Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle: what’s the difference?

The Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle. What’s the difference? While it’s not quite an age-old question, we will be settling it today. Both are coated in enviable fluff, exude loving personalities and store heaps of energy to burn, and there’s one huge difference between these two adorable breeds... 

We’re not revealing all just yet, but what we can tell you is that the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle are both, in part, descended from the fashionista-brain box of the dog world - the Poodle. So, whether you’re after a reliable dog sitter and you’d like to share useful info on your fluff ball, or you’re thinking about welcoming one of these four-legged cuties into your home, find all you need to know about the differences and similarities between these two lovely Doodle breeds.

What's the difference between a Labradoodle and a Goldendoodle? 

The Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle are both designer dogs brought into the world with the perfect mixture of qualities from their parents. The main difference between the Labradoodle vs. the Goldendoodle is their parentage. While the Labradoodle is a mix of the Labrador Retriever and a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle, the Goldendoodle is a mix of the Golden Retriever and Poodle.

 Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle looks

Defining the differences between the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle’s appearance is no simple task. Why? Well the parentage of these fluffy cuties can vary quite a bit, what with Goldendoodles being the result of a Golden Retriever and either a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle. To help you recognise both breeds though, let’s dive into the Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle looks, size differences, coat and colouring.

Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle size differences

What’s bigger - a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle? Let’s start with the Goldendoodle. Goldendoodles are always bred with one Golden Retriever parent - that’s the simple part. The slightly trickier part of the Goldendoodle parentage is that they can have a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle parent alongside the Golden Retriever side. Standard Goldendoodles (i.e. Doodles with a Standard Poodle parent) can reach around ​​17 to 24 inches tall and 50-90 pounds. Those mixed with Miniature Poodles can weigh between 35 and 50 pounds, and those mixed with Toy Poodles can be as iddy as 20 pounds - cute! To make things simpler, we can refer to each of these Goldendoodle types as Standard, Miniature or Toy Goldendoodles.

It’s the same story with Labradoodles - their size varies depending on whether the Labrador Retriever has been bred with a Standard, Miniature or Toy Poodle. Let’s start with smallest first - the Teacup Labradoodle. Any Labradoodle weighing under 13 pounds and growing up to 11 inches tall is often classed as a Teacup Labradoodle. The second smallest is the Toy Labradoodle, growing to between 14 and 16 inches tall, weighing in at a (very cute) 15 to 20 pounds. Then we have the medium Labradoodle, who can weigh up to 40 pounds and grow up to 20 inches tall. The largest Labradoodle, i.e. the Standard Labradoodle, can grow up to 22 inches tall and weighs up to 60 pounds.

Goldendoodle vs. Labradoodle coat differences

Like Golden Retrievers and Labradors, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are born with different coat types with varying consistencies. Let’s start with Goldendoodles - their coat can be flat, straight, wavy or curly. The consistency of the coat depends on which parent’s coat they inherit. 

Straight, flat and wavy-coated Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles with thick, straight fur (and non-curly Goldendoodles) are more likely to shed their coats so aren’t a good choice for any allergic prospective pet parents! 

Curly-coated Goldendoodles

Goldendoodles with a curly coat are more likely to be hypoallergenic, like many Doodle dogs (which also means less hoovering). It’s also worth noting that Goldendoodles need regular grooming to avoid that lovely coat getting matted or collecting clumps of dirt.

As with many Poodle mixes, the Labradoodle coat varies a fair bit as well, and when it comes to full grown Labradoodles vs. Goldendoodles, there’s quite a few coat differences to be aware of. Labradoodles can be found with a hair coat (which is straight), and like their Australian Labradoodle cousins, they can also be found with wool and fleece coats. What do these all mean, though? 

Hair-coated Labradoodles

Hair-coated Labradoodles are less common and tend to resemble their Labrador Retriever parents more than their Poodle parents. The straight coat sheds, it’s great for pet parents without allergies, and it’s easy to maintain but needs regular bathing to help with shedding.

Fleece-coated Labradoodles

Fleece-coated Labradoodles (otherwise known as shaggy-coated Labradoodles for their wavy-textured fur) are low-shedding, require weekly brushing, and are known for their ‘typical Labradoodle’ look. 

Wool-coated Labradoodles

Labradoodles with a wool coat are covered in a thick, dense coat that’s often compared to sheep’s wool. They’re the best Labradoodle type for families with allergies, but pet parents need to be prepared to pay for grooming costs to keep these cuties’ coats clean, tidy and matt-free.

Goldendoodle vs. Labradoodle colour

Like with all Doodle breeds, the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle’s coat colours are known for their variety. Let’s take a look at the coat colours of each breed.

Goldendoodle coat colours

• Copper
• Cream
• Red
• Grey 
• Black

Labradoodle coat colours

• Caramel
• Chocolate
• Parchment
• Apricot
• Gold
• Beige
• Red
• Black
• Silver
• Blue
• Cream
• White
• Parti

Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle temperament

While their size, coat types and colours vary a bit, the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle’s temperament is very similar. 

Labradoodles are seriously friendly pups - they’re loving, playful and enthusiastic about their Sapien sidekicks. While this is a blessing in a sense as you can almost guarantee they’ll get along with your friends and family members and make for perfect therapy dogs, they’re also likely to greet strangers with the same enthusiasm. That means they don’t make great guard dogs. 

Goldendoodles are also a super affectionate and pack-loving breed. They’re highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train and a great choice for guide dogs and service dogs. But on the flip side, just like their Labradoodle cousins, this open nature means they’d be no use as a guard dog!

Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle Energy

Both breeds are intelligent and full of energy, so they’re perfect for pet parents and families who’ve got the time to exercise alongside them and stimulate those clever brains. If either breed isn’t given enough play time or mental stimulation, they can become destructive, hard to handle and bark more often.

Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle lifespan

• Goldendoodles: 10-15 years.
• Labradoodles: 12-15 years.

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