The Intentional Hybrids - The Best of Both Worlds
Years ago people who wanted a dog had two choices. Get a purebreed or a mutt. In the last 10 years (actually 20 for the Labradoodles) there has been the introduction of a third option. Intentional Hybrids. People who decide upon Intentional Hybrids such as the Labradoodle or a Goldendoodle have done so for many reasons. A high percentage of the people choose a doodle for the reasons that are outlined below. The decision to select an Intentional Hybrid is a personal choice. We respect the decisions of people who select a purebreed or a mutt, however, it is nice to have a third option that is now available.

Purebreeds
With purebreeds, you can put your faith in medical testing, the lineage of the parents and dependability of aesthetics and traits. (ONLY - If you select a quality breeder)

Advantages
Purebreeds provide predictability with respect to size, color, coats, temperament and traits. If you want a friendly dog or an aloof dog, a high-energy dog or a low-energy dog, a small dog or a large dog, a dog with lots of fur or a dog with very short fur, you can choose a purebred that tends to have those characteristics.

Reputable breeders will do medical testing and have documentation of the lineage of the puppies.

Disadvantages
Over 300 genetic health defects have been documented in purebred dogs, the incidence of defects is extremely high. Reasons for this include:

* Breeding dogs to a detailed standard of appearance. Breeding to some standard is how breeds are developed in the first place, but eventually it results in loss of genetic diversity, which leads to problems with health and vigor.
* A limited and closed gene pool. Without the introduction of new and unrelated genes, in the long term all living creatures suffer "loss of genetic diversity," which inevitably leads to weaker animals with health problems. This is happening right now with purebred dogs.
* Breeding the same champion dogs over and over. This floods the breed not only with the same sets of good genes, but also with the same sets of bad genetics. But when the same few dogs are bred repeatedly, as is done with the most successful show dogs, their particular defective genes become more common throughout the breed. Then the chances are much greater that two dogs with the SAME defective gene will be bred together -- and the defect is expressed.
* Breeding for unnatural builds. Breeds with short faces (such as Bulldogs and Pugs) are sweet dogs, but they cannot breathe normally and are prone to many health disorders. Breeds with long bodies (such as Dachshunds) are prone to crippling back problems and paralysis.

Mutts
Mutts (also known as Mongrels), you can put your faith in genetic diversity.

Advantages
Because their genes are usually unrelated, the chances are good that the parents of a mutt puppy did not both have the same defective genes. It is the pairing up of the same defective genes that cause some of the worst health problems seen in most purebred dogs. Most mutt dogs have good genetic diversity, which tends to promote overall health and vigor.

Disadvantages
A mutt is not usually intentional. It is almost unheard of for a mutt dog to have even one parent who has been tested for any genetic disorder. With a mutt, you have to put your faith in his genetic diversity, rather than in medical testing and breed specific traits.

If you get a mutt which looks like a combination of two breeds, does not assure that only those two breeds created the puppy or, for that matter, those breeds were involved at all. A mutt could have many many other combinations of breeds to create the dog. Thus, you might be able to have a hint as to the temperament of the dog, you also might have a hint on how large or small the dog will be, or what type of fur the dog will have, but you will never know for sure until the dog has fully matured.

A mutt all too frequently has not had the benefit of a good start in life. Providing proper medical care, proper socialization and keeping the puppies with the mother until they have learned important lessons from their mother are often things that can be missing in an unintentional breeding.
                       
Intentional Hybrids
With doodles, you can put your faith in medical testing, the lineage of the parents, aesthetics and traits AND genetic diversity. (If you select a quality breeder)

The Labradoodle and Goldendoodles are dogs that have been mixed intentionally.

A quality breeder will have the history of the parents of a doodle puppy.

A quality breeder will have done various medical tests of the potential parents and take great care in paring the breeding dogs for quality health and temperament.

The advantage to carefully selecting the right Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever and the right Poodle and throwing in a little mother nature, promotes overall health and vigor.

Although, the doodles are not breeds - by the definition of “breed” - there are breed factors that can predict what size, color, and temperament the puppy will be as an adult. The doodles can vary in a wider range than a Purebreed dog, however, a experienced breeder of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles will have a very good idea what the puppy will be like when it is fully matured. There are some variations, but very little surprises if you are working with an experienced breeder.

 

Myth:
"You dont know what you are going to get when you breed Goldendoodles or Labradoodles." Yes, you do. You will get a combination of a Poodle and a Lab or Golden. See how this works HERE

 

Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?
Even though both are referred to as doodles - there is a difference. There certainly are many similarities, but there are many differences as well.

Labradoodles - will carry traits from the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle.

The Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate, lovable, patient dog. Highly intelligent, loyal, willing and high-spirited. Lively and good-natured, they love to play, especially in water. They have an excellent, reliable, temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs, keeping in mind that Labrador puppies are full of energy. They crave human attention and need to feel as though they are part of the family. Labs are easily trained. Some may be reserved with strangers unless very well socialized as puppies. They can become destructive if left too much to their own devices. Train Labradors early not to pull on the leash, as they have very strong necks. Show lines are generally heavier and easier going than field lines. These dogs are watchdogs, not guard dogs. The Labrador Retriever is not an aggressive dog, but it will bark to ward off strangers. The Labrador retriever has a stable temperament and adapts to new surroundings easily. Labs are a bit more dominant and independent than the Golden Retriever.

Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?
Even though both are referred to as doodles - there is a difference. There certainly are many similarities, but there are many differences as well.

Goldendoodles - will carry traits from the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.

Golden retrievers are powerful, energetic dogs, and are loving and eager to please. Highly intelligent, the dog is easily trained and can serve as a guide or service dog or a great family pet. They are gentle and patient with children, although they can be rambunctious and chewy when young. Golden Retrievers are friendly with other dogs and other people. They can be good watchdogs, they may bark loudly to signal a stranger's approach. Golden Retrievers are highly talented and love to swim. Renown for its reliable temperament and their beauty and their “zest” for life, the Golden Retriever makes a good family pet.

Generational Options (“F” stands for the Latin word “filial” or “generation”)            

F1: Is a first generation cross. One parent is a labrador retriever or golden retriever and the other parent is a poodle. (50% retriever, 50% poodle) Visual Guide to Pure Breeds and Hybrids

Advantage:
Highest possibilities of hybrid vigor and will also have reduced risks of genetic defects.

Disadvantage:
Higher chances of shedding.

F1B: One parent is an F1Labradoodle, or goldendoodle and the other parent is a poodle. (25% retriever, 25% poodle #1, 50% poodle #2)

Advantage:
Highest possibilities of low shedding.

Disadvantage:
May have reduced hybrid vigor and may have increased risks of genetic defects if breeder isn’t prudent with the proper background history of parents.              

F2: Is when both parents are F1 labradoodle, or goldendoodle (25% retriever #1, 25% poodle #1, 25% retriever #2, 25% poodle #2)

Advantage:
To be able to select the most desirable traits and produce them consistently.

Disadvantage:
May have reduced hybrid vigor and may have increased risks of genetic defects if breeder isn’t prudent with the proper background history of parents.

Please note: Breeding a F1 to an F1 is not considered to be an appropriate step in breeding crosses. Two F1's produce on average 40% purebred pups of the Poodle breed, 40% purebred pups of the Golden Ret (or Lab) breed, and only 20% true F2 crosses. The breeders crossing two F1's are not following proper protocol for developing deeper generations. One must first cross an F1 back to a Poodle to produce an F1B. An F1B and an F1 produce the first F2.

Range from small (mini doodles) to large (standard doodles). Note: the size of the doodle will be influenced by the parent lineage. You can not expect that your puppy's size will be an average of the parents sizes. Also note that the size of the doodle is determined by height.

Mini Doodles      13 - 17 inches tall and between 20 - 40 pounds

Medium Doodles 18 - 21 Inches Tall and between 30 - 55 pounds

Standard Doodles   22 - 26 Inches tall and between 55 - 90 pounds

Notation about Coat Color: As the puppy matures into an adult their coat colors may shift or lighten.

Visual Example: Doc (Labradoodle) as a puppy and as an adult.

Example: A deep red may shift to a medium brown with red undertones. Black may shift to have red highlights or silver highlights. There are a few breeders that are producing "nonshifting" deep colors, but that does not tend to be typical. Colors will can also lighten in certain area such as around the nose, brows and ears.

 

 White
(Chedi)

 

 

 

 

Cafe-au-laits - ears are darker than body
(Auggie and Minnie)

 

 

 

 

Golden 
(Gracie)

 

 

 

 

Red
(Grover)

 

 

 

Chocolate
(Jemima)

 

 

 

Silver
(Barney)

 

 

 

Black
(Buddy)

 

 

 

Parti-colors: (more than one color with one color dominate and other colors visually breaking up the solid dominate color)

 

 

Phantom
(Bella)

 

 

 

 

 

Parti
(Chessie)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motleys: incongruous colors (aka Merle, brindle, mosaic, etc.)

 

 

(Nash)

 

 

Coats change as the puppy matures. Most will grow longer and many will fill out.

A good breeder who has extensive exprience will be very capable of determing what type of coat the puppy will have as an adult.  (Winnie as a puppy and as an adult)

 

Goldendoodle Coats

Very Curly (Gus)
High Grooming Needs - Low Shed
Approximately 10% of First Generations will have this type of coat in Goldendoodles. Higher Generations may see this type of coat frequently.

 

 

 

Curly (Casey)
Moderate to high Grooming Needs - Low Shed
Most common

 

 

Wavy (Natalie)
Moderate Grooming Needs - Possible Shed
Most common

 

 

 

Scruffy (Reggie)
Low Grooming Needs - Possible High Shed
Approximately 10% of First Generations will have this type of coat in Goldendoodles.

 

 

 

 

Flat Scruffy (Zeek)
Very Low Grooming Needs - Higher Shed
Approximately 1% of First Generations will have this type of coat in Goldendoodles.

 

 

 

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Labradoodle Coats (note these are not Multi Generation coat examples)

Very Curly (Meeko)
High Grooming Needs - Low Shed
This type of coat is usually seen in Higher Generations. It is not common in First Generation breeding.

 

 

Curly (Austin)
Moderate to HighGrooming Needs - Low Shed
This type of coat is usually seen in Higher Generations. It is not common in First Generation breeding.

 

 

 

 

 

Wavey (Lacy)
Moderate to Low Grooming Needs - Moderate Shedding
Common in First Generation

 

 

 

 

 

Scuffy (Baxter)
Low Grooming Needs - Moderate to High Shed
Very Common in First Generation

 

 

Flat (Bella)
Very Low Grooming Needs - Moderate to High Shed
Somewhat Common in First Generation

 

 

Range from the poodle body structure; lean, deep chest, angular head to the retriever body structure; rounded, broad chest, boxy head. Most doodles will be comprised of an average of the two extremes.

Most Labradoodles and Goldendoodles have Saber Tails

(Casey)

A few may have a more pronoucned curl in their tail (teacup)

(Max)

TAIL DOCKING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! Do not support a breeder who is docking healthy tails.

The doodle is often touted as the perfect dog for allergy or asthma sufferers. Use great caution. If allergies and asthma are serious, we do not recommend you select a doodle. No breeder can guarantee that the puppy will be allergy free. If a family member has only minor allergies, work directly with the breeder to determine which, if any, puppy will be best. Puppies that express more poodle characteristics have the best chance of being allergy friendly.

F1 Goldendoodles have a higher chance of having low shed and allergy friendly attributes than a F1 Labradoodle. If you are considering a Labradoodle, consider a F1B or a Multi Gen.

If you have serious allergies to dust, pollen, and other environmental things, do not get a doodle. Dogs will naturally pick up dust, pollens and such on their fur and skin. You may not be reacting to the dog specifically, but to the agitators that the dog brings in.

Male or Female?  Doodles that have been altered (which is recommended, and often required by breeders) do not generally show any marked differences, their temperaments will be more of an impact to behavior.