Guides & Resources
Goldendoodle Puppy Resources & Guides
Honest answers on buying, raising, and caring for Goldendoodles — written by the families behind Purkey Puppies.
Bringing home a Goldendoodle is a ten-plus-year commitment, and the best decisions happen before pickup day. That's why we write these guides — the same honest answers we give families over the phone every week, from how much a puppy really costs to whether a doodle's coat will work for your allergies. Everything here comes from our own experience raising litters in Midland and Red Oak, Texas, not from recycled internet advice.
If you're just starting your research, begin with our buyer's guides — they'll help you evaluate any breeder, not just us. Then dig into the breed itself: the differences between F1B, Mini, and Standard Goldendoodles, what health testing should look like, and how to get your home ready for the big day. Have a question we haven't covered? Ask us directly — we respond to every message within 24–48 hours.
About Purkey PuppiesSeptember 24, 2026
Why We Breed Goldendoodles: The Story Behind Purkey Puppies
When you buy a puppy, you're also choosing the people who raised it. Here's how our first Goldendoodle, Daisy, grew into a three-family program in Midland and Red Oak, and why it matters so much to us.
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Puppy PrepSeptember 17, 2026
Grooming a Goldendoodle Puppy: When to Start and What to Do at Home
The coat is why most families choose a Goldendoodle, and it's the part of ownership that surprises them most. Here's when to start grooming, what to do at home each week, when to book the first groomer visit, and how to get through the coat change.
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Texas & LocationsSeptember 10, 2026
How to Vet a DFW Goldendoodle Breeder Before You Reserve
Plenty of the “Goldendoodle breeders near Dallas” you’ll find online aren’t breeders, and aren’t near Dallas. Here’s how to tell the difference, what to verify before you put money down, and how our Red Oak program works.
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Goldendoodle EducationSeptember 7, 2026
Goldendoodle Generations Explained: F1, F1B, F2, and What They Mean for You
Every Goldendoodle listing uses labels like F1, F1B, and F2 — and almost none of them explain what they mean. Here's what each one tells you about coat and shedding, and what it can't tell you at all.
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Buyer's GuideAugust 27, 2026
Red Flags to Watch for When Choosing a Goldendoodle Breeder
Most families shop for a Goldendoodle by browsing listings instead of vetting the breeder — and that's how good people end up with a sick puppy or no puppy at all. Here are the warning signs we'd tell our own family to watch for.
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About Purkey PuppiesAugust 20, 2026
How We Socialize Puppies from Birth to 8 Weeks
Health testing decides how sound a puppy's body is; socialization decides who the puppy becomes. Here's exactly what happens in our homes between birth and pickup day — daily handling, new sounds and surfaces, kids, and the first nights near a crate.
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Puppy PrepAugust 13, 2026
Crate Training a Goldendoodle Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crate training is the fastest way to housebreak a Goldendoodle puppy, and it usually takes two to three weeks. Here's how to size the crate, get through the first three days and the first few nights, and avoid the mistakes that set families back.
Read the guide →Texas & LocationsAugust 6, 2026
Picking Up Your Goldendoodle Puppy in Texas: Travel, Timing, and What to Expect
Texas is a big state, and most of our puppy families drive a few hours to come get their Goldendoodle. Here's how pickup day works at our Midland and Red Oak programs — timing, what to bring, and keeping an 8-week-old comfortable on the ride home.
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Goldendoodle EducationJuly 30, 2026
How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? Lifespan, Health, and What Affects It
Goldendoodles typically live 10 to 15 years — and where a particular dog lands inside that range comes down to size, genetics, and care. Here's what shortens a lifespan, what health testing prevents, and what's actually in your hands after pickup.
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Buyer's GuideJuly 27, 2026
How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost in Texas? An Honest Pricing Guide
Texas Goldendoodle prices range from suspiciously cheap to eye-watering. As breeders, here's our honest breakdown of what drives the price, what should always be included, and the red flags at both ends.
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About Purkey PuppiesJuly 23, 2026
Our Health Testing Standards at Purkey Puppies
A healthy puppy starts long before it's born. Here's exactly what we screen for — genetic clearances and OFA certification for hips and elbows — plus the vet care every Purkey puppy receives before pickup.
Read the guide →Puppy PrepJuly 9, 2026
What to Have Ready Before Your Goldendoodle Puppy Comes Home
Pickup day goes smoothly when your home is ready first. Here's the supply checklist, home prep, and first-week plan to have in place before your Goldendoodle puppy arrives.
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Texas & LocationsJuly 2, 2026
Buying a Goldendoodle in West Texas: What to Know Before You Search
West Texas has fewer Goldendoodle breeders than the big metros, so it pays to search carefully. Here's what to know about local breeders, the climate, pricing, and pickup — from a family that raises doodles in Midland.
Read the guide →Goldendoodle EducationJune 25, 2026
Do Goldendoodles Shed? The Honest Truth About Their Coats
Most Goldendoodles shed very little — but how little depends on the generation and coat your puppy inherits. Here's an honest breakdown of shedding, hypoallergenic coats, and why F1B sheds the least.
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Buyer's GuideJune 12, 2026
10 Questions to Ask a Goldendoodle Breeder Before You Buy
Finding the right breeder matters as much as finding the right puppy. These 10 questions will help you evaluate any Goldendoodle program — and they reflect the standards we hold ourselves to at Purkey Puppies.
Read the guide →Start Your Goldendoodle Search Today
Browse our available puppies or join the waitlist for an upcoming litter from our Midland and Dallas, TX programs.