Comparing Breeds: Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle

A ‘Doodle’, as the name suggests, is a breed that was mixed with a Poodle.

In this competition of cuteness, two Doodles top the popularity ranks!

Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are crosses of a Poodle with a purebred Labrador and a purebred Golden Retriever respectively.

They both bring out the traits we love about Poodles, but what differentiates them is the breed they’ve been mixed with.

So what sets the Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle apart?

Let’s find out!

Size

For starters, the size of either a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle would depend on the parent dogs.

But in general, an adult Labradoodle would typically stand 22 to 24 inches tall.

Its average size would range from 50 to 65 pounds. It could be smaller, weighing 30 to 45 pounds, and it can also be bigger!

Since a purebred Labrador weighs on average 55 to 80 pounds, a Labradoodle – at its largest – can also reach 80 pounds.

A Goldendoodle is likely to grow only 22 inches tall.

It also probably makes sense to you that a Golden Retriever is on average slightly smaller than a standard Lab.

That means a Goldendoodle puppy is also likely to be smaller in comparison with a Labradoodle!

They could range in weight from 55 to 70 pounds, with miniature Goldendoodles that could weigh 35 to 50 pounds and toy Goldendoodles that are as small as 20 pounds.

Appearance

Even though they’re both mixed with Poodles, how these two breeds look is quite different. It’s very easy to tell them apart!

A Labradoodle’s hair is typically shorter and comes in wavy or wiry curls, although it can sometimes grow out straight depending on the parent Poodle.

There’s a bigger range in variety when it comes to their coat colors: they can be black, yellow, white, cream, red, chocolate, or even bi- or tri-colored!

Goldendoodles can also have hair that is straight, wavy, or curly.

Their coat color spectrum mostly ranges around gold/caramel, but in a few cases, it can be black.

Lifespan

Both breeds have the same average lifespan – around 12.5 years.

Grooming

These Doodles are bred to be non-shedders (although not all of them are). As a rule of thumb, the straighter the hair, the more the shedding.

But because they inherit Poodle ears, they are prone to bacteria or wax build-up since they might have hair growing in their ear canal. This might need regular grooming from you or a groomer!

That’s also not to say you shouldn’t brush your Doodle’s hair every day.

Exercising Needs

If you’re not an active family, you might rethink your choice of getting either of these breeds – they both need regular exercise.

Labradoodles, however, are more on the high-energy level side.

If it’s enough for a Goldendoodle to be walked for 30 minutes every day, then a Labradoodle would definitely need more than that.

Take them on a run or a hike, and they’ll also love you more if you take them for a swim!

Temperament

Both these breeds are friendly, intelligent, active, and loyal. But they also differ slightly in temperament!

As we said, Labradoodles are more active than Goldendoodles. They have a more reserved personality and also tend to be stronger. They make excellent guide and service dogs.

Similar to their Golden Retriever parentage, Goldendoodles are calmer and more outgoing than Labradoodles. That makes them great as therapy or nursing dogs.

Intelligence

Both the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle are highly intelligent breeds that makes them great family dogs that are easy to train!

Protectiveness

Though both breeds would make for very loyal dogs, it could be said that the Labradoodle would be more loyal to you as its owner than a Goldendoodle would.

Conclusion

If you know the Poodle to be a smart breed, it makes so much sense to you to mix it with breeds as wonderful as Labradors and Golden Retrievers, right?

With desirable traits from all the parents, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are both breeds that would make for great, loyal family companions.

But at the end of the day, it isn’t about which is better. Because both are great, it’s only a matter of which is right for you.

And we hope this helped you figure that out!