In your search for the perfect new family member, selecting the right Doodle breed is step one. You have many options and all are great in their own way. There are gentle giants (Bernedoodles, Pyredoodles, Golden-Pyredoodles, etc.) There are smaller “lap-Doodles” (mini-Aussiedoodles, Yorkiepoos, mini-Goldendoodles, etc.) And there are lots of medium sized Doodles with wide-ranging temperaments (Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Australian Mountain Doodles, Bordoodles and many others.) Amazing dogs all, but they all have their drawbacks.
This is the third post in a series devoted to each Doodle breed. We hope this info will help you decide which is the perfect Doodle breed for you. We love them all, but they’re all very different!
English Labradoodles: The Refined Gentleman of Doodles
While many people are familiar with traditional Labradoodles, our English Labradoodles offer something truly special. These aren’t just any Labradoodles – they come from our fantastic line of AKC English Labs, which brings a distinctive refinement and elegance to the classic Labradoodle temperament.
English Labrador Retrievers have a different build and temperament than their American counterparts. They tend to be stockier, with broader heads, shorter legs, and a calmer, more laid-back personality. When you cross these wonderful traits with the intelligence and low-shedding coat of a Poodle, you get an English Labradoodle – a dog that embodies the best of both worlds with that signature English refinement.
What makes English Labradoodles so special?
That English Lab temperament: The most significant difference you’ll notice is temperament. English Labs are known for being more mellow and less “hyper” than American Labs, especially as puppies. They still love to play and exercise, but they have an “off switch” – they’re perfectly content to relax and be calm family companions when it’s time to settle down.
Superior breeding lines: Our English Labradoodles come from championship AKC English Lab lines, which means you’re getting dogs with proven temperaments, health testing, and generations of careful breeding behind them. This isn’t just about looks – it’s about predictable, excellent qualities being passed down to your puppy.
Calmer energy levels: While still active and playful, English Labradoodles tend to be less intense than their American Lab counterparts. They’re wonderful for families who want an active dog but don’t want to feel like they’re living with a four-legged tornado!
Excellent family dogs: The combination of the English Lab’s gentle nature with the Poodle’s intelligence creates dogs that are incredibly intuitive and responsive to their families. They seem to naturally understand when it’s time to play and when it’s time to be calm.
Classic Labradoodle benefits: You still get all the wonderful Labradoodle traits – potentially lower shedding, high intelligence, trainability, and that wonderful Labrador friendliness that makes them excellent with children and other pets.
Sturdy build: English Labradoodles often inherit the stockier English Lab build, making them substantial, well-balanced dogs that are sturdy enough for active families but not overwhelming.
What about potential drawbacks?
They can be food motivated… very food motivated: English Labs are notorious for their love of food, and this trait often passes to English Labradoodles. While this makes training easier (they’ll do anything for a treat!), it also means you need to be careful about weight management and securing your kitchen counters!
Grooming requirements remain: Like all Doodles, they’ll need fairly regular brushing and maybe professional grooming from time to time. The Poodle coat doesn’t maintain itself, regardless of which Lab parent they have. (The trade-off for less shedding!)
Water obsession: If there’s water nearby, your English Labradoodle will likely find it. Pools, ponds, mud puddles – they love it all. This can be wonderful if you enjoy water activities, but it means more baths and muddy paw prints if you’re not prepared!
Potential for weight gain: The English Lab love of food combined with their slightly calmer energy levels means these dogs can put on weight if their diet and exercise aren’t managed.
Size considerations: English Labradoodles are typically medium to large dogs (45-70 pounds), so they need space and aren’t ideal for tiny living spaces.
- Shedding – 0 = no expected shedding at all; 10 = we expect this breed to shed excessively.
- Trainability – Prediction of dog’s ability to learn basic life necessities (walk on leash, sleep in kennel, etc., as well as basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, place, etc.) 0 = not trainable at all; 10 = likely to respond extremely well to training.
- Temperament – Some experts use the terms temperament and personality interchangeably. For this study, we’ll separate the two. For temperament, we’ll consider the dog’s basic, biologically inherited traits. In this chart we’ll measure temperament in the context of how well the dogs fit in with a typical family, versus other Doodle breeds. 0= poor; 10 = excellent.
- Personality – We’ll define personality as how the dogs tend to develop in their environment, starting with its natural temperament. Much of this depends on how the dog is raised, of course. We’ll measure this again versus other Doodle breeds. 0= poor; 10 = excellent.
- Good with kids – Some breeds are inherently more patient with kids. This number represents where the dog would rank versus other Doodle breeds. 0 = poor; 10 = excellent.
- Grooming – Grooming is directly tied to the shedding category. Dogs that shed less need to be groomed more. This measures the amount of grooming required versus the purebred breed counterpart. (All Doodle breeds will be similar.) 0 = no need for grooming; 10 = regular grooming is required.
- Energy Level – This category measures the breed’s need for exercise, versus that of other Doodle breeds. 0 = no exercise needed; 10 = regular exercise is expected.
- Lifespan – Since this chart ends at “10”, we’ll have a number of breeds that have longer lifespans. (The “minis” can live much longer than 10 years, for example, while a medium might range between 9-12 years.) So if a breed exceeds 10 years, ask us for follow up information on that specific breed. For this chart, the number represents what we predict to be an average lifespan.
- Cost – We’ll measure cost of any particular Doodle breed in contrast to the other Doodle breeds. 0 = low cost; 10 – typically very expensive.
The English difference in action
I’ve watched countless families fall in love with the English Labradoodle temperament. While American Lab crosses can sometimes be a bit much for families with young children or seniors, English Labradoodles seem to naturally adjust their energy to match their family’s needs. They’re playful when you want to play, but they’re also perfectly happy to be couch companions during movie night.
One family told me their English Labradoodle somehow knows when their elderly grandmother visits and becomes incredibly gentle and calm around her, but transforms back into a playful companion when the grandkids arrive. That’s the English Lab intuition at work!
Bottom line: is an English Labradoodle the right Doodle breed for you?
English Labradoodles are ideal for families who want the classic Labradoodle qualities but with a more refined, calmer temperament. They’re perfect if you want a dog that can keep up with active family life but won’t drive you crazy with endless energy.
These dogs are particularly wonderful for families with children, seniors, or anyone who appreciates a dog with natural “good manners.” They tend to be easier to live with than higher-energy Doodle variations while still being engaging, intelligent companions.
If you’re looking for a terrific family dog with exceptional lineage, excellent temperament, and that classic Doodle coat, an English Labradoodle might be exactly what you’re looking for. They truly are the refined gentlemen of the Doodle world!
