What makes Irish Doodle and Goldendoodle alike is that they share a Poodle parent. So, you’d expect them to share some features. But because their second parent is different, they have some key differences. These Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle differences are due to the Poodle size used in crossbreeding. 

Both dogs are sociable and friendly with lots of energy to share with their humans. If you’re undecided between these two cute breeds, we’re here to help you reach a decision. learn about their key difference and decide which breed best suits your home and family needs. 

Overview of Irish Doodle

The Irish Doodle, as delightful as it is, comes from the crossbreeding of Irish Setter with a Poodle. It’s a designer breed that packs the elegance and intelligence of its parents into a fluffy package. This breed is distinct for its striking coat, which often features rich red or apricot hues. It’s eye-catching just as it is affectionate. If you observe an Irish Doodle, it has the playful energy of its Irish Setter parent and the intelligence of its Poodle side. That makes it quite active and easy to train. 

On size, Irish Doodles are neither miniature nor big; their medium size weighs between 40 and 70 lbs. The size mostly depends on whether the Poodle parent was a miniature or standard size. Just like their Irish Setter parent, Irish Doodles are friendly and love interacting with people, which makes them suitable for families, singles, as well as seniors. Due to their playful nature, their owner must keep up with their daily socialization as well as exercise and activity needs

With their loving temperament and knack for creating strong bonds, Irish Doodles make loyal companions who bring joy to any home they’re part of. 

Overview of Goldendoodle

A Goldendoodle is a designer breed coming from crossing the Golden Retriever with a Poodle. They have somewhat blocky frames and thicker coats. It’s easy to see why they’re adored by most people. A doodle is friendly, and outgoing, and tends to have a teddy-bear-like look. their coats can range from curly to wavy, with the colors varying from golden to cream. The rarest color of a Goldendoodle is black, making these dogs the most sought-after. 

Overview of Goldendoodle

When it comes to size, they can weigh between 15 and 90 lbs., depending on whether they’re mini, medium, or standard. If you want a doodle that can adapt to different settings, a Goldendoodle can never disappoint. Plus, they’re incredibly smart, inheriting this trait from both their parents, which is why they’re highly trainable and strive to please their human parents.

Goldendoodles are affectionate and always seek social environments. This makes them a great buddy in family settings, but can also be happy companions to singles and seniors. They’re adored for their low-shedding coats and friendly demeanor, making them the perfect canine friends to cuddle with. 

Types of Irish Doodle and Goldendoodle Breed

When it comes to types of Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle, it all depends on the generation and size of the parents. Plus, the choice of the parents dictates the type of hybrid created to meet different preferences and needs. Let’s take a look at the different types of both breeds:

Irish Doodle Types

Generally, Irish Doodles have slender and more sleek bodies, finer coats, and longer legs. While they don’t weigh as much as Goldendoodles, they’re typically taller because of their long legs.

  • Standard Irish Doodles: They’re a hybrid from crossing a Standard Poodle with an Irish Setter. They’re the larger variant of Irish Doodles, weighing between 40 and 70 lbs. They excel in active family settings with lots of space for play.
  • Mini Irish Doodle: They’re a blend of a Miniature Poodle and an Irish Setter, and can weigh between 20 and 40 lbs. Mini Irish Doodles are best fit smaller homes.
  • F1, F1b, and Multigenerational: These types of Irish Doodles belong to different generations according to the percentage of traits they inherit from their parents. So, expect their coat, appearance, and hypoallergenic qualities to vary widely. 

Goldendoodle Types

In general, Goldendoodles are blocky, heavier, and have thicker coats with a wider color range. Here are the different types of Goldendoodles:

  • Standard Goldendoodle: with a weight ranging between 50 and 90 lbs., this type of Goldendoodle is a mix of Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever. They excel in families with lots of spare space. 
  • Mini Goldendoodle: A crossbreed of Miniature Poodle and Golden Retriever, weighing 15-35 lbs. They’re suitable for compact living spaces or apartments. 
  • Medium Goldendoodle: This is the middle ground, with a weight ranging from 35 lbs. to 50 lbs. Are ideal for anyone looking for a not-too-small and not-too-big canine buddy. 
  • F1, F1b, and Multigenerational: Just like Irish Doodles, these are varied generations with different coat textures, hypoallergenic traits, and appearance. 

Comparison Between Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle

Now that we know both breeds, a comparison between Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle will help you know how each performs against the other. It’s the best way to know which breed has the best qualities of what you’re looking for. 

Category

Irish Doodle

Goldendoodle

Size  Sizes range from medium to large, weighing 20-70 lbs.   Sizes range from small to large and weigh between 15-90 lbs. 
Temperament  Playful, affectionate, and portray some independence  Are friendly, outgoing, and always strive to please. 
Trainability Intelligent, highly trainable, but can be a little stubborn at times.  Extremely trainable and always want to learn.
Energy Levels  Has high energy levels, and thrives on outdoor activities and exercise.   Moderate to high energy levels. Loves to play and exercise. 
Lifespan  Can live between 12 and 15 years  Lifespan ranges from 10 to 15 years.
Behavior with Family  Tends to form loyal bonds and enjoys spending time with family Is extremely affectionate and excels when given more attention.
Interaction with Other Dogs  Friendly to other dogs, but can sometimes take time to warm up. Naturally social and blends freely with other dogs.
Territorial Instincts  Moderately territorial. May alert bark, though not overly protective.  Less territorial and more likely to warm up to strangers. 
Grooming Needs  Has moderate to high grooming needs, and is prone to tangles and mats if neglected. Requires moderate grooming; and regular brushing and trimming.
Health Differences  May inherit PRA or dysplasia from the parents.   May inherit similar risks, in addition to allergies and bloat. 
Suitability for Families  Thrive in families that love outdoor adventures.  Excels in all types of families, including singles and seniors. 

 

1. Physical Appearance

Irish doodles are loved for their rich apricot or red coats with a silky and wavy appearance. They’re lean with an athletic build, featuring almond-shaped eyes and slender snouts. Goldendoodles on the other hand have a wider range of colors, from golden, cream, and chocolate, to rare black. Their coats are teddy-bear-like and can vary from curly to straight. In terms of build, Goldendoodles are a bit studier, with rounder faces and soulful eyes. 

Irish Doodles weigh between 20 and 70 lbs. (medium to large) while Goldendoodles’ weight ranges from 15 lbs. to 90 lbs. (small to large). 

2. Temperament and Personality

Irish Doodles shine with their playful and intelligent nature, although they’re a little independent. They inherit their lively nature from their Irish Setter parent and their intelligence from their Poodle parent. When it comes to bonding, they form strong attachments with family members but can take some time to accept strangers or new dogs. 

Goldendoodles are social butterflies—extremely friendly and outgoing and often strive to please their humans. They can’t get enough attention and are always seeking engagement from kids and other family members. 

Both doodles are affectionate, but Irish Doodles have a more adventurous spirit while Goldendoodles have a calm and sociable demeanor, which makes them blend into any lifestyle.

3. Exercise and Activity Needs

Can you catch up with the high energy levels of Irish Doodles? They need daily exercises like running, long walks, and active playtime to maintain their lively spirit. Irish Doodles need plenty of space to enjoy their play. They also require mental stimulation and activities that improve their athletic abilities. Irish Doodle’s zest for adventure makes them perfect for households that love adventure. 

In comparison, Goldendoodles’ energy level ranges from moderate to high, but are more adaptable. Just like Irish Doodles, they too need daily walks, interactive games, and lots of playtime, but can also adjust if they’re subjected to less vigorous lifestyles. 

4. Training and Intelligence

There’s no denying that both doodles are highly intelligent, which makes them trainable. Irish Doodles, however, may show some level of independence that comes from their Irish Setter side. So, they need to be handled with patience and subjected to consistency for them to grasp their training. With regular mental stimulation and positive reinforcement, they can perform well in their training.

Training and Intelligence

Goldendoodle’s eagerness to please makes their training sessions enjoyable, even if you’re a first-time owner. They’re naturally enthusiastic and respond to commands pretty well, which makes them excel during obedience training.

While both breeds are great learners, Goldendoodles are more cooperative and often strive to please, which makes them easy to train by inexperienced trainers. 

5. Health and Lifespan

An Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle health comparison reveals that they’re both generally healthy. However, they can pick up some health issues from their parents. For instance, Irish Doodles may inherit progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and dysplasia, stemming or bloat from Irish Setter and Poodle genetics. They can live between 12 and 15 years. 

Similarly, Goldendoodles can also inherit PRA and dysplasia, in addition to heart issues and allergies. Larger Goldendoodles may also be at risk of bloating. In terms of lifespan, Goldendoodles tend to live between 10 and 15 years, but this depends on how well they’re taken care of, and their overall body size. Both breeds excel and can live long if they receive regular vet checkups, exercise, and a healthy diet.   

6. Grooming and Maintenance

Generally, every dog needs proper grooming and maintenance so there’s no excluding this bit when it comes to both breeds. Irish Doodles have silky, wavy coats that are prone to matting and therefore need regular brushing, at least 2 to 3 times per week. From time to time, they’ll need professional grooming. Even though they may shed a little less than their Irish Setter parent, they still need attention to maintain their coat texture. 

On the other hand, Goldendoodles are cherished because of their low-shedding coats, especially the F1b and later generations. Their curly or wavy fur still needs to be taken care of regularly. To prevent mats, they need brushing 3 to 4 times per week and routine trims. 

Both breeds require regular ear cleaning, dental care, and nail trimming to maintain their adorable look. 

7. Cost of Ownership

Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles are premium designer breeds, so expect to dig a little deeper into your pockets to acquire them. Irish Doodle purchase costs vary widely depending on the breeder, lineage, and type of coat. This can range from $1,500 to $3,500. Some of the initial costs you need to bear in mind include microchipping, vaccinations, and spraying or neutering. Goldendoodles are equally expensive to acquire, with prices ranging between $1,500 and $4,000. The smaller variants tend to cost more because they’re highly sought after. 

Another ideal and more affordable option to own one is to consider adoption. Check out San Diego Goldendoodles, offering beautiful, well-groomed, and high-quality doodles ready for adoption. Both breeds need the owner to invest in quality food, toys, training, and pet insurance. This makes their maintenance costs range from $1,000 to $2,500 a year depending on individual needs. 

Things to Consider When Choosing Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle?

So, which breed takes the day between Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle? Both are great, but when choosing between them, consider your lifestyle and preferences. If you have an active household and tend to go for outdoor adventure a lot, an Irish Doodle best suits your lifestyle. Its high energy level is unmatched and has an adventurous spirit, which is great for the outdoors. You’ll need to be patient with Irish Doodles during training because they can be a bit independent.  Goldendoodles’ sociable and adaptable nature makes them suitable for families with kids and other pets. 

When making your decision, think about their grooming needs; Irish Doodle tends to shed slightly more than their counterpart. More importantly, consider your space and your availability for exercise because both breeds are passionately energetic, though the intensity may vary depending an living conditions. 

Conclusion

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle, which one makes the best canine buddy? It all depends on what you’re looking for. Irish Doodles are loved for their energetic and adventurous nature, making them suitable for families, though they show some level of independence during training. Goldendoodles, on the other hand, are affectionate, zealous, and can adapt quickly. They’re easier to train and can fit in with kids and other pets. 

If you’re still not sure which one best fits your needs and preferences, consider some help from professional breeders. San Diego Goldendoodles can help you choose the right breed whether you’re looking to adopt or buy. 

FAQ

Are Irish Doodles or Goldendoodles easier to train?

Goldendoodles are easier to train since they’re often eager to please and respond well to commands. Irish Doodles are equally intelligent but can display some independence, so may need patience and consistency when training. 

Which breed is more hypoallergenic, Irish Doodle or Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles, particularly the F1b and later generations, are more hypoallergenic as they have low-shedding coats. Irish Doodles shed slightly more, so aren’t the best for allergy-sensitive people. 

Which breed has more energy: Irish Doodle or Goldendoodle?

Irish Doodles have more energy since they inherit an active nature from the Irish setter side. They need vigorous exercise to thrive, while Goldendoodles can excel with moderate to low-energy activities. 

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