The comparison of Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle is often a major concern for most young breeders, which is completely understandable. The Golden Retriever and the Goldendoodle are two dog breeds that have recently gained significant growth in popularity. They are both adorable canines with fluffy coats. Given how similar they are, it could be challenging to distinguish between them.
In this post, we will go over a detailed comparison of both breeds. We will also discuss their characteristics, as well as which one is best for you.
Let us start by taking an overview of both breeds before delving into the comparison proper.
Overview
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Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever breed is a stunning medium-sized dog with beautiful, long-golden fur, and feathery tails. However, Golden Retrievers are more than just attractive. Their heritage as Scottish gun dogs, dates to the 1800s when they were first bred to retrieve game from both land and water. Their fame for collecting birds without leaving any marks has led to the development of their renowned soft jaws.
The popularity of Golden Retrievers has remained constant over time. They were classified as an authorized AKC breed in 1925, which was over a century ago. They continue to be one of the most well-liked dog breeds in America today, and they also enjoy a fervent following in Europe. Due to their kind disposition, ease of training, and positive outlook, they are among the most well-liked breeds to raise as service and therapy dogs.
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Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles, on the other hand, are not recognized dog breeds. Instead, it is a “designer” cross between the Poodle and the Golden Retriever (particularly the Standard Poodle). In 1969, Monica Dickens created the first Goldendoodle, and in the 1990s, both America and Australia saw a rise in popularity for the crossbreed.
Goldendoodles acquired some of the characteristics of Poodles that make them hypoallergenic because of their distinctive coat. This led to the development of a curly coat that sheds minimally and significantly lowers risk. Since 2000, the Goldendoodle has had a spike in popularity, thanks to its friendlier temperament and more allergy-friendly coat. Goldendoodles command a high price and are frequently costlier than their purebred counterparts because of intense public demand.
Talking about Golden retriever vs Goldendoodle size, the most common Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle hybrids measure in at a comfortable medium-sized dog, while the size of a Goldendoodle varies depending on the type of Poodle used to cross the Golden Retriever. The temperament of the Goldendoodle often combines its two components: independence, intellect, and disobedience from the Poodle and a happy, outgoing disposition that gets along well with children from a Golden Retriever side.
Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle –Their Main Differences
Here is a comparison between these two stunning Goldens side by side.
Height and weight
Based on the Poodle parent dog’s size, Goldendoodle sizes might vary. The size of Golden retrievers is the same for both sexes, while females are typically a little bit smaller than males.
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Golden Retriever
Weighing between 55 and 75 pounds, Golden Retrievers can reach a height from the leg to shoulder of 23 to 24 inches.
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Goldendoodle
There are a lot of varied Goldendoodle sizes available ranging from miniature Goldendoodle, medium Goldendoodle, to the standard Goldendoodle.
Let us look at each one of them in detail.
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- Miniature Goldendoodle -A miniature Poodle and a Golden Retriever are crossed to create a miniature Goldendoodle. The most popular type of these dogs is the Mini Doodle since they are suitable for apartments and tiny residences and their upkeep costs are marginally lower than those of larger varieties. Miniature Goldendoodles range in size from 13 to 20 inches tall and weigh 15 to 35 pounds.
- Medium Goldendoodle – The medium Goldendoodle weighs between 17 to 20 inches which are around 40 to 50 pounds.
- Standard Goldendoodle -Meanwhile, the standard Goldendoodle is the bigger Goldendoodle. When fully mature, the standard Goldendoodle can weigh between 50 to 90 pounds and reach between 20 to 24 inches tall from leg to shoulder.
Shedding
For households with allergy sufferers, the Doodles’ low shedding is what makes them so well-liked. In general, Goldendoodles are thought to shed little. ‘Due in significant part to how much of the Poodle’s DNA the puppy inherited, dogs having curly coats are likely to shed lesser than those having straight or wavy coats. Golden Retrievers shed a lot all year long. Because they do not shed much, Poodles make excellent crossbreeds. Therefore, a Goldendoodle puppy’s coat will be curlier and shed less if it contains more Poodle DNA than other genetic components.
Temperament and Behavior
The Goldendoodle vs Golden Retriever personality is similar. Both breeds make excellent family dogs since they are sociable, devoted, and loving companions who typically get along quite well with kids and other animals. Neither Goldendoodles nor Golden Retrievers make particularly good guard dogs, which is one of their few drawbacks. They both have a friendly, upbeat demeanor and are excellent with children. They frequently exhibit gentleness and intelligence, but they also differ in a few ways. The independence and propensity for the stubbornness of Goldendoodles can make them more difficult to teach than Golden Retrievers. However, once you get over their intransigence, they are intelligent and, given the right motivation, can be raised to perform challenging tasks. The increased stress level of Goldendoodles compared to Golden Retrievers occasionally manifests itself in anxiousness or hostility.
On the contrary, Golden Retrievers are people-pleasers. They are frequently used as service and therapy dogs since they are said to be very simple to train and will make every effort to comply. Golden retrievers are renowned for their kindness and are exceedingly tolerant and relaxed back. Goldendoodles and Golden Retrievers need both be taken out for frequent walks; they are not suitable for apartment living. Since these dogs are not small, they require room to run around and play, and because of their working gun dog heritage, walking, fetching, and swimming are some of their natural favorite activities.
Exercise
The parent breeds of the Goldendoodle are both working breeds that require a lot of daily mental and physical engagement to stay happy and healthy. Ideally, you should give each of these breeds at least one hour of daily outside activity in addition to some engaging training sessions. Both breeds enjoy going swimming, visiting the dog park, hiking, or even going hunting with their owners. You should be informed that a bored dog with insufficient exercise may become destructive and annoying, chewing everything in your house and barking nonstop. If you own a Goldendoodle that barks nonstop then try these tricks to stop Goldendoodle from barking.
Training
The training of a Golden retriever vs Goldendoodle differs slightly. Obedience and an eagerness to learn are wired into the DNA of Golden Retrievers since they were bred to work. A Golden Retriever will be rewarding, enjoyable to train, and willing to please its owners. Along with being extremely intelligent and trainable, Goldendoodles exhibit traits from both parent breeds. As was already established, keeping your dog mentally stimulated, balanced, and healthy requires training. Your Golden puppy will enjoy obedience and agility training, however, because of their high activity level, it is a good idea to include training in their regular exercise routine.
Health Concerns
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Goldendoodles
The following are some typical inherited Goldendoodle health issues:
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- Patella luxation
- Cancer
- Hip dysplasia
- Sebaceous Adenitis
- Epilepsy
- Progressive retinal atrophy
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Golden Retriever
Several major inherited health disorders are also present in Golden Retriever puppies, including:
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- Cancer
- Patella luxation
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye conditions
- Skin problems
- Thyroid issues
By purchasing a puppy from a respectable breeder with their breeding dog’s health-tested, you may take steps to make sure your dog stays healthy and does not have any hereditary health issues.
Never purchase a dog from a breeder!
The breeding dogs are rarely given a thorough health examination because the goal of these businesses is to generate as many puppies and rapidly as possible. Therefore, even while the low costs offered by puppy farms can be alluring, you run the risk of purchasing an unwell puppy that will end up costing you much more in future medical expenses.
Nutrition and Diet
Large canines like golden retrievers have appetites to match. Feed your dog with high-quality dog food or kibble and not with wet foods, to maintain your dog’s teeth and digestive tract in good condition. Do not feed your Goldendoodle with human food because they have delicate stomachs in general. Feed your dog with a well-balanced, high-quality meal as advised by your veterinarian in both situations. Avoid overfeeding your dog because both breeds are susceptible to obesity if they receive excessive food and insufficient exercise.
Price
When comparing Golden Retriever and Goldendoodle prices, golden retrievers cost more than Goldendoodles, particularly if the dog has a distinguished lineage. American cream, due to the rarity of Golden Retrievers in the US, their cost is high. The average price for a Golden Retriever is about $3,500. Goldendoodles are less expensive, with well-bred puppies costing as little as $2,000 on average.
Grooming
Both Goldendoodles and Golden Retrievers have double coats that require constant brushing and regular bathing to avoid mats and tangles in the dog’s fluffy undercoat. With such differences in coats, it is not surprising that both breeds have different grooming needs. Both Goldendoodle and Golden Retrievers have long hair types, which makes them prone to more care and maintenance. A straighter coat may be brushed and combed every other day while a curlier coat requires thorough brushing every day. Regular brushing at least one time a week will benefit the Golden Retriever, though daily brushing works better. This help with frequent shedding while keeping your dog’s beautiful look and feeling comfortable. The fur of a Golden Retriever does not easily get matted as most may feel. If you stay long before brushing, your puppy will shed more. But if you brush between weeks, it will mitigate the damage to their fur.
Additionally, although sending your Golden Retriever to a stylist may make your life easier, you may easily give the dog the periodic bath and brush as required based on expertise. Goldendoodles are a completely different matter. Because of their unpredictable hair development, their curls necessitate routine haircuts, and you should visit a groomer after every six weeks. They should also be brushed every day or at the very least every day.
Even for a little amount of time, failing to clean or groom a Goldendoodle can result in its fur becoming matted, lengthy, and untidy. Their hair is naturally attracted to a variety of objects, and the tight curls can become entangled with twigs, bugs, nettles, leaves, and other items. This is another justification for how crucial it is for Goldendoodles to receive routine brushing, grooming, and trims. The grooming of a Goldendoodle vs Golden Retriever is straightforward.
Goldendoodle vs Golden Retriever – Which One Should You Choose?
The level of maintenance each breed requires should be considered when deciding which breed to choose. Daily brushing is required for Goldendoodles to prevent matting. While a Golden Retriever’s coat is less likely to tangle, you should brush a Goldendoodle’s coat if you detect it is becoming a bit less smooth. You should not own a Goldendoodle if you are not willing to care for its coat or hire a professional to do it.
For the animal, tangled fur can be incredibly uncomfortable and unhygienic. Once they become matted, the only alternative is typically to shave them, which could harm their coat. A Golden Retriever, on the contrary, will shed more. Be prepared to spend extra time vacuuming and cleaning the house. Given how quickly pet hair accumulates on floors, many people purchase a vacuum cleaner to maintain their cleanliness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is Better Goldendoodle or Golden Retriever?
Well, I do not want to be a scapegoat, but I think we might have to declare this a tie. They are quite similar in several ways, including attitude and health problems. So, let us say the Goldendoodle is a better choice for people searching for a smaller dog but who can handle the perhaps high maintenance of their coat.
2. Do Goldendoodles Get Bigger Than Golden Retrievers?
Weighing between 55 and 75 pounds and standing between 23 to 24 inches tall from the thigh to the shoulder, Golden Retrievers are around the same size for both sexes. However, Goldendoodles come in a wide range of sizes, from the miniature Goldendoodle to the medium Goldendoodle to the normal Goldendoodle.
3. Who is Smarter Poodle or Golden Retriever?
It is not certain if the Poodle is smarter than the Golden Retriever, but they are quite close in terms of smartness. Together with their positive attitude, they both result in a dog that is intelligent and makes a wonderful pet or service dog.
4. Why Are Golden Retrievers So Popular?
The attitude is to blame for this popularity. A Golden Retriever is a happy dog. They are calmer and enjoy going for morning walks around the neighborhood where they can meet new people, pets, kids, etc. These traits are also available when comparing Golden Retriever vs Labrador. They only make new friends, including strangers. And that positivity is contagious. Around them, you can never have an unpleasant day. This is not to imply that other dogs are not just as happy, but I believe it to be a breed trait. They needed to be cooperative and have a positive attitude because they were bred as hunting dogs.
5. What is the Average Life Expectancy of Goldendoodles?
The lifespan of a Goldendoodle is a concern that many owners have. A Goldendoodle typically lives for 10 to 15 years. Additionally, there is a component of genetic luck. You can take care of your Goldendoodle in several ways to help it live a longer life. The experiences of breeders and owners all over the world attest to this lifespan. The two parent breeds determine the age range. In this instance, a purebred Poodle and an English or American Golden Retriever are involved.
Conclusion
When it comes to Golden retriever vs Goldendoodle, it can be difficult to decide because, just like the Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle, both breeds share so many wonderful qualities in common. Both are excellent with children, lovely and sociable. The Goldendoodle can be right for you if you have allergies or are just seeking a dog that does not shed more and is as autonomous as they are smart.
