Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?

[michelle martin]

I have been looking at a LOT of dogs over the past year. I had a dog for 15 years. He was a great dog in many ways but I don't think I'd want to go with that breed again.

I've been looking at Goldendoodles recently. Aside from the obvious difference, why would someone choose one over the other?

What kind of qualities does the Labradoodle have that the Goldendoodle does not and vice versa?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think that most people choose one over the other either because they like Golden Retrievers better than Labradors, or vice versa, or some people choose an Australian Labradoodle (ALD) because they are more consistent in their coats and size than the earlier generations.

There are no qualities that run through all Goldendoodles or all Labradoodles. As mixed breed dogs, there is a LOT of variation from one to another. I also don't think most people could tell whether any given doodle is a Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle,  by appearance or by personality. Doodles are truly a mixed bag, lol. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And here's a good discussion put together by members of this site for anyone who is considering getting a doodle: 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/considering-a-doodle-crowd...

[Wendy and Myla]

I am really embarassed to say this but I chose a goldendoodle over a labradoodle because of the tail.  I didn't know that much about genes and I was really scared that my puppy would have a curly coat and the labrador retriever tail!  Ya, like I said, I'm embarrassed!  As for looks, I've been on this website for five years and when looking at all of the many pictures posted here, I could not tell you what each doodle was!  As for personalities, I always think my Myla is special and then I read that just about all of the doodles do that!  They just seem to all have the same traits - good and bad!  I think that the very most important thing you can do is find a good, reputable breeder of doodles and then go from there.  I really wish I had found this website before I got my first doodle in 2006.  Zak died at the very young age of five and we were devastated!  The good thing about that episode is that Zak made us fall in love with doodles so we knew we wanted another doodle, but because we never wanted to go through that heartbreak again, we knew we had to find a breeder that did all of the health testing so that our new puppy would have the best start ever!  Good luck in your search and I'm so glad that you're researching before buying!

[DonMarie and Picco]

Goldendoodles are the best!   Ha ha!    I choose the Golden over the Lab because just from MY EXPERIENCE Golden Retrievers were far more mellow than any Labs I've met.  But I know this isn't always true. 

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

I have two Goldendoodles now and am waiting to pick up my Australian Labradoodle puppy in the next couple of weeks. I  had a Lab who was high energy, but was obedience trained, as are my Goldendoodles. I feel the golden doodles are calmer than the Lab but have friends with ALD's and they are wonderful. I obedience train and socialize all my dogs so that they will be welcome wherever we go. I can't wait for them to meet each other and be one happy pack.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Oh my... I love the white on your puppy's chin. She is so cute. 

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

Is one big difference in sizes ?  I am referring to Mini-Doodles and in my case a Toy Goldendoodle.

My understanding is that Minis and Toys are largely/almost always for Goldendoodles, not Labradoodles, but I am not an expert here so feel free to correct me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Not true, there are lots and lots of mini Labradoodles, and even some toys, although toy doodles of any kind are pretty rare. 

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

That's interesting, Karen.....I have met lots of Standard and Mini Goldendoodles (but only 1 other Toy !) and lots of full-size/Standard Labradoodles....but have not met a Mini (let alone a Toy) Labradoodle here in the NY Metro area.

Maybe when it warms up.

 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I have one of both and they are both wonderful, I wouldn't be concerned either way. More important is the best breeder as to the puppy you get.

[Kris and Sawyer]

What Karen said... I just personally like Goldens better.  I've never met a golden I didn't like.  :-)