The Cream Goldendoodle: 10 Things You May Not Know About ‘Em

Are you crazy over cream Goldendoodles? Curious what makes them so dreamy? Then hold on to your dog leash because things are about to get ridiculously cute. We’ve got the latest pupdates on the sweet-as-honey classic, cream (some say white) Goldendoodle dog.

Get to know the cream Goldendoodle

I’m a research hound and self-professed Goldendoodle crazy dog mom who has been living the Goldendoodle lifestyle for eight years. Over that time, I’ve gained my fair share of knowledge about these ragamuffin dogs with slightly derpy personalities, teddy bear cuteness, and jovial outlooks.

Inspired by my “fur niece” who is a cream-colored Goldendoodle, I’ve rounded up 10 things you may not know about cream Goldendoodles.

10 things you might not know about the cream Goldendoodle

First, let’s get a quick overview of the Goldendoodle before we dive into the specifics on the cream coat color. You may have read that Goldendoodles are “designer” or “hybrid” dogs. What do these terms mean?

Basically, a hybrid dog is an intentional cross between two purebred dogs. A Goldendoodle “hybrid” dog is a cross between the purebred Poodle and the purebred Golden Retriever. It may also be a blend of these two breeds, such as a purebred Poodle as one parent and a Goldendoodle as the other parent.

While “designer” and “hybrid” are popular labels assigned to Goldendoodles, if you’re the parent of a Dood, you’re probably much more likely to describe your furry bestie as “comical,” “teddy bear,” or “family member.”

Now that we’ve established that the Goldendoodle is a cross between the smart Poodle and the loveable Golden Retriever, you can start to imagine how coat color comes into play based on the parent breeds. Next, let’s dive into the cream-colored coat specifically.

1. Goldendoodles get their light-colored coats from both sides of the family—the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.

You’ve probably seen Goldendoodles trotting around your neighborhood flaunting fluffy, cream-colored coats. But where does that coat color come from? The Poodle side of the family? The Golden Retriever side of the family? Turns out both.

Golden Retrievers bring shades of golden—from a light, creamy golden to a deeper golden red. The Poodle side of the family brings many coat colors to the mix including cream and white.

The chart below shows the coat colors of the two parent breeds. In addition to cream, it’s easy to see why there are so many colors of Goldendoodles based on the lineage of both sides of the family—Poodles and Golden Retrievers.

It’s worth noting that, according to the AKC (American Kennel Club) breed standard, Golden Retriever colors all fall under “golden” with variations of light golden, golden, and dark golden.

However, the KC (The largest Kennel Club of the UK) includes “any shades of gold or cream.” (This will be important in our discussion on English cream Goldendoodles later on.)

That said, just take a walk about your neighborhood and you’ll notice a wide variation in Golden Retriever “golden” colors are—from light cream to golden to a rich red.

Color	Poodle side of the family	Golden Retriever side of the family
Cream	✅	✅ (The Kennel Club, UK)
Light Golden		✅
Golden		✅
Dark Golden		✅
White	✅
Apricot	✅
Red	✅
Black/Blue	✅
Chocolate/Brown	✅
Silver/Gray	✅
Parti	✅

Now that you have a visual of the coat colors for the two parent breeds, it’s easy to see that the Goldendoodle has a coat of many colors, and even many variations of cream, which we’ll chat about next.

2. There are many shades of light-colored Goldendoodles from cream to rich beige.

With the Golden Retriever parent breed bringing variations of golden to the family and Poodles bringing cream and white to the family, there are varying shades of cream Goldendoodles. From my research, I found the following variations of cream colors: cream, ultra-cream, white, champagne, and beige.

Also, in my opinion, I think there’s some overlapping of terminology going on here. What some may call cream, others may call white. It’s a “You say to-MA-to…I say to-MAH-to” thing.

Next, in doing my research for this article, I came across a mention about “extreme white” Goldendoodle coat colors. Specifically, Goldendoodle Association of North America mentions, “…extreme white coat colors to the extent it would effect hearing.”

So, I dug a little deeper and found a study on the genetics of deafness in dogs from LSU.edu. Briefly, and in my own lay person’s words, the article explains how genes associated with deafness in dogs are linked to coat color, specifically white coats or pigmentation.

Additionally, this same article from LSU—a university that seems to be have done extensive research on this subject—lists the Miniature Poodle (remember, it can be a parent breed of the Goldendoodle) on the Dog Breeds With Congenital Reported Deafness list, and explains that breeds with white pigmentation are most often affected. The good news is that dogs who can’t hear are quick to adapt, cope, learn, and have a very happy life!

This is a super abbreviated version of a hefty subject. The research I mention above is not specific to Goldendoodles, but to all breeds of dogs.

I include it here not to scare anyone, but to stress the importance of doing your due diligence in finding reputable breeders who care about the future of our beloved Goldendoodle dogs, and who will be responsible on behalf of our dear dogs who are counting on us to protect their futures.

3. English cream Goldendoodles have a style from “across the pond.”

No discussion about cream Goldendoodles would be complete without touching on English cream Goldendoodles.

What is an English cream Goldendoodle? To get to the answer, we have to take a peek into the Golden Retriever lineage.

First of all, a Golden Retriever is, well, a Golden Retriever. Yet, there are some sources that split the Golden Retriever out between the American Golden Retriever and the English Golden Retriever. Why?

Well, it seems that it’s a style thing. Americans are conforming to the AKC standards for Golden Retrievers, which are slightly different than the KC (The Kennel Club, UK) breed standards. What’s the biggest difference?

In comparing the breed standards from both the AKC and the KC, one line stood out to me: The KC includes both shades of gold and cream! Bingo!

Our friends from across the pond, are focusing on the lighter cream color in addition to gold coloring! What else? From my research, English Golden Retrievers have slightly broader, blockier heads (“skull broad without coarseness” – KC), are stockier in build, and have round eyes.

So, weaving this all together, when our Golden Retrievers “from across the pond” are a parent breed, there are some nuances in the Goldendoodle that some will call an English cream Goldendoodle. So an English cream Goldendoodle is a term used for a Goldendoodle with an English Golden Retriever as a parent.

While we’re on the subject of the AKC, it’s important to call out that since Goldendoodles are not a purebred dog, they cannot be AKC registered. (Of course, that makes no difference to Doodle parents! We just love ’em.)

However, if you’re approached by a breeder who claims they have “extremely rare” or “AKC registered” Goldendoodles, run don’t walk away from that situation. These are telltale signs of a scam.

4. Goldendoodles keep their baby-faced good looks as adults.

Do you love the way Goldendoodles keep their baby faces even as adults?

Goldendoodles have expressive faces and button eyes from puppyhood through adulthood. Plus, even when they’re adults, they maintain an exuberance for life and goodhearted silliness—giving them a lifetime of that “puppy outlook” or puppy personality.

Check out my article on cute Goldendoodles for a deeper dive into what makes them so adorable. (In fact, when we’re out and about with our 8-year-old Goldendoodle, people still ask us how old our “puppy” is!

5. Cream, champagne, beige coat colors may transition as a Goldendoodle grows.

Are you wondering if your Goldendoodle’s creamy or light-colored coat will change over time? Because Goldendoodles are a hybrid breed, there isn’t a lot of uniformity or set way to predict how your Goldendoodle will change. However, it’s pretty safe to predict that you’ll fall in love with your Goldendoodle, and you’ll love discovering how they grow and change over time.

If you’re still curious, as a rule of thumb, cream coats will change to some degree as puppies grow into adults and even through adulthood.

The photo above of Star, my F1 Goldendoodle “fur-niece,” shows a small change between puppyhood and adulthood, but not much. Her ears kept the darker apricot color and her body color is still cream.

As an aside, you can also see how her coat started out with a loose wave and changed to a springy curl, which happened during the Goldendoodle puppy coat transition.

Of course, as an adult Doodle dog matures and becomes a senior Goldendoodle, some may naturally lighten, gray, or turn white—especially around the muzzle or face.

Just like humans, some dogs will “gray” with age more than others.

6. Several celebrities are parents to cream Goldendoodles.

If you’re partial to cream Goldendoodles, you’re in good company with some other well-known dog parents.

Comedian Chevy Chase introduced the newest member of his family, Dusty, a cream Goldendoodle. In Chase’s Tweet he says, “Goldendoodles are known for being intelligent, easygoing, and goofy.”

Well, said, Chevy Chase. And I might add, “Like dog…like dog dad!”

John Travolta has two cream Goldendoodles named Audi and Charlie. Kenny Chesney has a cute Goldendoodle named Pancho.

7. Light-colored dogs, especially when shaved down, can get a sunburn.

If you’re thinking about grooming or shaving your Goldendoodle super short for the summer, keep in mind that, just like us humans, sun and skin don’t always mix. According to Cornell University Veterinary Specialists (CUVS.org), leaving your dog’s coat at least one inch long will help prevent sunburn.

Shaving your dog down to the skin doesn’t give your dog protection against the harmful rays of the sun, and may put your dog at risk for sunburn.

8. Cream Goldendoodles can inspire fun names.

Many dog parents give their dogs names inspired by coat color. This got me wondering which names are popular for cream or white Goldendoodles. I checked Rover.com’s list of 150 most popular Goldendoodle names for 2020.

The listed is not sorted by color, only by breed, so I gleaned from the list any name that could be inspired by white or cream coat colors. (In other words, this is fun and in no way research-based!)

But before I share the answers, take a guess! Which eight names from the 18 below are listed on Rover’s 150 most popular Goldendoodle names? (Don’t scroll ahead. You’ll see the answers. 😉 )

Which Goldendoodle names are most popular?	(Answers are in the chart below)
Everest	Aspen
Luna	Opal
Popcorn	Star
Cotton	Daisy
Nova	Lily
Cloud	Coton
Bella	Waffles
Cream Puff	Pearl
Biscuit	Honey

Drum roll, please…Here’s the big reveal! The most popular Goldendoodle names that are fitting for cream, beige, or white Goldendoodle are…

Which Goldendoodle names are most popular?	(Answers are in blue)
Everest	Aspen (#120)🏆
Luna (#3)🏆	Opal
Popcorn	Star
Cotton	Daisy (#7)🏆
Nova (#104)🏆	Lily
Cloud	Coton
Bella (means white ,#3)🏆	Waffles (#99)🏆
Cream Puff	Pearl
Biscuit (#125)🏆	Honey (#58)🏆

If you’re the proud parent of a Goldendoodle and in search of the perfect name, check out some of my naming lists:

• Best Goldendoodle names
• Nature dog names
• Goldendoodle boy names
• Goldendoodle girl names
• Funny Goldendoodle names

9. Cream Goldendoodles have mops for paws. 😉

These adorable ragamuffin dogs that look like a mop are also a “sponge” for dirt. With four little “mops” for paws, they do require TLC when it comes to grooming. (By the way, Goldendoodle grooming is a must for all Doodle dogs, not just the ones with creamy coats. This is because, unlike high-shedding dogs who cast off hair, Goldendoodles require brushing to keep loose hairs from getting trapped in the coat and cause matting.)

To keep your Goldendoodle’s coat color bright, you can use a dog whitening shampoo when giving your Dood a bath. For more helpful tips, please check out my 15 easy hacks for muddy dog paws and pointers on how to bathe a Goldendoodle.

10. Goldendoodles sporting coats that are 50% white are called Parti Goldendoodles.

Are you ready for a Goldendoodle “parti?” The term “Parti Goldendoodle” refers to a Goldendoodle whose coat is part white/cream and part any other color. Brown and white or black and white are both popular parti Goldendoodle colors.

BTW…I like to think that every day with a Goldendoodle is a “parti!” 🎉

No matter the color, all Doodles are “Golden.”

While it’s fun to think about the color of the Goldendoodle’s coat, it’s what’s underneath all that fluff that really counts.

No matter what color your Goldendoodle’s coat, the qualities of temperament and good health are the most important decisions to make when adding a Doodle dog to your pack. After all, we want our adorable pups to grow up and grow into healthy, happy adults—and eventually enjoy many years as senior Goldendoodles.

Typically, Goldendoodles are smart, quick to learn, and want to fit in with the entire family. All it takes is your time, attention, tender loving care, and commitment to giving them the positive parenting and love they so deserve, and they will color your life with every shade of happy.

No matter whether the Goldendoodle in your life is cream or white, parti colored or a black Goldendoodle, they tend to be good family companions and just want to love on you, which makes them. all…”Golden.”