Everything you want to know about SwissRidge Doodle.

About SwissRidge Doodles

For more than two decades, we’ve been dedicated to developing only the finest lines in our program. Each generation has been carefully health tested and cleared of specific genetic concerns, while we’ve also paired the most well-rounded temperaments to create a truly exceptional and exclusive mix.

The SwissRidge Doodle is a remarkable hybrid, bred exclusively at SwissRidge Kennels since 2015. This unique combination brings together the very best qualities of my favorite breeds: the Golden Retriever for their gentle, loving nature and endless desire to please; the Bernese mountain dog for their loyalty, affection, beautiful markings, and sturdy build; the Poodle for their intelligence, charisma, and playful spirit; and the Australian labradoodle for their brightness, eagerness to please, and solid temperament.

After many years and numerous litters, we can confidently give the SwissRidge Doodle a five-star rating. Owners consistently rave about their dog’s outstanding personalities, intelligence, and adaptability.

Golden Retriever

The English Golden Retrievers are the Retrievers we use in our breeding program because they are known for their laid-back and easy-going nature. This variety of Golden Retriever traces its lineage back to the United Kingdom and continental Europe. While all Golden Retrievers share their origins in Scotland during the 1800s, the English lines were bred to conform to The Kennel Club (UK) standards, which emphasize specific physical traits and temperaments.

They are distinguished from the American Retrievers by their lighter cream-colored coats, blockier builds, and calm and easy demeanor. Although the AKC (American Kennel Club) does not recognize “English” Golden Retrievers as a separate breed, they are registered through The Kennel Club (UK), the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), and other European registries.

The English Golden Retriever is best known for its gentle, calm, and affectionate personality. While all Golden Retrievers are naturally people-oriented, the English lines are best known for their gentle temperament and lower tendency toward hyperactivity. They are affectionate and loyal, bonding closely with their families and they love companionship. They are patient and nurturing, they are wonderful with children and are considered one of the best family dogs. Intelligent and eager to please, they are very trainable and respond well to positive reinforcement. They are very social and friendly, and usually very welcoming to strangers, other dogs, and even cats, and their balanced energy means they enjoy outdoor play and exercise but are usually calmer indoors compared to American Goldens.

Because of their calm and intuitive nature, English Golden Retrievers also excel as therapy and service dogs.

The Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog (commonly called the “Berner”) is one of four Swiss mountain dogs developed as working farm dogs in the Swiss Alps. They were bred to be versatile helpers—guarding property, driving cattle, and pulling carts loaded with farm goods. Their name comes from the Swiss canton of Bern, where they were most commonly found. Berners are part of the Sennenhund family (along with the Appenzeller, Entlebucher, and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) and were distinguished by their long, thick, tri-colored coats, making them especially suited to the cold alpine climate. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1937 and have since become beloved worldwide for their gentle nature and striking appearance.

Bernese are typically known for their easygoing nature and loyalty. They are known for being gentle giants with a kind, patient, and affectionate nature. They are completely dedicated to their families, with a special fondness for children. In fact, they are so loyal that it can be difficult to re-home an adult Berner and break its original bond. Berners are known for leaning on people to soak up all possible attention.

Berners are exceptionally beautiful dogs with their tri-coloured coats. Bred in the Swiss Alps as farm dogs that pulled carts or drove cattle to market, the Bernese do well in cold weather, and have a double coat that sheds heavily. They’re an intelligent and strong dog, having a moderate need for exercise. They do well in agility, tracking, herding, and therapy work.

A significant number of Bernese are afflicted with hip and elbow dysplasia, or succumb to inherited cancer, heart disease, degenerative myelopathy, or epilepsy in middle age. While cancer is the leading cause of death for dogs in general, Bernese have a much higher rate of fatal cancer than other breeds. Overall, the Berner is one of the shorter-lived dog breeds, with a life expectancy of just seven years. This is very sad as the Berner is known for being slow to mature, and can be challenging to train.

Without proper socialization, these naturally cautious and reserved dogs can become skittish and suspicious and may develop separation anxiety. They can also be decidedly stubborn. Yet, the Bernese also has a deep need to please their humans and are surprisingly sensitive. As a result, training a Berner requires a great deal of patience and a gentle hand.

The Poodle

The Poodle is one of the oldest and most versatile breeds in the world. Although often associated with France, where it became a national symbol, the breed actually originated in Germany, where it was developed as a water retriever. The name “Poodle” comes from the German word pudel or pudelin, meaning “to splash in water.” Early Poodles were prized for their intelligence, athleticism, and exceptional retrieving ability, particularly in marshes and lakes. Over time, the breed was refined in France into the elegant, stylish dog that became synonymous with French culture, but its true roots are as a hardworking, hardy hunting dog.

Poodles rank high on the canine intelligence scale and excel in obedience. Most people are aware that this lovely breed has a low- to non-shedding coat, making them a great choice for people with allergies. What people don’t realize is how lively and fun-loving Poodles can be. They are the clowns of the dog world, and it’s no coincidence they were used in circus acts for centuries.

Poodles are lively and playful, and have an assertive prance to their walk. They thrive in a busy household where there is plenty of attention to go around. Vigorous exercise and ongoing training are the keys to managing the Poodle’s exuberance. If bored, Poodles may find their way into mischief. They are also quick to sound an alert and have earned a reputation for barking.

Poodles can be nervous and sensitive to stress, and are typically affected by eye, skin, and digestive diseases, as well as immune system diseases. The most common problems are bloat/torsion, thyroid issues, sebaceous adenitis, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia, and cancer.

Poodles come in three sizes and a wide variety of colors. They have a single layer of dense, curly fur that sheds minimally but will mat without proper care.

The Australian Labradoodle

The Australian Labradoodle is a unique and carefully developed breed that originated in Australia in the late 1980s. While the name suggests it is simply a Labrador Retriever crossed with a Poodle, the true Australian Labradoodle is a multi-generational dog that has been bred for consistency in temperament, health, and coat The Australian Labradoodle was first developed when the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia set out to create a hypoallergenic service dog by crossing a Standard Poodle with a Labrador Retriever. While the initial Labradoodles were well-received, their coats and temperaments varied widely. To bring more consistency, Australian breeders later introduced other breeds, including the English and American Cocker Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, and Irish Water Spaniel. This thoughtful infusion of genetics helped produce a dog with a predictable coat, a friendly and intuitive personality, and excellent suitability for service and therapy work. Today, the Australian Labradoodle is recognized by organizations such as the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) and the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association (WALA) as a distinct breed in development.

The temperament of the Australian Labradoodle is one of its most appealing qualities. These dogs are known for being friendly, intuitive, and highly people-oriented. They thrive on human interaction, getting along well with children, other dogs, and even cats. Intelligent and eager to please, they are quick to learn and respond well to training, especially with positive reinforcement. Their affectionate and loyal nature means they bond deeply with their families and often prefer to stay close to their people. They also display balanced energy levels. They are happy to join in on outdoor adventures and exercise, yet just as content to relax indoors with their family. Because of their intuitive and empathetic nature, Australian Labradoodles often excel as therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, and service animals.

In terms of health, the Australian Labradoodle is generally a hardy and healthy breed when carefully bred. Their average lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. Like all breeds, however, they can be predisposed to certain conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), cancer, allergies and skin sensitivities. Responsible breeders monitor these issues closely and use health testing to reduce risk.

Four in One…You Can Have It All!

When a breeder carefully selects the right parents, crossing purebred dogs of different breeds often results in puppies that are healthier than either parent breed alone. This is because most breeds are prone to their own unique set of genetic conditions, and by combining them, the likelihood of a puppy inheriting the same disorder from both sides is greatly reduced. Many of these diseases are carried as recessive traits, meaning that both parents must carry the same faulty gene for it to be expressed in their offspring.

A hybrid dog also blends the qualities and characteristics of its purebred parents. With thoughtful, conscientious breeding, the resulting puppies can inherit the very best attributes of each breed. For example, the English Goldendoodle which is a cross between the English Golden Retriever and the Poodle (when bred correctly) typically combines the calm, loyalty and sweetness of the Golden Retriever with the intelligence, playfulness, and goofy charm of the Poodle. Like the Golden Retriever, they are known for being gentle around children and the elderly.

We have seen the same remarkable balance in the SwissRidge Doodle, a breed that draws from four exceptional lines: the Bernese, the Poodle, the English Golden Retriever, and the Australian Labradoodle. The result is an exceptionally well-rounded dog. My clients usually describe them as sweet, and affectionate, gentle yet playful at just the right moments. They are also highly intuitive, often described as “little people in fur coats,” with an ability to understand us and love us so deeply. SwissRidge Doodles are wonderful family companions: highly affectionate, eager to be with their people in every situation, and very easy to train. They are naturally social, loving both dogs with people. In fact, they are so friendly and good-natured that most would happily go home with just about anyone.

Most SwissRidge Doodles are moderately active as puppies, and this trait carries through into adulthood. Many owners have shared that these dogs are the best companions they have ever had. For first-time dog owners especially, I truly believe the SwissRidge Doodle is the perfect breed to begin your journey with.