Golden Doodle or Labradoodle?

[craig smith]

Ok, I know that both breeds are wonderful, and every dog is different. That being said; are there any proven and consistant, significant differences (generally speaking) between the two breeds? Dispostion and shedding/alergy issues are the two most important factors for us. We are looking for a companion/ family dog only. Also, any major differences between F1 and F1B dogs? This amatuer appreciates any input as I do all I can to make the best decision for us and our new family member!

[Adina P]

There were a couple of discussions on this topic in the past, but I don't recall what their titles were. My impression is that ultimately they are very similar because labradors and Golden retrievers are from the same general family and are both great family dogs and when you throw a poodle in the mix that just makes them even more similar.

The only difference I've noticed is that in the F1 Goldendoodles the hair generally is a softer and my impression based on limited observation is that the F1 Goldendoodles is more prone to matting than F1 labradoodle because of the softness of the golden hair. I'm sure there are exceptions.

As far as the difference between F1 and F1B it's mainly just the fact that there's more poodle in the second option possibly less shedding and usually more curl to the coat... sometimes a narrower frame due to the more genes from the poodle.

one thing to keep in mind is that usually with less shedding comes greater grooming requirements because of the much higher chance of matting. So a dog that sheds very little is high maintenance when it comes to grooming. On the other hand dogs that shed more don't require much grooming.

I would search through the forum page for words that might help you find the past discussions we've had on this topic... because there was a lot of responses.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Adina is correct. Although she has not addressed the Australian Labordoodles. They are more than just Poodle and Lab, they have had other breeds infused over the past 20 years or so. They have been developed by Beverly Manners - also a member of DoodleKisses. I believe that on her member page she has a link to her website - there is a whole discussion of the Australian Labradoodles there.

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

Ozzy is an F1 Goldendoodle...he does not shed but if not combed daily matting would be a big problem. Good thing for Ozzy and me he loves to be brushed and combed and it seems to relax him too. I guess it is all how you look at it.

[Lynda Kamrath]

As a person who has first hand experience with both breeds, I will tell you what I think on the matter of comparing goldendoodles and labradoodles. Our labradoodle, Hondo, is five years old. We got him as a companion for our aging standard poodle. The goldendoodle, Groucho Too, will be 3 years old in March. Groucho Too is a F1b which means a goldendoodle dame was bred back to a standard poodle (phantom). Hondo sheds a little, but Groucho Too is non shedding. He does require more grooming, however, as his hair seems to grow faster and is fine textured, curly, and very thick (but not as thick as a poodle). We had poodles for 30 years before starting with doodles and do our own grooming, which is much easier with doodles than with poodles. Both dogs have wonderful dispositions and get along with everyone and everything. Groucho Too is friendlier and very loving, HOndo is a little more standoffish with strangers, but warms up quickly. My recommendation for shedding and allergy issues would be a F1b goldendoodle. About breeding, the Australian labradoodles have had more attention paid to their breeding and testing, which accounts for them being more hypoallergenic and non-shedding. Americans were more willing to just start breeding labradoodles and goldendoodles without the research and testing, so there may be more issues with the American doodles. I will probably have an argument from the breeders on this statement, but I think the Australian labradoodles are probably higher quality. Oh well, that is just my opinion for what it is worth.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha is an F1 Chocolate Labradoodle. She does not shed and her coat at 11 months of age is basically straight except around her neck and between her shoulder blades. That is coming in thicker and wavy. So far she has no mats. I do give her a quick brushing before we leave for work each morning. I only have to clean the brush once when I am done. She does not have that soft coat the GD have - it is coarser hair. She naps on my yellow sofa with me and occaisionally I have to clean off a few hairs.
I cannot say that is the difference between LD & GD - I am only sharing our story.
Good luck in your decision - I am sure whatever you decide you will be so happy just having a Doodle in your life!!

[Beth and Gang]

I have always been a HUGE Lab fan, and considered myself blessed when I was owned by all 3 colors at once, the Trfecta!
Now I have a chocolate lab, (the 3rd member of my Trifecta!) an F1 choclate LD and and F# choc parti LD.
I favors to LDs only because I like labs.My F1 is soft coated, sheds and is a joyful 118 pounds of doggy love.
My F3 has a coarser coat, sheds little and has the same happy go lucky spirit as my stabdard LD.

My sister breeds mini GDs and I gotta say I love those little babies too! Same adoring personalities, in a more compact package.

LD or GD??
heck,,,Doodle is enough for me...I love both!