The Golden Doodle is a highly popular hybrid "designer" dog breed created by crossing a Golden Retriever with a Poodle . First widely bred in the 1990s, they are deeply loved for their affectionate personalities, high intelligence, and low-shedding coats . Because they inherit the work ethic of the Golden Retriever and the sharp intellect of the Poodle, they excel as family pets, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals. They are famously amiable, energetic, and highly social. They rarely show aggression and make wonderful companions for households with children or other pets. Ranking among the smartest mixed breeds, they are exceptionally easy to train using positive reinforcement.