If you’re looking to breed the friendly and oh-so-adorable Goldendoodle, you probably have all kinds of questions about this breed’s litter size and pregnancy process. One question might be, how many puppies do Goldendoodles have?
On average, a first-generation Goldendoodle will have around 3-8 puppies per litter.
The personality and temperament of this breed have many people eager to add a Goldendoodle puppy to their family. With so many great qualities to their name, you can’t go wrong bringing more Goldendoodles into the world!
Here’s everything you need to know about the Goldendoodle’s litter size and how it is influenced.
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What is the Average Goldendoodle Litter Size?
Keep in mind that not all Goldendoodles are the same. These designer dogs vary significantly in different areas, such as generation and size.
Thus, the average litter size of a Goldendoodle depends on various factors.
A first-generation (F1) Goldendoodle, in which a Golden Retriever mates with a Poodle, is between 3-8 puppies. Poodles typically have around six puppies per litter, while Golden Retrievers tend to have a larger litter with an average of 8 puppies.
A Standard Poodle can have an average of 6 puppies per litter, a Miniature Poodle can have five, and a Toy Poodle can have anywhere from 1 to 3 puppies.
Therefore, the genetic combination of breeding dogs (Golden Retrievers and different Poodle variations) and the lineage of the male and female dogs will affect the size of the litter.
It’s important to remember that these numbers are averages, as a litter can be smaller than three or greater than eight at times.
How Many Puppies Do Goldendoodles Have: Factors That Affect the Litter Size
There are various factors that influence litter sizes, some of which depend on how you care for the dog, while others are biological.
While the size of a Goldendoodle’s litter is a guessing game until the dog gives birth, understanding these factors may help predict the size of your expecting Goldendoodle’s litter.
Generation
The generation of your Goldendoodle can affect the size of the litter. As mentioned before, the percentage of each parent breed present in a Goldendoodle will affect how many puppies it will bear.
If your Goldendoodle is mixed with more Golden Retriever genetics than Poodle, it is more likely that you’ll have a larger litter.
Age
While dogs remain fertile for their entire life, younger dogs tend to be more fecund – usually between 2-5 years of age.
However, a female dog may have a small litter if it is her first time and a larger litter as she ages.
Diet
The diet of the mother plays a significant role in how many puppies she will bear. Much like humans, a diet full of vitamins and minerals is essential to help develop puppies.
However, diet is not exclusive to just the gestation (pregnancy) period. Your Goldendoodle should be fed a healthy, balanced diet before and after her pregnancy.
If you plan on breeding your Goldendoodle, you should feed her a well-balanced diet before conception. This is to ensure your dog’s body is strong and prepared for pregnancy – which will likely yield a larger litter.
Health
Your Goldendoodle’s health plays a major role in the pregnancy, how many puppies they have, and the health of the puppies. A Goldendoodle mother that is in good health is more likely to produce larger litters and healthier pups.
The health of your dog depends not only on its diet but also on its physical and mental health. Barksinthepark.co has plenty of advice on keeping your dog healthy.
Before moving forward with conception, you need to first provide your dog with regular professional vet care to ensure they’re fit for pregnancy.
Additionally, unlike other dogs that are purebred, a designer dog is more likely to face health problems that can make it difficult for them to produce large litters.
Size
With a given dog breed, larger dogs (build, not weight) typically have larger litters than smaller dog breeds.
Thus, the size of the Poodle mixed with the Golden Retriever will affect the size of the litter. As mentioned earlier, miniature and toy poodles have smaller litter sizes than standard poodles.
Environment
One of the most common factors that affect the number of puppies is the environment you breed your Goldendoodle in. An environment that causes high stress to a pregnant dog can result in a smaller litter. It can also affect your dog’s ability to get pregnant.
To ensure a healthy pregnancy, you should ensure the environment your Goldendoodle is bred in is safe and caring. An environment with minimal to no stress combined with the other factors listed above can increase the chances of a big litter filled with many happy and healthy Goldendoodle puppies.
The Different Types of Goldendoodles
Depending on their parentage, there are different types (or generations) of Goldendoodles. The different generations of Goldendoodle puppies may have more Golden Retriever ancestry or more Poodle ancestry.
Regardless of the ratio of each parent’s ancestry, each Goldendoodle is sure to be a good-tempered, sweet-natured dog who will produce a wonderful litter.
Here’s an easy reference guide to Goldendoodle generations:
- First-generation Goldendoodles (F1) = Purebred Golden Retriever + Purebred Poodle Parents
- First-generation Backcross Goldendoodles (F1B) = Standard Poodle + F1 Goldendoodle Parents
- F2 Goldendoodles = F1 Goldendoodle + F1 Goldendoodle Parents or F2 Goldendoodle + Poodle Parents
- F2B Goldendoodles = F1 Goldendoodle + F1B Goldendoodle Parents or F2 Goldendoodle + Poodle Parents
Frequently Asked Questions
How many litters can Goldendoodles produce in a year?
A Goldendoodle can have up to two litters every year. The pregnancy period of a female dog is typically around 57-65 days, meaning it is possible for your Goldendoodle to have more than two litters a year.
However, this is not recommended as – just like humans – pregnancy takes a toll. This also goes for how many times you breed your Goldendoodle throughout its lifetime.
A conscientious breeder will always put the health of the dog first and only allow a mom to produce a handful of litters in her lifetime.
What age can you breed a Goldendoodle?
A Goldendoodle should have a minimum age of 2-3 years to get pregnant, with a maximum age of 12 years.
A female Goldendoodle’s first heat cycle takes place between 8-18 months of age. While they can get pregnant around this time, it is not the best time to start breeding.
For a male Goldendoodle, the recommended age for first breeding should be around two years old, with a maximum age of 10-12 years.
Male Goldendoodles are able to mate every day throughout their entire life. However, the amount and quality of their sperm will be less at the start and end of their life.
How long does a Goldendoodle stay pregnant?
Similar to all dog breeds, a pregnant Goldendoodle will carry her puppies for around 58 to 68 days.
How many puppies can a Goldendoodle have in their first litter?
This will ultimately depend on the genetics of your Goldendoodle. A purebred Poodle mated with a purebred Golden Retriever can produce anywhere from 3-8 puppies in the first litter. Breeding a Golden Retriever with a smaller Poodle (such as a Miniature or Toy Poodle) will result in 3-5 puppies in the first litter.