Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle: which breed is right for you?

Unbeatably infectious smiles, constantly wagging tails, and golden locks to die for… welcome to the Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle showdown! Both are here to win you over, but which fuzzy ray of sunshine is right for you? 

Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle

The main difference between a Goldendoodle and Golden Retriever is the coat. Coming in various colors, Goldendoodles are generally defined by their wavy, “hypoallergenic” fur, whereas Golden Retrievers are golden in color and tend to shed quite a bit. Let’s take a more detailed look at some of the key characteristics of each breed and the factors you’ll need to consider if you’re thinking about welcoming one of these Goldilocks into your home. 

Golden Retriever: a classic breed

Characteristics of Golden Retrievers

These golden goofballs are usually, well, gold in color, but the shade can vary from a milky white hue (known as English cream) to a warm auburn color. Their long, wavy, double-layered coats are water-repellant and keep them warm, but Golden Retriever parents need to brush their pups regularly to avoid finding golden locks all over the house. With floppy ears and feathering around the chest, legs, and tail, could these medium-sized pups be any cuter? 

History and origin of the breed

As with many dog breeds, the origins of the Golden Retriever are a little hazy. It’s thought that the first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, developed the breed in the Scottish Highlands in 1868 by breeding a yellow retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel. Soon, the Scottish gun dog became known as an excellent hunting companion, famous for its gentle “retrieving” skills. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925, the breed continues to work by the side of humans, nowadays more often as service or therapy dogs.

Pros and cons of owning a Golden Retriever

Goldens have been ranked amongst the top five most popular pups by the AKC since 2018, and what’s not to love about them? They’re loyal, compassionate, and intelligent, giving a friendly wag of the tail to everyone they meet, but they can be prone to suffering from separation anxiety as they love being around their humans.

Training and exercise needs of Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers can really be the best of buddies as long as their training and exercise needs are met. Start with early socialization and obedience training and they’ll pick up commands and tricks quickly and efficiently. While they love testing their agility skills, they also need at least an hour of runaround time per day, and they won’t be afraid of jumping into the river for some doggy paddle either. 

Goldendoodle: a hybrid breed

Characteristics of Goldendoodles

As with any designer doggy, it can be difficult to predict a Goldendoodle’s characteristics as this depends greatly on their parentage. When bred with a standard Poodle, a Goldendoodle will weigh anywhere from 60 to 90 pounds and stand 20 to 24 inches tall. When bred with a Miniature or Toy Poodle, Mini Goldendoodles can be just 15 pounds. Their coats might be straight, wavy, or curly depending on their parentage (although it’s rare to see the latter on a Goldendoodle), and they can come in varying shades of yellow, brown, red, and black. Their medium-length fur may need a special trip to the groomer every so often, but potential parents will be pleased to know that Goldendoodles rarely shed! 

History and origin of the breed

Goldendoodles began gracing our dog parks at some point in the 1990s, most likely originating in Australia or Canada. Although it was an pivotal moment for breeding as the “hypoallergenic” Poodle was crossed with the lovable Golden Retriever, Goldendoodles will never be officially recognized by the AKC as they are not purebred. That didn’t stop them from becoming the fifth most popular pup in the US in 2021 though!

Pros and cons of owning a Goldendoodle

One of the biggest bonuses of becoming a Goldendoodle parent is that their low-shedding coats make them as close to hypoallergenic as a furry friend can be. These teddy bears also make excellent family pets as they are highly intelligent and full of unconditional love, but some say Goldendoodles can be a little aloof. If it’s a guard dog you’re looking for, a Goldendoodle is more likely to lick an intruder to death rather than attack them, and unfortunately, you won’t be able to register this hybrid dog with any official kennel clubs.

Training and exercise needs of Goldendoodles

Like Golden Retrievers, Goldendoodles make excellent family pets as long as they’re properly trained and socialized. They’re an intelligent breed and will pick up tricks and commands quickly through positive reinforcement or clicker training. As well as mental stimulation, a full-grown Goldendoodle will benefit from around two hours of exercise per day, plus living in an engaging and enriching environment at home. 

Goldendoodle vs Golden Retriever comparison

Temperament and personality differences

Goldendoodles and Golden Retrievers are known for their loyal, friendly, sociable dispositions. If one was the leader of the pack though, it would have to be the Golden Retriever, who will approach every man and his dog while their Goldendoodle cousins may be a little more reserved. Golden Retrievers want to be everyone’s best friend, and like the most popular kid in school, they’ll come for a cuddle with their favorites before seeing what they can get from the table next to them. Golden Retrievers are fun-loving, but they also have a calming, gentle presence that goes down well with young children (but be careful little ones don’t get accidentally knocked over). Goldendoodles are very similar to their Golden Retriever cousins but they tend to be more energetic and better at being alone. Goldendoodles can sometimes be a little standoffish with other furry friends and may find big groups a little overwhelming, and some say they’re harder to train due to their independence and energetic nature. 

Physical differences and grooming needs

Goldendoodles usually weigh between 10 and 20 pounds more than the average Golden, but it’s their coats that differ the most. Golden Retrievers have a short undercoat and a long, straight outer coat that needs brushing every few days to keep shedding under control. The Golden Retriever’s coat should be kept trimmed to prevent mats (but never shaved),and care should be taken when cutting their nails. Goldendoodles on the other hand, are characterized by their wavy or curly coats, and although they don’t shed as much as Golden Retrievers, they should still be groomed regularly.

Health considerations

Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles share many of the same health problems and sometimes suffer from eye trouble, cardiovascular problems, neurological conditions, and joint issues like hip and elbow dysplasia. Crossbreeds like the Goldendoodle are generally more resistant to genetic problems, but both breeds require regular checkups at the vets. 

Adaptability to different living situations

Golden Retrievers and their Doodle friends are known for being loving family pets. While Golden Retrievers take the biscuit for compatibility with other furry friends and patience with young children, Goldendoodles have a more independent nature and so will do better if left at home alone. Both breeds need lots of mental and physical stimulation, and they will benefit greatly from having access to a large outdoor area for running around.

Choosing between a Golden Retriever and a Goldendoodle

Factors to consider when choosing a breed

If you’re thinking about becoming a pet parent to a Golden Retriever or Goldendoodle, it’s really important to consider how much time you have to dedicate to your new furry friend. Yes, they’re adorable, but can you give them all the love and attention they need, as well as a sufficient amount of exercise and training? Golden Doodle and Golden Retriever puppies should both be trained and socialized from an early age and you’ll need to consider whether you’ve got the space for them when they’re all grown up, plus the capacity to keep on top of their grooming and health care. Finally, will a furry addition fit into your schedule? Golden Retrievers might be the more sociable of the two, but that doesn’t mean your Goldendoodle will enjoy being left home alone all day. 

Which breed may be a better fit for certain lifestyles or living situations? 

Golden Retrievers are the quintessential family dog, they get on well with kids and other furry friends and they can be great playmates. They’ll enjoy mucking in with everyday activities and they won’t want to be left for too long on their own. Goldendoodles are ideal for households that love Golden Retrievers but are looking for a low-shedding breed that will still form strong bonds with their family and other furry friends. 

Final thoughts and considerations

When it comes to Golden Retrievers vs Goldendoodles, there’s no clear winner. Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles are like two peas in a pod, and both will turn out to be amazing pets as long as they’re trained and exercised properly. If shedding isn’t an issue, both of these breeds will bring equal amounts of joy to their new families.