The Golden Mountain Doodle is a special mixed breed. This is because it’s a tri cross between a Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, and a Poodle. So, they are developed out of three amazing breeds and you´re getting the best attributes of all! These unique mixes were first created in 2013 by SwissRidge Kennels.
And it’s needless to say that the Golden Mountain Doodle is smart, affectionate, and devoted, just like the Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle!
Now, we know there are countless doodle mixes, like the Labradoodle or Teddy Bear Goldendoodle, and sure they have many common traits and all of them are beautiful dogs. But every one of them also has characteristics that make them unique and the best match for anyone.
As a side note, we’ve talked about another tri cross, which was the Lycan Shepherd. A stunning crossbreed between the Blue Bay Shepherds, working-line German Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois.
In this article, we’ll talk more about the Golden Mountain Doodle, interesting facts about them and see what it is that makes these dogs special and worth getting.
Golden Mountain Doodle – Important characteristics
Golden Mountain Doodles are a new breed that came out in 2013. So, we don’t have a lot of information about their nature and looks. It’s never easy to say how a mixed breed will be like, but with this one, it’s even harder.
Because it’s such a new mix we can’t know what they will be like exactly. Sure, we can say that they will have the best qualities of their parent breeds, but we don’t know which qualities they will get.
When buying a dog we all do our best to get to know the breed we’re getting. What they will look like, act like, and what they need to be happy and healthy.
Now, even though we can’t have that with a mixed breed, there are many great things about hybrids. It’s that you’re getting the characteristics of two or three dogs in one package.
In this case, you’re getting the playfulness, love, and affection of a Golden retriever. You’re also getting the devotion of a Bernese Mountain Dog, and the intelligence of the Poodle. With this dog, you´re getting a very smart dog that can learn new things without any problem. They are also people pleasers, so they will do anything you want just to make you happy. In the beginning they might be a bit shy, but the lighter you keep the situation and training, the easier things will become.
But, sadly because this is not a purebred dog, the resulting pups of a Golden retriever, Poodle, and Bernese Mountain dog are not an AKC registered breed. To better understand what your Golden Mountain Doodle might be like, let’s look at all the characteristics of the breeds they were developed from.
Golden retriever
The Golden retriever is an obedient and easy to manage the dog, which is why they were used in hunting. They are eager to please their owners, in combination with that and their intelligence, they are very easy to train. They are motivated to learn new commands and games. That is one of the biggest reasons why they are used as gun dogs, rescue dogs, search dogs, detection dogs, and service animals.
As time went by the Golden retriever was used less and less as a hunting dog and more like a family dog. Because of their devotion, affection, and loyalty, they make great companions for every family. They can easily adapt to every situation and are extremely patient, so almost nothing can upset them.
This dog is attached to its family and would like to be with them all the time. They get along well with children and want to be a full member of the family. The Golden retriever loves it when their family takes them everywhere. But don’t be afraid that they might bite someone. The Golden retriever is friendly towards strangers and will walk up to anyone just to get some pets.
Golden retrievers have a lot of energy and are playful, so they are perfect for active families who can do a lot of sport with them and who like to go hiking. So, long walks and a lot of agility training are part of everyday life with a Golden retriever. Don’t think this will wear down when they get older, their energy level stays high even when they get old.
This dog is very people-oriented and feels most comfortable in a family with a lot of social contacts. The Golden Retrievers also get along well with other dogs. These dogs also have a high shedding coat, which makes them not a good choice for allergic people.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog breed was originally bred to be farm dogs on the foothills of the Alps around the Swiss capital Bern. It was kept by the farmers there as a guard, draft, and driving dog.
Bernese Mountain dogs are strong dogs. This breed of dog is fearless and watchful and is always friendly and open-minded. He feels most comfortable with his family and has no problem with other pets.
The patient Mountain dog is very loyal to his family and he needs constant contact with people. Raising the breed is quite simple with enough consistency. He has hardly any hunting instinct and a low stimulus threshold, which makes him a perfect family dog.
While they are extremely vigilant and fearless, they are by no means aggressive. The breed is self-confident and aloof, but nonetheless peaceful, towards strangers. This dog would never attack an intruder.
He’s not a very good watchdog because he never reacts aggressively to strangers. The Bernese Mountain Dog has a rather relaxed demeanor and greets “intruders” with a tail wag.
Even if the Bernese Mountain Dog looks rather clumsy and sedate at first glance, they still need a lot of exercise. they love walks in nature and little intelligence games.
Training and raising this good-natured breed usually goes smoothly and there won’t be any major setbacks. But, every now and then, the puppy can react a little stubborn if it doesn’t understand something or is not in the mood. In those situations, you should remain consistent and always motivate your four-legged friend.
Poodle
The Poodle is a lively and playful breed that can adapt well to all situations. He is also extremely intelligent and takes great pleasure in training, which makes him a good dog for first-time owners. The loyal dog prefers to be near his human friends and needs a direct family connection.
The sensitive animal is very attentive and immediately recognizes when its owner is not doing well. He loves to cuddle and likes to ensure peace and inner balance in his master or mistress. These dogs come in a variety of sizes, and depending on the size they can easily be kept in small apartments.
Due to the high intelligence of this breed, the puppy understands from a young age what you are asking of him. So, it is best to start their training on the first day. As with all other breeds, a consistent but loving upbringing is the key to success.
Positive reinforcement is recommended with all breeds, but you can also do clicker training. This dog can quickly become enthusiastic about learning little tricks and commands. So, training won’t be hard at all. Although the Poodle gets along well with other pets in general, early socialization is still a must.
Unlike other dog breeds, Poodles don´t have double coats and they have a very little chance of shedding. That means that they aren´t likely to cause allergic reactions in humans and they have very little need for grooming.
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Golden Mountain Doodle – Physical appearance
Just like we can’t tell you what characteristics your Golden Mountain Dog will be like, we also can’t tell you what they will look like. Generally speaking, they come in two sizes: standard size and mini size.
A standard golden mountain doodle comes from breeding a Goldendoodle and a Bernedoodle of any size. They are usually 70 to 90 pounds in range and around 23 to 29 inches to the shoulder.
A mini golden mountain doodle comes from breeding a mini Goldendoodle and a mini Bernedoodle, and they weigh between 25 and 35 lbs with 18 to 22 inches to the shoulder.
The Golden Mountain Doodle dog looks a lot like the Goldendoodle. They have a stocky build and a strong frame, they get this from the Golden retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog. At the same time, they have a beautiful silky coat which can be one solid color, but also two-colored and three-colored. It depends on what the parent breeds look like.
Different colors and coat types
Because this is a mix they come in different colours, including merle, which is a patchwork of different colors and spots. They can even be one solid colour sometimes. When it comes to the structure of their coat, there isn’t one right answer either. The look of dogs can differ in one litter! Puppies in one litter can even have different coats, one dog in the litter may have a straight coat, while all the others have curly coats. They can have different coat types, but, generally speaking, the majority of puppies in one litter will have a wavy coat or curly fur.
But, one important feature that is for sure is that with so much Poodle in them none of them will shed, or they will shed very little. Ask whoever you want, and everyone will tell you that their Golden Mountain Doodle has a lower shed coat. Which makes them great for people who are allergic to dog hair!
Now, we want to stress that, they aren’t fully hypoallergenic. Those who are allergic to dog saliva will be allergic to a golden mountain doodle regardless of their coat size, although a smaller dog will produce less of it. If you are allergic to saliva, then you might want to get a small dog because they produce less saliva.
Health – The most common problems of the Golden Mountain Doodle
The Golden Mountain Doodle was developed less than 10 years ago, so no one can tell how long they live. But, if we take the parent breed’s life expectancy we can say that this adorable hybrid´s life expectancy is around 13 years. The most common health concerns this tri-cross can face are:
Hip Dysplasia
A widely known skeletal illness that is more common in large or giant breed dogs. It can also happen in smaller breeds, but it is more common in larger breeds. The hip joint is like a ball and socket, and it moves. It’s hard for dogs with hip dysplasia to move their joints smoothly because their joints don’t fit together or grow properly. This leads to the joint deteriorating over time and eventually not being able to do what it was meant to do.
Skin problems
Contact allergies, bacterial infections, fungal infections, and parasite allergies are some of the most common types of dog skin problems, but there are many more. Signs of skin problems are hair loss, itching, scabbing, and skin sores. Skin redness is possible. Hair loss may occur around the eyes. Ear infections, redness, excess wax, and odor are all prevalent. Foot licking and chewing is also significant sign. Ticks and fleas may cause skin infections as well. These are early indicators of skin problems.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Also known as GPRA, is an inherited disease that causes dogs to lose their vision over time. It can happen over months or years. As an autosomal recessive trait, the gene that causes the condition must be passed down from parent to child. This means both parents must have the gene. Even if the parents aren’t sick, this illness can be passed down through the generations even if they aren’t sick. Most dogs can’t see well at the age of 6 to 8 years, depending on their breed.
Cancer
In dogs that are over ten years old, cancer is the leading cause of death. But, if caught early, 50% of all tumors can be treated. Cancer can show up in many different ways and affect the blood, bone, or other parts of the body. An accurate diagnosis is very important for getting the best treatment and the best outcome. Cancer affects dogs in a lot of different ways.
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs. It accounts for 20% of all cancers in the species.
Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in dogs, and it is more common in big and huge breeds. Many people have bone cancer called osteosarcoma, which usually affects long bones in the limbs. It spreads quickly to the lungs and lymph nodes as well as other bones. People who own dogs with black tongues and gums are more likely to get melanoma, a type of oral cancer that can spread. If you have dark-colored cells, you may have tumors on your body. They can be anywhere.
Unspayed female dogs are more likely to get breast tumors, but because they look like little nodules around their nipples, many people don’t bother to check them out. Not only that, but the nodule could turn into a huge, painful tumor that could ulcerate and become an open wound.
When it comes to the health issues these dogs might experience there is no exact answer either. It’s best if we take a look at all the health issues of the parent breeds.
Health issues of the Golden retriever:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Skin problems
- Chest conditions
- Cancer
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Luxating Patella or Loose Knees
- Cataracts
- Low Thyroid
Health issues of the Bernese Mountain Dog:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Cancer
- Gastric Torsion
Health issues of the Poodle:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Cancer
- Addison’s disease
- Gastric torsion
- Thyroid issues
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Eye problems
- Eyelid problems
- Skin problems
- Cataracts
- Epilepsy
It’s possible that your Golden Mountain Dog experiences any of these health problems. That is why it’s important for your dog to get regular check-ups so your vet can detect any health problems early! Also, try to get your dog from a responsible breeder, someone you can trust and someone who specializes in this hybrid dog. Because these dogs can have so many health concerns, a reputable breeder will do genetic testing to ensure their clients get the healthiest puppies possible. For this particular mix you can look into getting the puppies from a SC Doodle Breeder, because they provide different generation puppies.
For example, you can get a puppy that has a Bernedoodle parent and one Goldendoodle parent. You can also look into their breeding program. A part of a dog’s health is also caring for its coat. If you want it to be healthy and shiny you need a healthy and nutritionally rich diet. You also need to brush them every day and take them to a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks. That way you can prevent matting and make sure your pet’s coat always looks good.