What is a golden Australian mountain doodle?

“stokeshire” “GAMD”

golden Australian mountain DOODLE
BREED TRAITS & CHARACTERISTICS

• Height: Varies

• Weight: Varies

• Lifespan: 10-15 years (smaller sizes tend to live longer)

At Stokeshire, we believe every family deserves a dog that fits into their life like a missing puzzle piece. Our journey is one of passion, driven by a deep love for dogs and a commitment to creating companions that bring unparalleled joy. It was with this vision that we developed the Golden Australian Mountain Doodle (GAMD)—a breed that truly embodies the best of multiple worlds. Imagine a dog with the heart of a Golden Retriever, the gentle strength of a Bernese Mountain Dog, the sharp mind of an Australian Shepherd, and the elegant, low-shedding coat of a Poodle. That is the promise of the Stokeshire GAMD.

This isn't just about mixing breeds; it's about intentional creation. We've poured our expertise into every pairing, using meticulous genetic testing and a deep understanding of each parent breed to cultivate a dog that is as healthy and well-tempered as it is beautiful. Our GAMDs are born from a dream—to give families the perfect four-legged friend for every adventure, from quiet evenings by the fire to lively Sunday barbecues.

What is a Golden Australian Mountain Doodle?

The Golden Australian Mountain Doodle, affectionately known as "the Stokeshire," is a unique hybrid breed developed right here at our family-run kennel. It artfully combines the Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd (including the Miniature American Shepherd), Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle. The result is a remarkable companion that blends the gentle nature of a family dog with the intelligence and spirit of a working breed.

These dogs are designed for modern family life. They possess the loyal, eager-to-please spirit of the Golden, the calm and steady presence of the Berner, the keen intelligence of the Aussie, and the allergy-friendly coat of the Poodle. This makes for an exceptionally adaptable, trainable, and loving dog that fits seamlessly into a variety of households.

Genetic Health & The Power of Diversity

At Stokeshire, every pairing begins with the science of genetics—not guesswork. We use Embark-verified DNA testing and advanced lineage mapping to ensure our Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) stays as close to zero as possible, preserving true genetic diversity across generations. Why does this matter? Because low-COI breeding drastically reduces the risk of inherited diseases and immune weaknesses that plague many purebred lines trapped in genetic bottlenecks. By intentionally crossing complementary breeds—each with unique strengths and minimal shared ancestry—we help prevent the expression of recessive disorders, improve overall vitality, and extend lifespan. This careful balancing of temperament, structure, and DNA integrity allows our dogs to thrive both physically and emotionally. It’s not just responsible breeding—it’s a commitment to generational health, ensuring that every Stokeshire Doodle embodies strength, soundness, and the best of its heritage.

The Parent Breeds: A Symphony of Traits

Our breeding philosophy is rooted in the belief that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each parent breed was selected for the distinct qualities it contributes to the Golden Australian Mountain Doodle.

The Golden Retriever: The Heart of Gold

Celebrated for their famously friendly and tolerant attitude, Golden Retrievers bring an unwavering gentleness to the mix. Their sunny disposition and eagerness to please make them incredible family dogs. From the Golden, your GAMD inherits a playful spirit, a soft heart, and a deep-seated loyalty that makes them a true "people dog."

The Bernese Mountain Dog: The Gentle Giant

The Bernese Mountain Dog contributes a calm, steady strength and a profoundly affectionate nature. Originally bred for draft work and guarding Swiss farms, they are powerful yet sweet-tempered. This influence gives the GAMD a laid-back confidence and a quiet devotion, creating a dog that is both a steadfast protector and a loving shadow.

The Australian & Miniature American Shepherd: The Brilliant Mind

Aussies and their smaller counterparts, the Miniature American Shepherds, are renowned for their high intelligence and athletic ability. As herding dogs, they have a sharp mind and a strong work ethic. This heritage provides the GAMD with exceptional trainability and a love for engaging activities, making them quick learners who thrive on mental stimulation.

The Poodle: The Elegant Intellect

Beneath the Poodle's famously curly and low-shedding coat lies a brilliant and versatile athlete. Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, known for their trainability and proud demeanor. Their inclusion ensures our GAMDs have a high capacity for learning and an allergy-friendly coat, making them a wonderful choice for families with sensitivities.

Temperament and Personality

The Golden Australian Mountain Doodle is the friend you always wished you had. They are affectionate, outgoing, and deeply connected to their families. Picture a companion who greets you with a wagging tail every time you walk through the door and is just as happy to join you for a hike as they are to snuggle on the couch.

Thanks to the blend of nurturing and working breeds, they have a balanced energy level. They possess the Golden's zest for play and the Aussie's drive for activity, but the Bernese influence grounds them with a wonderful sense of calm. They are patient and gentle with children and generally get along well with other pets, making them a harmonious addition to any household. Their intelligence and desire to please make them a joy to train, and many excel in therapy or service roles.

Physical Characteristics and Coat

The GAMD is a stunning dog, often inheriting the beautiful color patterns of its parent breeds. Their appearance is as unique as their personality.

• Size: As a mix of large and medium breeds, the size can vary. Generally, they are large dogs with a sturdy, balanced build that reflects their mountain dog heritage.

• Coat: The coat is a highlight of the breed. Thanks to the Poodle influence, most GAMDs have a wavy or curly coat that is low-shedding. This reduces allergens in the home, but it does require regular grooming.

• Colors: The color possibilities are truly special. You may see the striking tri-color pattern of the Bernese, the rich gold of the Retriever, or the captivating merle of the Australian Shepherd. Each puppy is a unique work of art.

Why the Poodle Opens the Palette

Poodles carry multiple coat-color alleles that influence nearly every major pigment locus:

• E locus (MC1R) – Poodles can be EE, Ee, or ee → allowing black, brown, cream, red, apricot, or white depending on modifier genes.

• K locus (CBD103) – They may be KB (solid), kbr (brindle), or ky (recessive to A locus), unlocking pattern diversity when paired with tan-point (at) or sable (ay) alleles.

• A locus (ASIP) – Common Poodle variants include at/at (phantom pattern), ay/at (sable/phantom mix), or aw (wild sable).

• B locus (TYRP1) – Controls black (B) vs chocolate/brown (b).

• D locus (MLPH) – Dilution gene turning black → blue/silver and brown → café au lait.

• M locus (PMEL) – Some lines carry merle (modern multicolor Poodles).

• S & T loci – Control white markings and ticking.

Because Poodles are used in so many coat colors and pattern variants, they “unlock” hidden recessives in the other parent breeds—like tan-point, red intensity, or merle—making it possible for your multi-breed doodles to express a stunning range from solid cream to tricolor merle, chocolate phantom, silver parti, or abstract gold.

Understanding Coat Color Genetics in “The Stokeshire”

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we love both the science and the art of color genetics. Every shade—from golden cream to rich tri-color merle—comes from predictable DNA markers that we study carefully before every pairing.

Golden Retrievers provide the foundation for many of our warm, rich tones. Their color genetics are usually:

• KBKB ee BB

  • KBKB (dominant black locus) prevents patterning, keeping their coat solid rather than brindled or sabled.

  • ee (recessive red/yellow at the E locus) overrides the black pigment entirely, resulting in the familiar golden hue.

  • BB indicates full black pigment potential (no chocolate/brown dilution).
    Together, this combination means all eumelanin pigment is hidden by “ee,” producing solid gold shades with no dark points.

When we introduce Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle genetics, new color alleles enter the mix—opening the door to tri-colors, merles, and chocolates:

• Aussies contribute merle (M locus) and pattern diversity such as copper points and white trim.

• Bernese add at/at (tan point) and Irish spotting (S locus) for that classic tri-color.

• Poodles bring variety at the B locus (brown/chocolate) and D locus (dilute), plus modifiers that influence intensity and shade.

Because of these combinations, our Golden Australian Mountain Doodles can range from solid golds and caramels to phantom merles, chocolates, and tri-patterns. Each pairing is genetically mapped to avoid conflicts like double merle and to maintain pigment health, coat clarity, and visual consistency.

This genetic diversity also allows us to maintain low COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) values while producing breathtaking, predictable coats. It’s a perfect example of how science and purpose-driven breeding can work hand-in-hand to craft beauty that’s both intentional and ethical.

Care and Upkeep for Your GAMD

Bringing a Stokeshire Doodle into your home means committing to their well-being. With the right care, your GAMD will be a happy and healthy companion for years to come.

Grooming

That beautiful, low-shedding coat needs consistent attention to stay free of mats and tangles. We recommend brushing your GAMD several times a week and scheduling professional grooming appointments every few months to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Regular nail trims and ear checks are also essential parts of their routine.

Exercise and Environment

Golden Australian Mountain Doodles are active dogs that thrive on daily exercise and mental engagement. A home with a fenced yard is ideal, but they can adapt to apartment living if they receive plenty of daily walks, runs, and playtime. They are social creatures who crave human companionship and do not do well when left alone for long periods. Involving them in family activities is the key to their happiness.

Health and Lifespan

At Stokeshire, the health of our dogs is our highest priority. We conduct rigorous genetic screening on all our parent dogs to minimize the risk of hereditary conditions common to the foundation breeds, such as hip dysplasia or certain eye conditions. With proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and plenty of love, a Golden Australian Mountain Doodle typically enjoys a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

Continuing the legacy of Breeding Better Dogs for Tomorrow

When you look at the Golden Retriever’s development, you see how thoughtful cross-lineage breeding and genetic variety have long been core to producing dogs with enduring health and temperament. Early on, the Golden Retriever was formed in Scotland by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (Lord Tweedmouth), who crossed wavy-coated retrievers, Tweed water spaniels, setters, and other breeds to create a retriever with sweetness, trainability, and versatility. Modern genetic studies show that Golden Retrievers retain about 46 % of the known allelic diversity among all dogs, even though many pure-line populations have substantially lower diversity. They also show how subdivision into “conformation” vs “performance” lines has led to narrower diversity pockets and a higher risk of hereditary problems in the more restricted lines.

At Stokeshire, we draw from that model—not to simply replicate it, but to improve on it. By consciously designing our breeding program for the Golden Australian Mountain Doodle with multiple foundation breeds (Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd/Mini American Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle), we are deliberately creating a wider gene pool. We keep our coefficient of inbreeding (COI) extremely low and screen for genetic markers so each dog enters our program as a healthy, genetically vibrant individual. Just as the early Golden Retriever founders prioritized versatility, working ability, and friendly temperament, we too prioritize purposeful, passionate, proven breeding. Our goal is to avoid the genetic bottlenecks and health burdens that often accompany purebred lines restricted to a narrow founder base.

Future Expansion: Medium-sized, Unfurnished Varieties of the Golden Australian Mountain Doodle

At Stokeshire, we’re excited to share that we’re planning future litters of the Golden Australian Mountain Doodle (“Stokeshire”) that will be medium-sized and feature unfurnished coats without a double coat. This is part of our decade-long vision to broaden the versatility of our breed program while staying true to our standards of health, temperament, and quality.
We’ve spent ten years of research and planning to bring this concept to fruition — carefully selecting parent lines and leveraging advanced genetic understanding so that the result is not just beautiful, but predictable and reliable.

What does “unfurnished & no double coat” mean — and why are we doing it?

• Unfurnished coat refers to dogs that do not carry the dominant variant of the gene responsible for eyebrows, mustache/beard, and “furnishings” (the classic doodle look). The gene is associated with the RSPO2 locus (sometimes called the furnishing or “IC/improper coat” locus) — dogs that carry the wild type (non-furnishings) allele lack these facial furnishings and often have a different texture of coat.

• No double coat means we aim to avoid a thick under-coat layer (typical of many large breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Australian Shepherd). Double coats shed heavily; by selecting lines without the heavy under-coat, we are promoting easier grooming and less shedding — still balanced with the active, sturdy build we value.

• Medium size — Rather than the largest size of our “mountain” mixes, these upcoming lines will target a more moderate adult weight and height. This makes them more adaptable to a wider variety of homes, while still retaining the structure and presence of a true multi-breed mountain doodle.

How the genetics work (in simplified terms):

• A dog’s coat furnishings are largely influenced by RSPO2: when the dominant “furnishings” allele is present, the dog exhibits the beard/eyebrows look; when two non-furnishing alleles are present, the dog is unfurnished (no distinct beard/eyebrows) 

• Coat texture, length, and shedding also involve other genes such as FGF5 (which influences hair length) and KRT71 (which influences curl) 

• By carefully selecting parents with known genotypes for furnishings (i.e., non-furnish carriers) and minimizing heavy undercoat genes from double-coated breeds, we plan to produce puppies that are medium-sized reliably, have simpler coats (less undercoat/low-shed), and don’t carry the classic doodle furnishings.

Why this matters to you and to us at Stokeshire—
We know that many families love the versatility and health benefits of our designer mountain doodles, but some may prefer a dog with a sleeker coat appearance, lower grooming demands, and a size that better suits a family home or active lifestyle. By offering this new variety, while remaining true to our core values of health, temperament, and “purposeful, passionate, and proven,” we’re broadening the Stokeshire family to more people.
When these lines are ready, we’ll provide full transparency on genetics, expected adult size, coat maintenance needs, and how they fit into our reservation process.

How Modern Breeds Are Made (and Why That Matters to “the Stokeshire”)

Dog breeds don’t appear fully formed—they’re crafted. For centuries, breeders have combined existing dogs to lock in temperament, structure, and working ability. Modern genomics confirms this: most breeds were shaped by division and admixture (planned crosses), with traits consolidated over time.

Golden Retriever — a planned cross that became a classic

The Golden began as a deliberate program in 19th-century Scotland by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (Lord Tweedmouth). Records show he bred a yellow wavy-coated retriever (“Nous”) to the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel, then refined the line with other gundogs to fix the Golden’s hallmark biddability and soft mouth. In short: a modern “purebred” created by crossing earlier breeds.

Australian Shepherd — America’s herding problem-solver

Despite the name, the Aussie is quintessentially American, developed in the Western U.S. for ranch work. Its roots trace through imported herding dogs (including from Spain/Australia routes), consolidated here for stamina, stock sense, and trainability—another instance of building a “new” breed from established working dogs.

Miniature American Shepherd — scaled from proven Aussie stock

The MAS was purpose-bred in California (late 1960s) from smaller Aussies to keep the brains, heart, and stock-work drive in a more compact package. AKC recognized the breed in 2015—a modern formalization of size-focused selection from existing lines.

Bernese Mountain Dog — revived and standardized from farm dogs

The Berner descends from Swiss “Sennenhund” farm dogs used for draft, guarding, and cattle work. In the late 19th–early 20th century, fanciers like Franz Schertenleib (with support from Prof. Albert Heim) gathered and standardized these regional dogs, turning a type into a recognized breed—again, consolidating traits from pre-existing stock.

Poodle — water retriever refined into multiple sizes

The Poodle’s ancestors were European water dogs (its name stems from the German pudeln, “to splash”). Over time, breeders fixed the waterproof coat, keen intelligence, and versatility, and then scaled the breed into Standard, Miniature, and Toy varieties—purposeful selection from shared roots.

What this means for “the Stokeshire” (Golden Australian Mountain Doodle)

Our GAMD follows the same time-tested path: we combine Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd/Mini American Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle—each a product of earlier selection—to harmonize friendliness, calm confidence, keen intelligence, athleticism, and manageable coats. That’s how modern breeds—and modern multi-breed lines—are responsibly built: by thoughtful combination plus rigorous selection, generation after generation.

The Purpose of Stokeshire

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, our purpose is to create a modern American family dog—one that blends intelligence, empathy, and emotional awareness into every generation. Our goal isn’t simply to breed beautiful dogs, but to engineer companions that are therapy-grade by nature, not by training.

Through more than a decade of intentional pairings, genetic testing, and temperament evaluation, we’ve cultivated lines that are balanced, intuitive, and human-centered. Each Stokeshire puppy is bred to connect—to read emotion, to comfort, to play gently with children, and to adapt gracefully to family life.

We believe the future of ethical breeding lies in designing for purpose, not popularity. By combining the best of the Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, Australian Shepherd, Mini American Shepherd, and Poodle, we’re building a new kind of American dog—one that reflects compassion, intelligence, and connection at its core.

Is a Golden Australian Mountain Doodle Right for You?

The GAMD is an ideal companion for active individuals or families who are ready to welcome a dog into the heart of their home. You are a great fit for a Stokeshire GAMD if you are looking for:

• A loyal, affectionate, and family-oriented dog.

• An intelligent and trainable companion for activities and adventures.

• A low-shedding breed suitable for those with mild allergies.

• A dog with a balanced energy level—playful but also calm.

This breed thrives in a home where it receives consistent training, daily exercise, and an abundance of affection.

Begin Your Stokeshire Journey

We pour our hearts into raising each puppy, ensuring they are well-socialized and ready to become a cherished member of your family. If the Golden Australian Mountain Doodle sounds like the companion you’ve been dreaming of, we would be delighted to speak with you.

Contact Stokeshire Designer Doodles today to learn more about our available puppies and begin your journey to finding your perfect furry friend.