Everything you want to know about Golden Mountain Doodle.
About Golden Mountain Doodles
The Golden Mountain Doodle first came into existence at SwissRidge Kennels in 2013. A beautiful chocolate Goldendoodle named Lazeeza (seen to the left) and a stunning tri-colored Bernedoodle named Henry were the proud parents of the world’s first Golden Mountain Doodle litter. The name “Golden Mountain Doodle” was coined by Jamie Amell, a member of our community, through a fun naming competition we held on our Facebook group. Since then, this hybrid has taken off in popularity and has been winning hearts around the world.
The Golden Mountain Doodle is a carefully crafted cross made up of three breeds: the Golden Retriever, the Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Poodle. This blend combines the clever, lively, and goofy side of the Poodle with the calm, loyal, and loving natures of both the Golden Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog. The result is a dog that is intelligent, affectionate, and family-oriented, with the added bonus of a coat that is generally low- to non-shedding, making them an excellent choice for families with mild to moderate allergies.
One of my main reasons for creating the Golden Mountain Doodle was to introduce Golden Retriever genetics back into the Bernedoodle. While Bernedoodles are wonderful dogs with many amazing qualities, they can sometimes inherit a stubborn streak from the Bernese. The Golden Retriever’s eager-to-please personality helps balance this, producing a dog that is more cooperative than many Bernedoodles.
The 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.
Retriever + Bernese + Poodle…Best of all worlds!
When a breeder carefully selects the right parents, crossing purebred dogs of different breeds often produces puppies that are healthier than either parent breed alone. This is because most breeds are prone to their own unique set of genetic problems, and by combining them, the likelihood of passing on the same condition from both sides is greatly reduced. Many of these diseases are carried as recessive traits, which means that both parents would need to carry the same faulty gene for it to be expressed in the offspring.
Hybrids such as the Golden Mountain Doodle are therefore only at risk of inheriting health issues that are common to the parent breeds—the Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Golden Retriever. Since these breeds share very few genetic diseases, the risk is significantly lower. As a result, Golden Mountain Doodles benefit from what is known as “hybrid vigor” and can often be expected to live healthier, longer lives than their purebred parents.
A hybrid dog also brings together the most desirable traits of its parent breeds, and with careful, conscientious breeding, the resulting puppies often inherit the very best qualities of each. In the case of the Golden Mountain Doodle, this cross blends the sweet, affectionate, and eager-to-please nature of the Golden Retriever, the calm, loyal, and easygoing temperament of the Bernese, and the playful intelligence and goofy charm of the Poodle. The result is a dog that is smart, loving, social, and wonderfully family-friendly—an ideal all-around companion. Although it is important to note that your breeders knows their dogs, lines and what they are producing to create the best combinations.
Golden Mountain Doodles are known for being affectionate, playful, and highly social. They are people pleasers by nature and thrive when included as part of the family. Their intelligence and willingness to learn make them easy to train, while their gentle and patient temperament makes them an excellent choice for households with children. They tend to get along well with other pets and are adaptable enough to thrive in a wide range of lifestyles, from active families who enjoy hiking and outdoor adventures to quieter households looking for a loyal and loving companion. Their intuitive and empathetic personalities also make them strong candidates for therapy and emotional support work.
Because they are easygoing, Golden Mountain Doodles are an excellent choice for both first-time dog owners and experienced ones alike. They are considered one of the most versatile doodle crosses, and my clients always have great things to say about this mix.
While the Golden Mountain Doodle is not a purebred and is therefore not recognized by traditional kennel clubs, what truly matters is the dog you bring into your home. Through careful, intentional breeding, Golden Mountain Doodles consistently prove themselves to be healthy, intelligent, and incredibly family-friendly companions.
Appearance
Golden Mountain Doodles are sometimes mistaken for Goldendoodles, but they are a unique cross with their own distinct look. Breeders often develop their own recognizable style, and at SwissRidge, our Golden Mountain Doodles are typically stocky with a well-built frame and a beautiful head. Coats can vary, especially when breeding an F2 combination (a Goldendoodle crossed with a Bernedoodle). Golden Mountain Doodles often have striking two- or three-color combinations in their coats, though they can also be solid in color.
When combining a F1 Goldendoodle with a F1 Berendoodle (F2 generation) every puppy can be different if both parents only have one furnishing gene. In an average litter, most puppies will have wavy coats, while a few may have straight or curly coats. Most puppies shed minimally, if at all, and many people with allergies to dog dander do well with wavy or curly-coated Golden Mountain Doodles. Puppies with curly coats who inherit two furnishing genes will typically not shed, much like the Poodle. Puppies with straight coats and no furnishing genes will shed. This is why it’s important to ask your breeder about coat type and genetics when selecting a Golden Mountain Doodle. While no breeder can give absolute guarantees, most of my clients with even significant dander allergies have done well with wavy or curly-coated dogs with one or two furnishing genes. Puppies with straight coats are exceptionally silky and soft, almost like velvet. Depending on whether they inherit furnishing genes, some may shed and some may not. Straight-coated puppies do not mat and generally do not require clipping, making them quite easy to maintain. If you are looking for an unfurnished puppy we only offer them in the Golden Mountain Doodle breed.
It’s important to note that allergies to dog saliva are different from allergies to dander. If your skin breaks out in hives when licked by a dog, you will most likely be allergic to all Golden Mountain Doodles regardless of coat type. If this is the case but you still wish to have a dog, a smaller size may be more manageable, as tiny dogs naturally produce less saliva.
Coat
We can usually identify coat type through DNA testing or when the pups are seven weeks old, which allows us to help families choose the best possible match. Ideally, families with allergy concerns should spend time with doodles in advance of bringing their own puppy home to make sure their are no allergy concerns.
In terms of grooming, the curlier the coat, the more maintenance it requires.Golden Mountain Doodles do need regular brushing to prevent matting. Curly and wavy coats should also be clipped every 6-8 weeks to keep them comfortable, healthy, and looking their best.
Sizes
Golden mountain doodles come in a variety of sizes. At SwissRidge, we breed standard, medium and mini Golden Mountain Doodles.
- Standard: 22 – 29 inches at the shoulder, 66+ lbs
- Medium: 18 – 21 inches at the shoulder, 46–65 lbs
- Miniature: 14 – 17 inches at the shoulder, 26 –45 lbs
- Tiny: 10 – 13 inches at the shoulder, 10 –25lbs
Please keep in mind that these sizes are an average, and sometimes a puppy will fall outside the expected height and weight.
Mini Golden Mountain Doodles may have a slightly higher energy level than the standards.
Different Generations
Golden Mountain Doodles can be bred in a variety of generations, and it’s important to speak with your breeder about which generation the puppy that you are getting is. This will help you understand the percentage of each breed in the combination as well as the potential coat types. At SwissRidge, we typically focus on breeding the F2 generation.
F1 (Backcross) Golden Mountain Doodle
An F1 backcross occurs when a Goldendoodle is bred back to a Bernese Mountain Dog or when a Bernedoodle is bred back to a Golden Retriever. This introduces more of one parent breed’s traits into the mix, depending on which pairing is used.
F2 Golden Mountain Doodle
An F2 is a second-generation cross created by breeding an Goldendoodle to an Bernedoodle. This combination helps balance the traits of all three parent breeds—the Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle. If both parents are F1 crosses with 1 furnishing gene, some of the puppies will look like the dog in the picture above (straight/short coat). This dog, believe it or not, has a Goldendoodle mother and a Bernedoodle father. She lacks a furnishing gene and has no curl gene. Every puppy in this litter was different, some wavy, curly and some straight. A breeder will help you choose the best coat type for your needs in an F2 litter.
Multigenerational (Multigen) Golden Mountain Doodle
A multigen Golden Mountain Doodle is any dog bred beyond the F2 generation, meaning multiple generations of Golden Mountain Doodles are bred together. With careful and selective breeding, multigens offer the most consistency in appearance, temperament, and coat type. Over time, breeders can refine desirable traits such as the soft fleece coat, low- to non-shedding qualities, and the steady, family-friendly temperament this cross is known for. Multigens are often the most predictable choice for families seeking a specific look or personality, although they do not carry the same level of hybrid vigor as the earliest generation crosses.
Health and Lifespan
The first Golden Mountain Doodle was bred in 2013 by SwissRidge kennels, making them a relatively young breed. Because their long-term health can only be estimated at this stage, I look to their lineage as a guide. These dogs are generally very healthy and vibrant. Based on what I’ve observed in Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles, I estimate The average lifespan of an Golden Mountain Doodle is typically 10–15 years, depending on size, genetics, and overall care.
Golden Mountain Doodles are often healthier than their parent breeds (especially the Bernese), but they can still be prone to certain conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia, eye issues, and skin problems such as hot spots and allergies. Like many other breeds, they are also at risk of cancer.
Genetic testing plays an important role in reducing the risk of inherited diseases. Reputable breeders invest heavily in testing and selecting healthy breeding stock, and they provide documentation to prove these results. Prospective owners should understand that this significant upfront investment is reflected in the price of the puppy. While the initial cost may be higher, it often leads to fewer veterinary expenses and better long-term health for the dog.
Golden Mountain Doodle Mismatch
The Golden Mountain Doodle is a versatile companion, well-suited for a wide range of families and lifestyles; with a few caveats:
- This is a very social dog that thrives on plenty of human interaction; if you have limited time for a dog, this may not be the breed for you. They need exercise and mental engagement.
- You should be prepared to dedicate the first two years to consistent guidance and training, helping your puppy grow into a well-mannered, wonderful adult dog.
- A low- to non-shedding coat means more time, effort, and money spent on grooming.
But if you have the time and enthusiasm, I predict your Golden Mountain Doodle will become the best friend you ever had – at least of the canine variety.
We wrote the first book on Bernedoodles
This comprehensive, easy-to-read and entertaining book covers everything you need to know about this amazing hybrid. Since Bernedoodles can vary significantly in size, build, coloring, and even personality, prospective owners need advice from someone who knows the breed inside out. Who better than the breeder who created them?