If you have been looking at doodle puppies, you have probably found yourself comparing Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. At first, it is easy to see why. Both have the familiar Poodle influence, both can have soft, low-shedding coats and both are known for being smart, affectionate family dogs.
But there are some differences.
We get questions like this from families all the time. Usually, it starts with something along the lines of, “We like both. How do we actually decide?”
There is no single answer because every dog has its own personality. Still, knowing where these two types of dogs come from and what you can generally expect from them can make the decision much easier.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle at a Glance
The simplest difference is the other parent breed.
A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle.
That Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever influence can show up in everything from the dog’s personality to its energy level and appearance. Both can be loving, intelligent and wonderful family companions. Both can also be active, playful dogs that need regular grooming.
Here are some of the areas where families usually notice the biggest differences:
| Goldendoodle | Labradoodle | |
| Parent breeds | Golden Retriever + Poodle | Labrador Retriever + Poodle |
| Temperament | Usually affectionate, social and eager to please | Usually friendly, intelligent, playful and people-oriented |
| Activity | Moderate to high | Moderate to high |
| Coat | Wavy or curly, depending on genetics | Fleece, wool or hair depending on genetics and generation |
| Grooming | Regular brushing and professional grooming | Regular brushing and professional grooming |
| Size | Varies by Poodle parent | Varies by Poodle parent and type |
| Family life | Often a good fit for active families | Often a good fit for active families |
What Is the Difference Between a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle?
Let’s start with the obvious part.
Goldendoodles bring together a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Labradoodles bring together a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle.
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have plenty in common. Both were bred as working retrievers. Both enjoy being around people. Both can be playful, affectionate and eager to learn.
They are not exactly the same dog, though.
Anyone who has spent time around both breeds knows there are little differences in the way they carry themselves. Some Goldendoodles take after the Golden side with a very soft, people-focused personality. Some Labradoodles have more of that happy, busy Labrador energy.
Then you have the Poodle side, which brings intelligence, athleticism and the coat characteristics that people usually associate with doodles.
There is another important point when talking about Labradoodles. An Australian Labradoodle is not simply a first-generation Labrador Retriever and Poodle cross. Australian Labradoodles have been developed through generations of breeding, with a more established breed type and more consistency in traits such as temperament and coat.
That is the type of Labradoodle we breed here at Brasken. We have spent years working with Australian Labradoodles and getting to know what makes each puppy different.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Temperament
This is probably the part families care about most.
You can find a beautiful puppy in either breed. You can find an incredibly smart puppy in either breed. But what you are really taking home is a personality, and that is what you will live with every day.
What Are Goldendoodles Like?
Goldendoodles are often very affectionate and social dogs.
The Golden Retriever side can give them that wonderful desire to be close to their people. Many enjoy being wherever the family happens to be, whether that means playing in the yard, going for a walk or simply lying at someone’s feet.
They can also be sensitive dogs. A Goldendoodle that wants to please you may respond very well to positive training and plenty of encouragement.
That does not mean every Goldendoodle will have exactly the same personality. Some are quieter and some are little comedians, while some seem to have endless energy.
What Are Labradoodles Like?
Labradoodles are also very people-oriented dogs, and they are bright, playful and curious.
The Labrador influence can bring plenty of enthusiasm. A Labradoodle may be the dog that is ready to chase the ball for the hundredth time when you are already tired of throwing it.
At the same time, Australian Labradoodles are known for their affectionate, intuitive nature. At Brasken, temperament is a big part of how we place puppies with families. We spend the first eight weeks handling and socializing our puppies with different people, sounds, sights, textures and experiences.
That early time tells us a lot.
You start to see which puppy is the little explorer, which one wants to sit in your lap and which one is happy doing a little bit of everything.
Which One Is Better With a Family?
Honestly, both can be excellent family dogs.
The better question is what kind of dog fits your family.
Do you have young children? Older children? Other pets? Do you spend most weekends outdoors? Is someone home much of the day? Are you looking for a dog that will happily join you on long walks, or are you hoping for a companion that is happy with a walk and plenty of family time?
Those questions tell you more than simply choosing “Goldendoodle” or “Labradoodle.”
How Big Do Goldendoodles and Labradoodles Get?
This is another area where you need to be a little careful with generalizations.
Neither Goldendoodles nor Labradoodles come in one universal size.
The size of the Poodle parent plays a big role, as does the breeding behind the puppy. Labradoodles, for example, can range from smaller dogs to much larger standards.
At Brasken, we breed miniature, small-medium, medium and standard Labradoodles. Our current breeding dogs include medium dogs in the 25-40 pound range, while our standard Labradoodles are generally around 50-65 pounds.
That is why we always recommend asking about the parents when you are trying to estimate how large a puppy will become.
A tiny puppy at eight weeks does not tell you everything.
If adult size is important to you, talk with the breeder about the puppy’s parents, previous litters and the expected adult size of that particular pairing.
What About Their Coats and Grooming?
Here is one thing we tell every family considering a doodle: please do not choose one because you think the coat will take care of itself.
It won’t.
Goldendoodles and Labradoodles can have coats that range from wavy to curly, and both need regular brushing and grooming.
With Labradoodles, you can see fleece, wool and hair coats depending on the dog’s genetics and generation. Fleece coats are soft and wavy to loosely curled, while wool coats tend to have tighter curls. Hair coats are straighter and usually shed more.
A soft coat can look incredibly easy to care for when you are looking at a puppy.
Then that puppy grows up.
Regular brushing becomes important, particularly around the ears, legs, chest and other areas where tangles tend to start. Professional grooming every several weeks is also part of life with most doodles.
And please be careful with the word “hypoallergenic.” No dog is completely hypoallergenic. Some Labradoodles and Goldendoodles may be a much better fit for people with allergies than dogs that shed heavily, but everyone’s allergies are different.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle: How Much Exercise Do They Need?
Neither is a couch potato breed.
That does not mean you need to run five miles every morning with your doodle. It means they generally enjoy having something to do. A good daily walk, some playtime and a little mental stimulation can go a long way.
And this is where knowing the individual puppy can really help.
Some dogs are always ready to go. They want to run, play, explore and follow you around the yard. Others are perfectly happy with a good walk, some play and then a long nap beside you.
Both Goldendoodles and Labradoodles can fit into active families, but they also need to learn how to settle down.
Which One Is Easier to Train?
Both can be very trainable dogs.
You have the intelligence and willingness to work that come from the standard Poodle side, combined with the retriever side’s natural interest in people and working with them.
But intelligence does not mean a puppy will automatically behave.
They still have to learn.
A puppy may understand exactly what you want and then decide that chewing your shoe is much more interesting. That is normal puppy behavior.
Short, positive training sessions, consistency and plenty of patience usually work much better than expecting too much too soon.
Socialization is just as important. Puppies need to experience different people, environments, sounds and situations in a safe way while they are young.
Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle: Which One Is Right for You?
This is where we would probably ask you a few questions if you called us.
- What are you looking for in a dog?
- What does a normal week look like for your family?
- What size dog do you want?
- How much grooming are you comfortable doing?
- Do you have young children or other animals?
And perhaps most importantly, what kind of personality are you hoping to bring home…
Look at the Puppy, Too
This is the part that can get lost when people spend weeks reading about breeds online.
Don’t forget that you are not bringing home a breed description, but a living thing.
Two puppies from the same litter can be surprisingly different. One might be bold and curious. Another might be quieter and more observant. One may want to be right in the middle of everything, while another is perfectly happy watching from your lap.
Those differences are major sometimes.
Choosing the Right Breeder Is Part of the Decision
Once you have narrowed things down to a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle, the next question should be where the puppy is coming from.
Look at the parents, ask about health testing, ask what the breeder does with the puppies during those first few weeks, etc. Also ask about adult size, coat type and temperament.
And don’t be afraid to ask what happens if you have questions after bringing your puppy home. A reputable breeder should be able to talk about those things without making you feel like you are asking too many questions.
So, Goldendoodle or Labradoodle?
If you were sitting here asking us which one you should choose, we probably wouldn’t immediately tell you one is better.
Both Goldendoodles and Labradoodles can make wonderful companions. The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever sides can give them some different personality traits, but there is still a lot of variation from one dog to the next.
Think about your family, your daily routine, the size and coat you want and the kind of personality that will fit naturally into your home. Then look at the individual puppies. That is usually where the decision starts to become much easier.
FAQs
Are Goldendoodles and Labradoodles recognized dog breeds?
Neither Goldendoodles nor Labradoodles are recognized as purebred dogs by the major traditional kennel clubs in the same way as breeds such as Golden Retrievers or Poodles.
Why were Goldendoodles and Labradoodles originally bred?
Labradoodles were originally developed in Australia in an effort to combine the working qualities and temperament of the Labrador Retriever with the Poodle’s coat characteristics. Goldendoodles came later as breeders combined Golden Retrievers and Poodles to create dogs with the qualities people loved in both parent breeds.
Do Goldendoodles and Labradoodles have different life expectancies?
Their life expectancies can be quite similar and there is no simple rule that says one always lives longer than the other.
Do Goldendoodles and Labradoodles get along well with other dogs?
Yes, both can do very well with other dogs when they are properly socialized. Their experience with other dogs as puppies and the temperament of the individual dog can make a bigger difference than whether the dog is a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle.
How do Goldendoodles and Labradoodles typically handle being left alone?
They generally prefer having company and being part of family life, so neither is a breed we would choose simply because you need a dog that will happily spend most of the day alone.
Do Goldendoodles and Labradoodles enjoy swimming?
Many do, especially because both come from Retriever backgrounds, but swimming is not guaranteed to be every dog’s favorite activity.
Are Goldendoodles or Labradoodles good dogs for first-time owners?
Either can work well for a first-time dog owner who is prepared for the time and responsibility that comes with raising a puppy.
