Choosing between two breeds of dog can be a tough task. Especially when the breeds are the Poodle and the Goldendoodle. Both of these breeds of dogs have advantages and make amazing family dogs, but they aren’t right for every household. That is why it is important to understand clearly the difference between the two breeds.
We have put together a great guide that covers all of the details when it comes to both breeders. By the end of this guide, you should have an understanding of the differences between the two breeds and be able to make an informed decision about which one to add to your home.
A quick summary of the Poodle vs Goldendoodle:
- The Poodle is a purebred dog breed that adheres to strict standards. On the other hand, the Goldendoodle is a mixed dog breed between the Golden Retriever and Poodle. There is no standardization for this dog breed.
- Poodles are more nonshedding and hypoallergenic than the Goldendoodle.
- Poodles conform to their true size and weight much more than a Goldendoodle. Many Goldendoodle puppies can vary in size and weight since they are a hybrid dog breed.
- Goldendoodles are generally more easygoing and sport a milder temperament than the Poodle.
- Both the Goldendoodle and Poodle have significant grooming requirements. Expect regular haircuts and brushings!
- Both the Poodle and Goldendoodle are extremely easy to train due to their high intelligence levels.
Check out these other articles: Best Puppy Food for a Goldendoodle and Best Dog Food for a Poodle.
What is the Poodle?
The Poodle is a dog that is almost synonymous with the word “glamorous”, but what many people don’t know is that the Standard Poodle is a hunting dog and loves the water. While they are often called French Poodles and are indeed the national dog of France, they are not a French dog. The Poodle is a German water dog. Even their name comes from the German word for a puddle.
These dogs do not have fur like other dogs. They have something more like human hair that is hypoallergenic and doesn’t shed. They also don’t have the dander that other dogs have. This is what gives them the hypoallergenic properties that so many people desire. Poodles also have amazing temperaments and get along great with children and other pets. Both of these qualities have led to breeders crossing them with other purebred dogs to create hypo-allergenic dogs that are referred to as “doodles.”
The Poodle comes in four different sizes: Standard, Moyen, Mini, and Toy. Breeders use all of these sizes in various Doodle breeds like the Goldendoodle.
What is the Goldendoodle?
A Goldendoodle is in the Doodle family of dog breeds. This is a dog that comes from crossing a Poodle with a Golden Retriever. Because of the mix of hunting dog and retriever, this is a high energy and intelligent breed of dog. There are several Generations of Goldendoodles that will affect their coat qualities and genetic makeup.
In general, the Goldendoodle inherits Golden Retriever qualities that make them easygoing in personality and temperament. However, since they are a hybrid breed, it’s difficult to decipher the exact temperament and personality of your Goldendoodle.
Poodle vs Goldendoodle: Size
Standard Poodles can range from small standards of around 50 lbs to larger standards of around 70 lbs. However, there are four sizes of Poodles ranging from Standard to Toy. You can find Toy Poodles that weigh around 10 pounds.
Since the Goldendoodle is a mix of two dog breeds, the size will highly depend on the parent dogs. Standard Goldendoodles are bred with a Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever and are typically bigger than both of the purebred dogs weighing over 60 pounds and standing over 22 inches tall. Goldendoodles do tend to be slightly larger than purebred counterparts, but there are now a variety of Goldendoodle sizes. Goldendoodles come in standard, medium, and mini versions. Mini Goldendoodles are classified as Goldendoodles that weigh less than 30 pounds.
Between the Standard Poodle and the Standard Goldendoodle, the Goldendoodle is usually slightly bigger.
Poodle vs Goldendoodle: Temperament
Poodles are very intelligent dogs with an even larger amount of energy. They are truly devoted to their owner and are often referred to as velcro dogs because they follow their favorite human everywhere they go. Because of how intelligent they are, Poodles are very easy to train. Their eagerness to please their people helps with their trainability and obedience. Poodle puppies and young adults are very energetic and do like to chew if their energy is not used up with walks and playing.
The Poodle is a great family dog, especially the standard Poodle. They tend to be more laid back than the smaller Poodles and get along well with children and different types of pets.
Goldendoodles get a large amount of energy from both purebred parent dogs as well as the intelligence from both the Poodle and Golden Retriever. This makes them great family dogs. However, they can be destructive if left on their own since they will get easily bored. They need adequate walks and playtime every single day. They do get along well with other pets and children. They are generally a little bit more easygoing than the Poodle.
Poodle vs Goldendoodle: Lifespan
Both of these breeds of dogs do have long life expectancies for large breeds. The Standard Poodle, when healthy and bought from a reputable breeder, can live anywhere from 12 to 15 years. This can vary because illness and injury can happen, but when all goes well they tend to live a very long life.
The Goldendoodle also has the possibility of a long life with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years depending on health and breeding. Golden Retrievers and Poodles both live long lives and pass this along to the Goldendoodle.
In general though, smaller dogs like the toy Poodle and mini Goldendoodle will live longer than larger dogs. This is because smaller dogs tend to have fewer health issues. It’s not uncommon for smaller dogs to live over 15 years.
Goldendoodle vs Poodle: Health
Both the Goldendoodle and Poodle has their own list of health conditions that they are prone to. Many of the conditions on this list are a result of poor breeding done by irresponsible breeders. Looking for a reputable breeder to purchase a puppy from.
Poodle Health Concerns
- Anemia is a genetic concern in Poodles.
- Thyroid disease is also a health concern. This can be treated with medication and doesn’t affect lifespan if cared for.
- Epilepsy is another health issue that is passed on from the parents. It can’t be controlled with medication and generally doesn’t shorten the life of the dog.
- Gastric dilation volvulus, or blot, is a condition that happens with deep-chested dogs when they eat too fast. The risk can be reduced by putting food in a specially designed bowl to slow them down.
Goldendoodle Health Concerns
- Hip Dysplasia is a common issue for Golden Retrievers and Poodles. This makes it a concern for the Goldendoodle. Proper breeding and screening procedures can prevent this from being passed on to puppies.
- Addison’s disease is a cortisol disease that keeps dogs from being able to handle stress. It can end in death but if caught early it can be treated before the dog is in crisis.
- Eye conditions are common in Goldendoodles when the breeding is not done responsibly. They can have a degenerative disease or glaucoma as they age.
Regardless of the health conditions, they can all be prevented or caught early if the breeder is responsible and cares about health testing the dogs in their breeding program.
Poodle vs Goldendoodle: Appearance
Poodles, at least the standard version, are tall and lanky dogs with a deep chest. They can come in a variety of solid colors or multi-colors what they call parti colors. The Poodles hair is kinky, curly, and must be brushed or kept short so it doesn’t matt.
In addition, they have long noses and have mid-length tails. These dogs, when groomed well, are beautiful and striking dogs with a distinct appearance. They are easily recognizable and most people will immediately know them as Poodles. The smaller versions of the Poodle, like the toy or moyen, are just smaller versions. They aren’t as tall, but they maintain the same proportions and still have the deep chest and curly hair.
The Goldendoodle is usually recognizable but is often confused for a Labradoodle. However, the Goldendoodle does tend to be hairier than the Labradoodle because of the long hair that comes from both sides of the family.
While there can be varied red and tan colors in the Goldendoodle, the variety isn’t as great as the Poodle or the Labradoodle. Typically the color gives them away. The hair is long and can be curly, wavy, straight, or a combination. They are big and tend to be stockier than the Poodle, but some do inherit the Poodle look. Since they are a crossbreed dog, they won’t have a distinct appearance like the Poodle.
Goldendoodle vs Poodle: Grooming
Both the Goldendoodle and Poodle require extensive grooming. They are both very high maintenance and will need to visit a groomer regularly. Even seeing a professional groomer every 4-6 weeks doesn’t take away the daily grooming commitment of the owner. Investing in a great shampoo and conditioner as well as a brush suitable for their hair type will go a long way to keeping their coat healthy.
Neither of these dogs shed much which makes them hypoallergenic, but also makes them prone to tangles and mattes. Once one of the Goldendoodle or Poodle starts to matt they will likely have to be shaved down. Owners can also have their groomer give them a low maintenance kennel cut to keep the daily grooming to a minimum. Matts are painful for either the Poodle or Goldendoodle so it is best to take the grooming seriously.
Don’t look at brushing as a chore. This is a great bonding time for you and your dog. Not only is it good for your relationship, but it can also be relaxing for the owner. Brushing in the evenings while you watch TV or outside while the kid’s play is a great way to zone out and decompress from daily stress.
Poodle vs Goldendoodle: Training
There may not be any dogs on the planet that are easier to train than the Poodle and Goldendoodle. Both of these dogs are extremely intelligent and eager to please. Additionally, they both also love food which makes training easy, especially with treats. Because the Goldendoodle and Poodle need a large amount of mental stimulation, training is perfect. Training challenges them and works both their brains and their bodies.
Something that should be kept in mind as owners start the training process is exercise. Exercise is the key to a good training session. It is difficult for dogs to focus on training when they are bursting with energy. Pre-training walks or exercise sessions will help the dogs spend the extra energy so they can focus on the task at hand.
Both the Poodle and Goldendoodle are wonderful service dogs. If they have a good temperament and have passed basic obedience training it might be beneficial to train them as a canine good citizen and then a therapy dog. This works the dog’s mind and teaches them self-control and focus. They will have to be temperament tested to start this type of training but both breeds have a naturally good temperament as long as the breeding was responsible and health-focused.
Poodle vs Goldendoodle: Costs
All dogs can be expensive to look after when it is done properly. There are normal costs such as quality food, treats, a leash and collar, grooming supplies, vet visits, and other regular expenses. Flea control and heartworm prevention are also imperative when it comes to responsible dog ownership and costs a good amount of money.
There are unexpected expenses that can arise if there are illnesses or other emergencies. These should be planned for accordingly so the Poodle or Goldendoodle can have surgery if a situation arises. There is pet insurance that can be kept on your dog for such occasions. Pet ownership is also a long term commitment that comes with long term expenses. If you aren’t in a position to provide the necessary care and supplies then it may not be the right time to add a puppy to your home.
Conclusion for Poodle vs Goldendoodle
Either the Goldendoodle or Poodle would be a great addition to any family. They both like kids and other pets and provided they came from a reputable breeder they should live long healthy lives and give the owners more than a decade of companionship. If you are set on having a purebred dog then you should choose the Poodle. However, if you want one of the most popular hybrid dog breeds in the world, then choose a Goldendoodle. You really cannot go wrong with either dog breed!
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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