The Goldendoodle, a beloved crossbreed combining the intelligence and friendliness of the Golden Retriever with the hypoallergenic qualities of the Poodle has its origins interwoven with the careful breeding practices and vision of many passionate individuals. Poodle-Golden Retriever crosses have been discovered sporadically throughout the last few centuries, but the exact moment of this breed’s inception remains a mystery. In the late 1990’s, a few dedicated breeders emerged to actively promote this innovative crossbreed.
Why the Goldendoodle?
The aim of creating this novel breed was to blend the temperament of the Golden Retriever with a coat that sheds minimally, if at all. Inspired by the success of the Labradoodle in addressing owners with dog allergies, breeders believed that this combination would resonate with dog owners. Recognizing the trainability inherent in both parent breeds, the Goldendoodle was designed to be responsive and well-behaved during training. Furthermore, this extremely versatile companion was developed to be suitable for various lifestyles and environments.
The Earliest Goldendoodle Breeders
Poodle crosses are not a new concept to dog breeding. Some of the earliest poodle crosses included the Pudelpointer in the late 1800s to combine the natural abilities and retrieving instinct of a German Pudel and the English Pointer; and the Barbet which was resurrected after World War II with the help of the Poodle.
In the 1960’s, Monica Dickens, the great-granddaughter of classical author Charles Dickens, bred Goldendoodles to provide guide dogs for people with dog allergies. Judy Hahn, a 4-H leader and early Labradoodle breeder in the United States, played a pivotal role in advancing the breed’s development and ethics, subsequently influencing the rise of the Goldendoodle.
While Dickens’ efforts fulfilled an important niche role within her community, it was Amy Lane who emerged as a trailblazer in the Goldendoodle’s story by sparking the inception of one of the first known Goldendoodle breeding programs. In addition, Lane was responsible for developing smaller-sized Goldendoodles. In 2001, Lane crossed a Golden Retriever with a Miniature Poodle, creating the first known “miniature” Goldendoodle litter born in January 2002.
The Founding of the Goldendoodle Association of North America
There was a heartfelt and sincere desire to establish a community for Goldendoodle enthusiasts, breeders, and pet owners to support responsible breeding. Amy Lane founded the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) with the vision that the Goldendoodle community would parallel the success and sense of community fostered by the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA). Lane established the non-profit corporation in 2008 along with a database to document the pedigrees of foundation stock for the Goldendoodle breed. Once the framework was formed, Lane invited several exceptional breeders to develop foundational policies to encourage ethical breeding practices and prioritize the health and well-being of Goldendoodles. This group of breeders united with the shared goals of educating Goldendoodle owners and fellow breeders, fostering community, and implementing science-based standards to enhance and standardize the Goldendoodle breed.
Like any nascent organization, GANA faced initial challenges. The criteria for membership was initially quite rigorous, specifically regarding health testing requirements and pedigree documentation necessary to register breeding dogs. Numerous Golden Retriever and Poodle breeders, despite contributing their dogs to the establishment of the Goldendoodle, were apprehensive to disclose their pedigrees in the database due to the potential for retaliation from their kennel clubs and breeding communities. However, GANA was steadfast in its commitment to quality and responsible breeding.
In January 2009, GANA opened its virtual doors to their online pedigree database created to track lineage and health testing for Goldendoodles. The website was created to share information and connect people with ethical Goldendoodle breeders. The organization evolved, created a board of directors, and established easier entry for new members. A Registrar was hired to input and maintain canine registrations in the database and to issue individual pedigree certificates for each breeding dog.
By 2014, membership was stagnant though Goldendoodles continued to rise in popularity. Rhonda Hovan, member of the Board of Directors of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, offered a suggestion during her seminar at the very first GANA Educational Conference: a breeder apprentice program whereby novice breeders could gain valuable mentorship and guidance from more experienced GANA breeders. Once the program was established, membership increased significantly. By the beginning of 2024, GANA proudly has more than 150 member breeders committed to the development of Goldendoodles. Over 38,000 dogs are registered in the pedigree database. Member breeders can be found across the United States, Canada, and even Norway!
Committed to the Future of the Goldendoodle
Recognizing the pitfalls faced by other breed associations, GANA proactively established rigorous and mandatory ethical standards for its member breeders to combat irresponsible breeding practices. In addition, GANA developed the first Goldendoodle breed standard in 2017, spearheaded by Cindy Niske, a former AKC Grand Champion Great Dane breeder/exhibitor and AKC Breeder of Merit. Her expertise in the conformation space is invaluable to GANA’s members.
The organization continues to mature and grow by utilizing the experience of its member breeders and acquisition of reliable scientific data on the breed. Education has been a cornerstone of GANA’s initiatives: an extensive library is available to support and mentor breeders of all levels, a yearly educational conference that fosters connections between breeders and industry professionals, and virtual seminars throughout the year on relevant topics related to breeding. These educational efforts not only elevate the breed but also elevate the quality of its breeders, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to raise healthy, well-adjusted Goldendoodles. GANA continues to champion the Goldendoodle, strive for excellence, and shape a brighter future for this beloved breed.
