Goldendoodle and Labradoodle breeder Michael Waggenbach, of Sunshine Acres feels, “For a therapy dog, the Goldendoodle is the better choice. I’m not sure what it is, but they don’t tend to dust all the tabletops when walking into a hospital or an elderly home, where the Labradoodles’ tails are going back forth so fast they dust every thing off.”
During an interview with Indiana Doodle Owners Group founder Beth Line, she said, “There’s a very distinct difference between Labradoodles and Goldendoodles,” Beth said. “As an owner and observer of behavioral traits I see a big difference. It takes more to convince the Labradoodles to come into your environment – into your space. They will evaluate you before they walk into your area. And, they’re very loyal, friendly, all the things Labs are, but they need to be convinced that walking into your space is a good idea. They won’t come right in.”
“They’re also strong. They have very strong necks and they’re going to pull more. And their coats are going to be different. I tell the difference between the F1 Labradoodle and Goldendoodle by their coat. It stands to reason a labs coat is short. Add some poodle to it and it’s going to have some length and weight. However, you aren’t going to find a six inch long wavy, curly coat on an F1 Labradoodle because there’s nowhere for that 6-inches to come from genetically. A lab has a short coat and the poodle has curl.
“Labradoodles (F1) are also going to tend to go more terrier like – wiry. They also tend to be weightier and their body shape will be a little boxier.”
“The Goldendoodle on the other hand, when they reach their adult coats, their hair is going to grow 4 to 6 inches long and has a wavy look or a curl to it because of the poodle. It’s the same formula, more curl equals less shedding and more wave equals higher shedding.”
“Conceptually, Golden Retrievers influence the Goldendoodle causing them to be more zestful. They’ll come into your space immediately. They don’t sit back, they come into it immediately and are happy to visit with you. They are happy, affectionate, and happy to roll on you. They don’t have the delay of making a decision. They make their decision well before they decide to come to you.”
“Goldendoodles are mouthier. Their mouth will be more active when they are puppies and you have to train them not to be mouthy, because they’ll use that mouth on you somewhere! That’s where they get their information. I have trained my Goldendoodles not to put their mouths on people by simply taking one of their other natural tendencies (retrieving) and replacing the mouthing with retrieving a toy. Their natural desire to retrieve keeps their mouths occupied with a toy.”
“So, they are mouthier than the Labradoodle puppy. I referred to the Goldendoodle as a very zestful and happy with life kind of being. The Labradoodle has a sense of loyalty and appreciation, whereas the Goldendoodle has a wonderful, life of the party, personality.”
Copyright by Edie MacKenzie. All Rights Reserved.