Straight Hair Goldendoodle Guide (with Photos)

Breeders have only recently begun crossing Golden Retrievers and Poodles to breed Goldendoodles. In the 1990s, breeders discovered that this cross would produce puppies with the friendly, playful temperament of Golden Retrievers and the beautiful Poodle’s coats. 

Since then, the popularity of Goldendoodles has spiked. However, many breeders still shy away from straight hair Goldendoodles because they lack the curly coat of Poodles. Nonetheless, dog owners are beginning to push for the increased availability of straight hair Goldendoodles. 

As all veteran dog owners know, selecting the right breed is crucial. We need dogs that fit our lifestyle and desires. Below, we will discuss the following regarding straight hair Goldendoodles:

• Temperament
• Appearance
• Genetics
• Basic care (including grooming, diet, exercise, and preventative care)
• Cost
• FAQs

Temperament

A straight hair Goldendoodle’s temperament is comparable to a standard Goldendoodle. Most Goldendoodles are highly energetic and playful. They enjoy exercise and playing active games with their owners or other dogs. 

Goldendoodles are generally gentle dogs. They are incredibly social, developing strong attachments to their owners. A lack of exercise can cause Goldendoodles to become aggressive toward their owners. 

Goldendoodles often have hunting instincts and enjoy chasing smaller animals thanks to their athletic abilities. They are naturally curious dogs, so familiarizing them with small animals can quell their urge to hunt. 

Many dog owners favor Goldendoodles for their intelligence. Training a dog can be an exhausting process, but intelligence makes this process easier and faster.

Most Goldendoodles are very friendly toward their owners, small children, and other dogs. With proper socialization, they can be great companions.

Appearance

The appearance of straight hair Goldendoodles resembles Golden Retrievers more so than Poodles. They have long, straight hair, and they lack the ‘teddy bear’ look common in most Goldendoodles. 

However, straight coat Goldendoodles do have the traditional scruffy nature of Goldendoodles. Their fluffy beards, eyebrows, and hair set them apart from Golden Retrievers. 

A straight hair Goldendoodle can have any coat color found in Goldendoodles. These include:

• White
• Black
• Chocolate
• Silver
• Lavender
• Café au lait
• Red
• Apricot
• Cream/gold
• Merle

This breed can come in many sizes. The average, standard-sized straight hair Goldendoodle is 21 to 24 inches tall and weighs 45 to 75 pounds.

Genetics

What makes their coats different if straight-hair Goldendoodles are so similar to other Goldendoodles? The answer lies in genetics.

Goldendoodles inherit a KRT71 curl gene from both parents, also known as a Cu locus gene. This gene must be -/- for the puppy to have a straight coat. 

How To Know Whether a Goldendoodle Puppy Will Have Straight Hair?

It is impossible to determine whether a Goldendoodle puppy will have straight hair both before birth and as a puppy. However, there are some early indicators. 

Genetic testing of the parents will indicate the likelihood of a puppy having a -/- for the curl gene. 

The percentage of Golden Retriever in the parents can also help determine this. A 50% Golden Retriever puppy and 50% Poodle are most likely to have a straight coat. 

First-generation puppies have a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle as parents, making the puppy 50% of each breed. Second-generation puppies have two first-generation Goldendoodles as parents. Again, these puppies have 50% of each breed in their genes. 

Thus, puppies in the first and second generations are some of the most likely to be born with straight coats.

Backcrossing causes the percentage to shift in favor of Poodles, so straight hair Goldendoodle puppies are less common in these cases.

Once the puppy is born, you can examine its snout to determine if it is a straight hair Goldendoodle. Short, straight hair around the mouth indicates that it will have a straight coat.

Basic Care

The diet, exercise regime, and common health conditions of a straight hair Goldendoodle are identical to those of other Goldendoodles. Their grooming needs, however, will differ.

Diet

A Goldendoodle’s diet must have a good source of protein. Meat protein is easiest for this breed to digest. Animal fats are beneficial because they add flavor and provide energy.

Essential fatty acids will keep Goldendoodle coats shiny and healthy.

Some dog owners and professionals dispute the need for carbohydrates in a dog’s diet. Nonetheless, they are a good source of prebiotics and fiber and provide energy. 

Vitamins and minerals are essential. Some basic ingredients may include these, but the concentration is often too low. Most dog food brands add vitamins and minerals to offset those lost while cooking the food.

It is essential to consider the size of the Goldendoodle. Those with a toy or mini parent will likely require medium-sized dog food, even though most Goldendoodles are large dogs. Goldendoodles with standard-sized parents will typically need large-sized dog food. 

All Goldendoodles should have easy access to water. 

Exercise

As we discussed, Goldendoodles are naturally high-energy dogs. They will need a significant amount of exercise each day. 

One long walk a day is the minimum exercise requirement for most Goldendoodles. 

Aside from walks, Goldendoodles often enjoy activities such as:

• Fetch
• Running with people or other dogs
• Hiking
• Hide-and-seek 

Grooming

In many ways, grooming a straight hair Goldendoodle is simpler than grooming a curly hair Goldendoodle. Straight coats have fewer knots and less debris tangled within the fur. 

The most important aspect of grooming a straight hair Goldendoodle is brushing. These dogs have the same double coat as Golden Retrievers, so owners must brush their dogs’ coats at least twice a week. Using a slicker or pin brush will catch loose hairs so that the Goldendoodle sheds less. 

After brushing, owners should use a grooming mitt to maintain the coat’s shine. If there are stubborn knots or mats, the owner should speak with a vet. Owners should never shave a straight hair Goldendoodle’s coat without consulting a vet.

Like most breeds, straight hair Goldendoodles only need baths when they begin to smell or after rolling in something dirty. Owners should use mild baby shampoo or 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner to help their dogs’ skin and fur stay healthy. 

Health Conditions

Goldendoodles are prone to certain diseases that afflict Golden Retrievers and Poodles. Common conditions in Goldendoodles include:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and joint of the hip grind against each other instead of gliding smoothly.

Cataracts

Cataracts are an eye disease that can cause poor vision and blindness. Typically, older dogs are more prone to being diagnosed with the disease.

Cancer

Golden Retrievers are the most likely to get cancer, passing this tendency onto Goldendoodle offspring.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Issues with blood clotting can be mild, but severe cases may require multiple blood transfusions. 

Epilepsy

Experiencing repetitive seizures with no apparent cause is characteristic of epilepsy.

Price

Straight hair Goldendoodles usually cost at least $200 less than other Goldendoodles.

This variation of the breed is typically less expensive because straight hair Goldendoodles are less popular than their curly hair counterparts. 

Most straight hair Goldendoodles will cost between $1,000 and $2,000 from a breeder. Adopting a straight hair Goldendoodle will be much less expensive. Rescues only charge a small adoption fee. 

FAQs

Are you curious to learn more about straight hair Goldendoodles? Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the breed. 

Do the coats of Goldendoodle puppies change?

Puppies’ coats are prone to change as they grow. Around six months of age, puppies will shed their coats. The only difference between the puppy and adult coat is texture, but the color and coat type can change.

This shedding process may happen quickly, but it can span a few months.

Do straight hair Goldendoodles shed?

Straight hair Goldendoodles inherit a double coat from Golden Retrievers. Although they shed less than purebred Golden Retrievers, these Goldendoodles will still shed their coats twice a year.

Because of this excess shedding, straight hair Goldendoodles are considered less hypoallergenic than most other Goldendoodles. The dander on their fur can cause allergic reactions when they shed. 

Regularly brushing a Goldendoodle will decrease the amount of shedding, but it will not eliminate shedding.

Are straight hair Goldendoodles rare?

Although they are not especially difficult to breed, straight hair Goldendoodles are relatively rare. Breeders tend to produce primarily curly and wavy hair Goldendoodles because they are more favorable for most dog owners. 

What is the average lifespan of a Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles live to be about 10 to 15 years old. Regular visits to the vet, a proper diet, and adequate exercise allow Goldendoodles to live longer. Thus, learning about the breed allows owners to promote the best and longest life. 

Final Thoughts

Straight hair Goldendoodles are uniquely beautiful dogs. They maintain the same friendly, energetic, and social nature as Goldendoodles, but their straight coats align closely with Golden Retrievers. Still, they have the adorable scruffy face that distinguishes Goldendoodles.

Although there is no definite way to know a puppy will have a straight coat, specific features and genetic testing can estimate the possibility. If a breeder believes that they have a straight coat Goldendoodle puppy, they will likely charge less for this puppy than for curly or wavy hair Goldendoodle puppies. 

Goldendoodles can lead long, healthy lives, so long as they are cared for properly. Grooming is essential because it protects these dogs from uncomfortable knots, mats, dirt build-up, and insects.