Hello, my name’s Valerie and I am the owner of a Clumberdoodle called Bentley. Lately, I’ve been thinking of getting him a playmate.
I’ve seen one or two other Doodles in the village and decided to do some research on them.
Both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles look adorable, especially when they are puppies, and I think one of them may well fit the bill for a second pet.
Comparing the Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle
There are some things that are very similar with these two breeds and others which are very different.
The main differences are:
– Size
– Coat texture and colour
– Temperament
There are similarities between them such as:
– Both are very smart dogs
– Both breeds are loving and loyal
– Both breeds make great family pets
– Both of these lovable breeds have very different parents.
The Goldendoodle is a mix of Poodle and Golden Retriever, while the Labradoodle comes from a Poodle and Labrador combination.
The name Goldendoodle comes from the Golden Retriever side and not from the colour of the coat.
It is very easy to tell the breeds apart with Goldendoodles having longer coats than Labradoodles.
What to Consider When Getting a Dog
There are several things that we should consider before even getting a dog. The choice of which type of dog you get comes down to what you are looking for in a pet.
Whether you live in an apartment or in a house will also dictate the type of dog you get.
If you prefer a calm and more even tempered dog then you may err on the side of the Goldendoodle as they tend to be a little calmer than Labradoodles.
They are often used as therapeutic dogs and are taken into hospitals or nursing homes.
Both of these breeds make good guide dogs, and both are loyal to their masters.
Labradoodles tend to be a little more anxious of new places while Goldendoodles have no problem with adjusting to new homes and places in general.
Overview of the Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross-breed dog, being a mix of golden Retriever and Poodle. The term ‘doodle’ was coined back in 1992.
The first Goldendoodles to be bred were by Monica Dickens in 1969 although they only became popular in the 90’s.
The original idea of the breed was to create a dog which was suitable as a guide dog to people with allergies.
This is because Poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic, they made the perfect mate for the Retrievers who were such family orientated dogs.
Overview of the Labradoodle
Labradoodles are a mixed breed dog, coming from Labradors and Poodles. The Labradoodle became popular in 1988.
The breed was designed to be low shedding so therefore suitable for people with allergies. They were also used for guide dog purposes and were first used in The Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia.
Not all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, although they do not shed nearly as much as other pure breeds.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Size: Which is Bigger?
This is probably the most obvious difference when the dogs reach adulthood.
A standard Labradoodle will slightly outweigh a standard Goldendoodle when they are fully matured.
The parents of the breed reach very similar weights in adulthood, with Labradors weighing 55-80 pounds, Golden retrievers weighing 55-75 pounds, and standard Poodles between 40-70 pounds.
The weight of the fully grown dog largely depends on the weight of the parents, which can vary immensely.
When looking to buy either of these dogs, you should find out the size of the parents, particularly if space is an issue.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle: How do They Behave?
Both the breeds are considered to be loving, loyal and friendly. They are also both very active dogs and make great family pets.
There are some traits that differ between them.
Goldendoodles tend to be the calmer breed although they have very outgoing personalities.
They also have a slightly lower energy level that the Labradoodle, making them perfect for therapy dogs.
Labradoodles have the higher energy level of the two breeds and are also slightly stronger than Goldendoodles. They are more active and energetic.
Because of the combination of traits in Labradoodles, they are often used as guide dogs and for service work.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Life Span: What’s Their Life Expectancy?
Again, the two breeds are very similar in life expectancy.
The Goldendoodle will live to between 10 and 15 years, while the Labradoodle will live between 12-14 years.
Of course, the expected life span is largely dependent on the conditions that they live in and the care that they are afforded.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Health: Are They Prone to Health Conditions?
Because they are a hybrid cross they are both healthier than their parents, although there are some genetic conditions which are carried down to both breeds.
All three parent breeds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia and all of them suffer from eye conditions.
Both the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle will suffer from ear infections if the hair in the ears is allowed to grow long. It is part of the grooming that the hair is plucked out to prevent infections.
Generally both breeds are very healthy but Goldendoodles can suffer from eye and heart diseases, hip and elbow dysplasia, and some cancers.
Labradoodles tend to suffer from exercise-induced collapse, and progressive retinol atrophy (PRA), as well as hip and elbow dysplasia.
When you consider your new pet, make sure that you get the complete medical history of both parents from the breeder. Any breeder who in unwilling to share this should be avoided.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Appearance: What do They Look Like?
The average Labradoodle tends to be slightly larger than the Goldendoodle and although the coats are similar, Labradoodles tend to have short, wiry hair, while Goldendoodles have longer and wavier coats.
Goldendoodles may have coats in shades of red, gold and brown, while Labradoodles have coats of very light creams or blacks.
Because of the poodle influence there may be short, curly hair in different places of the body. This may be on different places on every pup in the litter and in varying amounts.
The tight curls need to be frequently brushed otherwise they will mat and tangle.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle: What Kind of Coats do They Have?
Both breeds are very smart looking dogs!
Goldendoodles hair tends to be longer than the Labradoodle hair and may be either straight or wavy. The Labradoodle normally has shorter hair and it is a little wiry and wavy.
Goldendoodle colours do not vary a lot from the gold/red/brown spectrum, while Labradoodles coats can often come in a tri-colour combination which many people find attractive.
They also come in black, red, chocolate cream and white, either plain or in any combination.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Grooming: How Much do They Require?
Both dogs are as close to being hypoallergenic as you can get, although there is no pet that is 100% hypoallergenic.
The Goldendoodle typically has longer hair than the Labradoodle although both breeds must be groomed every day to prevent knots and tangles.
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Neither of the breeds is considered to be high shedders, and regular grooming will keep any loose hair under control.
Bathing is normally kept to every six weeks or so with both breeds. A regular appointment with a groomer will take care of keeping the ears in good condition.
The fur between the toes of both breeds must be kept trimmed as this is where ticks and other debris can collect unnoticed.
If shedding is an issue in your choice of dog, then you may want to consider getting an F2 puppy. This is a pup who is bred from two true doodles rather than from a Poodle and another dog.
The F2 pup from two true doodles will produce a coat that hardly sheds at all. Not to say that they will not need grooming.
This means that you need to set aside some time every day to brush your pooch. If this is an issue, then you may consider another type of pet that does not take up too much time.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Training: Can They be Trained Easily?
If you look at the parents of the breeds you will find that all three breeds are very intelligent. It stands to reason that the offspring will be smart. Both of these doodle breeds are very clever, indeed.
Goldendoodles tend to be a little ‘mouthy’ so early training is needs to stop this. Labradoodles tend not to have this trait.
If you plan for your dog to do any physical work, the you will find that the Labradoodle is the stronger of the breeds and would be a better choice.
Because Labradoodles are more reserved than Goldendoodles, there may be a tendency for them to display more guarding attitudes than Goldendoodles, particularly if they are not well-socialised.
Labradoodles can also display a rough and tumble side due to the fact that they take longer to mature than Goldendoodles.
As long as regular training is in place, neither breed displays problematic guarding tendencies. Both breeds are very willing to please their owners. This makes them quick learners and quite easy to train.
For both breeds, training should be an ongoing affair, otherwise they can become unruly.
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Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Availability: Are They a Rare Dog Breed?
Because all three of the parent breeds are now widely available, there is no difficulty in acquiring either a Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle.
Unfortunately, because of their popularity, many puppy farms have sprung up and pups from unhealthy parents are easy to come by.
It is worth checking out a reputable breeder before you buy your pup.
You may have to place your name on a waiting list in order to get a pup, but this is far better than supporting unhealthy breeding trends and ending up with a pup who has health or behavioural problems.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Diet: What do They Eat?
Both breeds will benefit from a good quality dry food. Dry kibble will also help to keep their teeth in good condition.
Goldendoodles are susceptible to food allergies so you should stay away from corn, wheat, soy and dairy products, or at least keep them to a minimum.
Grain-free dry food is the better option for them. The first ingredient on the food ingredient list should be meat.
Goldendoodles love treats! If you do give them, then make sure that they are good quality.
Recommended amount of dry food is 1 – 2.5 cups per day and this should be divided into two servings, instead of one large one. This will prevent the chances of Boat (gastric tension).
Labradoodles should eat about the same, and also have high quality dry food twice a day.
The exact amount of food will depend on how active your dog is.
Both dogs have a tendency to eat lots! You will need to monitor their weight regularly to ensure that they don’t get fat.
You should be able to feel buy not see ribs, and also be able to see the waist.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Family Dog: Are They Good With Children?
This is possibly the most important point to consider when getting a pooch. You will find that both these breeds are excellent with families, they both make great pets as they are both well-tempered and loving.
There are some things to consider when buying a dog for children and families such as energy levels.
You will find that the Goldendoodle has more ‘zest for life’, in fact this breed is enthusiastic about everything, from playing with a ball to meeting new people.
The Goldendoodle has been said to be unrelentingly happy because of its enthusiasm for life.
If both dogs were put into a room, the Goldendoodle would not hesitate to run up to a person, while the Labradoodle would be inclined to hesitate until he was sure all was okay.
Labradoodles may sometimes appear to be stand-offish, while Goldendoodles have no regards for ‘personal space’.
While both dogs are exceptionally friendly, the Labradoodle will make sure all is well before introducing himself.
He is less excitable and slower to warm up towards strangers, while the Goldendoodle has no problem heading over to say hello.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Environment: Where Are They Best Suited?
Both breeds have high energy levels and both love to run and play fetch games. Both breeds also love water and swimming.
Because of the high energy levels both breeds need regular exercise otherwise they will develop behavioural problems due to boredom.
If you are looking for a docile dog, who has no objection to lazing around the house, then neither of these breeds will work for you.
As for temperament, well, you will find that the Labradoodle is more protective to its family, but both are mild tempered. Even though the Labradoodle has this trait, it is not classed as an aggressive breed.
An interesting fact here is that while both breeds would make poor guard dogs, they do make very good watch dogs.
They will bark at a stranger coming to the house, and because of the size, the bark can sound quite ferocious and intimidating.
Both breeds need space to move in, so apartment living does not suit either breed. Neither breed is nervous so noise does not generally alarm them.
Both breeds need exercise so you need to be able to take them out regularly to open fields or the countryside where they can get their exercise.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Running Costs: Are They Expensive to Look After?
Grooming costs are much the same for each breed. They will both need visits to the groomer every two months or so.
Both breeds need good quality food and will eat a good amount, so if this is a factor in either storage space or finance, then you may consider a smaller dog.
Both breeds are healthy so vet visits would amount to the same, unless they get sick or injured. Regular vaccinations and check-ups would amount to about the same.
Final Thoughts: Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle
So, to sum up the difference between the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle.
Both are great breeds and make excellent family pets. Both are incredibly loyal and loving.
The Goldendoodle is a little more friendly towards other people, while the Labradoodle is a little more family-focused and will hold back before greeting people.
Both breeds have their health problems, although buying from a reputable breeder and having regular vet checks will keep most of these health problems under control.
Both breeds need more space than an apartment can provide, and both need regular exercise to keep them healthy and prevent them from getting bored.
As for their coats, both breeds need regular grooming and brushing frequently to prevent knots and tangles, although the long hair of the Goldendoodle is more likely to get knotted if left unbrushed.
So, you need to make sure that you can set aside some time every day to do this.
Truthfully, when it comes to choosing between these two breeds, I think both are amazing!
I would be hard pressed to choose one over the other, and I am convinced that whichever breed you pick, you will fall head-over-heels in love as soon as you meet your new pup!
