If you are a dog lover with allergies, you might be looking for dog breeds that wouldn’t trigger a severe allergic response.
There are no dog breeds that are 100% hypoallergenic, however, some crossbreeds like Goldendoodles might be easier for individuals with allergies to be around.
So, what’s the best Goldendoodle for allergies? The best Goldendoodle for allergies is an F1B or F2B Goldendoodle. These generations of Goldendoodles have been backcrossed to Poodles, so they are genetically more similar to Poodles than Golden Retrievers. This means their coats will be curlier and less shedding which makes them more hypoallergenic.
Keep reading to learn more about what Goldendoodle generations are the most hypoallergenic, how much do Goldendoodles shed, and how to minimize their shedding.
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
The term hypoallergenic is used to refer to dog breeds that are less likely to trigger an allergic response in an individual.
Individuals who are allergic to dogs are not actually triggered by the dog’s hair or fur. Instead, they’re triggered by the dander and dead skin particles that are trapped inside the dog’s hair then get discharged into the air when the dog sheds.
So, for any dog breed to be considered hypoallergenic, it needs to be low shedding with little to no chance of having any dander or dead skin particles trapped in its hair in order to minimize the possibility of triggering an allergic response.
However, keep in mind that there is no scientific evidence that any certain dog breed or crossbreed is 100% hypoallergenic.
Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
Goldendoodles, which are a cross between Golden Retrievers and Poodles, are often considered to be hypoallergenic.
That is because they often take after Poodles who are known to have curly coats that don’t shed too much keeping any dander or dead skin particles trapped closer to their skin.
However, they are not 100% hypoallergenic and how unlikely they are to trigger an allergic reaction will mainly depend on what generation the dog comes from and how much of the Poodle parent’s genetics it will be inherent.
To put it simply, the more of the Poodle genetics that a Goldendoodle generation has, the more hypoallergenic it will be.
So, it’s recommended to look for a Goldendoodle that has been backcrossed to a poodle and avoid first or second-generation Goldendoodles as these dogs will carry 50% of Poodle genes and 50% of Golden Retrievers which makes them somewhat unpredictable when it comes to the kind of coat they will have and how much they shed.
Check the following table for a quick break down of different generations of Goldendoodles and the parent breeds involved:
| Goldendoodle Generation | Parent Breeds |
|---|---|
| First-generation Goldendoodle (F1) | Poodle and Golden Retriever |
| Backcross Goldendoodle (F1B) | F1 Goldendoodle and Poodle/Golden Retriever |
| Second generation Goldendoodle (F2) | F1 Goldendoodle and F1 Goldendoodle |
| Backcross Goldendoodle (F2B) | F2 Goldendoodle and Poodle/Golden Retriever |
| Third generation Goldendoodle (F3) | F2 Goldendoodle and F2 Goldendoodle |
Which Generation of Goldendoodles Is Best for Allergies?
The generation of Goldendoodles that’s best for allergies is the F1B Goldendoodles. It’s least likely to trigger allergic reactions compared to other generations of Goldendoodles.
The F1B Goldendoodle generation involves a first generation Goldendoodle parent that has been backcrossed to a Poodle parent which results in Goldendoodle puppies that are genetically 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Reviver.
Since these Goldendoodle puppies will carry more of the Poodle genes than the Golden Retriever genes, they will be more hypoallergenic as their coats will be curlier with the lowest amount of shedding and dander.
If you are not able to find an F1B Goldendoodle, the next best option is F2B Goldendoodles which involves a second generation Goldendoodle parent that has been backcrossed to a Poodle parent resulting in Goldendoodle puppies that are genetically 62.5% Poodle and 37.5% Golden Retriever.
Other good options for hypoallergenic Goldendoodles include F1BB Goldendoodles which are a cross between F1B Goldendoodles and Poodles as well as F2BB Goldendoodles which are a cross between F2B Goldendoodles and Poodles.
Check the following table for a quick breakdown of the most hypoallergenic Goldendoodle generations, the parent breeds involved, and how much of the Poodle genes they will carry:
| Goldendoodle Generation | Parent Breeds | Resulting Genetic Makeup |
|---|---|---|
| F1B Goldendoodles | F1 Goldendoodle and Poodle | 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever |
| F1BB Goldendoodles | F1B Goldendoodles and Poodles | 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Golden Retriever |
| F2B Goldendoodles | F2 Goldendoodle and Poodle | 62.5% Poodle and 37.5% Golden Retriever |
| F2BB Goldendoodles | F2B Goldendoodles and Poodles | 81.25% Poodle and 18.75% Golden Retriever |
Do Goldendoodles Shed Frequently?
Goldendoodles do not generally shed frequently and that’s mainly because their coats are made up of hair instead of fur.
As puppies, Goldendoodle coats are soft and smooth. By the time they’re 6-8 months old, they will shed their puppy coats then grow their final adult coats which vary in texture depending on the coat’s genetics and which parent breed they take after the most.
The frequency at which Goldendoodles shed, will depend mostly on the kind of coat they will grow as adults. So, let’s take a closer look at the main kinds of Goldendoodle coats:
The Main Kinds of Goldendoodle Coats
There are 3 main kinds of Goldendoodle coats with different textures and they are curly, wavy, and straight.
First, there are curly Goldendoodle coats which are also known as the signature teddy-bear coats. They are usually the most desired by Goldendoodles owners as they fit the breed’s standard by being the closest in appearance and texture to Poodle coats.
They are also the least shedding so they’re unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction, however, they require more effort to groom as they’re prone to tangling.
Next, there are wavy coats which are more common among Goldendoodles. They are moderately dense and don’t shed a lot, so they’re generally easier to groom and keep from tangling.
Finally, there are straight coats which are also known as flat coats. They are the least common among golden doodles and they’re often considered to be improper as they don’t fit the breed standard by being the closest in appearance and texture to Golden Retrievers.
They are also the most shedding which means they are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
How to Determine What Kind of Coat Your Goldendoodle Will Have?
It’s very important for dog owners with allergies to learn beforehand what kind of coat their Goldendoodles will have to be able to tell whether they will be low-shedding and hypoallergenic.
The most effective way to do that is to take look at the genetic makeup of the dog’s parents through some tests.
For example, you can test if the dog’s parents are carrying the Cu locus gene which causes the dog’s hair to curl. The more of the Cu locus gene your Goldendoodle has, the curlier its coat will be and the more hypoallergenic it will be.
If you’re unable to test the dog’s parents, you can usually predict the kind of coat your dog will have by inspecting the area around its muzzle:
If there’s an excess amount of hair on top of the muzzle that gives a mustache-like appearance, then your dog is likely to have a curly coat when it grows.
If there’s an excess amount of hair around the muzzle that gives a shaggy beard-like appearance, then your dog is likely to have a wavy coat
If there’s a small amount of hair around the muzzle that’s short and neat in appearance, then your dog is likely to have a straight coat.
However, keep in mind that this method is not always reliable and it will be as accurate as a genetic test.
How to Manage Your Goldendoodle’s Shedding?
If you are allergic to your Goldendoodle’s dander, it’s very important to manage your dog’s shedding and the best way to do that is to establish and maintain a grooming routine that involves regular brushing and bathing as well as provides it with a healthy and nutritious diet.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what you need to do to manage your Goldendoodle’s shedding:
Brushing Your Goldendoodle
This will help remove any loose hair or tangles as well as prevent dander from spreading around.
It’s recommended to brush your Goldendoodle at least once a week, however, the frequency will mostly depend on the kind of coat your dog has since longer, curlier coats need to be brushed more often than short, straight coats.
To properly brush your Goldendoodle, you need to divide your dog’s hair from head to tail into smaller sections, then slowly brush through each section using short strokes to remove tangles.
Make sure to also go over the dog’s coat with a bristle brush to pick up any loose hairs.
Bathing Your Goldendoodle
This will help keep it clean from any dirt or grease as well as remove any dander on its body.
It’s recommended to bathe your Goldendoodle at least once every month and in more severe cases, you can bathe your Goldendoodle once every week.
However, keep in mind that bathing your Goldendoodle too often will cause their skin to become dry and produce more dander. It will also cause its hair to weaken and fall out more frequently.
To properly bathe your Goldendoodle, you need to get its coat wet from its neck and down to its tail then evenly apply shampoo.
Make sure to rinse off the shampoo completely from the dog’s coat and dry it thoroughly as any excess shampoo or water might cause some irritation to the dog’s skin.
Providing Your Goldendoodle with a High-Quality Diet
Providing your Goldendoodle with a high-quality diet that contains all the necessary nutrients will help keep its coat healthy, strengthen the hair follicles, and minimize hair loss.
It’s recommended that the dog’s diet contain high amounts of protein because the dog’s hair is actually 90% protein. It should also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Related Questions
How to Tell If Your Goldendoodle Will Grow Furnishings?
To tell if your Goldendoodle will grow furnishings, you need to test the genetic makeup of the dog’s parents to determine if they’re carrying the RSPO2 gene responsible for furnishings. It’s more common for the first generation of Goldendoodles to carry this gene than subsequent generations of Goldendoodles.
How Often Do You Need to Trim Your Goldendoodle’s Hair?
You need to trim your Goldendoodle’s coat at least once every 6 weeks, however, it mainly depends on the kind of coat your dog has. Since curly coats are more prone to getting tangled than wavy or straight coats, it’s generally recommended to trim them more frequently.
How Long Does It Take for A Goldendoodle’s Hair to Grow?
A Goldendoodle’s hair takes from 2 to 3 weeks to grow, then it takes from 2 to 4 months for the hair to reach its full length which typically ranges from 4 to 8 inches. However, the speed of the dog’s hair growth will mainly depend on the dog’s genetics and the health of its hair follicles.
Helpful Resources
Dog Allergies: Symptoms and Treatment
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
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