The black Goldendoodle is a specific kind of Goldendoodle. Being the most popular Doodle mix in the US, the demand for specific colors of these dogs has grown.
While they nearly always appear to be brown or cream-colored, the more rare black Goldendoodle has been become increasingly sought-after. (Not to be confused with the similar-looking black Labradoodle!) Due to color genetics it is still difficult to find these dogs. Today we want to look at the black Goldendoodle in detail and evaluate him as a pet and companion animal.
If you need help deciding which Doodle is right for you, take our Doodle quiz to find out!
Table of Contents
Origin
A traditional cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle is nearly always some shade of brown, red or cream. If both parents carry a gene that creates a black coat color however, black Goldendoodle puppies can be born. These are very rare and if you have your heart set on a black Goldendoodle, you will need to do some research to find the right puppy.
Black Goldendoodles are usually all-black with little or no white markings. They do not occur in spotted black-and-white patterns such as in the Parti Poodle.
When looking for your puppy, see if the parents have produced black Goldendoodles before. If so, they will carry the genes necessary for having such pups and your chances of getting a black puppy are higher.
Note that there is never a guarantee – genetics can be surprising and two parents could even have a first litter consisting only of black Goldendoodles, and another with only brown puppies!
Are black Goldendoodles rare?
As mentioned above – yes, they are very rare!
There is an increase chance to get a black Goldendoodle if they are bred in the second or third generation. If a black Goldendoodle parent is crossed with a black Poodle, the offspring will nearly always be all black. Crossing a Doodle with a Poodle is called producing an “f1b generation”. This type of breeding will increase certain desired traits.
This is because the first generation of off-spring will have 50% of genes from both parents.
A popular cross like this are also f1b Mini Goldendoodles.
Below you can see a diagram of how color prevalence chan change in the generations:
Are black Goldendoodles popular?
Black Goldendoodles are very popular and sought-after – in fact, the demand for them is much higher than the amount of puppies that are born. If you are set on this specific color, you should make sure to get on a breeder’s puppy list right away, as you might need to wait 6-12 months until your pup is born.
Of course, the wait will be worth it: These dogs are incredibly smart, loyal and good-looking. However, they are not all goofy and cute: Goldendoodles are the offspring of working dogs and as such will require daily exercise, training and enrichment. It is crucial that you have plenty of puzzle toys for your Goldendoodle, take him on walks daily and provide adequate training for him.
Do black Goldendoodles shed?
Most Doodle mixes shed either not at all or considerably less than a double-coated dog. However, especially with a mixed breed it is impossible to guarantee a certain coat type.
If you are looking for a dog that sheds very little because you do not like to have dog hair on your clothes, furniture and around your house – a black Goldendoodle fits the bill. If however you need a truly hypoallergenic dog that will not shed at all or set off allergies, a these dogs may or may not work.
If there is any health concern it is always advisable to spend some time around other Doodles at first and see if they cause any allergic response.
Grooming
The fact that your black Goldendoodle will not shed does not mean that he won’t require grooming.
Any Poodle mix coat will grow very long and has the tendency to form mats and dreadlocks quickly. You have two basic options for dealing with your pup’s coat:
- Clip it
Especially if you live in a hot climate, spend a lot of time outdoors or don’t have the time to brush your dog daily, keeping your black Goldendoodle in a short haircut will benefit you all. You can either buy some clippers and groom your dog at home or take him to a local groomer. - Brush & wash it
If you like the shaggy, adorable look of your dog’s locks, you can keep them longer as well. It goes without saying that this will be tied to daily brushing and monthly baths. The longer your pup’s hair is, the more time you have to allot for maintaining it. Do not let it mat or your dog will suffer from painful skin sores!
How big will my dog get?
In general, you can expect an adult size of 20 to 24 inches and a weight of 50 to 90 pounds.
This is a big range and where exactly your dog falls into it will depend on – again! – genetics as well as whether your dog is male or female.
If the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have been on the small side, expect a smaller adult dog. If the family of your black Goldendoodle has been large, yours is likely to be tall as well.
You can find out how large exactly your dog will become with our Goldendoodle growth chart calculator:
Dog Size Calculator
How much is a black Goldendoodle?
While most Doodle mix breeds sell for around $1,000-$1,500 you can expect to pay more for a black Goldendoodle.
Because the color genetics can be difficult to reproduce and breeders cannot guarantee that a certain number of black pups will be born, the ones that are might be especially expensive. As with other Doodle breeds in high demand (such as the Bernedoodle), puppies can cost $2,000-$5,000.
Especially if you are additionally looking for a small dog, such as a black Mini Goldendoodle, prepare to pay a high price for your pup.
