The lovable giant behind Olive & Ted

Ted is a 12-year-old Goldendoodle with a heart every bit as big as his fluffy frame. In fact, he was part of our story before we even met him. While we were on our honeymoon, the breeder sent us a photo of a tiny curly-haired puppy, and we both knew instantly that he was our dog.

Choosing a Goldendoodle was an easy decision after falling in love with a friend's wonderful doodle, but it turns out Ted had plenty of plans of his own. Over the years, he's expertly trained us to believe that every walk should involve a pub stop, every car journey requires him in the front seat, and every piece of cheese comes with a mandatory "Ted Tax."

A giant teddy bear with a big personality

The easiest way to describe Ted is this: he's a giant teddy bear disguised as a dog.

He's happiest when he's with his favourite people and is convinced every stranger is simply a friend he hasn't met yet. Personal space doesn't really exist in Ted's world. If there's a cuddle happening, he'll find his way into it.

His energy comes in waves. One minute he's charging around a field like an overgrown puppy, completely obsessed with chasing tennis balls. Five minutes later he's stretched across the sofa, snoring loudly enough to shake the cushions.

Life, according to Ted, is wonderfully simple: be with your people, chase a ball, accept cuddles whenever they're offered, and never miss an opportunity for a snack.

Ted's rules for life

Ted has developed a few rather firm opinions over the years.

Front seat or nothing. He's absolutely convinced he's co-pilot on every journey and isn't shy about expressing his disappointment if he's asked to travel in the back.

Cheese is a human responsibility. If cheese is being unwrapped anywhere nearby, Ted fully expects his rightful share. Around here, we call it paying the Cheese Tax.

Every walk should include a pub. Passing one without stopping simply isn't acceptable. Ted firmly believes pubs exist for dogs first and humans second, and he'll happily charm everyone inside into sharing a treat or two.

Somehow, despite behaving as though the world was built entirely around him, he usually gets away with it.

Home is wherever his people are

Ted doesn't really have a favourite place because, for him, it's never about where he is.

Whether he's snoozing on the sofa at home, exploring somewhere new, visiting his grandpawrents for maximum fuss, or making himself comfortable in the local pub, he's happy as long as he's with the people he loves.

Add a comfy sofa and the possibility of snacks, and he'll happily declare it the best place in the world.

His biggest dislike?

Ted is wonderfully easy-going, but there is one thing he simply can't understand: being left behind.

The moment he realises we're going somewhere without him, the famous sad eyes appear. It's impossible not to feel guilty.

Everyone's friend

Ted has never met a stranger.

People are simply future friends who haven't yet told him how handsome he is. He'll greet anyone with a wagging tail and the hopeful expectation that they might also happen to have treats.

He's just as sociable with other dogs too, always ready to make another friend and join in the fun.

The expressions say everything

Anyone who knows Ted well can read his face like a book.

There's the "I'd quite like some cheese" look.

The "I believe I'm sitting in the front seat today" expression.

The hopeful "We're definitely stopping at this pub, aren't we?" face.

And, of course, the wonderfully dramatic sigh when none of those requests are granted.

Life with Ted

Ted makes us laugh every single day.

He's taught us to slow down, spend more time outdoors and enjoy life's simplest moments. Morning walks, coffee stops, lazy evenings on the sofa or spontaneous adventures all feel better simply because he's there.

Looking back, it's hard to remember life before Ted. He's become part of every routine, every plan and every adventure. More than a pet, he's part of our family and, in many ways, part of who we are.

Like every puppy, he tested our patience in the beginning. House training came with plenty of puddles and more than a few accidents in the kitchen. Consistency, praise and a good sense of humour got us through it—and it was absolutely worth every minute.

Thinking about a Goldendoodle?

Be prepared to fall completely in love.

Goldendoodles are incredibly intelligent, endlessly affectionate and full of personality. They're also remarkably good at training their humans.

Ted certainly has us wrapped around his paw.

If you're looking for a sociable, playful companion who'll happily join every adventure—and occasionally negotiate for the front seat—we couldn't recommend them more.

Ted & Olive & Ted

Ted is one half of the story behind Olive & Ted.

While Olive represents confidence, attitude and independence, Ted brings the fun, the chaos and the reminder not to take life too seriously.

He's the reason every journey takes a little longer, every pub becomes a planned stop and every ordinary day turns into a small adventure.

Our brand exists to celebrate the wonderfully unique personalities that make every dog unforgettable, and Ted embodies that perfectly.

If Ted were ever allowed to design a product collection, we're fairly certain it would consist of 95% tennis balls and 5% accessories to help humans carry them all.

Three words that describe Ted

Loving. Cheeky. Loyal.

One story that sums him up perfectly

When Ted was a puppy, our TV remote mysteriously disappeared.

We searched everywhere. Under the sofa, behind the cushions, in every drawer we could think of. The entire house was turned upside down while Ted quietly watched the investigation unfold.

Eventually, he wandered out into the garden, dug up the remote he'd buried earlier, trotted back inside and calmly dropped it at our feet with an expression that seemed to say, "Oh... was this what you were looking for?"

We're still not sure what was funnier—the fact he'd buried the remote in the first place, or that he patiently waited until we'd exhausted every possible hiding place before revealing it.

That's Ted.

Cheeky, clever, endlessly lovable and almost always one step ahead.