Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle: Which Is Right for You?

Temperament

Both crosses are typically friendly, social and eager to please, and both usually love people. The difference is one of flavor rather than kind.

The Goldendoodle inherits the Golden Retriever's gentle, soft-natured temperament. Many owners describe Goldendoodles as sensitive and highly attuned to their people, sometimes to the point of being a bit clingy.

The Labradoodle takes after the Labrador Retriever: outgoing, sporty and often a little more boisterous in its first couple of years. Labradoodles tend to be enthusiastic about everything, including food, which can make them highly motivated in training and also prone to counter-surfing.

Both are poor guard dogs. They're far more likely to greet a stranger than warn them off.

Size

Size depends mostly on the Poodle parent, and both crosses come in several size bands. See the facts table above for the typical ranges.

Goldendoodles are bred in a particularly wide spread, from small "petite" and mini dogs up to large standards, so it's easy to find one sized for an apartment or a farmhouse. Labradoodles are offered in miniature, medium and standard sizes too, and standards tend to be sturdy, muscular dogs with a Lab's build.

In early generations, size is hard to predict in either cross. Ask the breeder for adult weights from previous litters, and use the puppy weight calculator once your puppy is a few months old.

Coat & shedding

Neither cross is reliably non-shedding, and neither is hypoallergenic. Coat type depends on generation more than on which retriever is in the mix.

• F1 dogs (retriever × Poodle) range from flat and shedding to wavy and low-shedding.
• F1b dogs (bred back to a Poodle) are more likely to have curly, low-shedding coats.
• Multigenerational lines are bred for more consistent coats over several generations.

Goldendoodles often have a fluffy, wavy "teddy bear" coat. F1 Labradoodles are a little more likely to show the Lab's shorter, shedding coat. Many Labradoodle breeders work with Australian Labradoodles, a multigenerational line that also includes other breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel and is bred for coat consistency.

Any low-shedding coat means regular brushing and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Wavy and curly coats mat quickly, especially behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits.

Energy & training

Both are energetic, intelligent dogs that need daily exercise and mental work. Labradoodles tend to be slightly more high-octane, especially in the standard size.

Expect at least an hour of activity a day for a standard of either cross: walks, fetch, swimming (many love water) and training games. Mini versions need a bit less but are still lively.

Both are among the easier dogs to train because they combine retriever eagerness with Poodle intelligence. Goldendoodles often respond best to gentle, encouraging training and can shut down with harsh handling. Labradoodles usually respond brilliantly to food rewards and need help learning impulse control around jumping and mouthing.

Both thrive on company. Neither does well left alone for long workdays without a walker or daycare.

Health

The two crosses share the Poodle's health risks and add the risks of their retriever parent. Health-tested parents matter more than which cross you choose.

• Shared risks: hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, ear infections, and in larger dogs bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus).
• Poodle side: Addison's disease, sebaceous adenitis and epilepsy, mainly in Standard Poodle lines.
• Golden Retriever side: a relatively high cancer rate in the breed and subvalvular aortic stenosis, a heart condition.
• Labrador side: exercise-induced collapse, which has a DNA test, and a tendency toward weight gain.

For either cross, ask for OFA hip and elbow results, a recent eye exam, a heart exam for Golden parents, and relevant DNA tests (such as prcd-PRA, and EIC for Labs). Expected lifespans are broadly similar; see the table above.

Cost

Puppy prices for both crosses are in a similar band, and the table above shows typical ranges. Generation, size and the breeder's testing program have more effect on price than the cross itself.

Minis, multigenerational lines and Australian Labradoodles usually cost more. Running costs are similar for dogs of the same size. Grooming is a major ongoing expense for either, and larger dogs cost more to feed, groom, insure and medicate.

Both crosses are heavily targeted by puppy mills. Meet the mother, see health results in writing, and never pay by wire or gift card.

Families & living situations

Both are excellent family dogs in the right home. The Goldendoodle is often the gentler pick around young children and first-time owners. The Labradoodle shines with active families who'll take it hiking, running or swimming.

Standard sizes of either cross need room and outdoor time. Mini versions adapt better to apartments, provided they get daily walks. If you're still undecided, compare each breed's full profile on the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle pages, or try the breed finder. If a larger, calmer dog appeals, see Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle.