Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are probably two of the most popular Poodle mixes. One is a cross of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, while the other one is a Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix. Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are very similar as it is, so similar that many people often confuse them. That’s why it’s no surprise that their two Doodle mixes will look pretty similar as well. However, there are some important differences between these two hybrid dogs. So, Goldendoodle VS Labradoodle, who wins?
We will go over all of the most important facts about each designer breed. Yes, both of them would make amazing family pets. And yes, both of them are absolutely adorable. However, there are some differences in their personalities, health, maintenance, and more. That means that one of them could fit better into your lifestyle than the other. So let’s dive in and see which of these two breeds should be your next pet.
Labradoodle origins
The Labradoodle is a relatively new breed of designer dog in the canine world. In 1989, an Australian blind woman with allergies asked the Royal Guide Dog Association to design a guide dog for her. The hypoallergenic Poodle and the Labrador Retriever were chosen because they would be kind to allergy sufferers while yet having the characteristics of an aid dog. These dogs are known to be smart, kind, and amazing companions. We personally like the Black Labradoodle the most!
Since the Labradoodle is not a purebred puppy, he cannot be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). He is eligible for registration with the American Australian Labradoodle Association (ALAA). He is swiftly rising to the top of the list of designer dog hybrids. These dogs are popular amongst A-list celebrities as well, such as Jennifer Aniston, Tiger Woods, Christine Brinkley, and even Barack Obama considered adopting one!
Source: Instagram (@mosethereddoodle)
Goldendoodle origins
The history of the Goldendoodle is pretty blurred, however, it is believed that he came after the Labradoodle. In fact, many people believe that the Labradoodle was the inspiration behind this designer breed. Just like many other designer dogs, the Goldendoodle increased in popularity during the 90s. Similarly the Labradoodle, these dogs have sweet personalities, high IQs, and a lot of affection to give to their owners.
He is also ineligible for AKC registration. But you can register him with the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA). There are many Goldendoodle influencers out there, one of them is Samson the Dood. He has an incredibly popular Instagram page, so make sure to check it out. The Goldendoodle is popular amongst celebrities as well. Some of them include John Travolta, Bradley Cooper, Kenny Chesney, and Usher.
Appearance: Goldendoodle VS Labradoodle
To someone who isn’t experienced with Doodle breeds, these two dogs could look almost identical. However, there is some difference in their appearance. The first difference that most would notice is their coat. The Labrador has a shorter coat than the Golden, so their offspring will have a slightly different coat as well. The coat of a Labradoodle will be shorter and wirier, while the one of a Goldendoodle usually is a bit silkier. In addition to that, Labradoodles also come in more colors. However, we will talk more about the color of their coat later in the article.
Other than that, both of these breeds look like living giant teddy bears. They have round and dark eyes and an adorable button-shaped nose. Their ears are floppy and fall on the sides of their head, giving them even more of a stuffed animal look. Their tails are usually long and fluffy. However, the tail hairs on the Goldendoodle are usually a bit longer, making his tail look even fluffier.
Colors
Now, this is going to be a bit confusing. But long story short, both of these breeds come in a variety of different, beautiful colors. Remember that the coat color of each breed is determined by both parent breeds, and not just one. The Golden Retriever comes in three different colors: Cream, golden, and red. Their golden color can be light, medium, or deep. The Labrador Retriever comes in three colors as well: black, yellow, and brown. These colors come in many different shades. When it comes to Poodles, the color options are much bigger. They come in a variety of colors, from white, black, apricot, chocolate, red, parti-colored, grey, and more.
As a result of that, you have many color options available for both of these dog breeds. The Labradoodle coat does have slightly more variety, but not significantly. Labradoodles can be white, chocolate, cream, brown, red, gold, apricot, black, lavender, blue, and shades of silver and grey. Goldendoodles can be white, cream, black, brown, sable, red, and silver.
Is a Goldendoodle bigger than a Labradoodle?
Not really. In fact, they are pretty similar in size. However, don’t forget that there are three different sizes of the Poodle available, and the size of your Goldendoodle and Labradoodle will depend on the size of his Poodle parent. But most of these dogs are a cross of the Standard Poodle, which is the biggest one out of the three sizes. In addition to that, the Labrador Retriever is usually a bit bigger than the Golden Retriever, so the standard size Labradoodle will usually be a bit larger. The Labradoodle stands 22 to 24 inches tall and weighs 50 to 65 pounds. The standard Goldendoodle is 22 inches tall and weighs 55 to 70 pounds.
Are both hypoallergenic?
In theory, yes, both of them should have hypoallergenic coats. They inherit the curly coats of their hypoallergenic Poodle parents, which means that they will shed only very little. That is great for people who are allergic to dog hair, however, dog allergies can also be triggered by other things such as dandruff and saliva. If those are the things that you are allergic to, these two designer dogs will still trigger allergies. In fact, any dog breed will. But their low shedding coat is still a desirable trait to have.
If you aren’t sure what you could be allergic to, we would highly suggest spending some time around Doodle mixes. See if you develop any symptoms. Too many people adopt dogs without knowing they have allergies and put them up for adoption after they notice. You can also ask your doctor for advice, and even possibly do an allergy test. That way you can be certain that you won’t get any health reaction toward your new friend.
Source: Instagram (@goodboihermann)
Who has a better personality?
Both of these Doodle mixes have wonderful personalities and make excellent pets. They get along with all of their family members and are overall very social dogs. They will be nice even to strangers, which doesn’t make them good guard dogs. As long as someone gives them a pat on the head and a few treats, they will be nice and on their best behavior. They also love kids but never leave small children and dogs to play together unsupervised. These are energetic dogs that could easily knock over a toddler out of excitement.
Both breeds have a high level of intelligence, which makes them excellent household pets but also offers them the ability to be trained as therapy or service dogs. Because they are the offspring of some of the smartest breeds, the possibilities for training these dogs are pretty much endless. Because these dogs have been around humans for so long, they also have a very strong intuition and can tell if you are feeling down, or are busy. They will usually try to cheer you up in those moments.
Goldendoodle temperament
Goldendoodle puppies are sweet, caring, and endlessly loyal. They are very energetic and will make you laugh. These dogs are incredibly social and will walk up to a stranger without any problems if they have some treats to offer. Goldendoodles are also very affectionate and will love to cuddle up with you on a Sunday morning. They are a good fit for people who are as gentle as they are, and don’t mind having a dog that is full of energy and always ready to play or go on walks. Because they are as social as they are, they don’t do too well when left alone at home. Similarly to their Golden Retriever parent, they are prone to developing separation anxiety and do best with owners who work from home.
Labradoodle temperament
Labradoodles are also very friendly dogs, however, they can be a bit more reserved than the Goldendoodle. They still have no problem with meeting strangers, however, they aren’t as likely to walk up to them as Goldendoodles are. In addition to that, even though the Labradoodle will become close to all members of his family, he is most likely to pick one person he will be the closest with. He needs someone who he will see as a pack leader, and that person will be “his person”. However, he has no problem with cuddling up with other parts of his family as well. These dogs have enough love for everyone!
Which breed is smarter
This is very hard to tell! Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles are all very smart dog breeds. They are easy to train, eager to please, and can learn plenty of tricks and commands. That’s why it’s almost impossible to tell which of these two designer dogs will be smarter. Both of them will be clever, but intelligence also varies from dog to dog, even of the same breed.
We have to note that some sources claim that Labradoodles are smarter because the Labrador is known for his above avarage intelligence. But we would have to disagree. Both, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are smart and combined with the high IQ of the Poodle, we don’t believe that there would be too much of a difference.
Are Labradoodles or Goldendoodles calmer?
Labradoodles are considered to be calmer than Goldendoodles, however, that doesn’t mean that Goldendoodles are hyperactive dogs. Both of them can be trained to control their impulses and be calm when needed. However, the Labradoodle is pretty calm and chill by nature. That’s because the Labrador Retriever is a bit more relaxed than his Golden Retriever cousin. But this isn’t set in stone, you might still come across a Goldendoodle that will act calmer than the average Labradoodle. It’s all a matter of the right training, and if your dog is getting enough mental and physical stimulation during the day. If a dog has a way to blow off his extra steam, he should generally act calmer during the day.
Source: Instagram (@its.truffles)
What is the calmest Doodle?
This is pretty hard to tell! As we have already explained, it is also a question of training and the overall lifestyle of your dog. However, the calmest Doodles will be the ones that are crossed with a Poodle and a calm and easy-going breed. These include the Maltipoo, Cavapoo, Labradoodle, and Bernedoodle. That doesn’t mean that other Doodles can’t act calm. If you are afraid of getting a hyper dog, choose one of these breeds, but also make sure you enroll your dog into puppy school, where he can get some basic training. For best results, also make sure that your dog gets enough stimulation, both physical and mental.
Which breed is easier to maintain?
If you want a low-maintenance breed, then neither of these two dogs will be the right fit for you. Doodle mix needs regular professional dog grooming, a high-quality diet, daily exercise, training & socialization. You will have to invest a lot of money, time, and patience into your Doodle dog. Because of their Poodle parent, neither of these two are great shedders, so you won’t have a lot of dog hair sticking onto your furniture and clothes.
Grooming
Grooming these two breeds will be pretty similar. As we already explained, the Labradoodle has a slightly shorter coat, but that won’t make too much of a difference. Because both are Doodles, neither of these breeds sheds excessively, but they still need regular maintenance. That includes daily brushing, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning. Regular grooming will make sure that your dog is always in good condition, but it also helps prevent ear infections and dog dental problems.
Training & Socialization
Even though these dogs are smart and friendly, they still need proper training. That includes obedience training, agility training, and socialization. However, because they are so clever, these dogs are even suitable for first-time dog owners. If you can, sign them up into a dog training class. This won’t only help your dog learn basic commands, but he will also have the chance to socialize with other dogs in the program. Even though both of these dogs are considered to be social, they still need to be socialized from an early age.
Nutritional needs
Regarding their food consumption comparison, these two breeds are very similar as well. Both of these breeds should have a protein-based diet, that includes a lot of chicken, turkey, beef, and fish. You can either feed them a home-cooked diet or choose high-quality dog food formulas. Make sure to check the ingredients to see if the food you picked is full of proteins, or if it has fillers like corn or other grains. Some people also choose to feed their dog raw food, however, while that does work for some puppies, it can still be a bit risky depending on where you are getting your food from. Regarding how much you should feed your dog, it’s a bit hard to tell. That will depend on the size, age, gender, and overall activity of your dog. Your best option would be to ask your veterinarian.
Source: Instagram (@doodlegone)
Health: Labradoodle VS Goldendoodle
Sadly, the Goldendoodle is prone to more health problems than the Labradoodle. That’s because the Golden Retriever has a history of many different cancers. However, that doesn’t mean that your Goldendoodle can’t live a long and healthy life. Remember that this is a crossbreed, and as a crossbreed, they are considered to be healthier than their purebred parents. Always make sure that you are buying from a reputable breeder that is doing all of the necessary health tests and screenings. That is the single most important thing that you can do if you want a healthy dog.
But besides cancer, there are also different diseases that there two designer dogs are prone to. Both breeds can develop progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypoglycemia, and epilepsy. All of these conditions can be prevented and successfully treated. We know that having a sick dog is heartbreaking, however, no one can guarantee you that your puppy will stay healthy forever. You always have to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. That means that you should be aware of the costs that come with treating an ill animal, and the lifelong commitment that you sign up for after becoming a dog parent.
Who lives longer?
Both of them have a similar lifespan of 10 to 15 years. This is a pretty long time, especially considering that this is considered to be a large dog breed. However, this is just the average life expectancy. Your Labradoodle or Goldendoodle could live longer than that. We often forget that dogs, similarly to us, need to live a healthy lifestyle. Because dogs can’t care for themselves, it’s up to you to make sure your dog gets enough exercise and eats a healthy and balanced diet. That, in addition to regular vet visits, will make sure that your dog sticks around for a long time. In addition to that, his quality of life will be much better too.
Which is more expensive, Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?
Last but not least, let’s talk about the price. While the price shouldn’t be the biggest factor when buying a puppy, because it’s only a one-time expense, it’s still important to all of us. However, there is only a slight difference when it comes to the price of these two breeds. The more expensive one is the Labradoodle, with an average price of $1,500 to $3,000. The Goldendoodle is only a bit cheaper, with the average price being around $1,000 to $2,500. But this is only the average price of these two breeds, you could find cheaper or more expensive puppies than that. However, we would highly discourage you from buying a dog that is significantly cheaper than that, as he could likely be the product of backyard breeding.
Because both of these breeds have been so popular in recent years, it’s no surprise that many people started to breed them. However, breeding dogs isn’t as easy as it sounds. It takes a lot of knowledge, skill, and responsibility to breed healthy puppies. A reputable breeder always makes sure that his puppies are as healthy as possible, and he has the needed papers and documents to prove that. On the other hand, puppy mills and backyard breeders are only in the business for the money, and all they are looking for is cash. A long-time, skilled breeder, can and should charge more for his dogs. We know that it can be tempting to look for a “great deal”, however, this will only be a one-time expense. But if you end up with a sick dog, you will have to pay for many vet bills and procedures in the future.
Source: Instagram (@goodboihermann)
The bottom line: Are Goldendoodles or Labradoodles better?
In conclusion, which one is the better dog? In our opinion, there is no winner. Both dogs would make wonderful pets, and get along great with adults, other animals, and children. However, if you have young children at home, the Labradoodle may be better suited, because Goldendoodles have a tendency to be hyper, especially as puppies. But besides that, these are two very similar Doodles, with only slight differences in their appearance, temperament, health, and price.
It’s up to you to choose which of these two breeds you like better and if you have a personal preference. You also have to take into consideration if you are a good fit for a Doodle. These puppies need a devoted owner, who is willing to invest a lot of time, patience, love, and money into the upbringing of his dog. Being a puppy parent is a huge responsibility, and you shouldn’t take it lightly. Even though these dogs are even a good option for first-time dog owners, that doesn’t mean they are suitable for someone who is only half there. So make sure that you have the time and financial means that it takes before adopting one of them. Because too many innocent dogs end up in dog shelters.