Are Goldendoodles Good Apartment Dogs? Pros and Cons Explained!

Goldendoodles are a dynamic and fun-loving dog breed, but you need to consider your living space carefully if you have an apartment.

Wondering whether Goldendoodles are among the dog breeds that make a good apartment dog? Standard Goldendoodles are big dogs that need outdoor space to meet their physical and mental needs, but that doesn’t mean a Goldendoodle home needs to be large. Here’s what you need to know to avoid noise complaints while enjoying one of these hypoallergenic dogs at your apartment.

After extensively researching Goldendoodles, I have gathered enough information to determine if this breed is suitable for apartment living. My research has indicated that although tolerant breeds such as Goldendoodles can be great apartment dogs, the owner has a responsibility to ensure that the pup’s needs are being met when living in a smaller space. 

Goldendoodles are a popular breed for apartment dwellers due to their low shedding, medium size, and great companion traits. Socialization and obedience are essential for their temperament, as they can develop separation anxiety and destructive behaviors when left alone for long periods.

Crate training, treats, praise, and rewards can help with their behavior and energy level. Goldendoodles, like Labradoodles and Cockapoos, can also make excellent therapy or service dogs as well as being great apartmnet dogs.

When looking for a Goldendoodle, it’s important to find a reputable breeder and consider rescuing one from a shelter. As first-time dog owners, it’s essential to research breed characteristics and grooming needs, as Goldendoodles require regular grooming to prevent matting.

They also tend to bark, so apartment living may require additional training and bathroom breaks. Goldendoodles bark more often if they are high-energy dogs, so choose a breeder who aims for very intelligent dogs that are calm.

Aren’t Goldendoodles Too Big to be Excellent Apartment Dogs?

Despite their large size, Goldendoodles are actually a fantastic breed for apartment living. These pups are easy-going, have upbeat positive personalities, and are happy just about anywhere as long as their owner is by their side. 

With that said, if you want to bring a Goldendoodle into your life while staying in an apartment, you need to ensure that your pup is content in the living space. Apartments can be a red flag for certain breeds, but the truth is the owner is the one that needs to put in the effort to ensure their pup is happy in this kind of environment. 

As a larger dog breed, Goldendoodles need plenty of space to stretch their legs, which is why a decent size apartment and the right amount of exercise will be absolutely mandatory. Living in an apartment certainly complicates being a dog owner, but it does not mean that it’s impossible. To help you understand this further, I’m going to dive into the dos and don’ts of living in an apartment with a Goldendoodle.

Can Mini Goldendoodles Live in Apartments?

Can Mini Goldendoodles live in apartments? As long as you can commit to walking your Mini Goldendoodle for at least an hour a day, Mini Goldendoodles can live in apartments.

While it’s great to have a backyard, Mini Goldendoodles can have their exercise needs met playing at the dog park, going for long walks, and playing inside your home. They don’t need access to a fenced-in backyard to have a high quality of life.

How Much Exercise Do Mini Goldendoodles Need?

Mini Goldendoodles need at least an hour of exercise every day. That hour can be any combination of running around the dog park, going on walks, and high-intensity play inside.

Keep in mind that an hour a day is just a general guideline. Your Mini Goldendoodle may need more exercise based on their size and personality. That’s because Golden Retrievers and Poodles were bred to work alongside hunters in the field. The American Kennel Club (AKC) calls the Poodle “an elegant athlete.”

Luckily, Mini Goldendoodles should weigh less than 50 pounds, which makes it easier to meet some of their exercise needs indoors. Make sure you have plenty of toys of every kind for your Mini Goldendoodle, including:

• Chew toys
• Puzzle toys
• Snuffle mat
• Rope toys
• Fetch toys
• Toys without stuffing

What Should I Know About Getting a Mini Goldendoodle if I Live in an Apartment?

Before you add a dog to your current apartment or move to a new one, you need to read your lease and check the rules. Every apartment complex has different rules about whether dogs are allowed, what breeds or sizes of dogs are excluded, and what fees are involved.

Some apartments forbid all dogs except service animals. Or, they may allow dogs, but only up to a certain weight (often 75 pounds, but the weight limit may be as low as 20 pounds). They might forbid Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed they perceive to be dangerous.

Luckily, Mini Goldendoodles are small enough to be allowed under most weight limits and generally aren’t affected by breed restrictions.

You should expect to pay additional fees if you want to have a Mini Goldendoodle in your apartment, including one or more of the following:

• Pet rent: An additional monthly fee on top of your standard rent cost.
• Pet deposit: A refundable fee you pay when you first sign a lease or bring a pet home. As long as there isn’t any pet-related damage to your apartment when you move out, you’ll get this money back.
• Pet fee: A nonrefundable fee you must pay for your pet when you sign a lease or bring home a pet.

You MUST pay all the fees and follow all the rules when having a pet in an apartment. Failing to do so can result in eviction for you and your dog.

Do Mini Goldendoodles Bark A Lot?

Mini Goldendoodles are not known for excessive barking. However, they are prone to separation anxiety and may whine or bark when left alone. That could cause a problem for your neighbors if you just ignore it.

Separation anxiety is a condition where a dog becomes too emotionally dependent on their people and gets anxious when left alone. Mild separation anxiety may cause symptoms like whining, barking, or pacing when left alone.

Dogs with severe separation anxiety may do everything they can to try to escape, including chewing around doors and windows.

One thing that helps prevent separation anxiety is to give your Mini Goldendoodle a special treat they only get when you leave. Peanut butter inside a Kong toy, then put in the freezer overnight, is a great option.

The trick is to find a high-value, long-lasting treat that you can trust your dog with when they’re alone. Some dogs swallow large pieces of bully sticks or destroyed toys if they’re alone, which can cause intestinal blockages.

Another excellent solution for dogs that struggle with separation anxiety is doggy daycare. Since Mini Goldendoodles tend to be social animals, doggy daycare serves multiple purposes. Benefits of doggy daycare can include:

• More exercise
• Improved socialization
• Reduced separation anxiety
• Less worry for you about what your dog does all day
• No complaints from the neighbors about your dog barking all day
• Less likelihood of your Mini Goldendoodle destroying your apartment

If your Mini Goldendoodle has severe separation anxiety or doesn’t do well in doggy daycare, you may need to talk to a vet or dog trainer to help your dog.

What if My Mini Goldendoodle Is Afraid of the Elevator in My Apartment Building?

The movement of an elevator seems unnatural to a dog. They don’t understand what’s happening, and it’s natural for them to be nervous.

If your Mini Goldendoodle is afraid of the elevator, follow these steps to help them overcome their fear:

• Stand with your dog outside the elevator, push the button, and reward your dog when the elevator arrives and dings. Treats and verbal praise are great, but don’t go overboard on baby talk because it sounds to your dog like you’re confirming that they have something to be afraid of.
• Walk calmly onto the elevator with your Mini Goldendoodle, giving a gentle tug on the leash if necessary. Hold the door open, stay in the elevator for a couple of seconds, then exit the elevator. Time for more praise and another treat!
• Repeat these steps a few times until your dog is calmer entering and exiting the elevator before moving into the next step.
• Gradually increase the length of time you stay in the elevator before leaving again. Then, try closing the door and reward your dog if they stay calm. Repeat this sequence until you can get into the elevator and close the door without your dog getting upset.
• Next, take the elevator up or down a floor and praise your dog if they stay calm.

With time, practice, and lots of treats and praise, your dog will eventually learn that the elevator is a good thing and not something to fear.

If you know somebody who has a dog that does well in elevators, have them join your training sessions so your dog can watch the other dog and see there’s no reason to panic.

Why a Goldendoodle will be a Great Fit in Your Apartment Complex:

• Goldendoodles are extremely friendly, and can be easily trained
• They do well at the dog park, at doggy daycare, or exercised wherever you have outdoors space.
• These social dogs come in multiple sizes, from medium sized Goldendoodles to standard Goldendoodles.
• This breed is physically healhty and has a somewhat non shedding coat

What is a Good Size Apartment for a Goldendoodle?

When it comes to apartment living with a Goldendoodle, size does matter. It goes without saying, that the larger your apartment, the more comfortable your Goldendoodle will be in the living space. 

Ideally, your apartment should be at least 550 to 1,000 square feet. This is about the standard size of a one-bedroom apartment, and it should give your Goldendoodle enough space to wander around and feel at home. 

If you own a bigger apartment than this, even better. You will hear no complaints from your Goldendoodle about some extra space around the house. 

However, what’s equally important is that the apartment is set up properly for your Goldendoodle. A 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment is not going to be advantageous for your dog if you’ve only allocated a closet space worth of room for your pup. 

This does not imply that you cannot crate train your Goldendoodle when you are not at home. Instead, you should focus on creating a living environment and a stable routine so that your Goldendoodle feels happy and content in your apartment.

How Much Excercise Do Goldendoodles Need?

If you are considering a Goldendoodle for your next dog, keep in mind that these pups need plenty of exercise. Goldendoodles are an active breed and they love to be outside, which means that playtime and walks in the park need to be part of your daily schedule. 

Exercise is an important factor to consider for every dog breed, regardless of whether they are living in an apartment or a full-size home. However, staying active is particularly important for indoor dogs living in apartments, given the lack of mobility. 

Consider how you might feel being cooped up in an apartment for hours on end. Your Goldendoodle may enjoy being at home, but that does not mean that you should neglect its physical needs to go outside and get some exercise.

On average, you should expect to give your Goldendoodle a bare minimum of two 30-minute walks outside per day for an adult dog. With that said, your Goldendoodle will have much better physical health and feel happier mentally if it’s given 2 hours of exercise per day. 

That does not necessarily mean that you need to spend 2 hours outside each day with your Goldendoodle. Your pup may have excess energy in between walks, which is when an indoor play session may be required. Exercise needs to be routine, but it does not always need to be outside.

How Big Do Goldendoodles Get? 

Most Goldendoodles will stand between 18 and 21 inches and they can weigh anywhere from 40 to 50 lbs when they are full-grown adults. All in all, this is by no means a small pup, but that does not imply a Goldendoodle is not a suitable breed for an apartment. 

As I mentioned, you need to consider the size of your living space and how you’ve set up your apartment. Goldendoodles thrive when they have a good relationship with their owner and their environment first and foremost.

Types of Goldendoodles 

The Goldendoodle is a hybrid designer dog that is mixed with the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. These two breeds open up some exciting possibilities for dynamic breeding that allows for several different size variations.

Aside from the F1 through F2 generation classifications, Goldendoodles can be found in Toy, Miniature, and Standard forms. The reason for this is that the Poodle can also be seen in similar sizes.

Depending on the type of Poodle that was used in the breeding process, you may have a few different sizes to choose from when picking out your Goldendoodle. These are the different Goldendoodle size variations:

• Standard Goldendoodle – 18 to 21 inches tall & 40 to 50 lbs
• Miniature Goldendoodle – 13 to 17 inches tall & 15 to 35 lbs
• Toy Goldendoodle – 10 to 16 inches tall & 10 to 25 lbs 

If you are concerned about the large size of a standard Goldendoodle in your tiny apartment but are in love with this breed, you should consider a smaller variation. Miniature and Toy Goldendoodles are a great fit for virtually any apartment, which makes owning a pup in a smaller space feel much less intimidating. 

However, you need to keep in mind that just because your Goldendoodle may be a smaller variation, that does not mean that you can neglect their needs. Goldendoodles need space, exercise, and affection regardless of how small or big their living space is. 

Top Tips for Goldendoodle Apartment Living

Goldendoodles are an incredibly popular breed at the moment, and understandably so. These dogs are adorable, intelligent, and affectionate, making them an all-in-one package for so many aspiring owners. 

Getting a Goldendoodle as an apartment owner requires more attention to detail so that your pup can be happy at home. Consider the following tips for apartment living with a Goldendoodle.

Walks & Exercise 

I cannot stress enough the importance of giving your Goldendoodle plenty of exercise. This is really the deal breaker for apartment owners, given that your pup will not have a backyard. 

Potty Time 

If you don’t want to come home to a messy home every time you enter your apartment, make sure that you have taken the time to properly potty train your pup. 

Once they are trained, you should ideally create a system that allows them to go even when you are away from home.

Dog Walker 

If you work full-time and live in an apartment, you may feel that your dream of owning a Goldendoodle is hopeless. 

However, if you can hire a dog walker to give your pup the attention it deserves, this takes care of most of the exercise and outdoor time.

Toys

Goldendoodles love toys, and this is a great way to keep them entertained when you are away from home. Keeping toys at home will prevent your pup from getting bored and lonely in your apartment when you are gone.

Key Takeaways

• Goldendoodles are great apartment dogs, provided that all of their needs are being met. 
• You need to ensure that your Goldendoodle is getting enough affection, exercise, and time outdoors for them to be happy living inside of an apartment, especially if it’s a small living space.
• The size of your apartment should ideally be at least 550 to 1,000 square feet for your Goldendoodle to have enough room.
• Goldendoodles need a minimum of two 30-minute walks per day and two hours of daily exercise.

Related Content You May Find Interesting

Here are some more articles that may be of interest to you if you’re wondering about keeping a Goldendoodle in an apartment.

• Goldendoodles are great apartment dogs if all their needs are met.
• The owner is responsible for ensuring the dog is content in a smaller space.
• Goldendoodles are easy-going, happy dogs and thrive with their owner.
• A larger apartment is better, but a standard one-bedroom apartment (550-1000 sq ft) is adequate.
• Proper set up of the apartment is important for the dog’s happiness.
• Goldendoodles need plenty of exercise and playtime, even when living in an apartment.
• On average, Goldendoodles need at least two 30-minute walks outside per day, but ideally 2 hours of exercise.
• Goldendoodles are a larger breed, but still suitable for apartments if their needs are met.
• Goldendoodles come in different sizes, depending on the Poodle used in breeding.