Who started breeding golden retrievers with goldendoodles?

The intentional breeding of Golden Retrievers with Poodles to create Goldendoodles began in the late 1990s, primarily in the United States and Canada. Breeders aimed to combine the friendly, intelligent nature of Golden Retrievers with the hypoallergenic qualities of Poodles. The crossbreed gained popularity quickly due to its desirable traits, leading to a surge in breeding efforts. Notable breeders, such as Wally Conron, played a significant role in popularizing the hybrid, although he is specifically known for creating the Labradoodle.