What is a Golden Mountain Doodle?

“GMD” “Golden Bernedoodle”

golden mountain DOODLE
BREED TRAITS & CHARACTERISTICS

• Height: Varies

• Weight: Varies

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

About gMDs

A Golden Mountain Doodle is a double doodle designer cross between a Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, and a Poodle. GMDs, like the Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle, are intelligent, loving, and loyal! They tend to have the friendly and outgoing attitude of the Golden Retriever, the extremely loving personality of the Bernese Mountain Dog, and the intelligence and lower shed coat from the Poodle.

Golden Mountain Doodles are a charming blend of Bernese Mountain Dog, Golden Retriever, and Poodle, offering the best traits of all three breeds. These dogs are known for their friendly temperament, fluffy coats, and devoted nature, and are gaining popularity among dog enthusiasts. If you're thinking of welcoming one into your home, here's everything you need to know.

These dogs come in a variety of coat types and colors, but our goal is to produce Golden Mountain Doodle puppies that resemble Bernedoodles with additional red and cream variety, while maintaining their trainability and love for play and fetch. We focus on breeding for good health and temperament. Due to their multiple poodle gene pools, the option for Parti coat colors is possible, which is not possible with first-generation crosses for both breeds.

The Goldendoodle is a friendly, intelligent, and confident breed with a happy expression that is engaging and welcoming to strangers. They are friendly, reliable, trustworthy, and well-rounded. Their stability in most situations and environments, particularly with children, the elderly, and the disabled, makes them ideal as trained service and therapy dogs.

When crossed with a Bernedoodle, GMDs often inherit the silky coat of their Bernese Mountain Dog grandparent. These hybrid fluffy pooches combine the intelligence and low shedding coat of the Poodle with the laid-back, yet incredibly loyal nature of the Bernese. While Bernese can be skittish with new people and strangers, the Golden Retriever should reduce or completely eliminate this tendency. However, socialization is key for any doodle puppy.

The goal of crossbreeding these two doodle breeds (double doodle) is to create the perfect companion and therapy dog for Midwest families and organizations. Smaller double doodles tend to be more energetic and stubborn than standard sizes. One thing to be aware of with this breed is that they need a lot of human interaction, so they shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. This also means that separation anxiety could be a problem for Golden Mountain Doodles. We recommend crate training your double doodle puppy while they're young.

Breed Characteristic: Best of both World - Bernedoodle x Goldendoodle - GOlden Retriever, Bernese, & Poodle

A Golden Mountain Doodle is a medium to large-sized dog, with males usually larger than females. They have wavy to curly hair, expressive eyes, and an endearing smile that can melt hearts. While their size might be intimidating, their temperament is anything but. They are friendly, gentle, intelligent, and highly trainable, making them excellent family pets.

One common misconception about this breed is that they are aggressive due to their size. However, Golden Mountain Doodles are often described as "gentle giants," known for their calm demeanor and affectionate nature.

Understanding GMD: The Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers, renowned for their exceptional ability to fetch and retrieve, showcase not only their intelligence but also their high energy levels. Their innate drive to retrieve, deeply rooted in their breed history as hunting companions, reflects their enthusiastic nature and boundless energy. This natural inclination toward fetching not only serves as a mental stimulant but also fulfills their need for physical activity. Their zest for retrieving translates directly to their energetic demeanor, making them enthusiastic playmates always up for fetching balls, toys, or household items. Regular engagement in fetching games not only strengthens the bond between dog and owner but also serves as a vital outlet for their energy, ensuring these beloved companions remain content and healthy.

Understanding GMD: The Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs, known for their strength and gentle demeanor, possess a natural inclination for draft work and herding, traits deeply embedded in their history. Their heritage as working dogs is evident in their remarkable ability to pull carts or assist with farm tasks, showcasing both their intelligence and robust energy levels. This innate drive for draft work not only displays their diligence but also speaks to their energy needs. This breed's enthusiasm for physical activities, such as pulling carts or engaging in herding exercises, reflects their energetic nature and desire for purposeful tasks. Regular engagement in such activities not only fulfills their need for both mental and physical stimulation but also forms a strong bond between dog and owner, ensuring these loyal companions thrive both mentally and physically.

Understanding GMD: The poodle, Standard, Medium & Toy

Poodles come in three distinct sizes—Standard, Miniature, and Toy—each possessing unique characteristics that distinguish them. The Standard Poodle, the largest of the trio, showcases remarkable intelligence and athleticism, often excelling in various canine sports and activities. Their size accommodates their energetic nature, making them great companions for active lifestyles. Miniature Poodles, smaller in stature but no less intelligent, exhibit a playful and affectionate disposition. Their manageable size allows them to adapt well to different living spaces while still maintaining their spirited nature. Lastly, Toy Poodles, the smallest in the family, embodies grace and charm. Despite their diminutive size, they possess a big personality, often displaying intelligence and a lively demeanor. Each size variation of Poodles shares a common trait—exceptional intelligence—coupled with distinct temperaments that cater to various preferences and lifestyles, offering companionship and versatility in different settings.

Why Breed Golden Mountain Doodles?

Imagine a dog that embodies the best of multiple worlds—a delightful blend of the friendly nature of a Golden Retriever, the robust energy and working instinct of a Bernese Mountain Dog, and the intelligence and adaptability of various Poodle sizes. This remarkable dog would inherit a gentle and affectionate personality, making it a loving and loyal companion to all. Its energy level would strike a balance between an enthusiastic playmate and a diligent worker, thriving on both physical activities and purposeful tasks. With the intelligence inherited from Poodles of different sizes, this dog would exhibit remarkable trainability and a quick wit, excelling in various activities and responding adeptly to training. Such a canine amalgamation would encompass the best traits, offering a well-rounded companion—friendly, energetic, intelligent, and versatile in adapting to different lifestyles and tasks.

Care and Grooming Needs

Golden Mountain Doodles have a thick, wavy coat that requires regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles. They are low to moderate shedders, depending on the coat type. Regular grooming is not just about maintaining their appearance but also about ensuring their skin and coat health.

While this breed does not have high shedding levels like some other breeds, neglecting grooming can lead to mats and skin problems. Frequent brushing will help distribute natural oils, promoting a healthy coat and reducing shedding.

Health and Lifespan

Golden Mountain Doodles generally have a lifespan of 10-15 years. Like any breed, they are prone to certain health conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders, and certain skin conditions. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to detect any potential issues early and ensure your pet's long, healthy life.

One health aspect often overlooked is dental health. Regular dental checks and teeth cleaning can prevent dental diseases that could lead to serious health problems in the long run.

Training and Behavior Tips

Golden Mountain Doodles are a breed of dogs that are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them relatively easy to train. However, it is important to start their training at an early age and focus on basic obedience, socialization, and good manners. This breed responds well to positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praises, or play.

Training is not just about teaching commands; it is about building a bond with your pet and understanding their needs and behavior better. To train your Golden Mountain Doodle effectively, you need to practice patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Bernese Mountain Dogs and GMDs are easy to train and can learn basic obedience without trouble. Positive reinforcement works best with this breed.

Early training is important for a GMD to help socialize and teach limits. Since the GMD is a slow-maturing breed (Standard), puppyhood lasts longer. So, patience and consistency are key. Because Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally bred to pull carts on a farm, GMDs are capable of pulling a lot of weight. Therefore, it is important to leash train them from an early age to prevent pulling when they are bigger and stronger.

Suitable Environments for Golden Mountain Doodles

Golden Mountain Doodles are adaptable and can adjust to different living conditions. However, they are active dogs that require regular exercise to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. A home with a backyard would be ideal, but they can also adapt to apartment living provided they get enough physical activity and mental stimulation.

Before bringing a Golden Mountain Doodle into your home, consider your lifestyle, space, and availability. These dogs thrive on companionship and do not do well left alone for extended periods.

Dogs for search and rescue

Bernese Mountain Dogs and Golden Retrievers are often utilized in search and rescue operations. Due to their friendly nature and love for people, they make excellent animal-assisted therapy dogs as well. This breed is known for its versatility and can excel in various activities such as tracking, herding, guarding, and search and rescue. Golden Retrievers, in particular, possess an incredible sense of smell, with 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to humans' 6 million, making them ideal for this task.

Golden Mountain Doodles are becoming popular for search and rescue missions because of their obedience, energy, and eagerness to please their owners. They are also great at retrieving games in the sport of hunting, showcasing their exceptional instincts.

Avalanche dogs play a crucial role in finding people buried in the snow. They signal the rescue patrol team where the victim is buried by digging. The rescue mission is then carried out, which is considered one of the most physically challenging tasks. While young, the dogs undergo slower-paced training to allow their bodies to mature. During this period, it is crucial to establish a positive relationship with the dog, and develop attentiveness, basic obedience, and exposure to varied sights, sounds, noises, social situations, ski lifts, snowmobile rides, helicopters, walking on varied surfaces, crowds, and children.

Conclusion

Golden Mountain Doodles are not only a delightful breed, but they also possess a unique combination of qualities that make them an exceptional choice for any dog lover. With the loyalty of a Bernese Mountain Dog, the intelligence of a Poodle, and the friendliness of a Golden Retriever, these dogs truly have it all.
While they are relatively easy to care for, it is important to note that Golden Mountain Doodles still require regular grooming, exercise, and plenty of love and attention. Their curly, hypoallergenic coats need to be brushed frequently to prevent matting, and regular baths will keep them looking clean and fabulous. Moreover, these active pups thrive on physical activities, so daily walks and playtime are essential to keep them happy and healthy. And, of course, showering them with love and affection is a must, as they thrive on human interaction and companionship.
If you're considering adding a Golden Mountain Doodle to your family, it's crucial to remember that responsible ownership involves understanding and catering to your pet's needs. These dogs are social creatures who require ample opportunities for exercise and mental stimulation. Creating a loving, safe environment for them to thrive in is key. Additionally, providing them with appropriate training and socialization from a young age will ensure that they grow into well-rounded and obedient companions.
With their loving nature and adorable looks, a Golden Mountain Doodle can make a wonderful addition to many homes. These playful pups are great with children and other pets, making them an ideal choice for families. However, they do require an active lifestyle that can be met by individuals or families who are committed to providing them with the love, care, and attention they deserve.
So, if you're looking for a furry friend that will bring endless joy and love to your life, consider welcoming a Golden Mountain Doodle into your home. With their winning personalities and irresistible charm, they are sure to become an inseparable part of your family in no time.