May 11, 20215 min read

Is a Goldendoodle a Good House Dog? You Bet - Here's Why

Updated: Jun 30, 2023

The answer is YES! This is a breed that thrives on companionship and being close to his humans. He is low-shedding and exceptionally trainable. As breeders, we emphasize that our Goldendoodles must be kept as an indoor pet.

But many of our owners take it one step further and often take their doodles to work with them! This breed of dog is incredibly teachable and able to learn the rules and what is expected of him in any indoor space whether your house, apartment, or your work office!

Which Factors Make Goldendoodle's Good House Dogs

When it comes to being a good house dog, there are several factors to consider. First of all, breed history is a big one. The dog world has a huge diversity of breeds — dogs come in all sizes and shapes. In addition to differing looks, each breed has a unique history of why it was bred.

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Some breeds were bred to work closely with humans to hunt game together, herd sheep, etc. Today these breeds still excel at training and obedience. Other breeds were bred to work more independently of their human.

Livestock guardians are a great example of a more independent breed. Perhaps the most widely known livestock guardian breed is the Great Pyrenees. These fluffy teddy-bear like dogs actually have a fearsome history! They were bred to guard herds of goats from coyotes, strangers, or other dangers. The dog would have to make his own decisions about whether or not a potential predator was a threat as his owner may be many acres away!

As a result, while many Great Pyrenees and other livestock guardian breeds are kept as pets today, they still tend to be more independent and enjoy more outside time than some other more people-oriented breeds.

When it comes to the goldendoodle, we would be hard-pressed to find a “independent” one! The two breeds that make the up the Goldendoodle: the Golden Retriever and the Poodle are both incredibly people-oriented dogs. Both were originally bred as retriever to bring back game to the owner on a hunt.

This skill required dutiful obedience on the part of the dog. A more independent-minded or stubborn dog would likely run off with the game in his mouth, not wanting to lose his prized possession! But the ever-willing retriever breeds will dutifully come back to their owner time and time again.

While the Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle were originally bred for retrieving/sporting purposes, both breeds quickly become iconic as family pets and companions. Golden Retrievers are the most common breed in the service dog industry and have been recognized many times in AKC obedience competitions. Standard Poodles likewise excel in obedience and trainability and are known for being gentle, sensitive companions.

The combination of these two obedient, kind-hearted dogs is the ever-popular goldendoodle! Goldendoodles are extraordinarily devoted to their families. Many follow their owners around all day, even into the bathroom! This is not a dog that would be happy outside in the backyard all day. While some dog breeds thrive outdoors in a large space, a Goldendoodle is likely to be found right by your side even if surrounded by acres to run on!

Goldendoodle's are also Good House Dogs Because They're Eager to Please and Potty Train Fast

In addition to having a temperament that makes them want to be close to their people, goldendoodles make wonderful house dogs for other reasons, too. As mentioned previously, their breed heritage tends to make them eager-to-please, generally obedient dogs who are easy to train.

While any puppy takes considerable time and energy to train, goldendoodles will likely potty train faster than many other breeds of puppies. They are also generally respectful of “house rules” and can easily be taught not to jump on furniture, counter-surf, etc. Again, none of these “rules” come naturally to a dog, they all have to be taught, but goldendoodles are ready and eager to learn what pleases you!

In addition to being people-oriented and trainable, goldendoodles are also a low-shedding breed. This is important to many people who plan to keep their dog in their home. If you’ve owned or met a purebred Golden Retriever before, you likely have distinct memories of fur everywhere: on your clothes, on the couch, maybe even in your food! Thankfully, the poodle genetics greatly reduce the shedding in a Goldendoodle. Some later generations do not really shed at all.

They shed about as much as a human — so you will find hair in the brush when you brush them out, but you will find very little if any hair around the house. This is a huge benefit to both the meticulous housekeeper and/or the family who struggles with dog-allergies. On the flipside, this curly, non-shedding coat does not bode well for a full-time outdoor dog! The curls tend to trap dirt and debris and can easily become matted if the dog is not regularly bathed and brushed.

Another reason Goldendoodle thrive indoors with their people is that they are a relatively calm breed. All dogs need exercise, particularly when young. And as mentioned previously, Goldendoodles do come from an athletic background: both parent breeds were sporting/retrieving dogs.

Still, compared to many other types of breeds such as herding breeds (Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, etc.), the Goldendoodle is quite calm. Herding breeds were required to spend long hours on their paws, sprinting after wayward sheep. Today, they still need considerable amounts of exercise to be calm in the house. Goldendoodles, on the other hand, are usually just content to be with you. They typically love fetch (did I mention that retrieval background?!), walks, etc., but they are also content to snuggle up next to you on the sofa.

Finally, another benefit of Goldendoodle is that they come in a variety of sizes and can thrive in a variety of living situations. If you live in a small apartment and are concerned about indoor space, then a mini goldendoodle may be a good choice for you.

Smaller Doodles Take Up Less Space Inside Homes

Mini Goldendoodles still need exercise, but they take up less space indoors and often need less space to “stretch their legs” when it comes to romping around or playing fetch outdoors. Because the Poodle comes in a variety of sizes, you can find a goldendoodle in just about every weight and height imaginable. Our Mini Goldendoodles are generally around 20 pounds full grown which tends to be an ideal size for someone wanting a dog who manages well in an apartment, but can still be an active companion on walks, hikes, etc.

We have discussed a number of reasons that Goldendoodle makes an excellent house companion. There are always advantages and disadvantages to any breed of dog — each breed excels at different things. One possible disadvantage to consider when it comes to the goldendoodle is that because they are so people-oriented, they can be prone to separation anxiety.

This breed may not be a good fit for someone who works long hours and has little time to spend with their dog. There are certainly ways to work through separation anxiety as we have written about HERE, but your lifestyle and number of hours spent away from your goldendoodle each day are definitely something to consider before deciding to own this breed.

Jenna and the JLDD Team

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