Can Goldendoodles Be Outside Dogs?

Did you grow up in a home where dogs were always kept outside? Now, maybe you realize that’s not in the best interest of every dog.

Whether you’re specifically looking for a dog that you can keep outside, or if you’re thinking about getting a Goldendoodle and wondering whether they can be kept outside, we’ve got the information you need.

Goldendoodle Personality

Goldendoodles are extremely friendly and social. They don’t just enjoy people – they NEED to be near their people as much as possible.

The Goldendoodle is a devoted family pet that thrives on interacting with its people. A Goldendoodle kept outside would likely become depressed and destructive.

Separation Anxiety

Being so social, Goldendoodles are highly prone to separation anxiety. This is a problem where dogs become so attached to their people that they experience extreme anxiety when left alone. This anxiety may result in destructiveness, escape attempts, barking, and other undesirable behaviors.

Goldendoodles do best if they can stay inside with their family. If you work outside the home, you should consider a dog walker or doggie daycare to give your Goldendoodle something to do during the day, aside from missing you.

Goldendoodle Coat Care

Unlike their Poodle and Golden Retriever parents, Goldendoodles were not bred to work outside in the elements all day long, and their coat reflects that. Goldendoodle fur is typically challenging to keep brushed out, and it attracts mud and burrs like you wouldn’t believe.

They need daily brushing if you want to keep any length on your Goldendoodle’s fur. That’s hard to do if your dog is outside, rolling in mud, dirt, or grass all day.

If you can’t brush your Goldendoodle at least every other day, then you should keep them in a very short haircut. A short clip is perfect if your Goldendoodle is only outside for about an hour of exercise every day. However, it won’t do a very good job of protecting your Goldendoodle from the elements if you leave them outside all day long.

Crate Training

If you’re afraid to leave your Goldendoodle inside your home all day, crate training is a great way to keep them (and your stuff) safe when your dog is home alone. When done correctly, crate training isn’t about punishing your dog and “locking them up.” Crate training is about providing a safe place for your dog to relax and feel protected.

Another reason crate training is crucial is that your Goldendoodle will encounter a kennel at some point in their life. It could be at the vet, groomer, or doggie daycare. Dogs not used to a crate can panic in a kennel and hurt themselves trying to escape.

How Cold Can a Goldendoodle Tolerate? How Hot?

Generally, most Goldendoodles will be comfortable down to 45 degrees F. Mini, Toy, or shaved Goldendoodles may get cold and need a coat before it gets chilly.

Large Goldendoodle with a thick, well-kept coat may be comfortable in temperatures even lower than that. Each dog is unique, so it’s up to you to monitor your Goldendoodle to see how comfortable they are in the cold.

Your Goldendoodle’s heat tolerance will also vary depending on their size and coat length. Smaller Goldendoodles, with their comparatively larger skin surface-to-body volume ratio, may get hot sooner than larger Doodles.

Also, short fur helps keep dogs cool, but only up to a certain point – a Goldendoodle shaved down to the skin will get hot faster than one with ½” of fur left to protect their skin from the sun’s rays. Meanwhile, shaggy Doodles will likely get hot faster than those with shorter cuts.

How Long Can a Goldendoodle Hold Their Bladder?

Goldendoodle puppies can hold their bladder for their age in months plus one. That means that a 2-month-old Goldendoodle puppy can hold their bladder for about 3 hours, while a 6-month-old puppy can hold their bladder for 7 hours.

Adult Goldendoodles should be able to hold their bladders for at least 9-10 hours. Having said that, you probably feel uncomfortable if you have to go that long between bathroom breaks.

So, you might want to consider hiring a dog walker or taking your Goldendoodle to a doggie daycare if you’re away from home for more than 8 hours a day, five or more days a week.

Do Goldendoodles Like to Be Held?

Some Goldendoodles love to snuggle, while others need their space. Whether or not they tolerate being hugged, Goldendoodles LOVE their people and need as much attention as you can spare. They don’t like to be ignored and wouldn’t do well outside alone all day.

What Dog Breeds Can Be Kept Outside?

If you strongly prefer a dog that can be kept outside, some breeds are better suited than Goldendoodles. Consider one of the following breeds:

Siberian Husky

These dogs love the cold and the snow; some may prefer staying outside to staying in your climate-controlled home. Huskies are also a more independent breed and aren’t as clingy.

However, they are prone to running away and are exceptionally good at digging under or climbing over fences, so make sure your backyard is escape-proof. Huskies are also prone to overheating, so ensure they can always access shade and fresh water.

Australian Cattle Dog

Bred to work alongside ranchers all day, the Australian Cattle Dog is content to wander your property, especially if you have a lot of acreage.

An Australian Cattle Dog could be happy wandering and protecting a large property, but it would probably be miserable stuck in a small dog run all day.

If you leave them outside, you might consider using an invisible fence to keep your Cattle Dog on your property.

Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound has the cold-weather coat of the Husky with the working dog temperament of the Cattle Dog.

If you live in a cool climate, an Elkhound might prefer to stay outside all day. They also don’t have clingy personalities, so they’ll tolerate being left alone all day.

Rottweiler

If you’re looking for a dog who will protect your property from the outside, the Rottweiler is an excellent choice.

With the right training, they can be friendly to your family but protective and wary about strangers. Rottweilers can be kept outside, but they need positive attention from their family to avoid becoming aggressive with everybody.

Beagle

Bred to hunt, Beagles were historically kept outside in kennels in packs. Beagles are social and typically prefer not to be the only dog.

If you only have one Beagle, it would rather be inside with the family, but you may keep a pack of Beagles outdoors as long as they have access to shelter and water.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Also known as the Swissie, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was bred to be an all-around farm dog in Switzerland.

They like being around their people, but they’re happy patrolling and guarding the property. Like the Cattle Dog, a Swissie would be more comfortable with a large property to patrol rather than cooped up in a small yard.

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest dog breed and needs room to stretch their legs. They can be equally happy indoors or outdoors with plenty of room to stretch out.

Being sighthounds, they are prone to chasing small animals, so ensure you have a tall fence around your property to keep a Wolfhound outside. An invisible fence won’t stop a hound on the chase.

American Foxhound

The American Foxhound is another hunting dog that can be satisfied living outside. They like to follow their nose, so ensure they can’t escape your yard if you keep them outside all day.

Australian Shepherd

The Aussie is the ultimate farm dog and can be satisfied sleeping in the barn with the livestock they protect.

Their medium-length fur needs occasional brushing to prevent mats from forming, but they can be happy farm or ranch dogs without needing to sleep inside with their people.

German Shepherd

Like the Rottweiler, the German Shepherd can be trained to protect your property and be happy outside as long as they interact positively with their people during the day.

Neglected German Shepherds can become destructive or aggressive, so give your dog plenty of mental stimulation and attention, even if they live outside.

Does training determine if Goldendoodles can be inside or outside dogs?

No training does not determine if Goldendoodles can be inside or outside dogs.

Training can help with negative behaviors related to how they respond to that environment.  These behaviors can include peeing in the house as an inside dog or chasing a wayward squirrel as an outside dog.  Training will not make them enjoy being outside or inside either way.  Like human’s, this is more about preferences.  Since their purpose and wish is to be with their people, that will shape whether they are an outside or inside dog, not training.

That being said, they can be trained to behave a certain way when outside or inside, and this is highly important in both cases for a happy, safe life with family.

If Goldendoodles spend a lot of time as outside dogs because this is where their family is, they should be well trained for their health and safety.  Protection from dangerous situations in their environment, and follow commands well.  Sit, stay, leave it, and come are the basics, but they are highly important.

If Goldendoodles spend a lot of time as inside dogs because that is where their family is, they should also be trained well.  This training is for harmony in the house and limiting negative behaviors like barking, chewing, and scratching.

Good training can also help pet parents manage the separation anxiety of Goldendoodles, which are inside dogs who miss their loved ones.  Crate training can be very helpful, whether Goldendoodles are inside or outside dogs.

Can my Goldendoodles be outside with me for long hours?

Yes, Goldendoodles can be outside with their pet parents for long hours, provided there is proper preparation so they are warm or cool, hydrated, fed, and healthy.

When spending longer times outside with Goldendoodles, it is always important to have a dog first aid kit and other necessary items to make them more comfortable.  These can include a dog sweater or coat if the weather is cold or a cooling mat if the weather is hot.

They will enjoy spending time outdoors since they want to be beside their loved ones.  Going on a camping trip, take them along as a companion; they are versatile inside and outside dogs that will provide great fun and add to the adventure.

They should, however, never be left out all the time, especially when their loved ones aren’t there with them.  This is for their overall health and safety.  They thrive best in the presence of their pet parents and will suffer less separation anxiety.  Aside from that, keeping Goldendoodles beside you when you are camping or spending extended amounts of time outside also allows you to keep a close eye on them to make sure that they don’t get hurt or injured, or get into too much trouble.

When Goldendoodles need to be inside, pet parents can place them in a vehicle, tent, or another indoor area.  This should be monitored because there is the potential for them to suffer issues due to their separation from mom and dad.

Do Goldendoodles prefer being inside or outside?

Some dogs have a preference, but Goldendoodles do not when it comes to being inside or outside dogs.  They want to be by their loved one’s side, whether inside or outside.  They go outside when they don’t need to use the bathroom, but if mom and dad are not outside, they will most certainly want to be inside dogs.   Basically, where loved ones are, inside or out, is where they prefer to be at any given time.

It should be noted that no dog should be left outside entirely all the time.  Like working dogs who have the physical attributes to withstand outdoor elements, some dogs will love it.  However, they should always have some time to be inside to warm up, cool down, rest or plainly enjoy a change of scenery.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Goldendoodles aren’t the best breed to be kept outside. Neither their personality nor their fur is prepared to spend all day outside.

These dogs need to be inside with their people. If you want to keep your dog outside, other breeds are better suited for that type of life.