When Do Goldendoodles Stop Growing? Here’s What You Should Know
This is a question we hear from new puppy families all the time: “When do Goldendoodles stop growing?” And it’s a good one—especially if you’ve got a pup who seems to be growing by the hour and you're starting to wonder if they’re ever going to slow down.
The truth is, Goldendoodles grow at different rates depending on their size, but there are some general timelines you can expect based on whether you’ve got a standard, medium, or mini doodle.
We’ve raised a lot of doodles here at Crooked Creek Puppies, and one thing we’ve learned is this: while Goldendoodles tend to reach their full height by 12–16 months, they may keep filling out and gaining muscle until closer to 18 months. And for minis? That timeline is often much shorter.
So let’s walk through what to expect—by size, by age, and based on real-world experience raising these dogs from birth through every awkward growth spurt.
What Affects a Goldendoodle’s Growth Rate?
Not all Goldendoodles grow the same way, and it’s not just about size. There are a few factors that determine how fast and how big your Goldendoodle will grow, and knowing these can help set the right expectations.
Here’s what plays a role:
- Size of the parents – A standard poodle crossed with a large Lab? Expect a bigger doodle. A petite mini poodle and a smaller retriever? Likely a mini.
- Generation – F1 Goldendoodles (50/50 mix) may grow differently than F1B or multigen doodles, especially with more Poodle influence.
- Nutrition – Feeding high-quality food supports healthy, steady growth—not overly fast, but strong and lean.
- Exercise – Active puppies build muscle and coordination faster, but over-exercising won’t make them grow taller.
- Gender – Males tend to be a little larger and may grow for a bit longer than females.
The biggest misconception we see? Families thinking that minis and standards follow the same timeline. They don’t. That’s why we’ll break it down by type below—starting with the smallest.
Mini Goldendoodle Growth Timeline
When do mini Goldendoodles stop growing? In most cases, these little guys hit their full height by around 8 to 10 months, and their adult weight by 12 months. That means the “puppy growth spurt” happens fast and early—so if you blink, you might miss it.
Here’s what we usually see with our minis:
- 2 months: Still tiny, often under 5 lbs
- 4 months: Rapid growth—often doubles in size
- 6–8 months: Most of the height is there
- 9–12 months: Slows down, final filling out happens
Mini Goldendoodles don’t need as much time to build muscle or frame because they simply don’t have as much mass to work with. That makes them great for smaller homes, apartments, or families who want the doodle personality without the larger size.
We always let families know in advance what size range to expect based on the parents, but we’ve found most of our mini Goldendoodles end up in the 15–30 pound range, depending on the pairing.
Standard Goldendoodle Growth Timeline
When do standard Goldendoodles stop growing? These big fluffy friends usually take a bit longer to hit their full size—often 12–16 months for height, and up to 18 months for full body maturity.
With the standards we’ve raised, the growth stages look something like this:
- 2–4 months: Major growth spurt—long legs, big paws, a little awkward
- 6–9 months: Taller but still lean
- 12 months: Most of their height is in place
- 15–18 months: Chest and muscle fill out, weight stabilizes
We’ve had some standard boys top out close to 75 pounds, while others stayed around the 55–60 pound range. Girls tend to be slightly smaller and mature a little faster, but the general pattern holds across the board.
One thing to remember: big doesn’t mean out of control. Standards can be gentle giants when raised with the right structure and routine. If you’re wondering how that ties into behavior, take a look at our post on are Goldendoodles good family dogs—it covers personality, behavior, and why they’re such a good fit for families of all sizes.
What Age Do Goldendoodles Stop Growing in General?
If you're looking for a general rule of thumb, here's what we tell most families: Goldendoodles usually reach their full height by 12 months and finish filling out by 18 months—with some variation depending on their size category.
Here’s a quick breakdown using the secondary keyword what age do Goldendoodles stop growing across all sizes:
-
Mini Goldendoodles:
Height: ~8–10 months
Full weight/muscle: ~12 months -
Medium Goldendoodles:
Height: ~10–12 months
Full body mass: ~14–16 months -
Standard Goldendoodles:
Height: ~12–14 months
Full maturity: ~16–18 months
Some might hit those milestones a little earlier or later depending on genetics, but this is a solid starting point.
One important thing we always remind new families—growing physically doesn’t mean they’re done mentally. They may look grown at one year old, but that goofy, playful puppy energy? That sticks around for a bit longer (and honestly, it’s part of the fun).
Do Goldendoodles Keep Filling Out After Height Growth Stops?
Yes! One thing that surprises a lot of new owners is that their pup may stop getting taller, but they'll continue to fill out in the chest, neck, and legs for several more months.
This “filling out” stage usually happens between 12–18 months, especially for standard Goldendoodles. That’s when the puppy frame turns into a more athletic, adult shape—and it’s a good time to pay attention to nutrition and exercise.
Feeding matters a lot during this phase. Overfeeding can cause excess weight, while underfeeding can leave them too lean. That’s why we always recommend starting off right with the food we use here at Crooked Creek. You can read more in what food will my puppy be eating to get a sense of the routine we set up before they ever leave us.
As they mature physically, they’ll also start to settle mentally—which leads into the next section…
Signs Your Goldendoodle Is Done Growing
So how can you tell if your doodle is finally done stretching out and filling in? Here are a few signs we look for in our own pups and hear about from families once they’re grown:
- Consistent weight – You’re not seeing big gains from month to month anymore.
- Appetite levels out – They eat consistently, not like they’re in a growth spurt.
- Body proportions balance out – That “awkward leggy phase” is behind them.
- Energy starts to even out – Still playful, but not bouncing off the walls 24/7.
- Vet confirmation – Your vet may confirm growth plates are closed during routine visits.
We’ve had families send us side-by-side photos of their puppy at 4 months vs. 18 months and say, “It’s like a whole different dog!” And honestly, they’re not wrong. The transformation is fun to watch—and even better to grow through together.
When Do Goldendoodles Stop Biting and Acting “Puppy-Like”?
This one comes up a lot during those early months: “When do Goldendoodles stop biting?” It’s not just about growing in size—it’s about growing up emotionally too.
The truth is, Goldendoodles usually stop that nippy, mouthy puppy behavior around 6–9 months, especially with good training and redirection. That lines up with when their adult teeth are in and they’re mentally maturing.
But just like kids, not every doodle follows the same emotional timeline. Some mellow out by 8 months. Others hold onto that wild puppy spark a little longer—especially the more playful personalities.
This is where consistent guidance, structure, and gentle correction matter. We always tell our families: crate training helps a ton during this stage. It creates boundaries, encourages self-soothing, and gives your pup a calm place to relax when they get overstimulated.
If you haven’t already, check out our full guide on crate training—it’s something we start early here before our puppies ever go home, and it sets the stage for better behavior long-term.
Crate Training During the Growth Stage
One thing we always recommend during the Goldendoodle growth stage—whether you’ve got a mini or a standard—is crate training. It’s not just for housebreaking. It’s one of the best tools you can use to support calm behavior, proper boundaries, and even a smoother transition through those rapid growth spurts.
As your doodle grows, crate training helps with:
- Establishing routine – Puppies thrive on structure. A crate helps set clear times for rest, meals, and play.
- Reducing anxiety – A crate becomes a safe, familiar space—especially helpful during teething and the awkward in-between stages.
- Managing behavior – When your growing pup starts getting the zoomies at 9PM, a crate gives them a chance to settle instead of spiraling.
- Sizing adjustments – As your doodle grows, you’ll need to adjust the crate size or remove any divider panels if you're using one. You want them to have enough space to stretch, but not enough to turn it into a wrestling ring.
We go into more detail in our post on crate training—how we start it early, what we recommend for home setup, and why it plays such a big part in raising calm, well-behaved dogs.
The growth phase can be wild, but crate training gives your doodle (and your household) a peaceful rhythm to grow into.
Wondering How Big Your Goldendoodle Will Get? We Can Help
If you’re in that fun-but-slightly-chaotic stage of raising a Goldendoodle, I hope this helped answer the big question: When do Goldendoodles stop growing? While every pup is a little different, you can expect most of the physical growth to slow down by a year old—and full maturity by 18 months.
Here at Crooked Creek, we’ve watched dozens of our pups go through that lanky-legged phase, then blossom into stunning, filled-out adults. And we’re here to help you navigate that journey too.
If size is a big factor for your family, we’re happy to talk through:
- Mini vs. Standard growth expectations
- Parent size comparisons
- Past puppy sizes
- And how to pick a puppy that fits your lifestyle
Feel free to check out our current Available Goldendoodle Puppies, or if you're just starting out, our post on are Goldendoodles good family dogs is a great place to learn what life with one of these dogs is really like.
And if you ever have questions, reach out! Helping families find the perfect fit is what we love most.