Australian Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle: What's the Difference?

Families in Houston ask me this almost every week: "What's the difference between an Australian Labradoodle and a Goldendoodle?" They look alike in photos, and both are fluffy, friendly and popular. But they're bred differently, and that affects what you can expect from your puppy.

The short answer

A Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever and Poodle mix. An Australian Labradoodle is a multi-generational breed built from Labrador, Poodle and Cocker Spaniel lines. Our puppies are all F3B or higher, which means they come from several generations of Labradoodle-to-Labradoodle breeding, not a fresh first cross.

Breeding and consistency

First-generation crosses (F1) can vary a lot. One puppy might have a soft, low-shedding coat and the next might shed like a retriever. That's because the parents' genes haven't been "set" over generations.

Multi-generational breeding narrows that variety. When both parents come from established lines, the puppies are far more predictable in coat, size and temperament. That predictability is the main reason we focus on F3B and higher.

Coat and shedding

• Australian Labradoodle: Typically a fleece or wool coat that's soft and low- to non-shedding, especially in multi-generation litters.
• Goldendoodle: Coats range from straight and shedding to curly and low-shedding, depending on generation and parents.

No dog is truly 100% allergen-free, so if allergies matter in your home, spend time with the breed first. I cover this in Are Australian Labradoodles Really Hypoallergenic?

Size

Both come in different sizes. Our Australian Labradoodles come in Mini (roughly 15 to 30 lbs), Medium and Standard (roughly 45 to 65 lbs). Goldendoodles are often sold in similar categories, though adult weight can vary more from litter to litter.

Temperament

Both are friendly and people-oriented. In my experience, Australian Labradoodles tend to be calm, gentle and eager to be near their family, which is why they're so popular as family dogs, therapy candidates and companions. Goldendoodles can be just as sweet, though energy levels vary more with the individual dog and its lines.

Which is right for you?

• Choose an Australian Labradoodle if you want a predictable coat, a calm family dog and a breeder who health-tests every parent.
• Consider a Goldendoodle if you love the Golden Retriever look and are comfortable with more variation between puppies.

Whichever you choose, ask the breeder these questions: Are both parents health tested? What generation are the puppies? Can I see where the puppies are raised? Do you offer a health guarantee?

What we do at Doodle's Kennel

Every parent has a full genetic health panel. Puppies are born and raised inside our home in Cypress, and they stay with their mom until 8 weeks old. We match puppies to families by temperament, not by who called first.

If you'd like to see our current puppies, visit our Available Litters page. You can also read more about Mini vs. Standard sizes or call or text me at 281-923-9266.