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How Much Exercise Do Goldendoodles Need? [Guide]

How do you keep your Goldendoodle healthy and have your canine friend around for as long as possible? Lots of love, space, and playtime!

So exactly how much exercise do Goldendoodles need?

how much exercise do goldendoodles need
How much exercise do Goldendoodles need?

Goldendoodles are still pretty new to the world as a species. The breed is credited to Monica Dickens, who bred the first crossbreed puppies in 1969.

Because of how new they are, it can be hard to figure out exactly what they need from you. And you gotta sort it out! These hybrid dogs live a LONG time. A healthy Goldendoodle usually lives around 10 to 13 years (and up to 16 years). Proper exercise is a vital part of ensuring a healthy and happy life for your dog.

How Much Exercise Do Goldendoodles Need?

The exact amount of exercise your dog needs will depend on roughly how old they are. A small puppy will need 15-30 minute walks or playtime several times a day. An adult Goldendoodle will still need at least 20-30 minutes of exercise every day, even into their senior years.

goldendoodles part of the family
Goldendoodles with wavy or curly coats shed less – making them often the best pick for kids with allergies or asthma triggered by dogs.

Goldendoodles come from two extremely active breeds. Expect this designer breed to be an active dog. 

Golden Retrievers were bred to gather waterfowl shot down in a hunt and so require lots of time outdoors and love being in and around the water. The Poodle parent was bred for much the same reason, although they originate in France or Germany (according to popular theory) while Golden Retrievers originate in England.

Because of this, your Goldendoodle is going to be chock-full of energy and excitement! That means they’ll need to move all day long. 

Outdoor Activities for Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles were bred for hunting, so if that’s your jam, go for it! If you’re not into that kind of thing, there are a bunch of other outdoor activities you can do with your pup.

Goldendoodle just went out of the water
The dog loves swimming and just went out of the water. (Image: Instagram/@lilysuedoodle)
  • Hiking. Goldendoodles love exploring, so hit your local trail and spend the day finding new paths. 
  • Walks. Not much of a hiker? No problem! Take your Goldendoodle on a quick jaunt around your neighborhood.
  • Dog Parks. Socializing your puppy is extremely important, so taking them to a dog park is both a way to socialize and burn off energy. Plus, it lets your dog make some new friends to run around with!
  • Obstacle Courses. This is a great way to get your dog moving and mentally stimulated at the same time! You can buy a simple obstacle kit online, or use whatever you’ve got in your backyard to set up an interchangeable course they can run through. This can give them hours and hours of fun. If they are good then you can get professional dog training and even compete!
  • Swimming. Goldendoodles love the water! If you’ve got a pool in your backyard, they’re going to want to get in it. They also love going to the beach or lake. Whether it is a mini Goldendoodle or a larger dog – they will most likely take the the water or beach.

Indoor Activities for Goldendoodles

So going outside is a huge plus for Goldendoodles. What about when it’s too hot, cold, or rainy? Well, there’s still plenty to enjoy with your pup inside.

a dog looks up close at a training clicker
CLICK! You want a dog clicker sound to be loud but also not irritating
  • Hide-the-Treat. Goldendoodles are clever, natural hunters that love to sniff out a problem… literally! It can be great fun for them to hunt down a hidden treat, whether it’s stuck in a toy or under a piece of furniture. (Try a Frozen KONG for example)
  • Hide-and-Seek. Did I mention that your Goldendoodle loves you a lot? Like, a lot. So much so that if you hide, they’re going to search every spot in the house until they find you! Make sure you give them lots of love and maybe a treat or two after such dedicated detective work.
  • Teach them new tricks. Exercising your dog’s mind is just as important as exercising their body. Goldendoodles are more than capable of learning new tricks, so pick a trick and spend the day teaching them to do it!
  • Wrestle. It might sound goofy, but rolling around on the floor with your Goldendoodle is actually an awesome way to get them to exercise! Littermates will wrestle with each other all the time, so your puppy will naturally want to play around with you. Just be careful to show them where the limits are with nipping. A senior Goldendoodle might be less keen for the rough and tumble.
  • Play with toys. This sounds super basic, but really, it’s good fun. Grab a rope toy and play tug-of-war, throw a stuffed toy down the hall for them to run after, or toss a ball in the air for them to catch! Not only is your doodle puppy getting exercise, so are you!

Health Concerns with Goldendoodle Exercise

Just like with humans, your Goldendoodle’s health depends a lot on the amount and kind of exercise they’re getting in their daily life.

goldendoodle looking cute in the stars

Not getting enough exercise might mean that your dog isn’t burning as much energy as they’re consuming, so they might start to gain weight. This can lead to problems with their joints, digestive system, heart, and blood sugar. It can also make genetic conditions like hip dysplasia more intense or painful.

That being said, getting too much exercise can wear on their joints as well. It might cause a thinning of the cartilage around the joint that might lead to arthritis or pain.

sleeping Goldendoodle feeling tired
A dog fell asleep after playing outside. (Image: Instagram/@milominidoodle)

Goldendoodles are also prone to genetic conditions. Hip dysplasia, again, is a major one, which can be worsened by excessive movement and hard impact landings.

  • Make sure that as the Goldendoodle owner you take your pet in for regular checkups and caring for their joints as they age.
  • An older Goldendoodle might enjoy the low-impact fun of going for a swim or a walk rather than running around like their younger counterparts love to do. 

If they do display any health problems, make sure to get them seen right away to prevent them from developing into anything serious.

Exercising a Goldendoodle Puppy Safely

On top of physical health concerns, you should be careful about your Goldendoodle’s behavior around you and others. Goldendoodles are going to want to run around outside, chase things down, and get in the water whenever they can. This might be a problem for owners of very young puppies. They might get into a lot of trouble because of this natural curiosity. 

can goldendoodles swim
Can Goldendoodles swim? Do they like pools and beaches?

Keeping a close eye on your doodle puppy and making sure they have the proper training early on is absolutely essential. It keeps not only your Goldendoodle dog safe and happy but every dog and person they interact with.

Be sure to socialize your doodle breed early so that they aren’t afraid and learn to control their energy around other dogs. Take them to obedience classes as early as possible (usually at a few months old) to make sure that you’re able to keep them safe when you’re out and about.

hiking with a Goldendoodle
The owner is hiking with a well-trained dog. (Image: Instagram/@pnwdoodle)

Your puppy should know how to drop things on command, heel, sit, stay, and come when someone calls their name to prevent problems when you’re away from home. 

Puppy owners are also going to want to play with them often! This shows your dog that you care about them and that they can trust you. Goldendoodles are prone to separation anxiety, so make sure that any time you’re away, you reward them with playtime when you get back. This will make it easier for them to understand that you’re not going away forever and give them something to look forward to.

The Best Environments for Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles are an extremely social breed. They love being around people and other animals, so are perfect for families with other pets (especially ones that can keep up with a Goldendoodle!) or small children. They’re gentle and quiet, so they don’t make the best guard dogs.

Goldendoodles don’t shed very much, though, so they’re a wonderful dog for people with allergy problems.

As I said, Goldendoodles have a lot of energy to burn off, especially when they’re young. This means that you’re going to need plenty of space for them to run around it. They don’t do well in apartments or very small homes.

Fortunately, homes with a fenced-in yard can be perfect for a Goldendoodle pup. They also do well as farm dogs, with plenty of room to run around and other animals to interact with.

Because Goldendoodles like to spend a lot of time outside, a particularly cold or hot environment isn’t going to be the best for them. If the place you live gets extreme weather, you’ll want to keep your dog inside and away from it as much as possible.

Goldendoodles Love to Move

Like with any other kind of dog, owning a Goldendoodle means being dedicated to keeping them happy and healthy for a long time to come. Goldendoodles are fun, friendly dogs. 

They’re built for movement and giving chase, and they’ll be more than happy to chase anyone who wants to run with them.

If you are a dog owner looking for a breed that’s going to keep up with your active lifestyle, or for one that’s going to get you up on your feet and moving, then you don’t have to look any further than their fluffy faces