Learn about Genetics: Sizes, Coat types, Colors, and more!

Doodles come in a delightful variety of shapes and sizes — and no two breeders measure them the same way! That’s why we wanted to share how we size our Doodles here at Teddy Puppies and what you can realistically expect as your puppy grows.

Every puppy’s size is ultimately an educated estimation based on:

• The size of both parents

• The genetics they carry (some genes are recessive or dominant)

• Past litters’ adult weights

• Body structure (stocky vs. slender)

• Nutrition and activity level

🧬 A Quick Note on Genetics

We’ve found that larger genes tend to be more dominant, meaning it’s not uncommon for a puppy to grow larger — or occasionally smaller — than either parent. Doodles, like people, come in all shapes and builds! A stocky puppy may weigh more than expected even if it isn’t taller, while a slender puppy can appear smaller but still fall within the same height range.

Most dogs reach their full height by around 12 months, but they continue to fill out for another 6–12 months. Think of it like humans reaching their height in high school, but gaining healthy weight and muscle tone in their 20s. Also, keep in mind that males typically weigh more within each size category. Their bodies are often broader and more muscular than females, even when they’re the same height. At Teddy Puppies, we do our best to give each family a realistic and personalized size estimate for their future puppy, which you can find on each puppy’s profile page.

Petite Range: Height: around 14.5 inches to withers, typically 15-20 pounds full-grown.

Miniature Range: Height: 14.5 inches to 17 inches at withers, typically 20-30 pounds.

Medium Range: Height: 17 inches to 22 inches at withers, typically 30-45 pounds.

Standard Range: Height: over 22 inches to withers, typically 45 or more pounds. We do not currently raise puppies in this size category.

If you want to check what size crate to get your puppy based on their size, you can find that chart here!

Doodle Coat Types at Teddy Puppies: What to Expect

From soft curls to silky waves — every Doodle’s coat is a little different!

At Teddy Puppies, we specialize in raising low-shedding Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles with beautiful curly, wavy, and straight coat types. We take coat genetics seriously — not only because of how it looks, but because it determines shedding level, texture, and allergy-friendliness.

Our Commitment to Quality Coats

We do not produce unfurnished or “flat-coat” Goldendoodles, which are high-shedding and considered an improper coat type for allergy-conscious families. These occur when a puppy inherits two copies of the unfurnished gene — which removes that soft, teddy-like facial hair and creates a shedding coat similar to a Golden Retriever.

To prevent this, every parent dog is DNA tested for coat, color, and furnishing traits before breeding as well as disease profiles for health clearances. This allows us to pair dogs responsibly and predict coat outcomes and hypoallergenic potential, and optimal health with confidence.

For Allergy or Asthma-Sensitive Families

We understand that some families come to us because they want a companion that’s easier to live with for those with mild allergies or asthma.

While no dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic, Doodles are a lower-shedding, lower-dander option for most people. Some individuals are allergic not to fur itself, but to saliva, skin dander, or even environmental allergens (like dust or pollen) that may cling to a dog’s coat. If you or a family member have allergies, we gladly welcome in-person meetings so you can safely test your comfort level around our puppies. (Please note: We cannot guarantee that someone will not react, but most families with mild allergies find our doodles very manageable.)

Puppy Matching & Coat Evaluation

We begin puppy matching around 6–7 weeks of age. This gives us time to complete temperament evaluations, observe emerging coat textures, and assess physical traits that are becoming more consistent.

At this age, we can identify whether a puppy’s coat will likely be curly, wavy, or straight, and how dense it will become as they mature.

Here’s a helpful tip we use:👉 Check the ears! A puppy’s ear hair is one of the first places you’ll see curl developing — often giving you a good preview of what their adult coat will look like.

Ear curls often reveal what your Doodle’s mature coat will become!

All puppies go through a coat transition phase around 8 months of age, when their soft puppy coat is replaced by a slightly coarser adult coat. This is normal and temporary — brushing and regular grooming during this stage helps prevent matting and supports a healthy, shiny adult coat.

Personalized Matching Based on Genetics

If you have specific preferences or genetic traits in mind, just let us know! We know the genetic makeup of all our parent dogs, including which coat types each pairing can produce. Even when breeding two wavy-coated parents, they will likely produce a mix of straight, wavy, and curly puppies in a single litter — that’s part of what makes doodles so special and unique. By combining science and hands-on experience, we help families find the puppy that best fits their lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and allergy needs.

✂️ The Truth About Doodle Haircuts

Same dog, different haircut — style makes all the difference!

One of the most common things I hear from families is:

“We want a puppy that looks just like this one!”

…and then they show me a screenshot of an adorable doodle they found online. The funny thing is — the various dogs pictured often have completely different coat types, but they look similar because of the haircut their groomer gave them!

The Power of the Groom

Doodles are incredibly versatile when it comes to grooming styles. The same dog can look dramatically different with a shorter face trim, a rounded teddy bear cut, or a fuller coat left to grow. What you often love in a photo isn’t necessarily the puppy’s genetics — it’s the styling choice.

Whether your puppy has a curly, wavy, or straight coat, their final look will depend heavily on:

• The length of their haircut

• The shape of their face trim (round, square, or natural)

• The amount of scissoring vs. clipper work

• And of course, your groomer’s experience with doodles

Even small changes — like trimming the muzzle shorter or leaving the legs fluffier — can completely transform your puppy’s look. You will need to find a groomer who can work with you in creating your desired look. You can request to see past puppy grooming transformations and see if you like their work. Sometimes it takes feedback and several grooms to get on the same page as you both discover the style you like on your dog.

Customizing Your Doodle’s Style

That’s why I always remind families: your puppy’s look is something you’ll customize with your groomer over time by showing them inspo photos and providing feedback. Every doodle’s coat is unique, and so is your family’s preference — some love the clean, low-maintenance “summer cut,” while others prefer a fuller, plush “teddy bear trim.”

If you’re planning to groom at home, investing in quality clippers, slicker brushes, and curved shears can go a long way. Many families enjoy DIY grooming once they get the hang of it — it’s a fun way to bond and keep that adorable, fluffy look between professional appointments. Here is a resource about at-home grooming as a way to stay fresh in between appointments or if you want to try your hand at it.

At Teddy Puppies, our goal is to give families healthy, well-tempered, low-shedding companions — and from there, you and your groomer create the “look” you love most. We provide the genetics, coat quality, and early care foundation; you provide the creativity, love, and maintenance that bring your Doodle’s personality to life.

🧬 Understanding Genetics...What about Merle or Dogs that carry 1 copy of genetic diseases?

When families see a DNA test that says a parent dog “carries one copy” of something, it can sound alarming — but in responsible breeding, that’s actually a good thing and shows smart, science-based genetics at work.

1. Carriers Are 100% Healthy

A “carrier” simply means your puppy has one copy of a gene that could cause a condition only if both parents passed it down. Because I test every parent before breeding, I only pair carriers with clear dogs — never two carriers of the same gene.👉 That means none of our puppies will ever be affected by those conditions — they’re healthy and safe.

Think of it like this: you might carry your grandmother’s blue-eye gene, but still have brown eyes. You’re not “affected,” you just carry genetic variety.

2. Breeding Carriers Is Actually Healthier for the Breed

It’s a common misconception that only “clear” parents should be bred. In fact, breeding only clears can be harmful over time. Here’s why:

• When you remove every carrier from a program, you shrink the gene pool, leading to less diversity.

• A small gene pool causes the COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) to skyrocket, which increases risks of other hidden health issues, weaker immune systems, and smaller, less vigorous litters.

• Responsible breeders like me preserve genetic diversity by safely pairing carriers with clears, keeping puppies healthy and protecting long-term breed vitality.

So yes — we breed carriers on purpose, with science, not chance.

3. Merle Is a Beautiful and Safe Coat Pattern

Merle isn’t a disease — it’s a color pattern that gives beautiful marbling and variety in the coat. It only becomes risky if two merle parents are bred together (creating “double merle” puppies), which is never done in our program. Each of our pairings is carefully selected to ensure only one merle parent, guaranteeing safety and beauty together.

4. The “Genetic Kitchen” Philosophy

We like to call what we do “genetic cooking” — mixing the right ingredients with precision, knowledge, and care. Every pairing is thoughtfully designed based on:

• Temperament

• Structure

• Coat traits

• DNA compatibility - considering diseases, merle, recessive traits, colors, and hundreds of other factors!

  
  

That’s how we can guarantee your puppy’s health while keeping our program diverse, sustainable, and true to the doodle’s loving temperament.

Your puppy isn’t just healthy — they’re the product of a scientifically balanced, ethically responsible, and love-driven breeding program. We don’t just avoid problems; we build strong genetics for generations to come.

Goldendoodles can come in a variety of colors and patterns. To learn more about color genetics, check out this spreadsheet.