About doodles
Differences between Standard Poodles, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles
When the tail is not docked, and if the dog has a teddybear hair cut, it is actually hard to tell them apart!
Thus the need to look at the breeds and traits:
Standard Poodle
Standard and Moyen Poodles are athletic, moving with a light, springy gait. They enjoy obedience and agility competitions or other challenges like a fun game of hide and seek at home. (Ivy's favorite game!)
Although most Standard Poodles will let you know when someone comes to the door with a few barks, it is not an aggressive breed.
Poodles, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are all sociable, intelligent dogs that are friendly, loyal, and easy to train. They get along well with children and pets and love to be with others.
Goldendoodles
Golden Retrievers influence the Goldendoodle often making them more energetic than Poodles. (We have specifically chosen an extremely mellow Golden Doodle for the sire to avoid highly active pups.) They can also be mouthier than Poodles as their natural desire to retrieve keeps their mouths engaged. As pups they often need more direction in how to use their mouths properly.
Labradoodles
Labradoodles can be a bit more “bold” and, although not “watch dogs”, they can serve more in this capacity than either Golden Doodles or Poodles.
Weight
Goldendoodles and labradoodles tend to be stockier than Poodles. If a Standard Poodle and Doodle are the same height, the Poodle will usually be much lighter. As one groomer stated, "Poodles are hollow!"
Energy
Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are generally more energetic and can need significantly more exercise than poodles. Of course this can depend on the poodle! (Some lines can truly be hyper and others as calm as can be!) Some poodles are fine for just staying in the house and going for a 20-30 minute walk twice a day. Golden Doodles and Labradoodles do well with longer brisker walks, jogging, swimming, and/or vigorous play sessions to keep them fit and calm indoors.
Grooming
All Poodles and most Doodles require regular clipping. This might seem like a hassle, but I find it a lot easier than continual vacuuming and fur removal from clothes with other breeds. A professional clip will often cost around $80, but with a good pair of clippers (approximately $150) will last you your dog's lifetime if you decide to do the clipping yourself. (But it does take quite a while and you better get a grooming table if you are not planning on seeing the chiropractor afterwards!)
Poodles' and doodles ears require special attention as they tend to have ear hair that needs to be removed or kept clean and dry to avoid ear infections.
Poodle and doodle Coats
A Bit on Coats
Poodles' fur tends to be thicker and curlier. They have the ++ gene for curl. This curly coat can mat quicker than wavy or straight coats. Doodles can also have the ++ gene for curl. Alternatively they can be wavy with a curly and straight gene +- or can be straight - - . The curly and straight coats can be easier to care for - a bit easier to brush. Note that the “straight” coats will still look wavy. The wavy and straight coats often have “furnishings” which basically means eyebrows, a longer mustache and beard.
Types of Goldendoodles
Golden Retriever X Poodle =F1 Goldendoodle
Usually wavy in coat and typically very light shedders.
In the same litter, some can have a tightly waved coat (++ for curl) while others can have loosely waved, less thick coat (+-)
F1 Goldendoodle X F1 Goldendoodle =F2 Goldendoodle
F1 Goldendoodles can be an even mix of each parent or may lean much more towards the poodle or golden in appearance
Thus coats can be wavy, curly or even straight.
F1 Goldendoodle X Poodle = F1 (F1B) Backcross Goldendoodle
F1Bs usually have the poodle’s curlier coat, but may also be wavy.
They are typically non-shedding and hypo-allergenic.
The Labradoodle Coat
Labradoodle fur tends not to be nearly as soft as a Poodle or Goldendoodle. Many F1 Labradoodles have a Hair Coat which looks shaggy and even wiry. The good news is that this hair does not require grooming/clippings nearly as often as a poodle. The bad news is that F1 Labradoodles sometimes are significant shedders and are less suitable for allergies.
what about hybrid vigor?
Hybrid Vigor has been referred to when breeding two unrelated breeds or two different lines within the same breed. Although I love both poodles and doodles, there is no real evidence that doodles will have less health problems than a purebred. To avoid health problems, make sure that both parents are fully tested for all health issues within the breed. There is no magic “hybrid vigor” which will eliminate a Labrador with hip problems and a Poodle with eye issues from passing down these health problems to their Doodle offspring! In addition, aim to get a puppy from a litter where the parents come from two different lines. Those different lines may be from different breeds such as in a doodle mix, or from the same breed. To understand the science behind this, read http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/blog/the-myth-of-hybrid-vigor-in-dogsis-a-myth
