Goldendoodle vs Poodle
April 27, 2021 2021-07-16 5:32Are you trying to decide between a Standard Poodle and a Goldendoodle? While the breeds are similar (and share 50% of their genetics), they are not the same. They have considerable differences when it comes to appearance and temperament as well as training and grooming needs.
Today we will look at which breed is better for which family. Let’s get ready for the ultimate comparison of Goldendoodle vs Poodle!
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Goldendoodle vs Poodle – which one is the better pet?
When discussing which breed is the best pet, we always need to take into account the lifestyle and training goals of the future family.
Just like there is no answer to “What is the best car?” – because there is a best car for off-roading, a best van for families, a best sports car, a best electric car …
When trying to decide for a breed of dog, it is therefore crucial to consider:
- What are your goals for your future dog?
(Do you want to make your Goldendoodle a service dog? Do you want to take your Poodle swimming? Do you want to do agility?) - How much time do you want to spend on grooming the dog?
- How much do you want to train your dog?
- How active are you?
- Do you have other dogs already in the household? What is their temperament like?
The answers to all these questions will guide you in making the decision.
Goldendoodle vs Standard Poodle – quick comparison
Goldendoodle
- Size: 20-26 inches
- Weight: 40-90 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
A cross of Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever, the Goldendoodle is a very active and outgoing Doodle mix. Goldendoodles are highly social and love to make friends.
Under the goody appearance lies a highly intelligent and energetic dog that requires intense exercise and daily training. Goldendoodles have a tendency to be very destructive.
Exercise needs:
Grooming required:
Training difficulty:
Goldendoodle owners are often surprised by their dog’s high exercise and training needs. They take several years to mature mentally from puppy to adult!
- Puppy price: $1,000-$2,500
Standard Poodle
- Size: 20-23 inches
- Weight: 45-60 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
Poodles were once bred as water retrievers. Their coat still comes with extensive grooming requirements – even more than the Goldendoodle’s. Poodles are very smart and a bit more laid back then Goldendoodles. They are less outgoing and exuberant, though still rather active dogs.
They have a tendency to be nervous or skittish if not socialized properly.
Exercise needs:
Grooming required:
Training difficulty:
Poodles are not just show dogs – but very intelligent and capable companion and sports dogs as well! They need a lot of exposure to not become nervous or anxious.
- Puppy price: $700 - $1,500
Training and exercise requirements
Both the Goldendoodle and the Standard Poodle require daily training, exercise and enrichment. When it comes down to picking one breed of Goldendoodle vs Poodle though, the Goldendoodle will need more.
You should expect your Goldendoodle to need at least 1.5-2 hours of daily activities with you. Simply letting him run around the yard by himself is not enough. You guys have to go on walks, to the park or to training classes. Goldendoodles will require a lot of toys and tend to be rather destructive if bored.
Poodles – while still active dogs that require exercise – are a bit less high-strung than Goldendoodles. They usually have much better leash manners and will be less outgoing than a Goldendoodle. Poodles do not always enjoy playing with other dogs in adulthood.
Grooming needs: Poodle vs Goldendoodle
When it comes to grooming, neither dog is going to be “easy”. They both will require a considerable amount of brushing and bathing efforts.
The Goldendoodle’s coat will be a combination of Poodle and Golden Retriever coat.
It needs to be combed daily and washes monthly with a shampoo suitable for Goldendoodles. You can keep his coat short by cutting it with grooming clippers.
The Poodle’s coat is especially prone to mats and tangles. You need to brush it daily with a brush developed for Poodles and shampoo it every few weeks. A teddy bear cut can help keep the coat manageable!
Color and size options
For both Goldendoodles and Poodles there are a variety of color and size options.
For Goldendoodles we have for example:
And for Poodles:
- Standard, Miniature and Toy Poodles
- Parti Poodles
- Phantom Poodles
It can take 18 months for a Goldendoodle to be full-grown. A Standard Poodle is fully grown at 15 months.
Decision time: Goldendoodle or Poodle?
Time to make a decision! Which breed is the best for you?
A Goldendoodle is the right dog for owners who:
- want an extremely outgoing and energetic dog
- have plenty of time to train, exercise and play with your dog
- have one or more dogs already in their household who also are very energetic
- can deal with the strong chewing desire this breed has
- are up for grooming their dog regularly, but not as often as a purebred Poodle
A Poodle is the right dog for owners who:
- want a very smart and highly trainable dog
- are looking for a breed who is friendly but not overly social – Poodles don’t have to meet and greet everyone like Goldendoodles
- enjoy a dog who has a high will to please and is unlikely to have bad leash pulling problems
- are up for meeting the intense grooming needs of the breed
- have older or more laid back dogs in their household
Which breed will be the best one for you and your family? Whether you choose a Goldendoodle or a Poodle – they will both excel with the right upbringing and ongoing training. If you need further help deciding on a breed, check out our quiz: Which Doodle should you get?
