The Goldendoodle (Groodle in Australian English) is a cross-breed dog, which is obtained by breeding a Golden Retriever with a Poodle. The name, which alters “poodle” to “doodle” by analogy to “Labradoodle”, was coined in 1992.
The goldendoodle was first bred by Monica Dickens in 1969. Popularity for the goldendoodle grew in the 1990s when breeders in North America and Australia began crossing Golden Retrievers with Standard Poodles. The original purpose of the cross was to develop guide dogs suitable for visually impaired individuals with allergies. Poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic. Their coats do not shed, which reduces dander. Dander is a protein that sheds from the skin and causes allergies in humans.
The goldendoodle is referred to as a designer dog. The Encyclopædia Britannica traces the term “designer dog” to the late 20th century when breeders began to cross purebred Poodles with other purebred breeds in hopes of obtaining a dog with the poodle’s non-shedding coat, (but there is no guarantee they will inherit the coat of the poodle), along with various desirable characteristics from other breeds. In regards to goldendoodles, golden retrievers are considered a great family dog, which is why they have been used to cross breed with poodles. Over time people made different kinds of Goldendoodles. A male Poodle bred with a female Golden Retriever produces an F1 Goldendoodle. A male Poodle bred with an F1 Goldendoodle is called an F1B (F1-back cross).
Although not all goldendoodles exhibit the hypoallergenic coat type of the Standard Poodle, most goldendoodles do have a low to non-shedding coat. While the degree of shedding varies from dog to dog, overall, the goldendoodle exhibits less shedding than other dogs. Grooming requirements include regular brushing, occasional bathing and some fur trimming. Due to minimal shedding, Goldendoodles tend to have less dander, reducing allergic responses.[8]
Common coat colors include white, cream, apricot, gold, red, and sometimes gray and black (also called phantom). Goldendoodles may also be black or a light sandy brown.
Since 2005, Goldendoodles have been used as pets, agility dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, diabetic dogs, search dogs and rescue dogs, as they have inherited the poodle’s intelligence and the golden retriever’s ease of training. Goldendoodles have also become increasingly used as domestic pets due to their affection towards families, as well as their friendliness and patience with children and strangers.