Difference in Doodles? Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Doodle me this - How are a labradoodle and goldendoodle different? Coats? Personality? size? I've been told by non-doodlers that the labradoodles are more mmmmmm "active" and the goldendoodles are more "laid back". Do you think that's true??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here is what the IDOG website has to say about some of the differences between the two:

Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?
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Even though both are referred to as doodles - there is a difference. There certainly are many similarities, but there are many differences as well.

Labradoodles - will carry traits from the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle.

The Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate, lovable, patient dog. Highly intelligent, loyal, willing and high-spirited. Lively and good-natured, they love to play, especially in water. They have an excellent, reliable, temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs, keeping in mind that Labrador puppies are full of energy. They crave human attention and need to feel as though they are part of the family. Labs are easily trained. Some may be reserved with strangers unless very well socialized as puppies. They can become destructive if left too much to their own devices. Train Labradors early not to pull on the leash, as they have very strong necks. Show lines are generally heavier and easier going than field lines. These dogs are watchdogs, not guard dogs. The Labrador Retriever is not an aggressive dog, but it will bark to ward off strangers. The Labrador retriever has a stable temperament and adapts to new surroundings easily. Labs are a bit more dominant and independent than the Golden Retriever.

Goldendoodles - will carry traits from the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.

Golden retrievers are powerful, energetic dogs, and are loving and eager to please. Highly intelligent, the dog is easily trained and can serve as a guide or service dog or a great family pet. They are gentle and patient with children, although they can be rambunctious and chewy when young. Golden Retrievers are friendly with other dogs and other people. They can be good watchdogs, they may bark loudly to signal a stranger's approach. Golden Retrievers are highly talented and love to swim. Renown for its reliable temperament and their beauty and their “zest” for life, the Golden Retriever makes a good family pet.

[Adina P]

Interesting that they say labs are more dominant an independent than the GR. I would say that is true for Rosco but not for Thule. I think the tough part that really confounds the question is that even if there are distinct differences between the two retrievers, they are similar enough that adding the poodle in there just muddies the water even more. I think, that I'm pretty good at telling the difference between a GD and on LD, but I have been wrong enough to show that I really can't tell very well. At least not just by a picture. Now if we are choosing between an F1 GD and an F1 LD I think I have a higher chance of being right. But throw in different generations and I have no clue. However, I believe that GR's have a softer coat than labs so the first generation GD's are typically softer--Does anyone else have a thought on this?

[April Cliber]

I can only speak from my personal experience with doodles, labs and Golden's, and you really can't make a sweeping statement about doodles because they can very so much. ALSO there are ALWAYS acceptations to the norm. (That's my disclaimer.)

A lab is a wonderful sweet family dog that likes to be in the same room as their family, enjoys attention and is very loyal.

A Golden Retriever lives to be with his family, but being in the same room is not enough, he must be sitting on your foot and leaning on your leg. Being apart from his family is unbearable sadness.

Cute little scenario I read once, but don't remember where: If you were getting ready to walk off a cliff and had a lab on a leash, he would most likely warn you of the coming danger and my risk your momentary irritation with him because he knows that he needs to keep you safe. A golden in the same situation would happily, with tail waging, walk right off the cliff with you. As long as he's with you he's happy and will go with you anywhere.

I believe labs are used more frequently as assistant dogs because some Golden's are too eager to please. BOTH are used and are very good at it, it just depends on the individual dog. Labs are usually a bit more independent.

Now, add a poodle into the mix and it muddies the water. The standard poodles I have known are very regal, incredibly intelligent, graceful and sweet dogs, but are more independent than a lab or golden. When bred with an extremely happy go lucky golden that lacks some common sense, it is usually a great mix. When a poodle is bred with a lab, even a more independent one it's also a great mix, but will usually result in a dog that is a little more dominate. From what I've seen F1 labradoodles tend to be a good mix (temperament wise) of the two and are usually very happy lovable dogs. I do have one that is definitely way more independent than my goldendoodles are, but not in a bad way. She knows that I love her and doesn't need to be reminded of it every 5 minutes.

Having said all this, I have one child that looks, acts, talks and thinks JUST LIKE my husband. I really don't see anything of me in him. The same thing can happen with doodles. Also, poodles, Golden's and labs all have their own individual temperaments which can very greatly. One last thing, the way a dog mothers her litter does have an impact on a pup. The attentive, confident mother will have pups that are more content. A very nervous, unsure and inattentive mother can have pups that reflect that. So there are many, many variables. On a sidebar.... many times the way a dog will mother is due to the type of relationship she has with her owner.

As far a coats go, generally speaking, a F1b labradoodles coat and a F1 goldendoodles coat are very similar.

[Oliver]

I think it entirely depends on the dog, and the owner, and the type of training they receive! But from my experiences, labs tend to be more "active" and goldens seem to be more "laid back," so I could understand why your non-doodlers would say this.

[Adina P]

That's so funny, because I've always considered labs to be more lazy (after their puppy stage) than golden retrievers. And yet I have seen both ends of the spectrum and both breeds. I've seen incredibly hyper goldens and lazy labs. And I've seen super mellow goldens and high energy Labs. Does anybody know if the breed standard for either is supposed to be a certain way as far as one being more mellow or energetic?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is all that the AKC Breed Standards say about temperament of the two, and I believe it mainly applies to their temperaments as they would be displayed in the show ring. (Links for full breed standards, including physical characteristics, included)

Labs:
Temperament
True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the "otter" tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other animals, or any evidence of shyness in an adult should be severely penalized.

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/subpages/show_contents.php?page=Bree...

Goldens:
Temperament
Friendly, reliable, and trustworthy. Quarrelsomeness or hostility towards other dogs or people in normal situations, or an unwarranted show of timidity or nervousness, is not in keeping with Golden Retriever character. Such actions should be penalized according to their significance.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/index.cfm

[1qrgkdwnfqccb]

there is a huge difference between Izzy & tucker...izzy a year & 1/2 gd and tucker 3 month old ld

izzy as a puppy was very hyper! she has since calmed down, until someone comes to visit....then she goes bizerko...tucker, from day 1 has been calm. we had friends over last night (6 new people) and izzy got so wound up that we had to crate her ( usually she will settle after a minute or so.. but last night there was no controlling her) ...and tucker just laid there bothering no one. and everyone was amazed that a puppy could be so calm...so i am not sure if it is the difference between the labs & golden's or just the dogs personality! all i know is that i can see a huge difference in my 2!

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

Cealeach is good with kids, very outgoing, bizerko when people come to visit and DEFINITELY dominates our Mastiff. Yet she is really great with other dogs and wants to play.

I think that each dog is an individual. You can look at general breed traits, but whether your dog is going to be calm or hyper depends upon the dog, the breeding and the environment.

[2fbh0gfp1tgnd]

We have a 2 (almost 3) year old labradoodle and a 4 month old goldendoodle. Rosco (labradoodle) was puppy active but is now a HUGE couch potato, he is gentle and sweet and loving. Murphy has been a more active puppy and more talkative than the labradoodle. I am excited to see thier differences and similarities as murphy (goldendoodle) as they grow together.

[Jessica]

In my experience non-doodlers are often full of mmmmmmmmmm "good advice"

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

ROFL i wish you could hear the voice I used in my head to read your comment.. it cracked me up! (mumble mumble) good advice (mumble mumble) LOL

[Adina P]

If you remembered Jessica's a Brit...it's even better!