Any Chocolate Goldendoodles out there?

[Jennifer Tramell]

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I have a 16wk old f2 chocolate goldendoodle named Webster. I only saw one other GD listed on the group - are there other chocolate gds? I'd be curious to know any info on other choc gds.
I'll start: Webster's mom is a 55lb blond f1 gd out of a cafe-au-lait standard poodle sire & golden retriever mom. Webster's dad is a 75 lb black f1 gd out of a black standard poodle sire & golden ret mom. Webster was the only chocolate in a litter of 10, 5 blacks & 4 blonds.
I don't know how to describe Webster's hair - it's not curly but not straight. It reminds me of some of the perms I've had - lots of body and a little frizz. Very little to no shedding so far (crossing my fingers!).

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, Groucho Too is a phantom. He also is a F1b goldendoodle. He looks identical to his father, a phantom standard poodle. His mother is a goldendoodle.
We have always done all of their grooming here at home. It takes some time but it is worth it. Neither of our dogs have ever been to a groomer or boarded. Regarding grooming - there are no standards, so do what you like. That is what we have always done, but we did have thirty years of grooming poodles before we started with doodles.

[Barb]

Hi Jennifer
I have a 6 month F1B
Chocolate Standard Goldendoodle named Yogi he is currently 30 pounds. His hair is wavy brushes straight and gets curly when wet. His Mom is Goldendoodle that looks like him ,his Dad wasa white and aprocot Parti Standard Poodle.
He is getting browner
Barb

[Jennifer Tramell]

Hi Barb, Yogi is so cute - I love his white markings! I wish Webster had white on him but then he'd be perfect :-) Yogi is a beautiful rich chocolate color, Webster is a bit lighter. I trimmed Webster a couple days ago and he was darker underneath, I hope he stays this color but we'll love him regardless of what color he ends up.

[Jennifer Tramell]

Okay, here's some interesting information I've found. In the 1800's golden retrievers were bred from several different breeds (setters, spaniels, newfoundlands); the intent was a shorter coated, soft mouthed, water loving retriever. In the early days (late 1800-early 1900?) golden retrievers were shown as the "golden" variety of Flat Coated Retriever. Now that Goldens are their own breed, Flat Coated Retrievers are either solid black or solid liver colored. Some breeders do have goldens with liver pigmentation - but this is not acceptable in the AKC.

Now a question for you doodle pros from a doodle newbie :-) A F1 goldendoodle has 50% poodle and 50% golden. A F2 goldendoodle also has 50% poodle and 50% golden. Why is it easier to get a chocolate from a F2 breeding then from a F1? I understand it being easier to get a chocolate from a poodle backcross, but why an f2? I look forward to any insights!

[Lynda Kamrath]

I would say that it is the crossing back with the two poodles. An F2 goldendoodle is a cross with two F1s and you do have 50% poodle. But what are the two 25% poodles contributing? Compare it with eye color with humans. Two brown-eyed parents can have a blue-eyed child if it is a recessive gene in their backgrounds. But two blue-eyed parents can only have blue-eyed children. The golden retreiver is the blue-eyed parent. They only have their golden color to contribute, but the poodle? Many color opportunities with poodles. Anyway, that is my insight.

[Jenn&Bruce]

My 20 month old Standard Goldendoodle (F1B) Bruce was born a nice dark milk chocolate, but as he got older, the color changed to a copper red, and eventually to what he is now, a very light sandy mixture. he was listed on the breeders sight as a "cafe au lait" when he was born, but I have seen photo's of "silver beige" standard poodles, and his color is identical to just that.
it seems very common for "chocolates" to turn a faded cafe color when the get older. I haven't seen many true chocolates at an adult age, besides in an Australian Labradoodle.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

He looks like the very rare color called "parchment"

[Lynda Kamrath]

I think this is more true of goldendoodles than labradoodles. There are many chocolate labradoodles that stay their brown color, but goldendoodles change more with age. I think it has more to do with the labradors having three main colors (black, yellow, and chocolate) and the golden retrievers having only one color. Of course there are many colors with the poodle side of the family, but I think the retriever side may have more influence on color. What color was Bruce's poodle side? I assume he is 75% poodle and 25% golden retriever, so even more chance of variation.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I have a chocolate goldendoodle named Finnegan. He was born in May 2009. He has curly hair on his head and straight hair on his body. Funny looking but he is young yet so I have no idea what he will look like as an adult.

[Cami Jacobs]

Hi
I have an F2b Chocolate Goldendoodle. Her name is Finley. She is a little over 1 year old. Last time at the vet she weighted 28lbs so I’m guessing she is slightly heavier now but I’m not going to tell her. I would describe her hair as wavy too. Her mom is an F1b who looks a lot like her and her dad is an F1 blonde goldendoodle. She was a pretty dark pup but in the last couple of months she has started rapidly fading. She’s like the color changing horse in the Wizard of Oz.

[Lynda Kamrath]

With the blond in her background I wouldn't expect her to stay dark for too long. She is a doll though and definitely a chocolate goldendoodle - a rather rare color for a goldendoodle.