Golden retriever/golden doodle pups

[Bernster]

Early days but, if our house purchase goes through, the new house def needs a dog! Having done some research, I think a golden retriever would suit us (we haven’t owned dogs for a long time, we have a cat, want something that’s friendly and trainable etc etc).

I’ve read up on the breed, getting a puppy, avoiding puppy scams and will continue to do my research (it’s not something I would take on lightly or without doing lots of research and getting lots of help etc). I’m interested in personal thoughts please on the breed and reputable breeders, or good places to find good breeders.

Also any thoughts on the golden doodle but, as those aren’t from ks registered breeders, and poodles can be a bit lively, I’m not sure about this cross breed.

Can anyone help please? Pictures of said floof monsters also welcome ?

thank you !

 

[CorvusCorax]

Please make sure the parents (and preferably previous generations) have been hip and elbow scored with results below the median for those breeds.
There's a couple of golden doodles around here (I'm assuming, based on their size) and they are quite reactive and look very strong.

 

[Bernster]

Thanks CC, I’m doing some research on health issues. I just need to fill out my knowledge in terms of what’s a ‘good’ score - breeders seem to post the score but I need to be sure what it means. I suspect that will be easy enough to find, with a bit more googling ?

 

[Clodagh]

Golden doodles will almost certainly have no health tests so I’d avoid. Also I can’t see anyone reputable breeding poodle crosses. They may exist!
Golden retrievers are a nice breed, but decide on working or show as they are fairly different. Enjoy and good luck with the house. ?

 

[Bernster]

Thank you. A handy tip, I haven’t looked into that yet.

ETA looks like more of a show GR for us ?

 

[Moobli]

I like golden retrievers, but would avoid the golden doodles personally. Unlikely to have health tests for starters. Definitely have a look at the two different strains - show and working. I like the working type but as the name suggests they are likely to be genetically predisposed to want to work (retrieving anything/more prey driven), whereas the show lines may make a better pet dog in a less active household. The ones I know are all lovely sociable dogs with great temperaments. Good luck.

 

[blodwyn1]

My working lines goldie

 

[paddi22]

is there an issue with crossing poodle hair with other breeds? I remember a dog groomer saying it to me - that some breeds just aren't meant to cross. I'd go for golden retriever normal breed, they are gorgeous!

 

[windand rain]

Felting in the doodle coats is the issue it needs very careful grooming to avoid it as the non shedding hair is matted very close to the skin and causees the felting as the texture of the hair is different. Thick waterproof coats with soft undercoats dont go well with poodle hair and nonshedding hair

 

[Bernster]

Just noticed the cat’s pose there B, hah. The point about the coat makes sense, they do seem to have very different coat types which I could see might not mix well. The brushing and shedding doesn’t both me too much, we have a hairy cat already and mostly wood floors!

 

[AmyMay]

I love Golden Retrievers. There’s a Doodle who I see often when walking. Massive, strong and reactive.

 

[Clodagh]

You never see a sad goldie. I think their tails wag the whole time. Lovely dogs.

 

[alibali]

My family dog as I was growing up was a Golden Retriever. Brilliant dog. Never gave a moment's hassle. He had a lovely dark golden coat just like blodwyns.

 

[ihatework]

Working goldie without doubt!!

 

[SAujla]

Champdogs is a good place, it's where I found my best friend.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I’m trying to think if my cousin is driving 7 hours to get a labradoodle or goldendoodle in Kent. Her boss has one from the same breeder, they had to give references, go on a waiting list since last year, they have a 2 hour FaceTime to discuss ownership/choose their pup soon. I can probably get the Facebook/contact details if you want.

Her boss’s dog is ‘the school dog’, spends most of its time at a primary school, wanders from classroom to classroom.

 

[Nicnac]

Three friends have GRs. All 3 are absolutely gorgeous. Two were bought recently for quite a large amount of money. One, a bitch, is tiny whereas the dog puppy is far bigger. They are such happy dogs and much calmer than my flatties.

 

[fiwen30]

My partner’s parents have an older, entire, male GR. Not sure if he’s working or show bred, but he’s beautiful, never sick a day in his life, slim but well muscled, tough and athletic. He is also stubborn, selectively deaf, prone to disappearing on walks, aloof to strangers when out and about but if he doesn’t ‘like’ you then you wouldn’t be able to stay in the house with him for long, as he can be defensive. I’ve known him almost 3 years, and still find him very unpredictable - I don’t trust him.

I don’t know how much of that is breed trait, individual personality, or poor training/socialising, but it definitely puts me off having one, which will be awkward in the future as my partner would love another GR eventually.

 

[millikins]

My boss years ago always had them, always very pale bitches and they were lovely. As a downside, when I'm walking my dog and come across a frustrated dog owner bellowing "Sam" at an apparently deserted field, "Sam" almost always turns out to be a GR dog.

 

[poiuytrewq]

My friends bought the most beautiful retriever, I guess 2 years ago and are absolutely smitten. So much so they have a few months ago got a second.
Ive not met the younger yet but the older one is just the most wonderfully natured kindest dog.
They did a lot of homework and travelled to a very good breeder.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I’m trying to think if my cousin is driving 7 hours to get a labradoodle or goldendoodle in Kent. Her boss has one from the same breeder, they had to give references, go on a waiting list since last year, they have a 2 hour FaceTime to discuss ownership/choose their pup soon. I can probably get the Facebook/contact details if you want.

Her boss’s dog is ‘the school dog’, spends most of its time at a primary school, wanders from classroom to classroom.

WTF, for x-bred?

I have a friend who has an elderly GR, lovely dog. She intends to volunteer the next one as a PAT dog.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

WTF, for x-bred?

I have a friend who has an elderly GR, lovely dog. She intends to volunteer the next one as a PAT dog.

Now, now, PaS! She wants one like her boss, who has a relative from the same breeder. They’re all singing all dancing health tested, bred for temperament etc. People want what they want, she’s spent a long time deciding what to get, had a lab growing up, knew she wanted a health tested puppy. I’m just pleased she’s not gone for a random ‘make quick money’ litter.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Using the public register for the local authority in which district you find the breeder is based is good practice. (assuming you can't buy via word of mouth recommendation)

Go to 'Licensing' page, followed by animal licences and then public register. All licensed breeders will be listed, go for a breeder carrying 5 stars under the DEFRA legislation. Breeders carrying the 5 stars will be health checking their stock and able to prove it to the licensing inspector.

Don't be misled by the online advertising platforms, Pets4Homes for instance asks if the advertiser is licensed but they do not check if the answer is truthful so you will find lots of breeders merrily claiming to licensed but they are not.

Prices are starting to drop a little at present and I expect them to drop further as the year goes on and demand drops off because people are back at work.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I’m assuming golden/labradoodles need as much grooming as cockapoos and I say noooooo. I love Mabel to pieces but her one downside is keeping up her coat. I know a few labradoodles who are lovely but they are quite big!

Is there a reason you’ve decided against pure golden retriever?

 

[BaronSamedi]

My nextdoor neighbours had a golden doodle and she was the best dog ever, I puppy walked her and she was very easy to train. She was the happiest friendliest big dog. She passed away at 8 years old though. Now they have a white German Shepard and it is horrible

 

[Auslander]

I've never met a GR I didn't warm to - they have such lovely temperaments.

I do have memories of one coming to stay with my parents (who have very well trained springers) and my father saying "I have never come across a dog who is so charming about being thoroughly disobedient"!

 

[Bernster]

Very helpful stuff thx. AA I have been looking at pets4homes and the licensed breeders so that’s a very good watch out.

Connie, I actually think a GR is better for us based on type and temperament than the doodle cross but was interested in info on whether it’s a good cross that can have the positives of the GR with the non shedding coat of the poodle. But as I want to try and use reputable breeders with full health checks etc, I suspect a GR would be better suited. We’d have a rescue but so far they all seem to say they’re not cat friendly.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

There’s also no guarantee the pup won’t shed and you won’t know what type of coat your pup has by the time you pick it up. Mabel started off tri colour with loose waves! Now she’s ginger and tighter curls!

I also read some do actually shed but the curls trap it and then cause huge matts.

I think go with GR. I got very very lucky with Mabel, both parents were fully health tested but then this was before the covid spike in prices. I think you’d struggle to find that now with anything poodle crossed.

 

[misst]

I would avoid golden doodles. There are lots and lots of poo dogs round here and the golden doodles and some of the labradoodles are massive. They are not easy dogs but that may be the owners rather than the dog! I would just go for a well bred GR like everyone else says - or another breed of your choice. If you aren't fussy then look at rescues as I'm sure they'll be plenty of youngsters available soon!
I would not pay a lot for a cross breed that has not been health checked. The cockerpoos round here seem to come from two breeders who "interview" potential owners and insist they cannot breed from them, and state they are reputable responsible breeders and they have long waiting lists - but there are an awful lot of pups here who are from these 2 breeders and that does not add up for me in terms of "responsible breeding" numbers.

 

[ChiffChaff]

My close friend has a golden. He is the most wonderful dog in lots of ways - so charming and entertaining on walks, but cuddly and calm in the house. He is honestly adorable.

However - he is epileptic, very anxious, and has dodgy hips/legs.

His many, many good points outweigh the (sometimes extreme) inconvenience of his anxiety, and I do adore him.