Puppy selection based on coat type

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Ok-I have read and read about coats on Goldendoodles. I know there is really no predicting, but there is experience from all my DK friends, right? My puppy will be born next week. I have pick of the litter and must choose the sex right away, and the actual puppy in the fifth week. I want it all really, and that may be the problem! In a nutshell, I want pretty, calm, and smart.

Parents are; dad-red moyen Standard Poodle, mom-cream English Golden Retriever. I chose the English because I like the thick body style. I want my puppy to exhibit the retriever style of short and wide face and thick body with shorter ears, but I also want soft ringlets and a beard. I understand curls mean no beard, and shaggy coats get beards. I also understand that curls are harder to maintain than shaggy coats.

Is there a way for me to look at the litter photos and pick close to what I'm after in looks since I have to choose at least sex immediately? Because what if there are only one or two girls? My breeder's current litter has five boys and one girl and even though you could pick out the curly ones, all their faces and ears look the same. 

I have read on here that some breeders actually pick the puppy based on it's personality to match with the prospective parents. Is that a good idea? Do the puppies really exhibit enough personality at five-eight weeks of age to know whom they should placed with? I want a smart girl who is calm and pretty :)

[April Cliber]

Heavily rely on your breeder.  He/she will be spending lots of time with the pups and also has the experience and knowledge of past litters.  Congrats on your new baby!

BTW...The dad is either a moyen or a standard.  A moyen is a med size dog and a standard is a big dog. :)

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

I am not sure about the coat but I will tell you my boy is WAAAYYY calmer than my girl!!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

My boy pees like a girl a low squat everytime... LOL!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

My boy pees like a girl too - I think because they get fixed very early on - they never start the leg lifting.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My boy dog is the first male dog I have ever had. I thought they hiked their legs, marked everything, etc. Vern still pees like a girl dog, has never EVER marked, and he is over one years old.  He, too, is way calmer than my female dog. We have had lots of discussions on male versus female dogs and it is certainly a personal preference. My only point being is if your breeder suggests a male dog based on your criteria, I would not hesitate to get that dog. Good luck.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I just want to say my female doodle is wonderful too. You are going to love having a dog.

[Carol and Banjo]

Banjo is 15 months now...and has always peed like a girl.   He was neutered at 6 months.  I don't know if that makes a diff or not.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I would say personality is the most important thing - our breeder chose us a perfect puppy personality/temperament wise. Looks is important too, but to be honest - you will love whatever you get provided the personality is right!

[Holly (Jax & Bandit)]

Jax's parents were also a red moyen poodle and an golden.  I did tell the breeder what personality and coat type that I wanted and she gave me exactly what I asked for.  Here is Jax's litter pics - He is the orange collar and a pic of what he looks like at 9 months.  Jax has a very wavy/shaggy coat and so far it is not too difficult to maintain.  Just trust your breeder and make sure to tell her what you are looking for.  Also, Jax's personality is just what the tempermant tested showed at 7 weeks.

 

9 months

[Chelsea and Bailey]

Our Bailey looks just like the above pup.  Your criteria is the exact same criteria that we wanted when getting her.  We did not get to pick her though as the breeder did that for us... we were also the last pick haha.  So I would say trust your breeders suggestions and keep reminding them of what you want. Bailey is F1b and but her breeder also breeds the F1 standard english goldendoodle and  I have looked at all the pictures of her previous and current litters and most of them had the blocky heads, and wide set eyes, so I think  you will be able to get that no problem... whereas with Baileys litter almost 2/3 had the longer muzzle and skinnier heads (poodle like). As for picking the coat type- which was our #1 criteria almost other then the temperment (but that didnt bother us since almost all doodles have an amazing temperment if socialized right) I would go for the doodle with the least amount of curl or wave(most easily noted on their head as puppies)- 5 weeks is still pretty young to tell but Bailey had almost no curl, she didnt even have a ripple on her forehead and by 8 weeks she was just a fluff ball and then by 10 weeks started to develop the wave.  At 5 1/2 months she is lightly wavy and we hope she stays that way!

8 weeks

10 weeks

5 months

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh jeeze....I think I'm in love!!!!   Jax is adorable!!!!!!!!!!    His coat looks very similar to Banjo's....only difference I see is Banjo's ears and legs were "wavier" as a little puppy.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with the others sex does not really predict calm temperament. Even in the smallest pups I can see a wave on their heads which leads to curlier coats. I think some of the curly dogs do have beards. Good breeders have an idea about temperament but I'm not sure if 5 weeks is not too soon. My 3 year old ALD has never lifted his leg to pee yet and I doubt he ever will. Absolutely has never marked. But then again neither has my 2 year old female ALS : )  They have their own quirks and I love them both.