““The Origin of the English Teddy Bear Goldendoodle””

In the early 2000s, I, Sherri Smeraglia, set out to create the perfect companion dog. My goal was clear: combine the gentle, loyal temperament of the English Cream Golden Retriever with the intelligence, allergy-friendly coat, and low- to non-shedding qualities of the Poodle.

This intentional pairing gave rise to something new — the English Teddy Bear Goldendoodle — a dog that quickly captured hearts across America and beyond.

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Why the Name “Teddy Bear” Goldendoodle?

From the moment the first litters were born at Smeraglia’s Teddy Bear Goldendoodles, I knew they were unique.
•   Soft, plush coats
•   Round, expressive faces
•   Warm, soulful eyes
•   Affectionate, gentle personalities

They reminded me of the most beloved childhood toy — the teddy bear. The name fit perfectly, and today, “Teddy Bear Goldendoodle” is recognized worldwide as a style of Goldendoodle with a blockier build, softer coat, allergy-friendly qualities, and a sweet, family-focused temperament.

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What Makes the English Teddy Bear Goldendoodle Different?

Unlike American Goldendoodles, the English Goldendoodle is bred from English Cream Golden Retrievers, known for:
•   Blockier heads and heavier bone structure
•   Calm, confident personalities
•   Light cream to pale golden coats

When crossed with carefully selected Standard or Miniature Poodles, the result is a versatile, allergy-friendly, low- to non-shedding dog with an easygoing, people-oriented nature. These traits make them ideal family pets, therapy dogs, and service animals.

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Temperament Rules X in Our Breeding Program

At Smeraglia’s Teddy Bear Goldendoodles, temperament is king. Every decision in our breeding program — from health testing to puppy raising — is guided by our mission to produce dogs with stable, loving, adaptable personalities.

We raise each litter to be:
•   Confident in new environments
•   Gentle with children
•   Friendly toward other pets
•   Eager to please and trainable

This temperament-first philosophy, paired with allergy-friendly coats and low- to non-shedding qualities, is why our puppies thrive in so many different homes and lifestyles.

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Commitment to Health and Quality

From the very beginning, our program has focused on ethics and excellence:
•   Hip testing and joint evaluations
•   Embark genetic DNA testing on all parent dogs and on some puppies as needed
•   Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) for resilience
•   Puppy Culture socialization for confidence and adaptability

The result? Puppies that are healthy, intelligent, allergy-friendly, low- to non-shedding, and full of love.

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From Founder to Global Influence

When I first coined the term Teddy Bear Goldendoodle, no one had ever used it before. It was simply my way of describing the soft, plush, blocky-headed Goldendoodles I was producing.

Today, breeders all over the world use that name — and while imitation is common, it’s also a testament to the fact that we set the standard. At Smeraglia’s Teddy Bear Goldendoodles, we remain the origin of this style and the gold standard for the English Teddy Bear type, staying true to the temperament, health, and allergy-friendly qualities that made the name famous in the first place.

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Why Choose a Teddy Bear Goldendoodle from the Original Source

If you want an authentic Teddy Bear Goldendoodle, coming directly from the breeder who created the style, you can be confident in:
•   Proven bloodlines
•   Consistent health and temperament standards
•   Allergy-friendly, low- to non-shedding coats
•   Embark genetic DNA tested parents and puppies as needed
•   Decades of experience
•   The legacy of the original English Teddy Bear Goldendoodle

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About the Author:
Sherri Smeraglia is the founder of Smeraglia’s Teddy Bear Goldendoodles and is credited with creating the English Teddy Bear Goldendoodle breed type. Since the early 2000s, her breeding program has produced world-class companion dogs, therapy animals, and service dogs for families across the United States and internationally.