Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle: Which One is Better?

Last Updated on April 27, 2023

Doodles are Poodle mix dogs that have risen to the top of the popularity charts in recent years. Two of the most common and popular Poodle mixes are the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle. 

But what exactly is the difference between these two crossbreeds, and which one is suitable for your home? Keep reading to find out as we examine the differences in looks, personality, and more.

At a Glance: The Differences Between Labradoodles and Goldendoodles

Doodles are mixed-breed dogs that combine the traits of the Poodle with other breeds, in this case, the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever. 

Both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are loved for their hypoallergenic coats and loving, sociable natures. Although very similar, some key differences set these two breeds apart. Keep reading to learn more.

Origins

In 1988, the Australian breeder, Wally Cochran, began developing Labradoodles. He wanted to combine the laidback, family-friendly nature of the Labrador with the hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle. All this for a blind woman whose husband suffered severely from allergies. 

After sending 33 dog hair samples for allergy testing, he ultimately decided that the Standard Poodle would be the perfect parent for his new breed. And so the Labradoodle, or Australian Labradoodle, was born.

In the late 80s and 90s, a number of Doodle mixes followed, inspired by the success and the popularity of the Labradoodle crossbreed.

These included mixing the Poodle with the Spaniel, Schnauzer, and of course, the Golden Retriever to create the Goldendoodle.

Which is Bigger, a Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle?

While Standard Poodles were originally used in the breeding of Labradoodles, today, Miniature and even Toy Poodles are used to create Standard Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, Miniature Labradoodles and Goldendoodles and even Toy Doodles. 

Standard varieties stand around 22 to 24 inches (56 and 61 cm) tall and weigh about 50 to 90 pounds (23 and 40 kg).

On the other end of the spectrum, Toy varieties weigh just 15 to 35 pounds (7 to 16kg) and stand between 14 and 20 inches (36 and 51 cm) tall. 

Medium Golden Retriever and Labrador mixes fall somewhere in the middle, standing around 17 to 20 inches (43 and 51 cm) tall and weighing between 30 and 50 pounds (14 and 23 kg).

Labradoodles are slightly taller but Goldendoodles are heavier. Here is a helpful chart to consult when considering the height and weight of these two Doodles.

You can also check out our Labrador Retriever Growth Chart and Golden Retriever Growth Chart for more information on when your puppy will likely reach full size.

The AKC only recognizes Golden Retriever coat colors as dark golden, light golden, or golden. On the other hand, Labrador Retriever coat colors include yellow, chocolate, brown, and silver.

Poodle coat colors are also quite varied, with black being the most common. Other variants include blue, apricot, cafe au lait, white, silver, cream, silver beige, and gray.

Labradoodles can vary in color from tan to silver, grey, black, brown, cream, white, and orange, depending on the parent dogs. Goldendoodles, however, are typically cream, caramel, gold, or red.

Both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles can be particolored depending on the Poodle parent.

The Goldendoodle coat is generally quite curly and fluffy, while the Labradoodle can have a similar wavy or curly coat type or it can be more straight and shaggy. 

Temperament & Personality

Both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles make great family dogs because of their loyal, friendly, and playful natures.

Both these dogs are very affectionate and friendly. They are quick to bond with all family members.

Although very similar in temperament, the Labradoodle is more outgoing, whereas the Goldendoodle is more gentle.

Which is calmer?

Out of the two breeds, Labradoodles are a bit more boisterous. Their extremely playful nature can be a bit much if you have very young children or toddlers who these dogs can easily knock down. They also tend to be quite jumpy, which can pose a hazard around tiny kids. 

Children will also need to be taught how to properly handle a new puppy if you decide to bring one of these dogs into your home. If you are, however looking for a calmer family companion, then the Goldendoodle may be better suited. 

Goldendoodle and Labradoodle socialization

Golden Retrievers are known for their loving, loyal personalities. Goldendoodles are also very obedient and very easy to train. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners. 

Real people-pleasing dogs, Labradoodles, and Goldendoodles do well with children and other pets.

They’re so friendly that they don’t make very good guard dogs, and they crave attention so much that they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. 

Goldendoodles, in particular, have a strong desire for socialization. These super friendly dogs love attention and can be destructive if bored. These dogs will love going to a doggie daycare or puppy playgroup while you’re at work.

Which doodle is more intelligent?

Poodles are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, so both of these Doodles are also highly smart.

The loving nature of Labradoodles makes them excellent therapy dogs for people who have autism, depression, or disabilities, while these clever canines are also frequently used as service dogs. 

The outgoing, sunny personality of the Goldendoodle also makes this cross an excellent dog for therapy work. 

Due to their intelligent natures, these dogs are quick to learn new tricks; however, that also means that they can develop bad habits quickly if they aren’t trained properly. 

Which Dog Has Higher Maintenance?

Goldendoodles and Labradoodles have similar maintenance needs in that they both require quite a bit of upkeep to maintain their gorgeous hypoallergenic coats.

They do, however, differ when it comes to exercise needs, with the Labradoodle being the more demanding of the two in that respect.

Exercise needs

The Labradoodle is a high-energy breed that requires plenty of exercise. These dogs need a home with a large yard where they can run around and will need to be taken on a walk daily. The Labradoodle will also enjoy herding, tracking, and agility exercises.

Thanks to their Retriever parents, both these hybrid dog breeds are also known to love the water.

Goldendoodles, however, don’t have quite as high activity levels as Labradoodles and thus need less exercise. Around 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily will be sufficient. 

Grooming

Thanks to the hypoallergenic non-shedding coat of the Poodle parent, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles shed far less than their purebred Retriever counterparts.

This makes these crossbreeds a popular choice for pet owners who suffer from allergies. Some breeders will coat test their puppies so you can be sure you’re getting a hypoallergenic dog. 

The coats of both these dogs require regular daily brushing. The curly coats of these dogs can matt quite quickly, so care needs to be taken to prevent this.

Monthly visits to a professional groomer for a cut are also essential. A professional groomer will use a long blade to trim the coat, typically leaving the Labradoodle dog with fuller, fluffier legs. 

Goldendoodles, on the other hand, can be trimmed, so the hair is the same length over the entire body or left with a fluffier face, tail, and feet. A short cut of the same length is favored in the summer months and requires less frequent brushing.

Your dog’s nails will also need to be trimmed every second week. 

Feeding your Doodle

Both Standard Goldendoodles and Labradoodles eat between one and two cups of dry dog food a day. Labradoodles might eat slightly more food than a similarly sized Goldendoodle because of their higher energy levels. 

Obviously, if you’re buying a Miniature or Toy Doodle then the food requirements will be significantly less.

Always consult your food bag, which will give you the recommended guidelines of how much food your dog needs in accordance with his weight.

With Poodles prone to developing skin allergies, you might find your Doodle needs a diet that’s free from any corn, wheat, and soy.

Replacing chicken with a novel meat protein, like venison, rabbit, or kangaroo, can also help relieve your pet of itching and other skin problems.

A dog that consistently licks or bites its paws is likely suffering from food allergies.

Health and Lifespan

Both these Doodles are generally healthy dogs. With proper care, both Goldendoodles and Labradoodles have a lifespan of around 15 years.

Unfortunately, both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are prone to developing hip dysplasia.

While your breeder should be able to provide you with a certificate of health for the parent dogs, sometimes this condition is brought upon by over-exercise or an imbalanced diet. 

Poodles are also prone to developing patellar luxation, particularly in the Miniature and Toy variants, so this condition could affect Mini Goldendoodles or Mini Labradoodles.

Some other health concerns in the Poodle breed include elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and von Willebrand’s disease. 

Other less serious health concerns for Poodles include allergies and skin conditions, and thyroid disorders.

Eye issues, like a narrowing of the aortic valve, cataracts, and glaucoma, are common in Golden Retrievers, and thus Goldendoodles are subject to developing these health problems.

However, eye issues can plague both breeds with progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a common problem for the Poodle parent.

Several additional health issues can also be passed on from the parent breeds. Labrador Retrievers are also known to suffer from exercise-induced collapse, bloat, and ear infections, while cancer and heart disease are common amongst Golden Retrievers. 

Do Labradoodles or Goldendoodles Cost More?

As in-demand hybrid breeds, both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are pretty expensive. For a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle puppy, you will be looking at spending between $1,500 and $3,500.

The cost will be influenced by location, the parent dogs, any food or healthcare expenses included, the litter size, and the breeder’s reputation.

A Doodle that is a mix of two purebred parents, such as a Standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever, is known as an F1 or first-generation dog. 

However, it’s better to look for a breeder that sells F2 generation dogs which are puppies of two Doodles. 

These puppies will be less likely to shed, and their color, coat, and temperament will be more predictable.

Also, always purchase a dog from a reputable Doodle breeder that supplies you with the necessary health checks but where you are sure the parent dogs are treated with love and care.

Although both of these breeds are quite popular, you will still struggle to find a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle puppy at a rescue center.

You might be lucky to find an older dog at a breed-specific rescue site. IDOG Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit rescue organization that focuses solely on rehoming Goldendoodles and Labradoodles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What are the benefits of a Doodle breed?

As you can see, there are many benefits to the Doodle breed. They will fit in well with most families, are easy to train, and are obedient. In addition, these easily trainable dogs can also be used in service work, as guide dogs or therapy animals. 

However, the most obvious benefit of this breed and the reason they came to be is their hypoallergenic coat. Although it required regular grooming, this non-shedding coat makes these Doodles an excellent dog breed for allergy sufferers.

Which is more popular between the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle?

Both the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle are extremely popular designer dogs. Several high-profile celebrities, such as Usher and Jennifer Anniston, have owned Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. 

The Labrador Retriever is the number one dog in the world in terms of popularity, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Thus it makes sense that the Labradoodle is the more common and popular of these two Doodle breeds.

Do Goldendoodle and Labradoodle get along?

Happy-go-lucky dogs, both Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, tend to get along with anyone, and so it makes sense that they will also get along with each other.

If one breed is going to take a bit more coaxing out of its shell, it will be the Labradoodle, who can sometimes have a bit more of a guarded approach to new situations, new people, and new animals.

Labradoodles can sometimes bite and rough play. This is not an aggressive tendency but just a lack of maturation. 

Which Doodle is Best?

If you’re thinking of getting a new dog, you won’t go wrong with a Doodle. Both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles make excellent family pets. These dogs crave companionship and will reward you with their loyal, loving, and affectionate natures. 

While both breeds get along well with most people and animals, the Goldendoodle is the more relaxed of the two if you have kids and other pets.

However, if you like to run, swim and exercise, the energetic Labradoodle might make a better companion.

No matter which breed you choose, if you suffer from allergic reactions to pet hair then these low-shedding dogs with their curly hypoallergenic coats will make the perfect companion.

Do you have a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle furry friend? We would love to hear all about them! Let us know what you love about your Doodle in the comments below.

Further reading: The best dog breeds compared

• Golden Retrievers vs. Labradors
• English Labradors vs. American Labradors
• Rottweiler vs Pitbull
• Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherd
• Boston Terrier vs. French Bulldog
• Border Collie vs. Australian Shepherd
• Doberman vs Rottweiler