Goldendoodles are one of the most popular family dogs in the country — and for good reason. We’ve been raising them for years at Strong Oaks, and we still love watching families fall in love with them. Here’s what you actually need to know before bringing one home.
What Is a Goldendoodle?
A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle — combining the Golden’s warmth and loyalty with the Poodle’s intelligence and lower-shedding coat.
Temperament
Social, affectionate, and eager to please. They love everyone — kids, strangers, other animals. Smart enough to learn quickly, gentle enough to be trusted with children of all ages. They need attention and interaction; this is not a dog that does well being left alone for long stretches.
Size
At Strong Oaks we breed Standard Goldendoodles exclusively — typically 50 to 80 pounds, 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder. Sturdy, substantial dogs built for active family life.
Coat Types
Curly — tight curls, minimal shedding, best for allergy sufferers, most grooming required.
Wavy — the most common type, low to moderate shedding, easier to maintain.
Straight — leans toward the Golden Retriever side, sheds more than the others.
Shedding and Allergies
No dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic, but Goldendoodles — particularly F1B and F1BB generations — are among the better options for allergy-prone families. The generation matters a great deal. We’re happy to talk through which is right for your situation.
Generations We Breed
We raise F1, F1B, and F1BB Standard Goldendoodles. Our blog has a full breakdown of each generation if you want to go deeper.
Health
Generally healthy with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Like any breed they can be predisposed to certain conditions — which is exactly why health testing matters. Both our parent dogs are Embark DNA tested, and every puppy comes with a 5-year health guarantee.
Exercise and Training
Daily exercise needed — walks, fetch, yard time. Athletic but adaptable. Training is usually a pleasure: intelligent, food-motivated, and genuinely eager to please. First-time dog owners consistently do well with them.
Is a Goldendoodle Right for Your Family?
If you want a dog that’s gentle with kids, easy to train, low-shedding, and deeply affectionate — a well-bred Goldendoodle is hard to beat. Read on to see how Bernedoodles compare.
Bernedoodles at Strong Oaks
Logan is adding Bernedoodles to the Strong Oaks program. Everything above about health testing, the 5-year health guarantee, and how our puppies are raised will apply to them just the same.
What Is a Bernedoodle?
A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. It pairs the Bernese’s calm, devoted, gentle nature with the Poodle’s intelligence and lower-shedding coat.
Temperament
Affectionate, loyal, and goofy, usually a little more laid-back than a Goldendoodle. Bernedoodles tend to bond closely with their family and want to be wherever you are. Some are a bit reserved with strangers at first, which is why early handling and socialization matter so much.
Coat and Color
The classic Bernedoodle look is the tri-color coat: black, white, and rust, like the Bernese Mountain Dog. They also come in black and white, solid black, and other combinations. Coats run from wavy to curly, and like Goldendoodles, generations with more Poodle tend to shed less.
Health
Bernese Mountain Dogs carry some well-known health concerns, including hip and elbow dysplasia, which is one more reason health-tested parents matter. We Embark DNA test our parent dogs, and every Bernedoodle puppy will come with the same 5-year health guarantee.
Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle?
Both make wonderful family dogs. Goldendoodles tend to be a little more outgoing and energetic; Bernedoodles a little calmer and more of a shadow. If you’re not sure which fits your family, choose “Either one” on your application and Logan will help you decide. Call or text her at 678-877-9561 anytime.