We used to do Labradoodles back at the beginning. Then we switched to Goldendoodles, and a lot of that was because of the coats.
A lot of people ask me what the difference is between a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle.
They’re very similar. Both are super friendly and happy and great with kids. The two differences I see most are energy and coat.
Energy and coat are the two big differences
- Labradoodles tend to have a little more energy. Maybe a little more hyper.
- Goldendoodles are typically going to have a nicer coat, especially when comparing an f1 Labradoodle to an f1 Goldendoodle, the Goldendoodle definitely comes out with a nicer coat and I believe that is because the lab coat is so short and the Golden retriever coat would be much more thick and full.
- Once you get into the multigenerational then you can get the nicer coat with labradoodles also
Both are great dogs, though.
What F1, F1B, and multi generation mean
- F1: a straight cross of a poodle to a golden retriever or a lab.
- F1B: when you take an F1 parent and breed it back to a poodle. The B stands for back cross. So then they’re three quarter poodle.
- Multi generation: when both parents are doodles. A multi gen is usually going to have an odd percentage. It’s not going to be half and half, and it’s often not going to be three quarter.
Why I switched from Labradoodles to Goldendoodles
Like I mentioned before, we used to do Labradoodles, and now we do Goldendoodles instead because of their coats.
Some of our F1 Labradoodles were just not nice coats. They had a more wirey coat and not as thick and full. The lab is such a short-coated dog, so it’s harder to get those nice, fluffy doodle coats.
If you do take the time to breed them into the multi generations, like the Australian Labradoodle, then you can get the nice coats. But we didn’t really want to take the time and patience to get into the generations, because we weren’t sure if that’s where we were going to stick.
Temperament and energy
The personalities are very similar. Both are super friendly and happy and great with kids.
Do Labradoodles really have more energy?
I’d say that’s real. But it does not hold true 100% of the time. It still has to do with the parents.
Overall, it seems more often that the Labradoodle would be more energetic. Labs are pretty hyper. They’re hunting dogs, so that’s part of where that energy comes from. Golden retrievers would have some hunting in them too, but maybe not as strong as the labs.
So, what does that look like? If you get a Labradoodle, just prepare to give more exercise.
Even though Labradoodles do have a little more energy, both will need exercise.
Looks and coat
Can you tell a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle apart?
Sometimes you can, but not always. It can be a toss up.
There’s been times I’ve seen a doodle with a nice hair coat, and I’m not sure if it’s a Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two.
Two things that might help you tell:
- Color. You’re probably going to get some different colors in the Labradoodle versus the Goldendoodle. But not always. There can be some similar colorings too.
- The hair coat. Labradoodles have a shorter coat, especially in the F1s, compared to the Goldendoodles.
- But there have been times that I would see what I thought was a Goldendoodle and then found out it was a labradoodle. So yea they definitely can trick you into thinking it’s a Goldendoodle and it’s actuallly a labradoodle or vise versa
Is one coat more work to maintain?
No, not necessarily.
An F1 Labradoodle has a shorter coat, so that might be a little less to maintain. They’re not going to mat up as quick. But they’re also going to shed more.
When you get into the multi generations, both coats are pretty much going to end up the same. There’s no difference in the care for their coats.
What if you have allergies?
It depends on the generation.
- F1: an F1 Goldendoodle would be better than an F1 Labradoodle, I think.
- F1B and multi generations: then no, I don’t think one is better than the other.
Home life
Which does better in a smaller home or apartment?
Both would do really well. Maybe a Goldendoodle, since their energy is probably a little bit lower than the Labradoodle. But again, that’s not always true and both will do great in a small home.
How I’d help you choose
If you came to me undecided between the two, I would ask you if you want more energy or less energy. If you’re looking for more energetic, I’d say a Labradoodle.
The only time I’d steer you toward one
The only time I would is if you want an F1 only. There are some people that want an F1.
If that’s you, I’d tell you a Goldendoodle, just because of the hair coat.
Look at the parents and the breeder
I was reading a thread where everybody said the two breeds are very similar.
One person said they don’t think the breeds are different enough to base the choice on. They’d base it more on where the dog has been bred and by whom, and the size and temperament of the parents.
That’s very true. There’s just really not enough difference.
Another person said they have a Labradoodle, and it always gets mistaken for a Goldendoodle.
In closing
Whichever breed you decide on, you’re not going to regret it.
A Labradoodle might have a little more energy. A Goldendoodle might have a nicer coat in an F1. But both are super friendly and happy and great with kids.
They’re both great breeds.