You have probably heard about the Goldendoodle – while it’s a designer dog breed, it’s still very common. However, you may not have known that there are further variations of this mixed-breed dog.
There are Mini Goldendoodles, Mountain Goldendoodles, and of course Moyen Goldendoodles
In this piece, we’ll specifically be focusing on the Moyen Goldendoodle. We’ll cover everything from its temperament to why it was bred in the first place. So, if you want to know more about Moyen Groodles, you’ve come to the right place.
If you want to find out other information about Goldendoodles and many other breeds, check out our homepage at Barks In The Park.
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What Breeds Are Used To Create Moyen Goldendoodles?
As the name might suggest, Goldendoodles are bred by mating a Poodle and a standard Golden Retriever.
Golden Retrievers and Poodles were chosen due to the excellent characteristics of both breeds. Poodles are obedient, cute, friendly, and intelligent dogs. However, one of the main reasons the Poodle was chosen is because of the breed’s low-shedding nature and minimal dander production.
This makes the breed perfect for dog owners that are allergic to dander. But what if you don’t want a Poodle? Then this is where the other parent breed comes into the picture.
The Golden Retriever is easily one of the most popular dog breeds in the world – they are energetic, fun, and very intelligent dogs. Golden Retrievers are also very friendly and have a cute look to them, which also contributes to why they are such a popular breed. The only issue is that they shed moderately, and, therefore produce a decent amount of dander.
So, what did breeders do? They crossed the two breeds together to create the perfect hybrid. Perhaps, one of the best aspects of this breed is that it comes in multiple sizes. While the average Golden Retriever does not vary in size all that much, there are many variations of the Poodle breed.
The Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle are used to create Goldendoodles of varying sizes, and the Moyen Goldendoodle is one of these sizes. However, we’ll discuss this in more detail in the section below.
Why Were Moyen Goldendoodles First Bred?
The French word “moyen” when directly translated to English means average, and that is exactly what Moyen Goldendoodles are – medium-sized Doodles.
The Standard Goldendoodle is a mix between a Standard Poodle and a Golden Retriever, and Miniature Goldendoodles or Mini Goldendoodles are a mix between a Miniature Poodle and a Golden Retriever.
Some breeders were not happy with these sizes and strived to create a mix that fitted perfectly in between these two sizes. And thus, the Moyen Goldendoodle came to be.
There are a few methods breeders have used to create this mix. In some cases, breeders mate Goldendoodles with Poodles of a range of sizes to create a Moyen. This is what is known as an F1B Moyen Goldendoodle, as it will be 75% Poodle and only 25% Golden Retriever.
F1 Moyen Goldendoodles, on the other hand, are first-generation Goldendoodles. This means that they are a direct mix between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. This method is a little more tricky, as breeders first need to either breed or find a medium-sized Poodle, and then cross it with a Golden Retriever.
Unfortunately, crossing these breeds doesn’t always go as planned, and you may end up with a Standard Goldendoodle instead of a Moyen Goldendoodle.
Are Moyen Goldendoodles Recognized By The AKC?
No, in fact, not even Moyen Poodles are recognized by the American Kennel Club, although they are recognized in some other countries. The only recognized sizes of Poodles are Toy, Miniature, and Standard. The Moyen Poodle (15-20 inches) is considered a Standard Poodle (15-24 inches) at the smaller end of the scale.
Goldendoodles of any size are not recognized by the AKC, as the organization only recognizes pure-bred dogs. The Moyen Goldendoodle is, therefore, also not recognized by the AKC.
However, just because your dog is not recognized does not mean you cannot show it. Shows that focus on breed standards will be out of the question, as there are no Goldendoodle breed standards.
But, there is nothing stopping you from entering your Moyen Goldendoodle into grooming and agility competitions.
What Is The Moyen Goldendoodle Used For?
Goldendoodles were originally bred to be used as guide dogs. More recently they have also been used as service dogs, therapy dogs, and sniffer dogs.
However, like their Golden Retriever parents, you will often find that Goldendoodles are mainly kept as companions and family pets these days due to their excellent temperaments.
Moyen Goldendoodle Characteristics
The Moyen Goldendoodle is similar in appearance and temperament to other Doodle sizes – here’s everything you need to know:
Size
The Moyen Goldendoodle fits perfectly in between the size of Standard Goldendoodles and Mini Goldendoodles. This is why your average Moyen Goldendoodle is between 15 and 20 inches tall.
Weight range
These Goldendoodles normally weigh between 40 and 55 pounds. However, it is possible for these dogs to be slightly under or slightly over this weight range.
Coat type
A Moyen Goldendoodle’s coat type can vary, depending on genetics and a few other factors, but there are four main coat types. Doodles can have flat coats, curly coats, wavy coats, and double coats.
Colors
It’s not just the coat type that has a lot of variety in this breed! Goldendoodles have many color variations and patterns too. The Poodle parent will generally influence the puppies’ coloring more, since Golden Retrievers are usually, well, golden.
The most common Groodle colors are black, apricot, white, and brown, but you’ll also find patterns like parti, tuxedo, merle, and abstract – a whole rainbow of Doodles to choose from!
Temperament
Moyen Goldendoodles and Goldendoodles in general are renowned for having excellent temperaments, due to the characteristics of their parent breeds. But what exactly makes their temperaments so great?
Well, the Moyen Goldendoodle seems to inherit intelligence and friendliness from its Poodle parent, and its fun-loving nature from its Golden Retriever parent.
This makes these Goldendoodles perfect as family pets, as they are sure to get on with everyone in your family, including your other dogs! If you train your Moyen Goldendoodle when it is young, then it should even get along with other pets like cats.
Goldendoodles aren’t aggressive or imposing in any way at all, so they don’t make for great guard dogs. However, they are very vigilant and attentive, and will likely alert you if they notice anything out of the ordinary in your home. So, a Goldendoodle can still be used as a watchdog.
The Moyen Goldendoodle is also incredibly obedient and easy to train, but we’ll go into more detail about training later.
Health and lifespan
Moyen Doodles are generally quite healthy dogs, and can usually live to be between 10 and 15 years old. Unfortunately, like all other dog breeds, they are predisposed to certain health conditions, including:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
- Cushing’s disease
- Patellar luxation
- Allergies
These are just some of the possible health conditions your Goldendoodle could experience in its lifetime. But, this does not mean that your dog is guaranteed to contract any of these conditions or diseases.
If you regularly take your dog for vet checkups, you can catch these conditions early and treat them.
Moyen Goldendoodle Care
If you’ve decided that a Moyen Doodle will be the perfect dog for you, then you’ll need to be aware of the type of care your dog will need. These doggos need quite a bit of your attention, so make sure you have time to do all of the following:
Feeding requirements
Generally, you should consult with a vet if you aren’t sure how much food you should give to your dog and the type of food that will be best for them.
All dogs need diets high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and low in fat. So, that’s what you should look for when choosing dog food.
You should give your Moyen Goldendoodle between 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry dog food every day. This should also be split into two even meals. Make sure to never overfeed your Goldendoodle, as this could eventually cause them to become overweight.
Shedding and grooming
Moyen Groodles are pretty much hypoallergenic due to their low dander production and the fact that they hardly shed. But this doesn’t mean that they do not need to be groomed regularly.
You should brush your Moyen a few times per week to remove any dirt, debris, and excess hair that has become trapped in its coat. This will also help to spread the natural oils already found on their coats and will leave them looking healthy and shiny.
Your Moyen’s nails will need to be cut either once or twice per month. Nails that are too long can cause pain and discomfort, so make sure you keep on top of this.
You will also need to bathe your Goldendoodle at least once per month (or when it is visibly dirty) to remove any bacteria, dirt, or debris it has picked up on its coat. However, make sure not to bathe your dog too often. Otherwise, you could end up stripping its coat of natural oils and drying out its skin.
Dental hygiene is important too if you want your Moyen to be happy and healthy. This is why you should brush your Goldendoodle’s teeth a few times per week.
Finally, you will need to regularly check your Moyen’s ears for signs of infection, and clean them once per week using an ear-cleaning solution and some cotton balls.
Exercise
Goldendoodles are high-energy dogs, and they have their parent breeds to thank for that. This means that you will need to exercise your Doodle for at least one hour per day every day – these smaller-sized dogs generally don’t need as much exercise as Standard Groodles.
If they don’t get this exercise in, they could end up picking up some bad habits like digging, chewing, and nuisance barking. The best way to exercise your dog is to take it along for a walk, hike, or jog, as both you and your dog will be getting some exercise in! Goldendoodles also make for great running partners due to their high level of obedience.
Mental stimulation is just as important for these dogs, as they are highly intelligent and like to be challenged. Games like hide-and-seek and puzzle toys will go down a treat with your Groodle.
Training
The Moyen Goldendoodle might seem like a rather goofy breed, but they are incredibly intelligent and pick up on training quickly. Like with any other breed, it is important to start training early to prevent your dog from picking up any bad habits.
If you don’t have the time to train your Doodle yourself, you can enroll your puppy in obedience classes. This will also help your dog socialize with other dogs so it grows into a well-rounded adult.
FAQs
Are Moyen Goldendoodles difficult to find?
The Moyen Goldendoodle is much rarer than other Goldendoodles, as it can be quite difficult to breed a Goldendoodle to be a very specific size.
What is the biggest Goldendoodle?
Standard Goldendoodles are the largest types of Goldendoodles – Moyens are slightly smaller. They are bred from Standard Poodles crossed with Golden Retrievers.