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Australian Labradoodles are a specific mixed breed that originates from Australia. They’re a mix of several dogs, including Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Curly Coated Retrievers, Poodles, and Irish Water Spaniels. Usually, this breed has generations of parentage and is pretty much “set in stone.”
On the other hand, a Goldendoodle is a mix between Golden Retriever and a Poodle, and can vary a lot. They can inherit traits from either parent, so you never really know what you’re going to get.
While these dogs both have Poodle genetics, they are remarkably different. In this article, we’ll take a look at those differences and help you choose between them.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
Australian Labradoodle Overview
Australian Labradoodles were originally bred as service dogs. Therefore, they have very particular traits that were carefully curated over several generations. These dogs tend to be very intelligent and friendly—traits necessary for service dogs.
Personality
The Australian Labradoodle is known for its great family-friendly personality. They’re a cross between many friendly dogs, including the Labrador Retriever. Therefore, these dogs tend to be very sociable and affectionate. They’re excessively people-oriented, which is both a good and bad thing.
These dogs tend to be very gentle and patient so they’re an excellent choice for those with children. They tend to be very understanding, even of rambunctious toddlers and other small children. Their friendly nature extends to strangers, too—they’re welcoming of new people and tend to love everyone.
This behavior makes them poor guard dogs but excellent family pets.
Another noteworthy trait of the Australian Labradoodle is its intelligence and eagerness to please. This breed is highly trainable and responds exceptionally well to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Their desire to make their owners happy, combined with their sharp minds, allows them to excel in obedience training and even participate in various dog sports and activities.
Training
Australian Labradoodles excel at training. They’re very intelligent and responsive, which makes them easy and joyful to train. They do best with positive reinforcement techniques and tend to catch on very quickly.
Early socialization is highly recommended. While these dogs are friendly, you don’t want them to be scared of different environments or people. Therefore, it’s vital that you expose them to new sights and sounds as soon as they’ve had their first round of vaccinations. Group puppy classes are a great way to accomplish this.
Consistency and patience are key when training Australian Labradoodles. While they learn quickly, they may occasionally display a stubborn streak. Because they are so smart, they’re also quick to pick up on inconsistencies.
Health & Care
Australian Labradoodles are generally robust and healthy dogs, thanks to the careful breeding practices that aim to reduce genetic health issues. However, like all breeds, they may be prone to certain health conditions. Responsible breeders will conduct health screenings to minimize the risk of passing on hereditary diseases to puppies. Only purchase from breeders that prioritize the health of their puppies.
Their coat, which can be curly, wavy, or straight, requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangles. Brushing the coat 2 to 3 times a week is usually sufficient, along with professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. These dogs tend to shed very little.
Goldendoodle Overview
Goldendoodles usually haven’t had many generations of careful breeding like the Australian Labradoodle. Instead, they have a Golden Retriever parent and a Poodle parent. Therefore, they vary more, as they can inherit any trait from either parent.
Personality
Typically, Goldendoodles are friendly and gentle. They’re great family dogs, especially if you’re looking for a more active canine. They’re affectionate and warm, which is one reason they’re so popular.
Goldendoodles are known for their friendly and sociable demeanor, often forming strong bonds with their human family members. Their loving and patient nature makes them excellent choices for families with children and other pets.
These canines tend to get along well with strangers, too. They’re playful and fun-loving. While they don’t make good guard dogs, they can be fantastic family dogs. Because they’re so people-oriented, Goldendoodles do best for families with plenty of time on their hands. They need plenty of playtime and interaction to remain happy.
Training
Much like the Australian Labradoodle, Goldendoodles are extremely intelligent, quick learners, and eager to please. They’re one of the most trainable dogs out there, so they’re a great choice for those that want a heavily trained dog.
Of course, they still need early socialization to prevent shyness or fearfulness. You should introduce them to as many different people, animals, and places as soon as possible.
Be sure to train these dogs consistently and exercise plenty of patience. While they are easy to train, they can also use their intelligence to figure out how to get around training. Luckily, they usually aren’t very stubborn.
Health & Care
Goldendoodles inherit their traits from a wide gene pool, as they have parents of two different breeds. Therefore, they’re often very healthy and aren’t prone to many health conditions. However, it is still completely possible for them to end up with health issues.
Careful breeding can eliminate some of the risks of a puppy inheriting health issues. Therefore, it’s vital to choose your breeder carefully.
A Goldendoodle’s coat can vary widely. They can have long, short, curly, wavy, or straight hair. It all depends on what traits a puppy inherits (which is completely random). Most need brushing several times a week, as well as professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
Are Australian Labradoodles Calmer than Goldendoodles?
It really depends on the traits and characteristics of the particular dog. Australian Labradoodles tend to be somewhat laidback, partially because of their Cocker Spaniel genetics. However, these dogs aren’t inactive. They require plenty of exercise and stimulation. Otherwise, they won’t be calm at all.
Goldendoodles are similar, as they share some of the same DNA. However, they also tend to vary more. You may have a very calm or a very uncalm Goldendoodle. It just depends on what traits the Goldendoodle inherits from which parents.
Either way, you can help keep your dog calm through training and regular exercise. A hyperactive dog is often one with few outlets for their energy. If your dog is extremely hyper (and no longer a puppy), you may want to look into exercising them more. Puppies tend to be hyper. That’s just how they are. You shouldn’t punish a puppy for hyperactivity, though you should absolutely train them not to perform less-than-stellar behaviors (like jumping on people).
Which Breed is Right for You?
Both Australian Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are delightful and friendly mixed breeds, each with its unique set of traits and characteristics.
Australian Labradoodles are known for their specific traits developed through generations of careful breeding, making them intelligent, friendly, and excellent family pets. They have a gentle and patient nature, making them ideal companions for families with children, and they tend to be sociable and welcoming to strangers.
On the other hand, Goldendoodles are a first-generation mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, resulting in a wide range of variations in temperament and appearance. They are also family-friendly and affectionate, often forming strong bonds with their human family members. Goldendoodles are generally energetic and playful, making them a great choice for active families who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Both breeds are highly trainable and intelligent, responding well to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Early socialization is vital for both to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted and well-behaved adults.
Featured Image Credit: (T) Sophia Granchinho, Shutterstock | (B) Rena Schild, Shutterstock
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