Does anyone own a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?

[samedaydifferent]

We have sadly lost our beloved cockapoo last year.
We feel that we are just about ready for a new dog to join our household and have been discussing breeds.

We are curious about labradoodles and goldendoodles. In part because of their hypoallergenic aspect as my lovely FIL (who will visit a lot more once this pandemic eases) is allergic to dogs but has been managing great with our cockapoo and we want to minimise any potential reactions. Also because we've met a Labradoodle on our walks and they seem lovely and our DCs were great with it.

We are moving to a larger house with a big garden and are semi rural so plenty of walking routes and it's our main activity. I also WFH PT and will do the majority of the time for the foreseeable future (unrelated to covid).

We are considering a F1b or a F2 standard Labradoodle puppy (higher chance of the hypoallergenic / non shedding gene) but want to do thorough research before we make a jump to a larger dog.
I grew up with large dogs but they were always farm dogs for "guarding" purposes and lived outside - which is not what we are planning to do.
Apart from that we've always had smaller indoor breeds.

Could anyone who owns or is knowledgable about these breeds and could maybe give us a bit of insight into owning one of these dogs?

Owning a poodle has been a revelation I'd have had a standard but it was too big for us

Sorry one more 😀

My relatives have a golden doodle and I’m not a fan. I think you’d have to be on training straight from the get-go; they treat their dogs like children and cosset them a lot. Her dog is up at the window barking at everyone that goes past, jumps up at strangers, is is very reactive and easily goaded by other dogs, steals food, pulls people over when it’s on the lead, and eats weird things that aren’t food - socks, paper money, tissues, a green washing up scourer etc, which are then regurgitated up later in the day. And it’s huge.

I have two standard goldendoodles and love them. I think they are the best, most lovable and friendly dogs BUT they do shed! Nowhere near as much as a standard dog but if you move my sofa, there are fluff tufts under there. They are also huge so you need a big car with a huge boot to fit them in. Mine manage to go 3 months between grooms but I still pay £140 a time for the both of them.

I think if shedding is your main concern, go with a full poodle.

I’ve got a mini labxpoodle and he sheds everywhere, so if it’s a serious allergy I’d get a poodle!!!
He is so friendly, gentle and amazing with my kids, but extremely hyper and full of energy. He’s 3 but still behaves like a pup in a lot of ways.

A neighbour has a labradoodle and it’s the weirdest looking thing - whereas I see a standard poodle in the park regularly and it’s beautiful! The labradoodle isn’t very well behaved either but that might be down to training.

A relative has one. It's huge! Sheds like mad, bouncy, boisterous, very 'mouthy', no recall, very difficult to train. Basically won't do as it's told. But a lot of this may be training. Absolutely gorgeous to look at mind. And very loving. But I'd never consider having one. I did read somewhere that the designer of the labradoodle regrets ever doing so. Reading that put me off too.

There was a thread on here a while ago with people saying how absolutely bonkers their standard poodles are though. That puts me off.

Hi! We have a F1b miniature labradoodle. We were looking for a poodle to be honest but found her litter by accident and utterly fell in love with them all, and with her mum! She’s an absolute dream. Toilet trained easily, slept through quickly. She’s so intelligent it blows my mind - very, very easy to train. She’s wonderful with DC and they utterly adore her.

She does shed ever so slightly, but we only notice on things like our duvet if she’s been on the bed (rare tbh). It’s nothing like what my mum’s cavalier is like! I’m allergic and she doesn’t set me off at all.

We all love her so much, she’s just the best dog. She’s everybody’s friend!

We have a standard size goldendoodle. He's definitely not crazy, hardly barks and has good recall. He gets a lot of walking with us - three walks a day - and generally lazes around the rest of the time. He's coming up to three. Everyone loves him and says they want a dog just like him - only smaller.
His size is only really an issue when I trip over him in the kitchen and I can't really bring him in the car by myself as he likes to be helped in and I'm not strong enough to carry him.

I have a labradoodle. She's a twat 😁

Go for a poodle, I would next time.

My DB has a labradoodle. She's the loveliest sweetest dog ever but god does she shed! And makes my very mild pet hair allergy go mad!

Thank you for so much insight.
We are still very much weighing up all the options. We both love the idea of a large dog but not sure how much different it is in practice to our previous little cockapoo.

Also could anyone recommend websites or where to look for reputable breeders?

@samedaydifferent I also have a cockerpoo , I compromised with my ex-H he wanted a spaniel and I wanted a poodle. My current H has allowed me free reign this time.
Both highly intelligent and easy to training. Both super loving and people focused, both mummies boys, but also love the rest of the family.
Both land sharks as pups, cockerpoo learned bite inhibition and baby is getting there.
Both as mad as a box of frogs and obsessed with tennis balls. Poodle is showing signs he might be a tV watcher like his great Aunty.
Poodle can have health screening - hip and elbow dysplasia, genetic screening for PRA and Von willebrands. Breeder studied pedigrees and has ensured line is free from JKD. She breeds for temperament above all. I know I am getting she has 15 adult poodles all relatives of my boy.
Child proof that is mostly how you bring them and the children up together.

Thanks @Lonecatwithkitten - do you mind if I ask is yours a standard poodle? It doesn't look as large as I thought in the picture.

Met a few on the dog walking circuit and they seem highly strung, zoom around in the most manic way and need endless amounts of exercise. Too full on for me personally.

I am left exhausted parting ways after they have been playing with my giant breed puppy. She is very relaxed around all dogs.

My standard poodle is the sweetest dog I've ever had. She's great with my small GC. Absolutely loves her family. Has the goofball zoomies morning and evening (she's still only 15 months) but other than that is always gentle and calm.
She was a breeze to housetrain and literally did not have a bitey puppy stage. She still very gently mouths my hands during her morning zoomies but has never, ever nipped. Makes the whole puppy stage so easy!
She's incredibly affectionate and cuddly. Can you tell that I adore her??
I always say that she's the nicest person I know.

Relay she's stunning 😍

Met a black Standard poodle 🐩 today. Gorgeous dogs🙂

Eekay sorry! Silly phone!

This is my gorgeous labradoodle, we got him at 6 months, I must admit he was a complete knob for a year, ripped up two sofas. He is 5 now, the most calmest, gentle boy you could wish for, great with children, has fleecy fur, which does slightly shed, usually when he's due a groom.

We’ve got a labradoodle, he is the loveliest dog, very good with children, completely motivated by food, needs two one hour walks a day though & the puppy years were mental, puppy classes definitely helped me

@blowinahoolie thankyou I should add, she's not allowed on the bed: that photo was taken the day my DH went back to the office. She'd let herself into the bedroom and made herself a nest on his pillows.

We’ve got a cockerpoo after a lifetime of retrievers and labradors and I have to say I love the smaller size! Easier in the car, easier to fit on the sofa or sleeping on the bed. Great temperament. Happy to have a full day out in the hills or a quieter day mooching in the garden.

@Eekay gorgeous!

Funny you say that about how easy your girl was as a puppy. My mini poodle was also so easy! Quick to toilet train, never nipped or bit, barely chewed and even when he did it was the odd small toy my kids had forgotten to pick up, nothing else ever.

He seemed to know that my youngest (7) didn't like him jumping up even as a puppy. She can get overwhelmed and have meltdowns but my mini just licks her feet or brings her a toy. He fusses her out of it basically. He's amazing with my kids.

My nephew is 2 and they play the cutest game of fetch and my mini stays so calm and patient when I know he's desperate for a good game.

He also slept through with no mess from his first night when he was 10 weeks old!

@Lonecatwithkitten I also have a standard poodle, he’s a big doofus. He’s silly and loving and so gentle. I second the poodle choice.