Welcome to GoldenMountainDoodles.info
Everything Golden Mountain Doodles
2023 seemed like the perfect time to launch GoldenMountainDoodles.info; after all, it’s the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of the Golden Mountain Doodle. Swiss Ridge Kennels [1] (located in Schomberg, Ontario) pioneered the now-beloved Golden Mountain Doodle breed in 2013. A cross-breed of golden retriever, Bernese mountain dog, and poodle, these dogs combine the best-of-breed characteristics in their lineage and come in some gorgeous colors.
The Golden Mountain Doodle is:
- Loyal, gentle, and affectionate like the Golden Retriever
- Eager to please and trainable like the Bernese Mountain Dog (although, like the Bernese, may be stubborn if you do not leverage their trainability early enough)
- Intelligent and highly trainable like the Poodle, and (if fully furnished) will have the hypoallergenic and non-shedding qualities that make the Poodle a desirable breed for allergy-sufferers
- Generally sociable and people-loving, if well-socialized from puppyhood
Because pure-bred dogs are susceptible to breed-specific diseases, a mix like the GMD may reduce the risk of those in-bred traits and result in a healthier companion pet.
Golden Mountain Doodles can come in a variety of sizes, coats, and colors, so this breed offers something for everyone! The American Kennel Club offers some tips on what to look for in a reputable breeder that will give your GMD puppy his best possible start: early socialization with handling and grooming, exposure to different environments, and potentially early crate training or beginning house-breaking.[2] Health tested/OFA certified parents, vet-checked puppies, and puppy vaccinations according to the recommended schedule are something else you would look for to ensure the health of your new Golden Mountain Doodle.
All too often, one of the first questions people ask is, “How much does a Golden Mountain Doodle cost?” And, as is the case with most other things in life, there is a wide range in cost depending on location and the local economy, value-adds offered by the breeder, and the integrity of the breeding program.
If you are looking for a Golden Mountain Doodle, be sure to find a reputable breeder and ask the right questions: what kind of health testing has been done on the parents? Is the puppy vet-checked and up-to-date on vaccinations and de-worming? Is the puppy well-socialized, and what kind of early experience has he had in a home environment, with other dogs, and with people? Does she have any early training, including crate-training or potty training? It may be that you don’t have a breeder in your area that can “check all the boxes” for what you are looking for, so be sure to evaluate what is most important to you as a new pet owner.
Last but not least, be aware that Golden Mountain Doodles come in a range of sizes, coats, and colors. The terms “micro-mini,” “mini,” “medium” and “standard” can now refer to a range of sizes that may be different for every breeder and potential customer. Ask about the parent sizes to give you an idea of adult weight range for your puppy. Ask your breeder if the puppy parents have previous litters where the breeder has followed up on adult sizes.
Furnishings are important to determine for your Golden Mountain Doodle. Depending on the genetics of the parents, puppies can either be fully furnished or “unfurnished.” A fully furnished Doodle has the classic “bearded” look and is considered hypoallergenic and non-shedding. An unfurnished Doodle will have a flat muzzle, like the golden retriever or the Bernese in the lineage, and will typically shed some (although just how much is anyone’s guess!). Some will also have what is known as “weak furnishings,” where the furnishings are simply slower to develop. Furnishings can usually be assessed by a visual inspection by about 5 weeks of age, or can be determined by a genetic test. A reputable breeder should be able to answer any questions you may have about furnishings.
Also, be aware that coat type is not necessarily a factor in whether or not your puppy is considered hypoallergenic and non-shedding, since the furnishing and coat genes are independent from one another. A Golden Mountain Doodle’s coat can be straight, wavy, or curly, whether it is furnished or unfurnished. A straight-coated dog will not necessarily shed more than a curly-coated dog. However, the general recommendation is that if you have allergy concerns, a wavy or curly puppy is often a safer choice, because any fur that is naturally shed is more likely to get trapped in a curlier coat and can be brushed out with regular grooming rather than falling off in the environment.
Depending on the parents’ genetics, Golden Mountain Doodles can offer something for everyone in terms of color: parti, Merle, tri-color, golden, tuxedo, Phantom, and of course, black. If you are looking for a specific color, you may have to shop around, but that is part of the fun of choosing the Golden Mountain Doodle. Every puppy is unique! What we know after ten years of appreciating this breed is that the Golden Mountain Doodle can be an ideal family pet, companion animal, or therapy dog. Perhaps it’s the puppy you didn’t know you were looking for!
Browse our articles to find out more about the Golden Mountain Doodle, or visit our Photo Gallery to see some of the coat, color, and size options in the GMD. Contact us with questions, comments, suggestions for future articles, or cute GMD photos.