As dedicated breeders of Golden Retrievers, we’ve spent years committed to preserving the health, temperament, structure, and purpose of this exceptional breed. We’d like to explain why why we don’t breed doodles. With the rising popularity of “Doodles”—Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and other Poodle mixes—we’re often asked:
“Do you ever breed Doodles?”
“Would you offer your male for a Doodle litter?”
Our answer is clear: We do not breed Doodles, and we never offer our male for stud to create them.
This is a choice rooted in ethics, experience, and a deep responsibility to the dogs and families we serve.
🧬 Why Designer Mixes Aren’t Healthier
A common myth is that mixing breeds leads to healthier puppies. While “hybrid vigor” can sometimes apply to genetically distant dogs, it simply doesn’t hold true when combining breeds like Golden Retrievers and Poodles—which already share many genetic risks.
Both breeds are predisposed to:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Heart conditions
- Eye disorders
- Epilepsy
- Skin issues
- Certain cancers
Crossing them doesn’t reduce these risks—it often compounds them, especially when health testing is skipped. Unfortunately, many Doodle breeders do not perform the extensive OFA, CERF, and DNA screenings that we, as ethical Golden breeders, consider the bare minimum.
⚠️ Temperament in Mixed Breeds Is a Gamble
Golden Retrievers are treasured for their gentle, steady, eager-to-please nature—traits that result from generations of careful selection. Poodles are brilliant and athletic, but they can be more sensitive, high-strung, and reactive.
When these breeds are crossed, the resulting temperaments are unpredictable. Some Doodles are sweet and trainable. Others struggle with anxiety, hyperactivity, or behavioral challenges that make them unsuitable for therapy, service, or even as calm family companions.
Even Wally Conron, the man who created the Labradoodle, later said:
“I opened a Pandora’s box and released a Frankenstein’s monster. I find that the majority [of Doodles] are either crazy or have a hereditary problem.”
— The Guardian, 2019
We’ve seen firsthand how inconsistent these dogs can be, and we believe families deserve predictability—especially when choosing a lifelong companion.
❌ “Hypoallergenic” Is a Marketing Myth
Let’s set the record straight: no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology,
“It’s the proteins in a dog’s dander, saliva, and skin—not just their coat—that trigger allergic reactions.”
While some Doodles inherit a curlier, lower-shedding coat, others shed heavily like a Golden—or fall somewhere in between. It’s a genetic roll of the dice, even within the same litter. Promoting Doodles as allergy-safe is misleading and often leaves families heartbroken when allergy symptoms persist.
🐶 Why We Never Offer Our Males for Doodle Litters
We are incredibly proud of our stud dog—not only for his exceptional health testing and pedigree but for his temperament. He’s a registered therapy dog with a kind, soulful nature, and he represents everything we strive to produce.
We will not offer him for stud to create Doodles. Doing so would compromise our values and undermine the careful work we’ve put into preserving this breed.
When people inquire about using our male for mixed-breed litters, we respectfully decline. Our dogs are here to strengthen and protect the future of the Golden Retriever, not to contribute to unpredictable, unregulated designer trends.
🐾 Why We Believe in Preservation Breeding
Our breeding program is about more than producing cute puppies. We are dedicated to preserving the integrity of the Golden Retriever—its form, function, and heart.
Golden Retrievers were originally developed to be biddable, hardworking companions for hunting, therapy, and service roles. They are intelligent, gentle, and highly trainable—not by chance, but through generations of thoughtful breeding.
In contrast, Doodles lack a breed standard, a governing body, or consistency in purpose. Most are bred for appearance or trendiness, not for health or long-term soundness.
❤️ Our Commitment Is to the Breed We Love
We know some Doodle owners adore their dogs—and we don’t dispute that. But as preservation breeders, we cannot support a movement that prioritizes profit over predictability, popularity over purpose, and trend over temperament.
If you’re drawn to the loyalty, beauty, and temperament of the Golden Retriever, we encourage you to choose a breeder who’s committed to upholding those qualities—not mixing them away.
We don’t breed Doodles. We protect Goldens.
📚 Sources:
- “Labradoodle Creator Regrets Designer Dog Craze”, The Guardian, Sept. 2019
theguardian.com - American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
acaai.org - Australian Veterinary Association Position on Designer Dogs, 2020
ava.com.au