Friendly Doodles Temperament Discussion in Ontario

[Aron and Tracey]

Hi

    We are interested in labra/golden doodles. We're a family of 5, with 3 daughters 9 - 15. We'd like a doodle that is a happy, easy going participant in our daily lives, with no dominance or aggression issues. We're curious to know if anyone finds any difference in temperaments from size to size, from chocolate to cream or from lab to golden? And certainly if anyone has any recommendations, or otherwise regarding breeders please contact us directly.

Thanks for your time and we look forward to your replies.

Aron & Tracey.

[Wendy and Eddie]

my two are medium-to-miniature doodles and they are great! They started out as apricot, but now are cream. I have noticed a lot of doodles at the dog park and don't notice differences in personality based on size or color, or even lab or golden retriever (but I don't really know much about that). I do think the KEY thing is training, as has been shared elsewhere. If the humans don't keep these doodles busy and challenged, they will challenge themselves and have a ball at the human's expense. I think your daughters are at a great age to help with the training! The best advice I can give about breeders is read, read, read all you can and email lots of questions before you settle on one breeder. I love the breeder I got my two from--email me if you would like more info about her.

[BetteB]

We have a F1B goldendoodle, Agnes. She is almost a year old, and as sweet as can be. She is has a cream, curly coat and is about 50 lbs. We worked very hard to expose her to a variety of people and stimuli throughout this first year of life. We also began taking her to training class at about 10 weeks, and we continue to work on training daily. She has always had a fairly laid-back personality, but like all dogs, she needs exercise. This is our experience... feel free to contact us about any other questions, etc. Good luck in your search!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I have met many, many doodles and the temperament is no different based on size or colour. What I have noticed is that some doodles who were purchased from inexperienced or backyard breeders tend to have coats that are not as nice.....they are rougher and feel like ans SOS pad. This is just MY observation from the dog park where I go every day. Don't want to get anyone's dander up.

Once you find a good breeder, ask for their help in choosing a puppy with the temperament that you want. I did and the breeder was right on! As everybody else mentioned, training and exercise is very important. I started both mine in puppy class at 4 months as soon as they had all their shots.

I will email you the link to the list of recommended breeders that I used in my search.

[Audrey Goldman]

Who are your recommended breeders?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

At the very top of the page, click "Groups". You will see the "Owner Recommended Breeders Group" at the top lefthand side of the page. The DK guidelines prohibit recommending breeders in the discussion forum.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I am so glad you started this discussion again - without the person who seemed to find it difficult to be nice,
Well - this is my answer
I have 2 doodles - Samantha is an F1 LD (who doesn't shed - a miracle) who is as human as a dog can be. She came from a back yard breeder (yes, I got her from a pet store before I knew any better when she was 11 weeks old). She doesn't play with other dogs unless she is at the park and snow is on the ground. Bizzare but true. She can be the most laid back dog UNTIL we play ball. Then she becomes possessed by it. She can play ball for hours if someone will throw it. If not, she will play by herself - IF I stay outside with her. If she has a 'bad' side to her it would be only that.

Then there is Charli. She is somewhere around 8 months old (she is a puppy mill surrender - I was told she was 9+ weeks old but I don't think she was old as they say she was when I adopted her this past July). She is a black, F2b, silly, goofy, wonderful doodle! She just makes us laugh with her antics.

In our home the girls decide who will be dominant which changes by the play session but only with each other and NEVER with us or any children!! They both love little ones (mine are adults) but since they aren't around them very often we work all the time we are in the company of little ones on being calm and gentle since they get just too excited. This is where sit, down and wait come in very handy.

Training is a must - and it never ends.

I don't think coloring makes a difference - I believe that how they spend their first weeks makes all the difference in the world in most cases. Both of my girls seem to be an exception since they both were separated from their mother and siblings at a very young age. They both are fantastic doodles & it's probably because I am a fantastic doodle mom LOL!!!!
I think the breeders here in DK can address this better than I since they have more experience.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My Jack was relinquished at 14 months old to a shelter by his original owner and I adopted him a few days later. He is an F1 labradoodle, blonde/apricot/gold, a large standard weighing 85 lbs., with a straight shaggy coat that sheds a lot. He is phenomenal with children of all ages, but especially babies & toddlers...gentle, patient, affectionate. No aggression or dominance whatsoever from the first day I adopted him.
I don't think size, color, or GD VS LD issues have much to do with their temperaments. I definitely think it has more to do with the temperament of the parents, the environment in which the puppies are raised, and the individual differences between dogs within the same litter. There are always going to be some puppies that are more dominant, outgoing, submissive, etc. than others within the same litter. I would carefully research breeders; that is the most important single factor in finding the right dog that your family can live with in harmony.

[Adina P]

My opinion is that there is little significant difference between the sizes/retriever types/colors. Not saying labs and goldens are exactly the same, but both have a similar reputation and once you mix something as similar as they are with a 3rd breed...the differences in the 'hybrid' are going to be even fewer.

[Aron and Tracey]

Thanks for insites in this "fresh" discussion. I think we are looking for a +- 40lb. dog, that is little to non shedding, I think we prefer the shaggier coat, I can do the grooming and washing so that's a non issue and we have no preference between lab or gold... the better temperament and overall fit will be the key. And trust in the breeder we're dealing with... that's the bottom line.
Thanks for all your help.
Aron.

[Adina P]

trust in the breeder we're dealing with... that's the bottom line.

YES. That is one of the keys. An honest, responsible breeder won't 'sell' you more than you're getting and will be useful in choosing or helping you choose out the right pup.

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

I have a male F1B cream Labradoodle with a curly coat- no shedding- down side is lots of grooming. He is a great dog with loving with an easy going personality. I agree with the others, I think what matters most is that you purchase from a reputable breeder who has parent dogs with ideal temperments. I also believe that how the puppy spends the first 8 weeks of his/her life is extremely important. It was my personal choice to seek out a breeder who only had 1 litter at a time, kept the dogs in her home, and provided the puppies with lots of social interaction. After you find a reputable breeder, and a healthy puppy, the rest is up to you- training, etc. I've had a few different breeds of dogs growing up. My Labrador was my favorite and she'll always have a special place in my heart, but there is just something about the Doodle that makes them seem human in a dog's body! I can't imagine having another breed of dog. You are doing the right thing by asking questions and I'm sure you'll find the perfect breeder and puppy. Best of luck to you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The shaggier coats are usually- not always- the coats that also have some degree of shedding. The curlier coats are the ones least likely to shed. The less shedding, the more grooming required. Low-to-non-shed dogs are very high maintenance in terms of grooming & coat care. The ones like my Jack, who is shaggy and sheds, are the low maintenance wash & wear dogs who rarely require any trimming. This is a bigger deal than you may think, sometimes it seems like half the discussions here are about coat problems & issues.