Labradoodles vs. Goldendoodles

Labradoodles vs. Goldendoodles

Labradoodles vs. Goldendoodles

Macie (goldendoodle) and Dillon (labradoodle)

Macie (goldendoodle) and Dillon (labradoodle)

What’s the Difference between the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle?

I get this question a lot…

At this genetic level, the Labradoodle is the result of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle and the Goldendoodle is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, but both are generally friendly, outgoing, cheerful, affectionate, and very social — basically, a dog that’s everyone’s best friend.

If you’re looking for a working or hunting dog, a Labradoodle might be a better choice. Labradoodles are often chosen for service dog work. However, Goldendoodles are also very popular for therapy work.

Which dog sheds more Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?

The higher Poodle genetics makes this generation of Labradoodle to be the most likely not to shed out of all of the first generation makeups. They are also considered to be the most hypoallergenic.

Do Labradoodles Goldendoodles bark a lot?

Labradoodles are very vocal and communicative canines. But this doesn’t mean that they woof a lot. In fact, they fall under the mild-barkers category. They usually bark for a reason.

Not all Goldendoodles bark, but many do. Some only bark when they are in public due to excitement. Others bark all the time. In my humble opinion, besides appearance, there’s just NOT a HUGE difference between these two.

Every Dog is Unique

All dogs are born with different personalities, and it’s up to you to socialize, train and help them to be all they can be.

Both the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle can be equally amazing companions, love children, and are make great family dogs. One isn’t better than the other.

In general, a Goldendoodle is quicker to approach a complete stranger, whereas a Labradoodle will typically stay closer to his/her “person.”

Why not to buy a Doodle?

Doodles generally tend to suffer from a higher rate of separation anxiety than other dog breeds. Due to their highly sociable traits, they do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. These dogs want and need to be around people.

Hershey the Multigen Labradoodle

Hershey the Multigen Labradoodle

Both are known for their friendly and outgoing nature; Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are sweet-natured and enthusiastic breeds. These dogs thrive on strong, dependable relationships with humans, require moderate attention stimulation, and love human company.  Both breeds are very intelligent and generally quite easy to train. As a pet, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are both obedient, loyal, loving, and affectionate.

Neither the Standard-size Labradoodle nor Goldendoodle would be well suited for full-time indoor or apartment living, as they enjoy spending time outdoors, playing games like fetch and tug-of-war, and love taking long walks.

Charlie Chocolate Multigen Labradoodle

Charlie – Chocolate Multigen Labradoodle

There are many benefits to owning a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. These active breeds are always on the go and often quite amusing and entertaining to watch while at play.

When properly socialized from a young age, they can get along well with small children and other pets, often making friends with other dogs quickly due to their social nature.

Due to their need for human attention and eagerness to please and impress their owners, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles generally respond well to basic training. These bright dogs have the ability to learn to perform almost any task a trainer is willing to take the time to teach them.

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Big Goldendoodle!

The Standard Goldendoodle does tend to be larger than the Standard Labradoodle. 

Standard Goldendoodles have grown to be more than 100 pounds but average around 60-75 lbs, while Labradoodles average around 45-65 lbs, with males being larger than females in most cases but not always… there is no “always” when it comes to dogs, especially mixed-breed dogs.

Like all dogs, the size of your Doodle will depend on its parents and sometimes grandparents’ size.  A good rule of thumb is to add both their parent’s weights together and then divide by 2 to get an average adult weight on their puppies.  Puppies can still fall above or below their projected adult weights, especially when their parents are two different sizes, for example, if one parent is a Mini and one is a standard.

Make sure the Poodle in your Doodle is a size you could handle because they might be as tall or taller! Weight is not as important. It’s all about the height when it comes to the Poodle mixes ~ because they can be finer-boned and weigh very little but still super tall.


Finn the Multigen Labradoodle

Finn the Multigen Labradoodle

The Labradoodle

Reece - Daisy's Labradoodle daughter jumping the fence with her "boy"! Such an awesome picture!!

Labradoodle jumping the fence with her “boy”! Such an awesome picture!!

One Labradoodle breeder who lives close to a Seeing Eye Dog training school was curious as to why 90% of the dogs being trained were Yellow Labs.   When she called, they explained that all the puppies in their program must pass a series of tests to qualify.

One of the tests is a stress test, which includes a variety of loud noises, such as honking car horns, back-firing cars, gunshots, screeching brakes, etc. They said most breeds would panic and run at some or all of these kinds of sounds.

The Yellow Labs consistently did the best in these stress tests for staying calm and in control and remained the most stable and dependable. This obviously is extremely important to the ultimate owner, who must depend entirely on his dog for his life when he is making his way thru busy traffic.

The mixing of poodles with labradors was originally developed to be shed-free Seeing Eye Dogs in Australia this is where and how the whole story of Labradoodles started.


F1 Labradoodle

The F1 generation Labradoodle – 50/50 Lab and Poodle Mix

Labradoodle Coat

When discussing an F1B Labradoodle or Multigeneration Labradoodle’s coat, there is a pretty big difference compared to an F1 Labradoodle.

The F1 has a higher incidence of shedding, while the higher generations are closer to non-shedding.. or as close as it’s gonna get in a dog.  The F1 and higher generations also look completely different as well.

They have more of that “Teddy bear” look, and the F1 looks more like the “scruffy dog.” Some people really love the look of the F1 Labradoodle, while others prefer the “Teddy bear”. Most Labradoodle breeders no longer breed the F1 generation Labradoodle due to the higher incidence of shedding, so they are harder to find. 

Do Labradoodles get curlier as they get older?

No, Labradoodles coats do not change from curly to straight or vice versa. There is a puppy coat change, but the coat type will be primarily the same. Do not expect the Labradoodle puppy coat type to change.

More information on Labradoodle generations.

F1b Labradoodle

F1b Labradoodle – Labradoodle bred to Poodle Generation

A Labradoodle Playdate

Labradoodle Playdate

Retriever folks like to say: “You tell a Lab; and you negotiate with a Golden”.

The Goldendoodle

Goldendoodle adult coats can grow 4 to 6 inches long and have a wavy or curly texture. More curl usually equals less shedding, and straighter hair usually means a higher chance of shedding (but not always).

Conceptually, Golden Retrievers influence the Goldendoodle making them more energetic. They’ll come into your space immediately. They don’t sit back; they are happy to visit with you. They are affectionate and love to be with you and can get so happy to see you they can have a hard time not jumping on you and must be trained not to. They don’t always have a delay in their decision-making process. They make their decisions well before they decide to come running to you. Goldendoodles can also be more mouthy than Labradoodles.

Goldendoodles Can Be More Mouthy

The Goldendoodle’s uses their mouth more when they are puppies and will have to be trained not to. They will want to taste you! That’s how a puppy gets information about their world at first, but I’ve been able to train my Goldendoodles not to use their mouths on people by simply taking one of their other natural tendencies (retrieving) and replacing the mouthing with a toy. Their natural desire to retrieve may keep their mouths occupied, but putting your thumb in their mouth can also do the trick with some of the more stubborn puppies or just by doing a high pitch yelp whenever their teeth touch your skin. This is especially useful with younger puppies.

I refer to the Goldendoodle as a very zestful and happy-with-life kind of dog. Labradoodles have a sense of loyalty and appreciation, whereas the Goldendoodles have more of a life of the party type personality~

English Goldendoodle – Baby

Which is Better – Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?

Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are so similar in their personalities… I can’t say which one is better than the other, and depends on to many factors.

Both doodles share similar temperaments (smart, family-friendly, and easily-trained). Both doodles come in various sizes (mini, medium, and standard) and many colors. Both are loyal, loving family members.

As for which doodle would work best for you… we find that people who are loyal to labrador retrievers generally want a Labradoodle, and folks who have grown up with golden retrievers typically want a Goldendoodle. The great thing is you get to choose!

In intelligence and allergy friendliness, both are about par. Both are half retrievers and half poodle, intelligent and moderately active dogs.

Look up and read the breed descriptions for each of the parent breeds, and then believe their breed descriptions.

Neither will be a low-energy lapdog.

For an insightful article on the differences between a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle in training and temperament, please read the article by Gwendy Joysen, author of  

The Balanced Canine – Link to Article


Me and my Doods at the dog park..

Me and my Doods at the dog park..

Adopting A Doodle Puppy:

  • Health issues – ALWAYS get your Doodle puppy from a reputable breeder whose done all the necessary health clearances and tested clear for genetic diseases.
  • Do NOT get a Doodle mixed with a dog from a working-class bloodline unless you are very active. This includes Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
  • Do NOT let the dog become overweight. The chunky look is more than ugly- it’s deadly. This is vital with these breeds. Almost all Goldens and Labs I see in public are usually overweight. Don’t add to this serious problem. A correct specimen is rarely over 75 pounds for a large male unless the dog is oversized or fat.
  • Feed high-quality dog food.
  • Clean the ears regularly – both breeds tend towards ear issues and food and skin allergies.
  • Groom them regularly. The only drawback about owning a non-shedding dog is their high-maintenance coats it will just continue to grow and then eventually mat if not properly cared for. Talk to your groomer about an appropriate grooming schedule.

Health Concerns in both breeds:

As a hybrid cross, they grow healthier and live longer than either parent line. The only genetic diseases they can be prone to would be those shared by both parent breeds.

The Goldendoodle and Labradoodle both tend to be a rather healthy dog, but Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers are all susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. They can also suffer from a number of inheritable eye disorders, so it is important that annual CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) exams are performed before breeding.

Both are prone to ear infections (and yeast infections in the ears) from moisture in the ears. It is important to make sure to keep them dry.

Health Concerns in short 

Labradoodles may develop health conditions common to both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, and this includes hip and elbow dysplasia, an eye disease called progressive retinal atrophy, and von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder.

For Goldendoodles, it would be hip dysplasia, sebaceous adenitis (skin disease), ubvalvular aortic stenosis (heart), Addison’s disease, and eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and glaucoma.

More detailed list of possible health issues

Doodle Generations:

Generations is also something that makes a HUGE difference in picking a Doodle. It’s a little confusing at first but to make it simple… the First Generation Labradoodle or what’s call an “F1” Labradoodle is half Labrador and half Poodle but and then the F1b generations would be half Standard Poodle and half Labradoodle. So 75% Poodle…. the F1b generation basically means when you breed the labradoodle or the goldendoodle back to the poodle.

The F1b Generation in the Labradoodle is much curlier and less likely to shed. There are however straighter F1b Labradoodles as well. So it all depends on what you like in regards to curl and how much grooming your willing to pay for.

Allergy Friendly?

Yes, First Generation Goldendoodles and Labradoodles have proven to live successfully with most families with mild dog allergies.

The higher generations or Multigen Labradoodle/Goldendoodles are recommended for families with more moderate to severe allergies or asthma. Just remember, the more Poodle in your Doodle the better they will be for shedding and allergie concerns.

(see the stats in the Dood Database)

Dogs 101 Videos

The Goldendoodle

The Labradoodle

We can’t forget the Poodle….

What is the difference between Goldendoodle, Aussiedoodle and Standard Poodle?

If you wanna see the difference between a Goldendoodle… A standard Poodle and an Aussiedoodle? Watch this.. the biggest guy is a Goldendoodle.. the Medium guy is an Aussiedoodle and the little chocolate girl is my standard Poodle Daisy.. Their almost the same temperment wise in my humble opinion. Haha! They all LOVE to play together. This was after not seeing eachother for awhile. They were overly excited for sure. They grew up together and love each other.

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