Are there any substantial differences between a golden doodle and a labradoodle?

[robin langlais]

I am in search of a a puppy have dedided on a doodle.  I am just curious if there is any significant difference between the goldendoodle or the labradoodle?  Nothing in my search has really spoken to that one way or the other.  Thank you.

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

Usually there is a quite a difference in the hair type, and general look.

I read that you have and have had Goldens, which is what we have. (still have one)

I personally love the look and the personality of the Goldendoodles and have 2 of them. I love their soft wavy hair, but it depends on the generation of course..

Good luck in your decision, cant wait to see how it turns out!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I think there are other discussions on this and you can search for them in the forum. Some people felt (I think!) that goldendoodles were larger and/or more calm in general, but that was certainly not always the case --as everyone here will tell you, these are a mixed breeds so it is hard to generalize about either GDs or LDs--

As a matter of fact, I think it is mistake to generalize about "purebreds" as well! I got a Wheaten terrier years ago thinking that was a "calm breed"--that was not the case for my dog!!

I have three LDs and my neighbor has a GD--when they are all in the yard together, her GD and one of my LDs are so similar in appearance that we can't tell who is who without studying them. Her GD is calmer than my dogs, but a GD that I groom is a total NUT--so I think that if you do find a list of differences, it is very inaccurate...

[Heather]

I also have a F1 Goldenddoodle and think you can see a difference in the the way they look and the coat. She is Never mistaken for a Labradoodle. Her mom was the golden. She is also more boxy like her Golden mom. Good Luck!! You can't go wrong with a DOODLE!!!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Doodles are a mixed breed AND a mixed bag of tricks. I don't think you can tell the difference, go for temperament and size, but even that is subject to change. Our Daisy is an F1B Goldendoodle and has been mistaken for Labradoodle, poodle, Portuguese Waterdog.

:-)

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I'm not a very "visual" person and not at all familiar with various dog breeds and their physical traits.  That being said, as I look at the pictures people post of their doodles, I cannot tell a labra... from a golden...  Likewise, as people describe their doodles' personalities, I don't see any hard and fast commonalities.  Each dog, for the most part, is unique.  I echo Sandy's suggestion that you look more at the breeder and the particular parent dogs he/she is breeding.

Also, Sandy is correct about doodle coats being high maintenance.  However, we've chosen to keep Sedona (our labradoodle) cut short so the maintenance is kept to a minimum (plus we love how cute she looks):

 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Thanks, Sandy.  It helps that we live in "sunny" California and don't have to worry about Sedona being too cold without her coat!!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I love how her face is cut...She has such a sweet expressive face..

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

We really lucked out and found a great groomer.  So far no "oops" cuts!!! 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Sedona is just a doll, Deanna!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Thanks, Doris.  Too bad you're so far away - Sedona would have a blast with your two boys!!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have both a goldendoodle (Sasha) and my labradoodle (Olliver) of course there are the male felmale differences as far as size goes.  Sasha is very poodley but has the coloring of a golden and is extremenly smart and 50 lbs.  Oliver is 70+ lbs his hair is curly but not as tight of a curl as Sasha and he sheds and Sasha does not.  The differences are in personality and size but in my opinion there is no difference in the goofyness, loving, intellegence, all around family dog BOTH have those qualities.  The differences is in the personality, both my doodles are amazing pets in their own special way, I love them dearly and could not imagine life without them.  :)

[Adina P]

It's mainly in the F1 generation that you can tell a labradoodle is a labradoodle vs. a goldendoodle.  After that it really could go either way for the most part.  Since hardly anyone worth buying from is even breeding F1 labradoodles (much to my dismay) it's kind of a wash when it comes to looks.  I would decide on the must-have-characterstics and choose by those vs. whether it is a golden or lab in the mix.