Which doodle?

[Lauren Krotz]

I am currently thinking of getting a labradoodle or goldendoodle puppy in July. Any thoughts on which one I should get? Currently I am the owner of a 2 1/2 year old cockapoo. 

Thanks! 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Many of us, most likely had personal reasons why we chose the mix we did. For me, we had always had Golden Retrievers. Wanted another Golden, after we lost our Senior dog, but I was really done with all the hair/shedding. To us, it was the obvious choice.

[Kyoko]

I don't think it really matters as long as you can find a good breeder who is responsible and caring.....

[Miss Ellie]

You can't go wrong with either one of these.  Like Rosemary, we too chose the Goldendoodle simply because we had previously had a golden retriever.  When he passed away we didn't want to compare the next dog to him but at the same time still wanted this puppy to possess the amazing qualities, temperament and characteristics that we so loved in our golden retriever.  

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I'm not going to be of any help to you - LOL  I have one of each and love them both like crazy.  Both doodles are very smart, friendly and loving.  Sorry I was not any help :(

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

We got a Labradoodle since we had a lab previously!  I agree that you can't go wrong with either one!  Are you thinking small, medium or large?  I would look into local good breeders as a starting point.  

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Dogs are just like kids....Put 10 of them in  a room and chances are, you will have 10 different personalities.  I Bred and raised Goldens for years.  Not true of all Goldens being whacky for the first 3 years. Sadly, inbreeding has done that to many PBs. 

[Gail & Bogey]

I have a mini goldendoodle and my friend has medium Labradoodle and only difference we see between the two is size. The medium is 20 pounds heavier otherwise they look and act the same. I personally like the mini size (21 pounds) just because I like to hold him in my lap, 40 lbs. is a bit much for that. Both dogs are wonderful.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Doesn't really matter.  You often cannot tell the difference.

[Brittney & Cally]

This may not be the usual but from what I can tell, the only visual difference is that labradoodles tend to look boxier  and goldendoodles look more round. But their temperaments are the same from what I have witnessed so really it depends do you prefer the golden lineage or Labrador lineage.

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

Both breeds are very intelligent, gentle, and eager to please...so either choice will be a great one. Everyone is right, the breeder and individual pup is the real variable that needs to be considered. We have two Australian Labradoodles and couldn't be happier with them. One thing I can say for sure, I've never seen a goldendoodle or labradoodle that wasn't adorable, so at least that's something you don't have to worry about.

[Mike Gruenke]

My wife and I own a Golden Doodle and a Labradoodle. Our Goldendoodle, (Porsche), is an F1b female our Labradoodle , (Bentley), is a 5th or 6th generation Labradoodle to Labradoodle. Both are non-shedding to very, very low shedding. Both were very easy to train as in potty training and basic obedience. Porsche was a digger and I broke her of that quite easily. They both are fun loving, love to play, great with our grandchildren, love to cuddle and demand attention. They are both great dogs. That is where the similarity ends.

Porsche being an F1b is 3/4 Standard size Poodle and 1/4 Golden Retriever. She has a curly coat with fleece haired legs. She definitely needs to be groomed more often. My wife and I both actually enjoy sitting at night watching TV and brushing the dogs. They love it, so not a big deal for us. Porsche has a lot of Standard Poodle traits; she is stand-offish to strangers and will hide behind us until we assure her they are OK. She has the blockish muzzle though of the Golden Retriever and is content laying around, but she does get into her rambunctious times that demand no matter what the weather is like, that you take her out and play fetch. She is also a good hunter.

Bentley takes after a Labrador Retriever a lot. He looks like the normal American Labradoodle with wavy 4 to 5 inch long hair and the big blocky head of a male Labrador. He will take on an aggressive stance and bark ferociously at strangers, which usually will make them back off. When I tell him it's OK, he'll stop. About 15 years ago my Yellow Labrador Retriever, (Chopper), passed away from old age. He was the best dog I ever had, best hunter, easiest to train and so on. That is until Bentley!!! I see a lot of Chopper in Bentley, so much I sometimes call him Chopper. Bentley is an awesome retriever and hunter. He responds to my talking and hand signals like he was human. Friends say he is what I made him, and that might be so. I train my dogs the same so I guess it stands to reason.

Your dog, which ever you choose, will be what you make it. You get out what you put in.

If you have a hard time figuring it out, Golden Doodle or Labradoodle; look into Double Doodles. I know a couple of Double Doodles or North American Retrievers. They honestly seem to me to be a mix or blend of both, in personality.

You can't go wrong whatever you choose!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Great post, Mike!