The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix is a designer dog that has a rich working and pet history from Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle lines. Known as a Double Doodle, these affectionate, intelligent, loyal dogs are medium to large sized and weigh up to 80lbs. They have long wavy coats that come in a range of colors and are often low shedding, if not hypoallergenic. Today we’ll share the typical traits of this hybrid dog breed, and look at what they need in terms of diet, care and training. Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix puppies when raised right can make incredible service dogs, therapy companions, hunting partners and family pets too.
Contents
- What is a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix?
- Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix appearance
- Grooming and shedding
- Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix size
- Temperament traits and personality
- Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix training
- Health and life expectancy
- Are Goldendoodle Labradoodle mixes good pets?
No one can resist a doodle, so when you put two of the most popular doodles together, you end up with a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix. These adorable double doodles make great family pets and are the friendliest, most intelligent, and loyal dogs you can meet. If you are thinking of bringing a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix into your home, read our complete guide to see if this hybrid designer dog is the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
What is a Double Doodle?
The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mixed breed is often known as a Double Doodle, because they come from two separate families of designer dogs. The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix combines two Poodle crossbreeds – the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle. But this is not your typical mixed breed. It unites not two but three different dog genetics of the Poodle, Golden Retriever, and the Labrador, making a fascinating combination!
Where Do Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mixes Come From?
The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix is a relatively new hybrid designer dog that has only been around for about fifteen years, so it has little history. The Poodle, Golden Retriever and Labrador were all initially working gundogs, bred to retrieve game from the water, and renowned for their excellent swimming skills.
Their good natures and trainability have allowed these working dogs to transition smoothly as family dogs and companions.
The Labradoodle first came about in Australia in 1988 when the Guide Dog Association of Australia needed a non-shedding dog suitable for training as a guide dog. Monica Dickens, the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, bred the first Goldendoodle in 1969, but the breed’s popularity didn’t take off until the 1990s, and they too were used as guide dogs.
Their desired personality traits and attractive appearance have made these two hybrid dogs extremely popular as pets.
Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Appearance
As you can imagine, with a mixture of three different dog breeds, the appearance and size of the Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix vary quite considerably. A puppy can inherit physical traits from any of the parent breeds, and puppies in the same litter can each look different.
The coat can be either long, curly, wavy, or wiry, coming in a range of colors: white, black, brown, cream, golden or tan. They have dark button eyes, a broad snout and long, floppy ears, but their face shape varies from puppy to puppy.
Grooming Your Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix
The fur of a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix can vary, and grooming requirements will depend on whether it has a shedding or non-shedding coat. Double Doodles with a long, non-shedding coat will require regular brushing to keep them tangle-free. Every few weeks, many owners may take their dogs to a professional groomer to trim the fur, making it more manageable.
Doodles with shedding coats also need brushing to remove dirt but will not require clipping. They will shed moderately all year round but will shed twice a year heavily, so it is good to use de-shedding tools to help the process.
You must clean their ears at least once a week and brush their teeth daily to prevent a build-up of tartar. It would be best to trim the nails once a month if they don’t wear down naturally.
Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Size
Double Doodles are usually medium-sized dogs measuring 23 to 25 inches tall and weighing anywhere from forty to eighty pounds. It is more difficult to predict the potential size of a puppy if a Miniature Poodle is in the mix rather than a Standard Poodle.
Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Temperament
With such a mixture of breeds, is it difficult to predict the temperament of the Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix? To better understand the possible outcome, we need to look at the different breeds.
The Golden Retriever and the Labrador have similar personalities being active, intelligent, and obedient. They are dogs who love being around people and other dogs. Poodles are also energetic and extremely smart, being incredibly loyal to their families. However, they can be shy around other people and dogs and often show signs of stubbornness.
It is important to remember that any Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix will have a large portion of the gorgeous curly Poodle in them, so you must like the temperament of this breed.
Are Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mixes Friendly?
As you can probably see, the three breeds involved in the Double Doodle have similar traits. All of them being friendly, affectionate, energetic, and loyal. Bred as working dogs, they are all extremely intelligent and easy to train, and this mixed breed can make an excellent therapy dog.
With its hunting background, the Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix will bark at strangers, making it a good watchdog. But because they love people so much, don’t expect them to be any good as a guard dog! The Double Doodle is great with children but make sure an adult constantly supervises them.
Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Training
With its working dog background, the Double Doodle is very responsive to training and learns quickly. However, they may possess the Poodle’s stubbornness. You need to start the training process early using positive reinforcement methods.
An adult Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix is an energetic dog that requires up to two hours of daily exercise. Including time off the leash to run around and play games. These dogs are perfect for active families, making good cycling or running companions.
Health and Lifespan
Mixed breeds are often healthier than purebred dogs, but the Double Doodle can inherit conditions common in the parent breeds. The main health problems they may face include:
- Eye diseases – cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy
- Orthopaedic conditions – hip and elbow dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Arthritis
- Bloat – Food and gas become trapped in the stomach
- Thyroid disease
- Cancer
- Obesity
The average lifespan of the Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix is 12 to 15 years old.
Do Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Dogs Make Good Pets?
The Double Doodle is a fascinating breed that is good-natured, affectionate, and extremely intelligent. And because they are a mixed breed of a mixed breed, they have fewer health problems enjoying a long lifespan.
They make an excellent pet providing it is in the right home and do best with an active family who can give the time necessary to meet their high exercise requirements.
More Labradoodle Mixes
- Beagle Labradoodle mix
- Labradoodle Husky mix
- Border Collie Labradoodle mix
- Pitbull Labradoodle mix
- Bernese Labradoodle Mix Care and Traits
References and Resources
- Gould, David – Clinical assessment of cataracts in dogs, In Practice, 2002
- Leighton, EA – Genetics of canine hip dysplasia, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1997