The debate over Goldendoodle vs Golden Retriever dogs is lively as each of these dog breeds has their enthusiastic fan club of dog owners and breeders! In all fairness, there is no “better” choice in this debate as both dogs have a lot to offer the right owner.
You only have to learn about these dogs and then decide for yourself whether the Goldendoodle or Golden Retriever would better suit your lifestyle, time available, family, and interests.
Differences Between Golden Retriever and Goldendoodle
There are a few main differences between Golden Retriever and Goldendoodle dogs that we will review in more detail. We will take both breeds one after the other.
Golden Retriever: General Breed Information
Origin
The golden retriever is said to originate from Inverness Shire, Scotland, and the first crosses would have been made by Lord Tweedmouth around 1868. The first word of its name, “Golden”, refers to its coat color, and the second word, “Retriever, ” simply means that its role is to go get the game killed by its master and bring it back to him.
Therefore, we can guess that the selection of the breed was strongly based on the retrieval skills of this dog! The popularity of the breed took off in the early 1990s. With time, this dog lost its recognition as a hunter or “retriever” per se and was bought mainly for its qualities as a companion dog.
Diet
The golden retriever tends to be gluttonous in feeding. Its diet consists of good quality kibble, containing few fillers such as wheat or soy. In general, it is recommended to offer your puppy three to four meals a day until the age of six months – this can then be reduced to two larger rations.
It has a short digestive system, which is ideal for digesting the proteins that are administered to it; on the other hand, it digests green vegetables less well. Limit its physical exercise one hour before and after meals to avoid turning its stomach.
Character
The dog’s name is not only derived from the color of its coat but its “golden character”. It is the perfect companion for families, as it shows no aggressiveness. This dog is a very good swimmer as it loves water. It even lives on very good terms with other breeds as well as with cats! The dog’s good temperament is ideal for setting the mood in a house and accompanying single people. It is very friendly, and its docility is exemplary.
It is also a dog that is very attached to its owners: the golden retriever has a lot of difficulties enduring loneliness. It feels the need to participate in all the activities! Its character is, therefore, not very well suited to owners who are never at home.
Health
Unfortunately, this family favorite suffers from a few fairly common health conditions, especially when it comes to eye and hip disorders. Here are the most common pathologies:
- Arthritis
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Entropion
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Skin diseases (ichthyosis, dermatitis, etc.)
- Von Willebrand disease
- Otitis
- Aortic stenosis
- Degenerative spinal stenosis (broken tail)
Goldendoodle: General Breed Information
Origin
By the 1990s, it became more and more common to cross the Poodle with various breeds to create hypoallergenic and cute dogs that would inherit qualities from other parents as well.
Besides the Golden Retriever, the Labrador (Labradoodle), the Cocker Spaniel (Cockapoo), and the Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkipoo) are some of the breeds that are very popular in these famous crosses. The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed of the Poodle and Golden Retriever.
The objective here is to create a larger poodle and to preserve the low loss of hair and “dander” (an organic material produced by the dog’s body and which causes the allergy) of the breed while recovering the very soft and family nature of the golden.
Diet
It is best to give your puppy three to four meals a day, then increase it to two when it is six months old. You must also choose a food formula appropriate to the age of your companion. Start with puppy food, then switch to adult food when it’s between seven and nine months old, as advised by your breeder and veterinarian.
Stay away from low-quality foods, which contain a lot of fillers. This will force your dog to eat more to achieve satiety, adversely affecting its weight and long term health.
There’s no food specificity for the Doodle. Other than that, its broad chest makes it sensitive to the torsion of the stomach. To protect it, offer it two meals a day and don’t let it go for exercise one hour before and after each meal. Also, try to take away its food bowl between meals but leave it with a bowl of fresh water at all times.
Character
The Goldendoodle is endowed with a very tolerant, affectionate, and gentle character. It is loyal, highly intelligent, and moderately active. But, like the Retriever, it could become difficult to deal with if you don’t have time to get it out or if you leave it alone for too long.
A Goldendoodle’s behavior can vary significantly since dogs are bred in a less structured way by breeders and not all care about the pedigree and background of the breeders. When dealing with anyone, you might have some nasty surprises. However, most of these dogs will be very comfortable around children, strangers, and other animals.
Health
Here is the list of hereditary or congenital diseases to watch out for:
- Allergies
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Ear infections
- Patella dislocation
- Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency)
- Von Willebrand disease
Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle: A Comparison
Type of Dog
Golden Retriever: Companion dog, hunting dog, police dog, guide dog, game-lifting dog, water dog
Goldendoodle: Pet dog, apartment living
Height (at withers)
Golden Retriever: From 56 – 61 centimeters (22 – 24 inches) for the male, From 51 – 56 centimeters (20 – 22 inches) for the female
Goldendoodle: From 61 – 67 centimeters (24 – 26.5 inches) for the male, From 54 – 59 centimeters (21.5 – 23 inches) for the female
Weight
Golden Retriever: 26 – 31 kilograms (57 – 69 pounds) for the male, 25 – 27 kilograms (55 – 60 pounds) for the female
Goldendoodle: 20.5 – 25 kilograms (45 – 55 pounds) for the male, 16 – 20.5 kilograms (35 – 45 pounds) for the female
Longevity (life expectancy)
Golden Retriever: From 10 to 14 years old
Goldendoodle: From 10 to 15 years old
Hair
Golden Retriever: Its coat is flat or wavy, relatively long, and its undercoat is tight and waterproof.
Goldendoodle: Its coat is curly or wavy, with an average length of two to three inches. It is longer at the tail, body, ears, and legs, while it is a bit shorter on the head and muzzle.
Color
Golden Retriever: It comes in different colors ranging from pale cream to red. Others are rather gold in color.
Goldendoodle: The usual color is gold, but you can also find types that are black, white, gray, copper, cream, apricot, or red.
Apartment Living
Golden Retriever: It adapts to it quite well. The proximity of its master will be very important. Take it out for several outings per day to stretch it.
Goldendoodle: We do not recommend raising a Goldendoodle in an apartment. In general, the need for stimulation and activity is too high for these dogs to be satisfied in such a confined space. Barking can also be a problem for some.
Conclusion: Goldendoodle vs Golden Retriever
The differences between Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles that you read here can help you decide which dog will be the best for you and your family. However, knowing the best breed will depend on what you want.
As you review the information presented here, keep in mind that finding a reputable breeder who puts their puppies’ health above all else is the number one criterion in finding a high-quality new dog of any breed. By the time you do this, you will be halfway home!
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