Furnishings, coat type, colors, size, and temperament all factor into choosing your ideal Golden Mountain Doodle.
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Furnishings and Color
One of the great things about the Golden Mountain Doodle cross-breed is the potential for lots of different coats and colors, resulting in a gorgeous puppy! Of course, not every dog is going to be strikingly good-looking, and a puppy’s temperament is just as important in your choice. While every puppy is going to be a little different, as a whole the GMD is known to be eager-to-please and trainable, personable, and friendly.
One of the primary considerations in choosing your GMD is to decide if furnishings are important to you. If you have allergy issues, you will definitely be looking for a furnished puppy that is considered hypoallergenic and non-shedding. Depending on the severity of your allergies, you may want to avoid a weakly furnished Doodle and opt for a very wavy or even curly coat.
When it comes to color, the Bernedoodle, with its gorgeous, classic tri-color appearance, can throw some great color into your puppy’s genetic pool. Of course, a lot depends on the partner’s color genetics as well, and there is not much variety in the golden retriever.
Where you will find the greatest potential for color variation actually goes back to both parents’ poodle parents. If they have a certain color expression, you will be more likely to see it show up in the GMD generation. As a result, you may have Merle, Phantom, Parti, tri-color, and a variety of other colors (red, black, or brown)–and any combination of all of these
Size and Coat
Be aware that your puppy’s coat will change when the puppy fur is replaced by the adult coat, typically becoming coarser and possibly wavier.[1] In fact, with age, a dog’s coat and color both may change in many different ways. Sometimes freckles appear on a predominantly white puppy. A black dog can turn silver in spots. A red or brown coat may fade in color. Be prepared for coat changes as your puppy grows.
Good Health for Parents and Puppies
Good health is important in your choice of puppy. At minimum, every adult dog and puppy should have access to quality veterinary care. Puppies should be regularly de-wormed, vaccinated according to a recommended schedule, and have at least one vet-check before going home.
Some breeders health test their parent dogs, and others do not. A health test will show a parent as clear (or a carrier only) for breed-specific diseases common to the parent breeds (likely Bernedoodle and Goldendoodle)
Because the parent dogs are going to be different breeds with some differences in their disease panels, cross-breeding them may mean that the offspring will be unlikely to express breed-specific diseases, even if one of the parents is a carrier for a particular trait or disease. There is always a chance that a puppy will develop health issues independent of genetics, but health testing offers a certain level of confidence when you purchase a dog.
Parent dogs may be also be OFA-tested for things like elbow, knee, hip, eyes, and cardiac health. Breeders can do preliminary testing with a younger dog, but dogs cannot be certified until they are at least two years of age.
OFA testing offers another level of confidence when you are choosing a puppy, but of course, even this is not a guarantee against future health issues. Be aware that OFA testing is a significant cost investment, so choosing a breeder with OFA-tested parent dogs means that that cost is passed along to you when you purchase a puppy…which brings us to the cost of purchasing a Golden Mountain Doodle puppy.
Socialization and Cost
Cost is often a primary factor in choosing a puppy, and it is a legitimate one. Price will vary based on your geographic area and puppy availability, the local economy, and breeder-specific variables. Remember that a puppy is a long-term investment and will be a beloved family member. Buying the lowest-priced puppy out there may mean making sacrifices in things like puppy health or socialization, which can have significant negative effects (both financial and otherwise) in the long run.
Is the puppy home-raised or kennel-raised (and which do you prefer)? Are the parent dogs health or OFA tested? How well-socialized is the puppy with people and with other dogs? All of these are questions which, when answered, will factor into how much you pay (or are willing to pay) for your puppy.
A well-socialized puppy will integrate into your home better than one who was taken from its Mama too soon or has had little interaction with people (adults and children). They will have less anxiety and will be more open to changes in environment, both new places and new people.[2] Be careful when selecting a breeder and look for reviews, either online or from people you know. Ask questions about how your puppy is raised and, if possible, visit the facility or home.
Some people do not want a kennel-raised puppy, as they associate this environment with a “puppy mill;” however, a professional breeder with a kennel environment has its advantages, as long as puppies are allowed to remain with Mama for as long as possible and there is adequate socialization with people. On the other hand, home-breeders often get negatively referred to as “backyard breeders,” implying that there is little thought given to things like health testing, breed standards, and so on.
You can find happy, healthy puppies raised in a variety of environments, just as you can find unhealthy and improperly socialized puppies. This is why it’s important to do your due diligence in selecting a reputable breeder rather than just looking at a cute puppy with a decent price tag.
Temperament
Last but not least, while Golden Mountain Doodles are generally a people-loving, eager-to-please, and highly trainable breed, there are going to be individual differences in temperament between puppies. Some are quieter, others more playful. Some (particularly if not well-socialized) can be anxious or nervous around new people.
If you would like a lap-sitting dog, ask your breeder if any of their puppies has this tendency. If you live an active lifestyle, a higher-energy dog may be ideal. Families with young children should make sure they choose a puppy that has been well-socialized with children, if possible, and may be able to select a more playful puppy that will appreciate lots of attention from its people.
Many factors come into play as you begin the puppy selection process. You may not be able to “check all the boxes,” but hopefully you will weigh your options and be able to find the perfect puppy for you.