How can I determine the size & coat of a pup?

[Kristi and Mickey Finn]

Hello DK folks,

Well, our new family member was born December 28th and I am so excited! How do you determine the actual adult size and the type of coat they will have when you just see a photo of a new born? The mom is a 50 lb Golden Retriever and the dad is a 30 lb Moyen Poodle. I can tell that some of the coats are already curly and some straight. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Shelley & Beans]

Go to the group page : from pup to adult. 

I have been researching doodle since our decision to get one 2 months ago and found this group very helpful. My puppy a mini goldendoodle was born Jan. 1, 2013. The one thing I found out that I would not have know is how much the coat can change throughout the first year of the dogs life. So basically my understanding is "Surprise Package". There are some Doodles that don't even look like they have any Poodle in them there is a group for that too... I think it is "Nothing like a doodle". As for size even that varies, you think your buying a Mini and you end up with Medium, or Medium and end up with large. 

So go for temperament and personality ... just like our human babies you will love them regardless. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can tell you that no matter what you read or what the breeder says, there is no way to determine the adult size of an F1 GD puppy. The puppy could very easily end up larger than the mother, regardless of what size he is now. The biggest pup in a litter does not always grow up to be the biggest dog of the bunch, and ditto for the smallest pup. It's completely chance.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I completely agree--while I know of some litters where the size of the pups was really an average of the two dogs size, I know of many others where that was not true at all--let me give you one example--Lyric's last litter--8 pups born to a 50 pound mom and a 38 pound dad (both LD's) here are the weights at 16 months of age--42, 45, 45, 50, 55, 55, 60 and 65! And one of the 55 pounders was the smallest in the litter--so forget about it! Just wait to be surprised.

But it is true that if they have a crinkly coat now they will most likely be curly--here is an example--both of these pups grew up to have curly coats:

[Kristi and Mickey Finn]

Thanks Doodle Mommy and Karen,

I so appreciate you taking the time to fill me in. What you both said is something that I realize. I just need to go with the flow........I have this dog in my mind and I know that it might not be the dog I get but like you all said I will love and cherish anyone one of them. My husband says we can't go wrong he likes all of them!  I am so excited! 

Its interesting I have 2 son's and they are as different as night and day in size and personality. One is 6'1" and the other son is 5"10". Same parents! So go figure!

Thank you!

Kristi

[Lynda Kamrath]

Short answer - You can't.  With a small poodle as a father, you may get a smaller dog, but no guarantees.  Golden retriever for a mom - you will probably get some longer hair, but not necessarily curly.  The best judge of the adult size is to take the weight at 14 weeks, double that, and add 5 - 10 pounds.  But how tall?  Yet to be determined.  The F1 dogs have something called "Hybrid vigor" which can get you a larger dog.  My F1b goldendoodle is very large - 90 lbs and 30 inches, but most are not that large.  Enjoy watching her/him grow and change.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have always heard that you double the wt. at 16 weeks and that has worked fairly well for me.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Sarcasm alert::  How do you tell the eventual size and coat of a goldendoodle puppy??  Wait a year or so and look!

Sorry, I couldn't resist... 

[Shelley & Beans]

wish there was a LIKE button like on facebook... CUTE!!

[Lynda Kamrath]

But true!  Very true.

[DJ & Chance]

Ha!

[Katherine]

LOL - too true. And even at 1 year you might be waayyy off for some dogs - so many get striking coat changes at 2-3 years. The group "Where's the Poodle in my Doodle" has tons of great examples of that.

[Kristi and Mickey Finn]

touche'