Those looking to learn more about the Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle comparison, have come to the right place. We have a comparison between the two very popular mixed breeds, with pros and cons, information on their appearance, temperament, lifespan and others.
First, a word on what the two mixed breeds are made of. Both are fairly similar in a lot of ways, but there are differences as well, and we aim to help you choose the right one, for yourself and your family.
A Labradoodle is a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle.
VS
A Goldendoodle is a mix between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.
| Labradoodle | Goldendoodle | |
| Mix | Labrador Retriever + Poodle | Golden Retriever + Poodle |
| Size | Medium-Large | Medium-Large |
| Weight | 45-80 lbs | 45-80 lbs |
| Coat | Shorter, wiry and wavy | Longer, either straight or wavy |
| Lifespan | 10+ years | 10+ years |
| Temperament | Family dog, friendly and loyal | Family dog, friendly and loyal |
| Socialization | Plays well with other dogs, family dog, friendly with strangers | Plays well with other dogs, family dog, friendly with strangers |
| Downsides | Barking, chewing | Barking, chewing |
| Energy and maintenance | High energy, 1+ hours exercise daily | High energy, 1+ hours exercise daily |
Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle
When it comes to a comparison, Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle, we have both things that the two mixed breeds have in common, and others where they’re different. I’d say that they have more things that they share, than where they differ, but nonetheless, there are both pros and cons for each one.
Things they have in common
Size-wise, you’re getting very similar dogs, both somewhere between 45 and 80 lbs. The Goldendoodle might be even smaller in some cases, but not by much.
The temperament is a nice one in both cases, and the dogs are friendly towards dogs and humans alike.
These mixed breeds originate from Retriever dogs, and they will need plenty of exercise. Don’t get one of these, if you don’t plan on taking them out for walks, they’re high energy and they have to consume it somehow.
If you’re near water, you will make them happy. As hunting dogs on their Retriever side, they tend to really enjoy water and swimming.
All three breeds which contribute to these two mixes (Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Poodles) are intelligent and easy to train. The resulting mixed breed can only be a highly intelligent one.
When it comes to maintenance, if they inherit the Poodle side, then they don’t do a lot of shedding, which is always great.
Things that set them apart
While a Goldendoodle is typically a bit easier to excite and enthusiastic, the Labradoodle tends to be more chill. The latter will also don’t be as outgoing with new people or when placed in new situations.
Because of their temperament, a Goldendoodle will do great as a therapy dog, where he needs to cheer up people.
Labradoodles are better suited when it comes to work, and they do very well as guide dogs.
Their coat is also different usually, with the Goldendoodle’s being longer, and perhaps a bit harder to maintain as a result.
Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle – Which One Should You Pick
Well, the answer is that it depends. There aren’t a lot of things that are different between the two, so it comes down to your personal preference when it comes to looks (short vs long hair, or other physical aspects) and temperament.
You might prefer a dog that is just a bit more chill (Labradoodle), or maybe one that is easier to excite (Goldendoodle).
Ultimately, the battle between Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle is decided by the criteria based on which you judge the two.
As always, you don’t really know what kind of dog you’re going to get when you mix two breeds. The similarities and differences mentioned above might not be true for a dog. Just like humans, they can vary a lot.
Labradoodle Mixed Dog Breed Explained
A Labradoodle is a mixed breed, a dog which has a Labrador Retriever as one parent, and a Poodle as the other. The reason for their breeding is because you get a dog that’s not going to shed as much, and it’s great for people that have allergies. They’re great for families and as guide dogs.
It’s a type of dog that is easy to handle, train and be around with. Both breeds that contribute to it are intelligent, easy to train, friendly with both strangers and other dogs. You get a new member of the family when you get a Labradoodle. However, don’t expect it to be as friendly with strangers as the Goldendoodle, it will take a little bit initially.
Expect to get a game that has lots of energy, which will need to be walked for 1+ hours daily. You need to play with him, exercise, it’s not the kind of dog you can just forget about somewhere on a couch.
As a very intelligent and calm dog, you can easily train a Labradoodle, and he makes for a great family member.
It’s often a good pick as a guide dog, for those that need it, and it doesn’t shed a lot, so those with allergies will appreciate this breed even more.
Expected to live anywhere between 10 and 15 years, the Labradoodle might have health issues which are common in Labrador Retrievers or Poodles. This could include eye disease, hip or elbow dysplasia, Addison’s disease and Hypothyroidism.
Size and Appearance
As with the other breed, the Labradoodle’s weight is expected to be somewhere between 45 and 80 pounds (up to 35-40 kg). It can be a medium to large dog, depending on the kind of genetic heritage that it’s carrying and on which parent influenced it most in that regard.
Height wise, the dog will reach 24 inches (60 cm), with smaller ones going as low as 14 inches (35 cm). Mini Labradoodles exist as well, so if you want a smaller version of this breed, it’s certainly possible.
The coat of the Labradoodle will typically be curly and on the short side. Usually, it will take that from the Poodle’s side, and it will not shed a lot, one of the reasons why people with allergies prefer mixed breeds of this type.
When it comes to the coat colors that you will encounter, there is a fair bit of variety there. Yellow, black, chocolate, white, cream, or even mixes between these, will all be possible.
I’ve said it before, but it should be understood by all. A mixed breed dog can bring you surprises, since you don’t always know what its parents bring to the table, and which of the two main breeds influences its development and look in different areas.
Temperament of a Labradoodle
If you’re looking for a dog that will love you, which will be friendly and loyal, then the Labradoodle has the right temperament for you. It’s a dog that you can have fun with, which you can take in a park or backyard, to play with for hours. At the same time, it’s a high energy dog, and so you should make sure you have enough room to allow him to run around. It’s great if you have a backyard where it can do that.
This is the type of dog that you should get for your family, as a companion and member that you spend time with. It will not do well if he’s separated from his family for long periods of time. It’s also not a guard dog, so don’t get this mixed breed for this purpose
Buying or Adopting Labradoodles
Labradoodle adoption is the way to go, at least that’s what I would recommend. It’s not a purebred dog, so there are plenty of them in rescue shelters, or offered for free by people. In some cases, you might expect to have to pay a few hundred dollars, for vaccinations and the like. The disadvantage with a rescued Labradoodle is that you might not find a puppy, but an older dog can also be a great pet to have around.
There are also breeders which will focus on Labradoodles though, so if you decide you want to go that route, and control exactly what kind of mix you’re getting, then you do have that option. It will cost you quite a bit more, anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000.
Goldendoodle Mixed Breed Dog Explained
The Goldendoodle is a mixed breed dog, which is half Golden Retriever, half Poodle. It’s very appreciated, a beautiful dog that will often borrow the energy and love for life from the Golden Retriever side.
You can expect a dog which needs your attention, a family dog that will want attention and plenty of exercise. It’s a friendly breed, easy to love and have around, which will be loyal to you.
Expect to have to walk him for one hour each day, it’s going to have plenty of energy, so ideally you should also have a large backyard, for them to play in. As one of its parents is a Golden Retriever, a hunting dog, he loves swimming as well, so it’s great if you can offer them that opportunity from time to time.
The dog needs someone to be around him, so you shouldn’t leave him alone for long stretches of time, he is not built to deal with that.
If you have a family, then a Goldendoodle is going to be an excellent dog to have around.
Size and Appearance
The size for a Goldendoodle is typically about the same as that of a Labradoodle, so between 45 and 80 pounds. Obviously, that’s a pretty big range to have weight-wise, and you can’t always tell whether it’s going to be a big or small dog. Males do tend to be larger than females though, so that’s one way of getting a smaller or larger dog selected.
The height of the dog varies in a similar way, between 13 and 24 inches at the withers.
You will find that even smaller variants are also available at times, particularly if you find one that’s advertised as a Mini Goldendoodle (using a smaller poodle as one of the parents).
Where the Goldendoodle differs from a Labradoodle, is when it comes to their coat. the dog’s coat is longer here, mostly wavy, though that’s not a guarantee. At its longest, the coat will have about 6 inches (15 cm), but you can groom them regularly, to keep it at a shorter size.
Colors will be the ones you typically find in Golden Retrievers, meaning red and dark or pale shades of gold.
Temperament of a Goldendoodle
Whether as a family pet or as a therapy dog, the Goldendoodle is a great choice either way. This is no guard dog, he’s too friendly towards people and even other animals, playful and overall just a fun addition to any family. They enjoy being around children and meeting new people, and they tend to be outgoing as well, more so than the Labradoodle.
What is less than ideal about this mixed breed, is that they don’t do well when they’re alone a lot of time. Loneliness is their kryptonite, so it’s best to get such a dog if he will be around people most of the time. Otherwise, you might find that he gets into trouble a lot, or that he will become withdrawn and depressive.
A plus, for a dog like this, is that training him works great when you’re praising him and giving him rewards.
Goldendoodles will alert the owner when someone is coming up, so this dog can let you know when someone is coming, but it’s not going to be aggressive towards that stranger.
Buying or Adopting Goldendoodles
Adopting a Goldendoodle is always the preferred way of getting one, since there will be some dogs of this type in need of help. You might not easily find a puppy of this breed that’s available for adoption, but older dogs will also be excellent pets, and they deserve your attention. The cost for an adoption is not too high, maybe $200 or $300 at most, depending on the shelter’s policy.
If you’d rather buy a Goldendoodle, then you always have the option to go to a breeder. There are a couple of them, breeders specialized in Goldendoodles, since they’re fairly popular even as a mixed breed. It can be an expensive dog, same as any other. It’s likely that you will pay between $1,000 and $3,000, to buy a Goldendoodle puppy.