Looking for a goldendoodle!

[Jolie Genender]

Hi!  My husband and 9-year-old son are trying to find a non-shedding goldendoodle (at least an F1b) due to my son's moderate dander allergies. We live in the Chicago area and would like to find a breeder in the midwest that we can trust, so we can hopefully get a new puppy this summer. Most important to us is disposition of the dog (friendly and sweet), and gender, size and color is less important (although we love the cremes, golden and apricot colors!)  Any suggestions on breeders or preferred genders?  Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It isn't better to mix the breeds for health purposes. It is better to breeds dogs from unrelated lines, but that isn't limited to mixed breeds, and "line-breeding" occurs quite a bit in doodles, too. Some of the same genetic diseases run in poodles that also run in Labs and goldens, so you should buy from a breeder who health tests the parents either way. It's all in finding a good breeder.
Purebred poodles do not really "shed" their coats. Their hair keeps growing like humans' hair, instead of getting to a certain length and then falling out like the majority of dogs' does.
If you search the forum, you will see many discussions about "coat changes" when a puppy approached a year of age. Most of our member breeders here will confirm this.
Perhaps there appears to be more doodle breeders out there than poodle breeders because the doodle breeders seem to do more advertising. The quality purebred breeders usually get referrals from their breed clubs, and usually produce fewer litters, because they are not breeding strictly to sell puppies. Of course, there are many who are, which is why you need to do a lot of research befor buying any puppy. You can contact the AKC standard poodle club in your area for referrals.

[Jolie Genender]

I took all of your suggestions to heart and we have decided to go with an standard apricot poodle! The litter was born two weeks ago, so we will be bringing our puppy home at the end of May. The excitement from my 9-year-old when we told him was priceless! We all can't wait to meet him. :) Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll be thrilled with your new baby, and I hope you'll post photos!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Enjoy your new pup. Sounds like a great choice. Good thing we a t DK are tolerant and don't have to kick you out : ))

[Jolie Genender]

Thanks for all the well wishes and for not kicking me out! :) I will definitely post photos!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jolie, I am so glad you were able to make a decision that works for your family. Please keep us posted - I mean you ended up with a half doodle and we adore doodles = half or whole.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Another option could be a wheaton terrior/poodle mix. Are they called Wheapoos? There is a member here who was waiting for a puppy of this mix. At the time it was discussed that they are totally non shedding becasue both breeds are and they are truly gorgeous looking. Our goldendoodle gets mistaken for a giant sized wheaton all the time. We had a wheaton also and he was gorgeous!