has been developed by nutritionists and vets.
Choose a food that is appropriate for your dog’s life stage and activity level. The food can be wet or dry and some dogs prefer a mixture of the two.
Goldendoodles can be prone to sensitive stomachs so if you decide to change your dog’s food make sure you transition to the new food slowly gradually over a few days.
Health of the Black Goldendoodle
Hybrid vigor is a significant benefit of owning a cross-breed dog. Purebred dogs can suffer from inherited illnesses and genetic defects, but these are less likely to occur in dogs whose parents were different breeds.
Black Goldendoodles are usually healthier than both Golden Retrievers and Poodles. Healthy parents produce healthy puppies so it is important to only breed from dogs that have been health tested.
There are a few conditions that both Golden Retrievers and Poodles are prone to, so if you are choosing a Black Goldendoodle puppy, ask the breeder what health tests the parents have had.
Suggested reading: How to find a reputable dog breeder
Conditions to be aware of include hip and elbow dysplasia, Addison’s disease, eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma, and a heart condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis.
The Goldendoodle Association of North America can provide you with detailed information regarding the health tests to ask for.
How much is a Black Goldendoodle and where can I get one from?
Because Black Goldendoodles are harder to breed and very much in demand, you can expect to pay a premium.
Black Goldendoodles typically cost $2000- $5000, compared with $1500- $2000 for other Goldendoodles colors.
If you have your heart set on a Black Goldendoodle puppy, it is likely that you will have to wait. Only some breeders concentrate on breeding Black Goldendoodles, so you might have to contact a few breeders to find one who is actively trying to produce a black litter.
Of course, you can wait until a black puppy appears in a normal litter, however, this doesn’t happen very often.
The Goldendoodle Association of North America has a list of breeders on their website.
It is highly unlikely that a Black Goldendoodle puppy would find himself in a rescue center, however an adult dog may be rehomed through no fault of his own so it is a good idea to keep your eye on pet adoption websites and to contact Doodle rescue organisations in your area.
Suggested reading: Doodle rescues in California, Doodle rescue Ohio
Pros and Cons of owning a Black Labradoodle
Pros
- Affectionate and loyal companion
- Friendly with strangers
- Good with children
- Highly trainable
- Often low shedding
- Usually quite healthy
- Long lifespan
Cons
- Quite expensive to buy
- You may have to wait for a puppy
- Gets bored easily so needs lots of mental stimulation
- Requires lots of exercise
- The coat requires regular maintenance
- It can be difficult to predict what size they will be when mature
Golden doodle black - Final Thoughts
The Black Goldendoodle is rare and increasingly sought-after. You may have to wait many months for your puppy, but the wait will be worth it.
Best suited to an active family, Black Goldendoodles are energetic and affectionate companions and they are great fun to have around.
