Calling Owners of Labradoodle AND Goldendoodle

[Bev loves Mac and Lucy]

My Mac the Labradoodle is 5 years old. In July we adopted a goldendoodle who we named Lucy. Unfortunately, Lucy's "doodle" never arrived, but we are learning to accept her for who she is: a beautiful goldendoodle who looks like a golden... no doodle.

But, this discussion is for people who have adopted  both labradoodles AND goldendoodles. I want to compare and contrast their personalities!

[Bev loves Mac and Lucy]

Things I have noticed already:
Lucy seems to have more of a hunting instinct (sniffing more, carrying something in her mouth always)
Mac is more obedient and seeks to please at all times. She has always understood "no" and obeyed.
Lucy is "sassy". "No" is going to be a learned behavior for her.
Mac can out run Lucy.
Lucy is a better walker on the leash... never pulls. Mac still pulls but does extremely well off the leash (unfortunatley we live in the city).
These are just a few I have noticed thus far.
What differences and similarities have you noticed in yours? Do you think the differences and similarities can be contributed to their breed mix or more to the fact that they are different dogs?

[Adina P]

I have had three labradoodles and they were very different from one another. I think these differences are more the difference between two different dogs than two different mixes. Personally, I find golden retrievers fairly similar to labradors. There are differences when comparing two very standard dogs from each breed, but once you add in a poodle and the genes are sort of jumbled in there you never know exactly what you'll get, though it's almost always a very nice dog.

[Linda and Murphy]

Years ago, BC, my husband and I were looking into getting a retriever because he is a duck hunter. We were given a scale as far as training. hard to soft. Cheasapeake, Labrador and Golden. We got a Chessie. Not a great dog for beginners but he was well loved. Murphy (Goldendoodle) is about as "soft" as you can get as far as training. Raising my voice at the boys used to send him to his crate. Yelling at football games unnerved him. (At 4, he is mostly used to it now.) "No" brings an immediate response, and me yelling "BAD" (rarely) crushes him.
Now, I have just spent 2 weeks with a foster labradoodle that was sassy and spirited and didn't care if you said no or not.
hmmm.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is pretty funny. Peri doesn't respond to no very well either. Only commands that produce praise when she does them...interesting.

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

When I worked with Assistance dogs we usually found that Labs where 'harder' - tougher, and that Goldens were 'softer' - much more sensitive and Im sure this is true of many doodles too. Very interesting!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have a 1 yr old goldendoodle and a 3 month old labradoodle. Sasha the golden is very nosey, loves to play fetch, freezbe, anything that requires her to run she loves. Oliver the lab is still so young yet and is difficult to compare so far. Sasha's hair is very thick and corkscrew like now which has changed from when she was young. Her head has the coloring of a golden but the feel and curly like a poodle, I always say she is very "poodleie". Oliver is solid black with a curly head and wavy body, but curly legs - go figure. They are both very lovable, goofy and very, very easy to train.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

What a great discussion Bev! I have always wondered the difference. Thanks for posting this!

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

I have a 2.5 year old Goldendoodle (Welly) and a 6 month old Labradoodle (Bingley). There are some differences I have noticed between labra and Goldens (we know many Labradoodles and Goldendoodles).

Labradoodle - LOVES to fetch - may become ball obsessed (Bingley is!). Would play ball ALL DAY. Which is really usefull when out on walks as he will ignore anything to play with his balley. Is affectionate and always wants to be in the same room as you.Is also FOOD obsessed. Will steal anything he can reach. Would eat until be popped.

Goldendoodle - Likes to play fetch but there's more to life than that. Welly's hobby is chasing - he is definately a HUNTER. (not saying this is a typical goldendoodle trait - just unfortunate for me!).

Is extrememly affectionate. Likes to be sitting ON you, rather than being content to just be in the same room as you. Is far more sensitive than his Labradoodle brother. If you get cross with him he really takes it to heart (whereas the Labradoodle has forgeotten about it all in 5 minutes). Welly loves his food but would not steal like Bingley.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Interesting question. I have had both and currently have both - a 4-yr-old goldendoodle and a 14-wk-old labradoodle. My 7-yr-old labradoodle died in September and I quickly replaced him with another labradoodle. I have to admit that labradoodles are my favorite dogs. Hondo (labradoodle who passed away) was the best dog I have ever had. He was so gentle and so smart. He frequently carried a stuffed toy around in his mouth but would let you have it if you wanted his toy. Then later, he would pick it back up and take it to bed with him. Neither dog was a retriever. They would chase something, but did not bring it back to you. My new puppy is a retriever and loves to fetch a ball or toy and bring it back to you. My goldendoodle is very loving, but not with other dogs. He is having a hard time adjusting to the exuberance of a puppy. He is elegant and always wants to be first - into the car, into the house, to be groomed, to be fed, whatever he is doing. Things I have noticed: labradoodles are smarter, goldendoodles are loving and demand more attention, both require lots of exercise and experiences. They are not dogs to be satisfied just staying at home and going for an occasional walk. Daily exercise in new places all the time is what keeps them stimulated.

[Bev loves Mac and Lucy]

If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your 7 year old Labradoodle? So sad!
My Labradoodle is the best dog I have ever had also. She is gentle and smart, too. My new goldendoodle is sassy so far... not as laid back as my labradoodle.