Ok, no laughing, does anyone have a goldendoodle?

[anonymosity]

Its apparently a cross between a poodle and a golden retriever and locally I've been told it has the best traits of both - as well as looking super cute forever and not shedding.

Anyone?

I think you've come to the wrong place if you want advice on a designer mongrel that has been bred from someone who has no idea what they're doing that you'll pay through the nose for.

Go to a shelter, get one of the lovely dogs that has been checked, whose temperament is known, and whose life you will be saving.

Thanks Mechanical. There are lot of shelters here in Los Angeles and many of them house Goldendoodles.

I was asking about the breed, not about how to go about getting a dog.

It's not a breed, it's a cross so it could have the best traits of both or the worst traits of both or anywhere in between.

It could also have a coat from either of it's parents or again somewhere in between.

Our neighbour has one. Lovely looking thing, BIG dog though, larger than both the parent breeds. It sheds like buggery and has a combination fleece/curly shedding coat that matts readily, he is professionally groomed every four weeks rather than 6-8.

They bought a cross because their late golden had hip dysplasia and they were sold on the idea of a cross being healthier. Sadly, at age three, he has become unsound behind and is now being investigated for HD.

Can't fault his temperament, big soft thing he is, except for a very hyperactive jumpy teenage stage.

I can see why they appeal so much anonymosity, goldens are gorgeous dogs and poodles don't shed. The combination seems like it ought to be a winner.

Trouble is that genes are awkward things and don't combine that neatly. There are stacks of doodles around (mostly labradoodles of the bigger breeds here in the UK) and there are masses in rescues for a reason.

People think that they know what they are getting and then are massively grumpy when they don't.

Some doodles have curly coats, lots have coats that still shed. Some have both (and the dog hair tumbleweeds that result have to be seen to be believed).

Some doodles maintain the gentle character of the golden or lab, some are entirely poodle in outlook (ie clever...very clever, whereas goldens and labs much as I love them...aren't).

If you are in LA I would go to the rescues and talk to the people there.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to tell me these things. I wouldn't have found these honest opinions / details anywhere else. Its extremely helpful - thanks again!

Agree with the other posters. They aren't an established breed so you can't predict what size/shape/coat/temperament you will end up with. And, not wanting to tar every breeder with the same brush, a lot of these dogs are bred with people who have no idea how to match two dogs together to minimise health problems etc so I would steer clear of funding their experimenting with animals by buying a puppy from them. By all means visit a breed rescue and look at their dogs as they will most likely be older and the shelter will be experienced in matching people to dogs.

I disagree there are loads in rescue. When we were looking to get a cockapoo I searched rescue sites high and low and there were none.

Clam this op is in Los Angeles. There are lots of labradoodles in the uk, I couldn't say about cockapoos as I don't know much about them.

Turniphead, we don't have allergy issues and I grew up with a very large standard poodle who I helped groom - so that's all okay and I am really grateful for your insight on this. Thank you.

anonymosity Given you are in LA, why not take a look at doodlekisses.com.

Hopefully, the site will be able to offer loads of info and advice on goldendoodles.

Good luck.

Turniphead1 - good to meet you. I have a multi generation labradoodle, now aged 4 and agree with your comments about these dogs. My doodle came from a good breeder, with health certificates for her parents, and a family tree naming her ancestors. Like you, I understand why some folks dislike the cross breeds, and question why we didn't get a cocker spaniel/labrador/poodle rather than a so called designer dog. Horrible title. I genuinely like my poodle crosses, clever, energetic and responsive. My doodle was more of a challenge than other dogs I shared my life with, but has gradually matured and is a fabulous family dog now. Anonymity, good luck and if you do consider a poodle cross, look at the Labradoodle Trust and cockapoo owners sites. The information on the Labradoodle Trust site is spot on.

Thanks lotsofdogs - and everyone else.