Goldendoodle vs. Labradoodle?

[Kate]

What are the differences between Goldendoodles and Labradoodles? Preference? Size? Shedding? Coat colors?

 

So far I have only been searching for Goldendoodle puppies, but perhaps I should be looking at both?

 

Any info that Doodle parents can share would be great!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

One sheds, one doesn't (although it comes out in buckets in the brush, just not on my clothes).  One is golden, one is black.  One is more Golden Retriever type coat (but thicker and a little curlier) the other is more poodle coat.  One is very outgoing and seeks out attention where the other is more shy and has to come to you on her own terms.  One has passed her Therapy Dog test, the other I have not tested as she doesn't seem to enjoy the visiting (although I think she will get there at some point, we are just taking it slow).  One is very petite boned and 58 lbs and the other is very heavy duty at almost 80 lbs.  The 80 lb er has no idea how big she is .... she just jumps in your lap and attacks your face with kisses.  This has to be DH and I or Mamaw or another family member (not a stranger).  One is a lap dog the other is a lay beside you on the floor dog.  One very treat motivated the other is attention motivated.  One is very trainable and will do what you ask the other will do it if you have a treat.   One is a brat and the other one lets her be a brat!  Just very different personalities to have come from the same liter and been raised under the same conditions.

[Kate]

That is so great that you have such diverse doods! How fun and sounds like never a dull moment! Your larger one...is that the black one? Does the black one shed? Where did you get them? I really want a larger doodle, and I am partial to black dogs, although I am not firm on that (it's just what I'm used to). Thank you so much for sharing what their wonderful and unique qualities are!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Hi Kate.  We got them at a Hobby breeder over in Indiana.  Fortunately, she is no longer breeding as I don't feel that her breeding program was up to the standards that we would require today.  (We have learned a lot since joining DK).  Not that I don't think they are wonderful dogs, as I think we got really lucky, but her program was missing a few key things.  I agree on the black dog.  She is the larger one.  She needs a whole lot less baths than the lighter colored one.

[Kate]

I totally know what you mean! It's amazing how much research has to be done just to find a good breeder! I have learned so much from this wonderful site!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Kate, The really important reason to get a dog from a reputable breeder is precisely why you are trying to find one right now.  Purchasing a dog from a top notch breeder isn't a guarantee of perfect health, but it comes as close as an owner-to-be can in trying to get a genetically healthy dog. Both my rescue  and my ALD appear to be quite healthy, but my backyard pure bred dog is not.

[Kate]

I'm so sorry to hear that you have an unhealthy dog, Nancy. My BYB purebred dog had such a hard life b/c of health problems. I wouldn't do anything differently if given the chance b/c I loved him so much...but I don't think I can go thru 2 back surgeries again, and I sure don't want to have to PUT another dog thru 2 back surgeries.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, that is also another thing to consider.  My Hondo was sick with liver failure and it was hard on all of us.  He ended up having two surgeries also and had special diet and human medications for two years.  I would have done anything for him, but I told the vet, not anymore.  A dog is a dog, and some children do not get the same care as our dogs.  So, if they get sick, how far are you willing to go?  Just something to think about.

 

[Kate]

Well that's the thing...I am the type of person who will go as far as necessary if my dog is sick. Knowing that about myself is one of the reasons I am being so careful about finding a genetically sound puppy...b/c I can't go thru that again and I would never want to see a dog go thru that again. Hugs to you for what you went thru with Hondo...

[Kate]

Hi Dana,

Thanks for all of your feedback! My Mom and Stepdad live in Oshkosh - I was just there last weekend! Where did you get your 2 Goldendoodles? So both your GDs are 75 poodle/25 golden? Are they from the same breeder? Thank you so much for all the info. So Labradoodles typically shed more than Goldendoodles? Thank you again so much for all your input!!!

[Adina P]

First generation labradoodles are more likely to shed than first generation goldendoodles.  After that it starts to even out between the two.  I have found that the goldendoodles (in 1st gen) I've met have had 'softer' coats than either my first generation labradoodles or others I've met. 

[Kate]

That makes sense. So an F1 GD would typically be softer and shed less than an F1 LD? And then F1b for both types would shed less, but possibly their coats wouldn't be as soft?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

As you start adding the Poodle back in (F1b) then yes, you are going to have a better guarantee of no shedding and also the coat is going to get more wooly or wirey feeling and curlier too.  I think that LDs tend to have a coarser or woolier feel because Labs have coarse thick fur.  Whereas Goldens have softer silky fur so the GDs would inherit that along with the Poodle hair but overall it would be softer.