Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle: Two Great Breeds, Which One is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a friendly, intelligent, sweet dog and either have allergies or prefer less shedding, you may be considering two very popular breeds - Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. Both are extremely popular "designer dogs" with fun and friendly temperaments, and while both are wonderful family dogs with low-shedding coats they are quite different from each other.

Let's take a quick look at how they compare so that you can make a decision on which one fits best into your lifestyle.

In brief, Labradoodles tend to be more easy going, athletic, and faithful, while Goldendoodles are very people focused, more social and focused on pleasing you. Both breeds fit well into almost every family and are easy to train so you should decide which temperament fits best into your lifestyle.

What Is a Labradoodle?

A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. This was the first "designer dog" developed for people who needed therapy dogs, but also suffered from allergies.

We love them:

For their easygoing, laid back personalities

Because they love a good game of fetch

They are a great fit as a family dog or for someone needing a service dog.

They are a great fit for families with small children or grandchildren.

Labradoodles thrive in homes that are active and with space for a good run. They love daily walks and interaction, but are also able to chill on their own or throw their own ball in a game of fetch. They are wonderful for both retirees or families with children because of their easy going personalities.

What Is a Goldendoodle?

A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They were developed for families who love the temperament of a Golden Retriever but had allergies or wanted less shedding.

We love them:

Because they are very loving and affectionate

They love everyone and enjoy lots of interaction with people

They are very smart and have a strong desire to please

Goldendoodles love homes with lots of activity and people. They are wonderful for homes with children or families that want a very social dog.

Important Differences between Labradoodles and Goldendoodles

Labradoodles

Are very friendly, but are less dependant on people to be happy

Can focus and stay calm

Are perfect for a family looking for a steady, easy going temperament

Goldendoodles

Are people focused and highly affectionate

They are more sensitive and do not like being alone

They do best with families that are highly engaged and interactive

Our experience with energy levels & exercise needs

Labradoodles

Medium to high energy

They love walks, hikes, swimming, and games of fetch. They are very athletic and are able to match your exercise patterns. If you like walking, hiking, swimming then they can be a great companion. Their exercise needs can also be met with a rousing game of fetch in a nice back yard or a dog park.

Great match for active owners or owners who enjoy playing games with their dogs.

Goldendoodles

Medium energy

They enjoy walks and may enjoy swimming. They also enjoy games of fetch. They can be great companions for your activities but thrive on structure and relationships.

Coat Types and Shedding

Both breeds can have low-shedding coats, especially in higher-Poodle generations (like F1b).

Labradoodles

Coats can range from straight to wavy to curly.

• F1s - (50/50 Labrador-poodle mix) tend to have straight to wavy coats. This is affected by parent genetics, for instance if the Labrador has the long haired genes, their puppies tend to be wavier and softer. This generation has a greater chance of straight coated Labradoodles that shed more, but are perfect for families that want the Lab look and personality with a lot less shedding. The straighter the coat the more shedding the Labradoodle will have, but it is still 50-75% less than a pure blood Labrador Retriever. This generation works for many people with mild allergies.

• F1bs - (25/75 Labrador/poodle mix) have wavy to curly coats. While still affected by parent genetics, F1bs tend to have coats that have less variations in texture and shedding. They are very low shed and they usually are better for people with moderate allergies.

• There are other mixes of Labradoodles and they may have a very unpredictable amount of Labrador/poodle mix. They may be 94% poodle and 6% Labrador or 30% poodle and 70% Labrador. These are hardest to predict for hair type and shedding. The more poodle a Labradoodle has, they wavier/curlier their coat and the less shedding they tend to have.

  
  

Goldendoodles

Can have wavy to curly coats.

• F1s - (50/50 Golden Retriever/Poodle mix) - have coats that are wavy. They tend to be very soft with a gently wavy coat. They can have varying degrees of shedding, making them a good fit for most people with mild allergies.

• F1bs - (usually 25/75 Golden Retriever/Poodle mix) have wavy to curly coats. These puppies truly look like giant, fluffy teddy bears. They usually have much more of the poodle look and tend to have very low shedding and are good for most moderate allergy sufferers.

• Other generations/mixes of Goldendoodles - just like many Labradoodles, there are varying degrees of Goldendoodle mixes. Most have a high amount of poodle and a little bit of Golden Retriever. The more poodle the Goldendoodle has usually makes the coats curlier and the more hypoallergenic they usually are.

Please remember that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. Coat genetics determine what coats are more hypoallergenic than others. Everyone's allergies are different and it is important to see how you react to a particular dog, not just assume that you will be fine because of the breed name.

Grooming Requirements

Grooming requirements mainly depend upon coat texture and type. I will have future articles where you can specific grooming requirements and suggestions for each breed and generation.

So in brief, both breeds need:

• To be brushed several times a week - wavy to curly coats need to be brushed anytime the labradoodle or Goldendoodle gets wet to prevent matting

• Occasional baths

• Professional grooming requirements will depend on the coat type and texture. In general, the straighter the coat, the less frequent the grooming.

Are Labradoodles and Goldendoodles Intelligent and Trainable?

Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are both very intelligent, eager to please, fast learners and thrive on a positive training environment.

• Labradoodles are very focused and quick to learn. They are food motivated and are quick to train with both treats and positive interactions with their trainer.

• Goldendoodles are very eager to please and love undivided attention. Their highly social nature makes them very motivated to please their trainer and they are definitely love motivated.

Both breeds are easy to train and most families, even those that are new dog families can train both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles easily. I really love the structure and guidance given in the Baxter and Bella online training program. Their principles work very well for both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. Get 25% off with the code LovingDoodle.

Is a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle a better fit for your lifestyle?

Labradoodle is a great fit for those wanting:

• A dog that enjoys activities, but can also self entertain

• An easy going temperament

• An independent dog

• A great family dog - one that is good with people of all ages

  
  

  A Goldendoodle is a great fit for those wanting:

• A highly affectionate, people-focused dog

• Who are home a lot and want to spend time a lot of time with your dog

• A dog who is very motivated to please you

• A great family dog who enjoys being with people of all ages

Which Breed Is the Best Family Dog?

Both breeds are excellent with people of all ages as long as they are properly socialized and raised in a family setting. Both are excellent choice for families, you just want to make sure to pick the one that fits your level of activity and that fits your family's lifestyle.

Last thoughts

Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are two of the most popular Poodle mixes because they are wonderful family dogs. They are beloved because they are friendly, easy to train, and low-no shed. Which one is right for you, is ultimately about which one most fits your lifestyle and your expectations.