According to the American Kennel Club statistics for 2008, the Golden Retriever and the Poodle are ranked 4th and 9th respectively in terms of volume of registrations. This certainly supports their popularity in the US. These two breeds are as popular as they are for a number of reasons including temperament, gentleness, and intelligence. Cross-breeding the two gives you one fantastic family pet.

The Goldendoodle, the name for puppies resulting from the cross-breeding of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, is not a recognized breed by the AKC. Because they are a mix of two pure breeds, they are a hybrid - effectively marketed as a "designer" breed. (Hint, they can cost a pretty penny, however, a number of rescue groups are available to assist you in finding a Goldendoodle who needs a home. This tends to be a very inexpensive and animal-friendly approach to finding a family pet.)

Months ago, we brought home a Goldendoodle puppy. He was leggy and shaggy and shy. His silky coat was long and soft and the color of cream just poured into coffee. He wiggled and flopped and loved to run circles around our yard. We loved him immediately but we knew nearly nothing about him.

In the style of busy families everywhere, we didn't do any homework on Goldendoodles before we brought him home. He was cute and available and we took him. Little did we know then we'd lucked into finding the perfect dog for us. Only afterwards have I discovered just how incredible the Goldendoodle is as a family pet. Goldendoodles tend to be sweet in nature, loyal, quick-learners, and eager to please - all reasons every dog-loving family should consider a Goldendoodle. Size, in particular, is often a determining factor in the selection of a dog. When you account for the size of your home, the amount of outdoor space you have available for a dog, and the time you have for walking and caring for a dog, you truly whittle down your choices. Because the Poodle comes in a variety of sizes from small to large, a Goldendoodle also offers a full range of sizes, allowing almost any new dog owner the chance to own a Goldendoodle despite their particular home environment. For example, Mini Goldendoodles average around 30 pounds whereas a Standard Goldendoodle may reach upwards of 85 pounds. I own a Standard Goldendoodle, a male named Apollo, who is projected to reach 80 pounds when fully grown. (By the way, that's a horse to a 5-year-old boy....just something to keep in mind.)

Color and coat type are another significant factor in dog selection. Not keen on fur all over your clothes? Goldendoodles tend to be low shedding, although this depends on the traits and mix of the puppy's parents. Goldendoodles come in a variety of coats although most have wavy or curly coats and they tend to matt easily. Regular brushing and/or clipping is a necessity for a Goldendoodle. You don't want them slipping across the floor on overly furry paws and - I'm pretty sure you'd agree - you'd like to see their eyes. That takes a bit of regular care. Most of this is easily handled by the owner with some practice and the right tools.

No matter what size or color of dog you bring home, you will want your dog to be well-behaved. The inherent intelligence of the Goldendoodle through the combination of two breeds both known for being such smart studies makes this a much easier accomplishment than with some other types of dogs. Within a week, our 4-month-old Goldendoodle would - on command - sit, lay down, go to the bathroom, go in his kennel, and offer his paw to shake. This does take work and commitment on the part of the owner - you simply make it easier on yourself if you choose a dog that tends to be easy to train.

Gentle playfulness, if you have children, enriches the experience of having a dog in your home. Visions of Frisbee tosses, playing fetch, and a great game of tug-of-war are the moments we envision sticking with our children throughout life when we introduce a dog. Golden Retrievers are known for being loyal, loving, and great with children. To the degree these traits carried over to the offspring, the Goldendoodle follows this lead. At nine months, Apollo still sleeps a fair amount but he loves his toys. In fact, two toys are better than one and he'll do anything he can to keep two with him by putting one in his mouth and kicking the other alongside. All toys, however, lose their appeal the minute one of the boys walks in the room. My husband and I may be his masters and caretakers but his best friends are, by all means, the boys.

We bring pets into our homes for many reasons. We want something to love and care for, we want a companion, we want our children to learn how to care for others - and we want all of that to be fun and rewarding. A Goldendoodle can completely fulfill those expectations and plaster a large smile on your face in a moment's notice.

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