Differences Between Goldendoodles and Labradoodles

[Julie & Cooper]

Can anyone tell me the differences between goldendoodles and labradoodles.  It seems like goldens have a bit more relaxed hair and slightly lighter colors.  Are there any big temperament differences? Thanks for any help you can provide.  I just love reading these discussions because doodle-lovers all seem like such genuinely good and caring folks.  Thanks so much for all your help and support in my search for a doodle.  Blessings all.

[BetteB]

Hi Julie! Welcome to DK! We have a goldendoodle, who is sweet as can be...
Here are some previous discussions about this topic that may be helpful...
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:197318
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/difference-in-doodles

Good luck in your search!

[Julie & Cooper]

Wow! I have only read the first of the two previous discussions and already feel like many of my questions have been answered. Thank you so much for this history.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

You will get all the answers you need on those discussions above.
We chose a goldendoodle for 3 reasons only: 1) found a local breeder we love and trust 2) grew up with a golden retriever, and 3) slightly preferred the goldendoodle look; although sometimes you can hardly tell the difference quite honestly.
I don't think you can go wrong with either breed as far as temperaments go....select a breeder that does health testing and provides guarantees and is not a puppy mill...

[Adina P]

They ALL come in all colors, depending on the generation. Just depends on if you have a preference for labs or goldens, personality-wise. I can't tell the difference, but people really into one breed or the other can. I would almost say that labs are like football players and goldens are like cheerleaders =) BUT...some of each can be more or less high energy depending on what kind of breeding stock is used.

Field labs and Field goldens are higher energy, lighter boned. Field goldens are usually darker in color.
Show labs/goldens tend to be stockier. Show labs/goldens are typically 'calmer' but some golden retriever people see that as excessive calmness...I've read that some can be calm to the point of lazy. A year or two ago I met three golden retriever pups from the same litter. Two of them were the stocky mellow kind and one was a skinny spazz. The stocky ones were SOOOOO mellow they were bordering on lazy. The skinny one was super hyper (she also had some fear issues which aren't related to skinny).

If I were to choose a lab or golden I would choose field lines because I prefer the more athletic look they have. Bu

[Linda and Murphy]

Adina, Murphy is just a "big boned" boy. lol And he is athletic....similar to a small horse. Or as a friend of mine told me "More like a 747 than an F-15".

[Anna and Achilles]

Julie, I had a labradoodle for 11 years, Houdini was the most loving companion anyone could ask for(smart too). After he passed away last summer we got a goldendoodle who is also turning into a very sweet loving dog(just as smart). This is just my opinion but the only difference I can see at this point(Achilles is only 7 months) is that Houdini had curly hair and Achilles is more wavy. Aside from that they both are/were incredible dogs. I don't think you could make a bad choice! They are both wonderful breeds. Good luck on your search, find a breeder who you are comfortable with and trust. Don't be afraid to ask questions. One question I wish I had asked, was what food the breeder was feeding the puppies. I have learned so much reading the posts of the food group and that is something I would ask next time I am looking for a pup. Let us know how the search is going.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have to add that you really can't predict exactly what either will be like! There are all kinds of varieties of both types! I have an Australian LD (with many generations of LD breeding, rather than a recent crossing of a poodle and lab) and she is so much like two goldendoodles I know, it isn't funny. They all look alike, too. You can see my neighbor's GD, who is also white, with my ALD and my mini LD (red) in my pictures and it's hard to tell the white ALD and the GD apart!

[Kady]

Well, I have a labradoodle, but my friend had a goldendoodle. Each are genuine and should be treasured. I can't tell many differences, except the labradoodle is more hyper.. I think.

[Missi]

I have one of each, an apricot female goldendoodle and a black male labradoodle. Their hair is pretty similar, Marley's (labradoodle) is a bit more wiry. The coats will also greatly depend on what generation of doodle you get! Mine definitely have some personality differences too, but I can't really associate that with the breed versus just being different dogs. Marley is much more loving and cuddly, always wanting to be at my side. Lizzie (goldendoodle) is more independent and loves being outside on cool nights by herself. Marley is more fearful around strangers and new experiences, and Lizzie hasn't met a stranger yet! They are both sweet, easy to train with time, and are good with the cats. I think you will be happy with either one! It's important to find a good breeder and spend lots of TIME with the dog as they grow.