Goldendoodles are one of the most common members of the Doodle family.
This designer dog breed has proven so popular partly thanks to their hypoallergenic qualities that Goldendoodles can have to varying degrees.
Goldendoodles are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle (whether it’s standard, medium or miniature in size) to create devoted family pet.
Poodles are perhaps the most famous of all low-shedding dogs thanks to their tight curls that catch the little dander they produce.
However, Golden Retrievers aren’t a hypoallergenic breed given these popular dogs are usually moderate-to-high shedders.
There’s no guarantee that a Goldendoodle will be hypoallergenic – it’ll depend on whether they take after their Golden Retriever or Poodle parent.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. There's no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog in spite of claims that breeders might make. It’s always best to speak with your vet or your doctor before deciding to get a dog if you suspect you may have allergies to pets.
In this article, we’re going to take a close look at Goldendoodles, whether they’re hypoallergenic and whether they shed.
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What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
Poodle’s are the second smartest dogs in the world (Photo: Adobe Stock)
The word hypoallergenic was first coined by the cosmetic industry in the 1950s to denote a product that is less likely to trigger a person’s allergies.
The cosmetic industry used the term to describe beauty or skincare products that were suited to someone who was concerned about allergies or sensitive skin.
However, there was no guarantee that an allergy wouldn’t occur, it was just less likely than other cosmetic products within the same range.
Let’s take a look at how medical website WebMD.com define the word hypoallergenic.
If you see “hypoallergenic” on makeup or a skin care label, it means that that maker claims its product causes fewer allergic reactions than other ones. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is allergy-proof or gentler for your skin. The U.S. government doesn’t have standards that products must meet in order to put “hypoallergenic” on the label.
Nowadays, you’ll commonly see the word hypoallergenic used alongside various dog breeds to denote a canine that is less likely to trigger a person’s allergies.
What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Golden Retriever at the park (Photo: Adobe Stock)
The American Kennel Club state clearly on their website that there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed in spite of claims that you may read online. The organization write on their website:
While there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs, there are many breeds that do well with allergy sufferers. Dander, which is attached to pet hair, is what causes most pet allergies in humans and these dogs have a non-shedding coat that produces less dander.
It’s unsurprisingly that hypoallergenic dogs have proven so popular given the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology state on their website that around 10% of the US population are allergic to dogs. That equates to around 33 million people in the USA. Given there are 90 million dog owners in the USA, there’s a good chance there’s a substantial number of pet parents who have allergies and have dogs.
There is over 23 million results for the search term “hypoallergenic dogs” on Google to highlight the sheer volume of people researching about dogs that don’t shed.
While the American Kennel Club explain that there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed, they do put forward a number of breeds that have hypoallergenic qualities.
What Causes An Allergy To Dogs?
When you think of allergies to dog, you’d be forgiven for thinking pet hair is by far the biggest culprit. While pet hair plays a major role and can trigger a person’s allergies, it’s not the only allergen.
In fact, pet dander is often a big trigger where pet allergies are concerned. Here’s the American Lung Association to explain what pet dander is.
Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers. These bits of skin can cause reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers.
Poodles are low shedding dogs that don’t produce a lot of dander, hence why they’re such a popular breed for people with allergies to pets.
There are other allergies to be aware of, such as proteins found in dog’s saliva, urine and feces. Other allergens could be brought into your home on your dog’s coat from outside, such as pollen.
The American Lung Association go on to explain that pet allergens are lightweight and small so they can remain suspended in the air for a long time. They can easily stick to furniture, bedding, fabrics and other items in your home.
What Are The Symptoms?
If you suspect you may be suffering with allergies to dogs, you should contact your doctor to learn more.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology list the following pet allergy symptoms on their website.
• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Facial pain (from nasal congestion)
• Coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing
• Watery, red or itchy eyes
• Skin rash or hives
If you suspect you may be struggling with dog allergies, you should speak to your local medical expert to learn more. Usually, a skin-prick test is the most common way of diagnosing a dog allergy.
Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
Bentley the Mini Doodle (Photo: minidoodlebentley / Instagram)
Goldendoodles are often dubbed as hypoallergenic cross breeds. Like we mentioned above, there’s no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog in spite of claims made by breeders.
Goldendoodles can be hypoallergenic to varying degrees depending on whether they take after their Golden Retriever or Poodle parent. Usually, Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic thanks to the influence of the Poodle genes.
For example, Mini Doodle Bentley’s parents are both allergies to dogs but Bentley is hypoallergenic so they haven’t experienced any issues.
We are super allergic to dogs; typically when we’re in a room with them for a while we get to a point where we can’t breathe. We have had absolutely no problems with Bentley. He does not shed and has a hypoallergenic coat.
Another Goldendoodle owner Chelsea, who is also allergic to dogs, revealed that Roosevelt has never caused her allergies to flare up.
Roosevelt sheds minimally, and though other dogs have given me the sniffles, Roosevelt does not. He sleeps in my bed with no difficulty.
Do Goldendoodles Shed A Lot?
Gator the Goldendoodle (Photo: gator.thegoldendoodle / Instagram)
Goldendoodles tend to be a mix breed that don’t shed a lot – if at all. But it’s important to remember there’s no guarantee that your Goldendoodle won’t shed a little given the Golden Retriever is a moderate shedders.
It’s important to be aware of claims made by breeders and speak to other Goldendoodle owners to learn more about this mix breed’s shedding patterns.
Goldendoodle owner Clifford hasn’t experienced much shedding with Brodie.
Brodie is an F1 standard Goldendoodle, which is the variation that tends to shed the most out of Doodle generations. He has mild shedding, but it’s nearly unnoticeable compared to my golden retriever.
Goldendoodles Care And Grooming
Roosevelt the Goldendoodle (Photo: roosevelttheteddy / Instagram)
The good news is you won’t need to get the vacuum out every day to clean up lots of dog hair. However, Goldendoodles do have substantial care needs. For example, they’ll benefit from being brushed on a daily basis to maintain the appearance, health and quality of their coat. Their hair can grow quite long so Goldendoodles will usually need a haircut every two to three weeks.
Clifford admitted that the biggest challenge when it comes to owning a Goldendoodle is grooming.
The biggest challenge is grooming, especially maintaining a coat the length of Brodie’s. If unattended for just a short time, Goldendoodle’s coats will tangle, knot, and matt very easily. This is why most Goldendoodle owners keep their dog’s coat much shorter than Brodie’s; it almost becomes a full-time job.
Clifford added that grooming Brodie can take up to half an hour a day.
A lot! I brush Brodie at least three times a week, 20-30 minutes a session. I also have him professionally groomed about every 6-8 weeks.
Goldendoodles will need a bath every couple of months, especially if they live active lives that involve their hair picking up dirt.
Goldendoodle Gator, for example, gets a bath every four to six weeks.
Every 4-6 weeks he has to be washed. Brushing weekly to prevent mats is required. He can be shaved especially in the summer for easy maintenance. He loves water and swimming so this makes it more fun and a lot easier to enjoy these activities.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
The American Kennel Club and the British Kennel Club offer a number of different breeds that have hypoallergenic qualities.
The AKC list 19 different varieties of dogs on their website.
• Affenpinchser
• Afghan Hound
• American Hairless Terrier
• Barbet
• Bedlington Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Giant Schnauzer
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Maltese
• Peruvian Inca Orchid
• Poodle
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Schnauzer
• Xoloitzcuintli
The Kennel Club list 31 hypoallergenic dog breeds:
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Spanish Water Dog
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Giant Schnauzer
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russian Black Terrier
• Hungarian Puli
• Komondor
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Intermediate Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Mexican Hairless
• Standard Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Standard Poodle
• Toy Poodle
• Miniature Poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Glen of Imaal Terrier
• Sealyham Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Anything Else To Consider?
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology write that the easiest way to manage dog allergies is avoidance
Alternatively, you can speak to your local medical professional to learn more about whether you’ve got allergies to dogs.
We find that speaking to current Goldendoodle owners is a great way to learn more about this cross breed with regards to their shedding, grooming and general care. Here are some Goldendoodle accounts to check out.
• Bentley (@minidoodlebentley)
• Brodie (@brodiethatdood)
• Roosevelt (@roosevelttheteddy)
• Gator (@gator.thegoldendoodle)
In Conclusion
Bentley the Mini Doodle (Photo: minidoodlebentley / Instagram)
We’ve reached the end of our feature on Goldendoodles and whether they’re hypoallergenic.
As we stated above, Goldendoodles are usually considered a hypoallergenic dog breed but there’s no guarantee that they will be.
Each member of this particular cross breed can by hypoallergenic to varying degrees.
Most Goldendoodles will be low shedding dogs but they require a lot of maintenance given their coat needs daily brushing.
