When considering a Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle, there are various things to keep in mind. Moreover, there are differences between purebred dogs and designer dogs. The appearance and temperament of purebred dogs are slightly more predictable than designer dogs. Nonetheless, they can both be lovable companions and good family dogs.
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Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle
The Golden Retriever is a purebred dog that is recognized by the American Kennel Club. On the other hand, the Goldendoodle is a designer dog breed that is a combination of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. However, do you want to have 100% Golden Retriever or do you want 50% Golden Retriever with some Poodle traits? Let’s find out about their differences.
Grooming
The Golden Retriever has a medium coat length that only requires weekly brushing for maintenance. On the other hand, the Goldendoodle may greatly vary in coat appearance and density due to the combination of the Golden Retriever and Poodle. If the coat type of the Goldendoodle is more similar to the Golden Retriever than the poodle, weekly brushing may be necessary. However, if the coat of the Goldendoodle is more like a poodle, then regular professional grooming is essential for coat maintenance.
Both the Goldendoodle and the Golden Retriever requires frequent baths. However, to maintain a healthy and good-looking coat, they need high-quality dog shampoo. Bathing at least once a week may be enough to maintain the cleanliness of your dog. But, you may still need some trips to the groomer if you are unable to cut the nails or brush the teeth of your dog by yourself.
Shedding
The Golden Retriever sheds seasonally and it is not a hypoallergenic dog breed. On the other hand, the Poodle is a hypoallergenic dog breed that sheds infrequently. So, with the Goldendoodle, you may expect less shedding when compared to a purebred Golden Retriever, but slightly more shedding if you compare it to a purebred Poodle.
Lifespan
The Goldendoodle is quite a new designer breed that only gained popularity in the 90s. However, since this designer breed is still quite new, the life expectancy is not yet fully established. Goldendoodles may live between 10-18 years. On the other hand, the life expectancy of a Golden Retriever is 10-12 years. The lifespan of either of these dogs may greatly be affected by the dog’s health.
Size
Size is always a consideration when getting a dog. Dogs need exercise, and larger breeds need more exercise than smaller breeds. Hence, larger breeds need more space.
The Goldendoodle offers a wide variety of sizes to choose from. This is due to the size variations of the Poodle that comes in standard, mini, and toy. Goldendoodles may have the size of any of these Poodle variations. So, Goldendoodles may stand anywhere from 13-24 inches in height and may weigh 15-90 pounds.
On the contrary, the Golden Retriever is a large purebred dog with expected attributes that conform to breed standards. Golden Retrievers usually stand 21.5-24 inches tall and weigh about 55-75 pounds.
Temperament
The Golden Retriever is the 3rd most popular dog breed in the US, according to the American Kennel Club. Moreover, their temperament may have played a huge role in their popularity. The Golden Retriever is a very friendly dog that is devoted to their families. Besides, the Golden Retriever is highly intelligent and knows how to interact with people well.
The Goldendoodle may be a designer dog breed, but it has a predictable temperament. Besides, the breed was created to combine the best physical and behavioral traits of the Poodle and the Golden Retriever in one dog. The Goldendoodle is a very active and smart designer dog that does fairly well with families and other dogs.
Trainability
The Golden Retriever is a highly trainable breed that is very eager to please their owners. On the other hand, the Goldendoodle also has the same characteristics as the Golden Retriever, plus the favorable traits of the Poodle, too. This means that the Goldendoodle is very easy to train. Nevertheless, if you experience difficulty in training either of these breeds, you may want to consider using positive reinforcement and a training collar.
Nutrition
The Golden Retriever and the Goldendoodle may thrive well with high-quality dog food and occasional treats. However, for the Goldendoodle, some dog foods are more beneficial for their health. On the other hand, the Golden Retriever may remain healthy with the right food. But, you have to avoid these dog foods that aren’t very beneficial for most dogs.
Health
The Golden Retriever and the Goldendoodle are relatively healthy breeds. But, both may be susceptible to some health issues that can be inherited from one or both parents. Moreover, some illnesses may also be acquired later in life due to predisposed genetics. Here are some health issues that you have to look out for in either breed:
Golden Retriever potential health issues
- Hip or elbow dysplasia
- Eye conditions (cataract, cherry eye, progressive retinal atrophy, pigmentary uveitis)
- Heart ailments
- Ear infection
- Gum problems
Goldendoodle potential health issues
- Hip or elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism
- von Willebrand’s disease
- Eye problems
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
- Allergies
Golden Retriever Pros and Cons
Pros
- Friendly and intelligent
- Good family dogs
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Predisposed to certain health issues
- Not ideal guard dog/watchdog
Goldendoodle Pros and Cons
Pros
- Size variations
- Highly intelligent and trainable
- Minimal shedding
Cons
- More demanding grooming needs
- Unpredictable lifespan
- Not ideal guard dog/watchdog
The Verdict
Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle may have helped you choose a good family dog with plenty of favorable characteristics. They are very similar to each other, but the Goldendoodle has some favorable traits of the Poodle, too. Choosing either of these breeds all boils down to your preferences considerations on either of these breeds. If you believe the godlendoodle or the golden retriever is the right breed for you, you can enlist the help of experts, such as NewDoggy, to find your dream puppy.
