Labradoodle Personality

[Alex Argyros]

First, let say how informative and friendly this board is. As a prospective labradoodle owner, I have a question:

My current dog is a Spinone and the one before that was a Golden. They're both wonderful dogs that I love(d) dearly, however, their personalities are very different. My Spinone is very affectionate with me and my immediate family, but rather indifferent to the rest of the world. He is clearly bonds very strongly with a few people and displays immense loyalty to them. My golden, on the other hand, loved everyone. He was very attached to us, but I had the feeling that he would happily go off with any stranger offering him kindless.

My question is: are Doodles (Golden and/or Labra) more like my Spinone or my Golden? I know that all breeds display a wide range of temperaments, so my question may be impossible to answer, but any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Alex

[kegdawg]

Dexter loves the world. When we go to the dog park, he'll go up to every person looking for attention. He'll literally sits at their feet staring up until they pet him...such an attention doodle. If he doesn't get attention (or gets his fill), he move on to the next target.

All dogs are different. Speak with a breeder regarding the temperament of your potential doodle.

[annieG]

Unlike Dexter who Tanner looks like, Tanner has bonded to Tim, our daughter Kim and me. He will not go up to strangers...he will lay at my feet when I stop to talk to someone. His doodle buddy, Cooper, is also wary of strangers. Tanner loves other dogs and thinks they all want to be his buds..but not their owners. He is very laid back and he is calm in a group of people but he has no desire for affection from anyone else

[turtleaut]

Chloe is very young but so far she hasn't met a stranger and seems to be afraid of nothing.

Chase, my 8 yr old lab, is the total opposite. He is the definition of a "mama's boy". Very shy and afraid of his own shadow.

I think each is unique in their own way...just like people!

[Tink]

I'm currently waiting for my first labradoodles to be born... I do have a standard poodle sire and 2 Lab dams. They're all of the mind that everyone on the planet loves them and just can't wait to pet and love on them. If you crave doggy kisses, mine is the house to visit!

I'm expecting that because the pups will have this extrovert gene from both sides, and will have seen it in their parents prior to going to their forever homes, that they too will be this way. That's been my experience in the past with GSDs, so that's what I've based this assumption on.

I'd encourage you to meet and interact with the parents of any pups you're considering to see how they act. There is a range, but that should give you the best idea. Another factor is of course, their early socialization. They really need to be handled and shown early on that they're safe and valued so that part is up to the breeder.

[Jac]

Hello Alex, welcome!
As you can see, from your own experience and the variety of answers you have already received, your question is a tough one to answer.
I believe it depends on several things:
1) Parent dog's temperament
2) Puppy care and socialization
3) Good health
4) Allowing them to trust their instincts (they really do know when people are good or bad) and don't force relationships
5) Continued training and socialization by the owners.
Sometimes we don't even see it happening, but we can "train" a dog to be anti-social toward the general public...in our case, our dogs are loving and adore strangers...IF we are there to introduce them. But what I have found is that because we have so many dogs and because we are pretty much "home bound" by our breeding circumstances (and wanting to avoid risk of parvo) that our dogs bond and play with each other extremely well, they are very loyal and loving to my family and when I am near them, the love the interaction of strangers...unless they are exposed to a group of people coming at them at once. They they get a bit overwhelmed.
So, if you take your pup to puppy kindergarten (always keep him safe from bacteria and germs until he has his final shots) and take him to playgrounds to see and play with children, walk with him downtown and take him to grocery stores...anywhere you can. He will be very well socialized and you are there to correct any bad behavior and reward good behavior.
Still, do allow him to let you know when he wants out. If he feels like you will protect him, he won't have a need to growl or snap to protect himself.
In general, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are very, very friendly and loving animals...but like all animals, they learn behaviors as they grow. So, nurture the good things and redirect (not punish) the bad...and life will be great with your pup.
Also, stay in contact with your breeder for help and advice!

[ellabee]

My doodle thinks and expects that EVERYONE will be his friend - other dogs or other people. He's a tail-waggin' nut. It's like he's going to be mayor one day....

But as Jac said, I did a lot of socialization with him right from the get-go. In the car with me, to the park with my kids, I'd bring a bunch of treats with me and go up to just about everyone I saw and asked them to give Dexter a treat, and they were happy to oblige. At his puppy-k class they said pups should meet "100 new people a day". I don't know if we ever hit that goal, but he's been meeting people all his life. I'm sure this has imprinted well upon him.

[MaxandMe]

I have a labradoodle and goldendoodle.

Max sticks real close to me and very friendly though but can be reserved with strangers but not dogs. my family calls him a 'mama's boy" hahahaa he never strays far from my side. he is always happy, listens really well and learns things extremely fast.

peanut acts so much like a golden retriever hahahaha i think she'd go with anyone and not have a care in the world hahahahhaa she is so friendlywith everyone and every dog! when she wags her tail her whole body wags. She is so happy all the time and is a little stinker teenger at the moment hahhahahahaa

both are inquisitive, comical, love to be around us. Peanut doesn't shed and max does a little.

eitehr way, these doodle dogs have awesome temperaments, so lovable in all ways, sweet as pie, and the list continues

they're grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!!

getting a dooodle based on Temperament 1st is a good way to go

[seazr]

It’s hard to add to what the others have said! Dakota is a “social butterfly!” He loves all people and all dogs! –-Overly so. There is a thread on this site, somewhere, talking about Dakota and a few of the other doodles that over-love. I had feared that if someone stopped their car and invited him in, he would "jump at the chance." Now, I'm not so sure. He is really beginning to seek our permission through eye contact rather than make his own decisions. And I like that!

We intentionally socialized Dakota as early as we thought safe. Our vacation home is the target of many drop-in visitors and our last dog had a hard time dealing with that. Dakota thinks the more the merrier!

[lmtoth2]

Lynn - that's funny what you said about your Dexter "expecting" everyone else to be his friend. Our Dexter is the same way. He finally had a somewhat bad experience at the dog park a month ago where a dog was really not friendly and pinned Dexter until he was crying. Since then he's been a little more hoping the dogs will be his friend, but doesn't seem to expect it as much.

I want to think Dex loves us more than other humans, but I'm not totally sure. He does leave willingly with us when we tell him it's time to go from the dog park so I'll say he prefers us

[blueteal]

Denver is also the " I love everybody and every animal "
kind of Doodle but will always keep me within his site
and we are very closely bonded. He has bonded close to my husband
as well but others will tell you that he is a Mommy's boy.

[Maureen]

Hello! I would totally agree with Jacque's careful answer, and the variety is clear. I believe (and I'm biased I'm sure) that the socialization that Doodle puppies of every variety get are huge factors in how people-oriented they are. I'm sure there's a DNA component, but my mom dogs and the sires we use are all family pets anyway, so I think it's hard to know where the family life cuts from the genetic.

Poodles have a more aloof reputation, but the one that we have that we raised from 8wks old is as loving and devoted as a Lab so who knew?

[2kidsNadog]

Our Cody believes everyone is his friend. Funny, but he's a bit more reserved with other dogs - not much - but a tad more then with people.

I totally agree that all dogs are different - and not just labradoodles or goldendoodles, but all dogs within and across breeds.

[gene]

Jonah....what can I say..... This is him in a nutshell...."hey old buddy, how've you been, my best friend in the world!!" This greeting goes out to ALL people, animals, toys, sticks, rocks, grass, etc.!

Miko to this day is my velcro dog. She is becoming much better. She actually lets one of my neighbors grand kids pet her. And she now stretches up the fence on the other side to let my neighbor Kathy pet her. She also is doing much better with my family. She no longer sees them as a threat of being taken away!

[ellabee]

Originally Posted by gene

This greeting goes out to ALL people, animals, toys, sticks, rocks, grass, etc.!

Heh heh heh...cute description

She also is doing much better with my family. She no longer sees them as a threat of being taken away!

Good girl Miko...keep it up!! Your dad is yours FOREVER, remember that!