Poodle vs. Goldendoodle: Breed Differences & Similarities

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Comparing the Poodle vs. Goldendoodle for your next four-legged friend? Dog shopping is exciting but can also be extremely challenging, and perhaps a little overwhelming. Especially when the potential dog owner may not understand what a big difference adopting the right breed can make for their lifestyle.

Before purchasing a puppy, it’s critical for dog owners (especially first-timers) to understand the various aspects of their personality and inherited traits. Each dog’s lineage, appearance, nutritional and exercise needs, temperament, and grooming requirements play a role in how they’d act as a pet.

Both of these breeds can offer entertainment, loyalty, and love. However, there are still some things to consider before going all-in on that cute, bright-eyed puppy in the window. Continue reading to learn about the many differences and similarities between the smart and seemingly sassy purebred Poodle and the lovable and friendly Goldendoodle hybrid!

Breed History

Potential Poodle or Goldendoodle owners can learn a lot about their future pup by merely reviewing their breed’s history. Just like humans, dogs’ parents significantly influence them. They inherit their ancestors’ appearance, temperament and personality, health conditions, and much more.

Some dogs are incredibly active, while others are more laidback. Some are easier to train, while others can be on the stubborn side. Nevertheless, learning about the differences between breeds can help owners decide which pup is best for them, their family, and their lifestyle of choice.

Poodle

Poodles are one of the oldest and most recognizable purebred dog breeds, with a somewhat vague history. Although they are the national dog of France, they originated in Germany over 400 years ago. However, some believe they are much older than that.

They first made their appearance in England in 1874 and in the U.S. around 1886, gaining popularity during the 1950s. Now, they rank #7 on the American Kennel Club’s breed popularity scale. It’s not certain when they became the smaller toy and mini sizes, but some say it could have been around the 1400s.

Breeders first bred Poodles as hunting dogs and water retrievers, bringing back waterfowl to their owners. Their name stems from the German word “pudel” or “pudelin,” which means “to splash in the water.” The breed’s intelligence and entertaining personality gained popularity in Europe, especially among the noble population.

The Poodle is a purebred pup with curly, low-shedding hair that helped them stay afloat while hunting in water. Their classic, poofy haircut wasn’t always just for show; it gave them free rein of motion and buoyancy while also protecting their chest, hips, and joints.

Goldendoodle

This adorable designer dog is the most popular doodle dog, with breeding that started in 1969 and became popular in the 1990s. The goal was to design a dog with the friendly and gentle nature of a Golden Retriever and the low-shedding hair and intelligence of a Poodle.

Golden Retrievers originated in Scotland at the estate of Sir Dudley Majoribanks during the mid to late 1800s. Sir Dudley (also known as Lord Tweedmouth) wanted to breed a talented and loyal hunting dog with a mild temper and a gorgeous golden coat.

The Golden Retriever appeared in its first dog show in 1908 and increased in popularity within the U.S. during the 1970s. Today, this golden canine is the third most popular breed in America.

Goldendoodles combine both Poodles’ and Golden Retrievers’ best qualities, making them excellent family pets and helpful companions. They also commonly serve as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

Appearance

Most people have no trouble picturing a Poodle, as many show dogs are known for their unique, puffy haircuts (known as the Continental Clip). They have a square build, weepy eyes, and a proud stance. They can also come in four sizes: toy, miniature, medium, and standard.

A Poodle can stand between 10 and 22 inches tall and weigh between 6 and 70 pounds, depending on whether it’s a toy, miniature, or standard size. Their low-shed, curly coat comes in various beautiful colors such as white, gray, blue, black, cream, brown, apricot, and more.

Goldendoodles tend to be quite a bit larger than Poodles but can also come in miniature and toy sizes. They can stand anywhere from 20-24 inches tall and weigh from 50-90 pounds. These athletically built pups can have curly, wavy, or straight coats in beautiful shades of golden, black, copper, white, cream, gray, golden, apricot, or red.

Temperament

Poodles seem to strut around with a dignified attitude, but don’t be fooled! They are also quite playful and goofy once they warm up to new people. Known for their incredible human-like intelligence, Poodles are 4.0 students who catch on quickly to even the most challenging tasks and tricks.

This high-energy breed is versatile, able to switch from a perfectly poised pup at a dog show to a fun and faithful companion at home. They love being around people, especially their families and are on high alert at all times. Poodles often serve as household protectors, sounding the alarm when a stranger is present.

Goldendoodles are a much calmer breed with a more laid-back personality. They don’t require quite as much social interaction as the super social Poodle, but they still love to be around their family and other people as often as possible.

These pups may not have as much energy as their Poodle parents, but they still enjoy being active and getting attention from the owners they love so much. Whether it’s cuddling up on the couch after dinner or going on a hike in the woods, Goldendoodles are up for anything.

Exercise

Since Poodles have a higher energy level, they crave more physical activity. Frequent walks and indoor playtime are necessary to keep them at bay. Be careful not to leave them alone for too long, as they can get bored and frustrated (and maybe try to destroy your couch).

Both breeds need mental and physical stimulation to stay busy. Exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour, approximately twice per day, can help them stay fit and burn off all their energy. We’d recommend more intense exercises for both dog breeds. Both breeds are active, and this will help tire them out quicker, turning them into couch potatoes later in the evening.

Both the Goldendoodle and the Poodle are highly active, and they both love to swim and hike. Either dog makes an excellent running or hiking companion. Because of their active nature, will fare best with more active families. There are other pups with lower energy levels that will better suit busy families or families with lower activity levels.

You can also use puzzles and other interactive toys to keep their brains active and healthy during indoor playtime. Both breeds are known to chew, especially as puppies. Making sure they have a variety of chew toys at the puppy stage can help relieve that urge.

Training

Both breeds are highly intelligent and easy to train. They each have an intense desire to please their owners and are always seeking approval. However, Poodles may beat the Goldendoodle in this arena, as they are incredibly obedient and one of the brightest dog breeds. It’s no wonder they always seem to be a prime choice for dog shows!

It’s important to note that both breeds’ quality training must take place during the early years to prevent any behavioral issues. Be patient and offer treats as rewards. When puppy training starts early, there are no limits on what Goldendoodles and Poodles can do.

We recommend crate training with both dogs, starting at the puppy stage. Since both breeds have toy versions, you’ll likely want a small or medium-sized crate. Large Poodles need a dog crate that’s 42 inches in length. Larger Goldendoodles will also need the same. Crate training can help more anxious dogs, and both of these breeds have a tendency to suffer from a bit of anxiety.

You’ll also want to spend some time leash training with both breeds. The good news is that both the Goldendoodle and the Poodle aren’t really notorious for pulling. We’d recommend using a standard harness when young as you leash train, as harnesses tend to be safer than training with a standard collar.

Health

Both dog breeds are relatively healthy; however, the Poodle may be prone to more diseases since it is purebred. Goldendoodles may have hybrid vigor, one of the many potential advantages of being crossbred. Although experts are still exploring this topic, these breeds are less likely to experience the same genetic illnesses passed down through their purebred parents.

Since Goldendoodles also share Poodle traits, both breeds may be predisposed to common diseases seen in Poodles. These can include Addison’s Disease, gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), Von Willebrand’s Disease, Cushing’s Disease, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, skin issues (such as sebaceous adenitis), and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy.

Goldendoodles can also contract diseases often experienced by Golden Retrievers. Several of these conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, loose knees, cancer, skin conditions, cardiac issues, cataracts, allergies, and other various health problems.

Nutrition

The amount a puppy eats is directly related to its size, energy level, and age. A miniature Poodle puppy won’t eat nearly as much as an adult standard-sized Poodle. The same applies to Goldendoodles.

Both breeds need a proper portion of high-quality dry food twice per day. The food should have an adequate amount of vegetables and protein to give them the energy and nutrition they need to live a happy, healthy life.

Standard-sized Poodles will eat around 2 to 2.5 cups of dry dog food per day depending on their activity levels. Standard-sized Goldendoodles will eat about the same amount. Smaller dogs will require much less. If you have a smaller version of either breed, you’ll want to stick to small breed dog food formulas.

Talking to a veterinarian and following the food manufacturer’s suggested serving sizes can help make mealtime more consistent. Both breeds can gain weight quickly, so keep an eye on them to prevent overeating and causing health issues down the road.

Grooming

Both Poodles and Goldendoodles require a great deal of grooming due to their hair texture. Poodles are a bit more high maintenance but also have more hypoallergenic hair than Goldendoodles. It’s often best for both breeds to receive a haircut, bath, and thorough brushing every six to twelve weeks, if possible.

Some owners shave their Poodle from head to toe to keep their hair short and more manageable. Others opt for more stylish cuts by professional groomers. Overall, Poodles need to be brushed at least once every day, as their hair can mat quickly without shedding. Goldendoodles, depending on their hair type, may only need at-home brushing.

Some potential owners are surprised to find out that both breeds do in fact, shed. Goldendoodles shed a bit more than Poodles, due to their Golden Retriever parent’s coat. Poodles are considered hypoallergenic, even though no dog is truly allergy-free. Poodles just shed less than other breeds, and are easier on allergy sufferers that struggle with pet dander in the home.

Both Poodles and Goldendoodles also need proper dental care, routine nail clippings, and ear checks. Prevent gum disease and nasty dog breath by brushing their teeth daily or spreading it out two to three times per week.

Clip their nails approximately once or twice per month, depending on how long they grow. Finally, it’s essential to regularly check their ears, as low-hanging ears are more prone to infection.

Puppy Prices

Purebred puppy prices can vary widely. Prices depend on several factors such as coat color, size, show-quality (if the owner is looking for a show dog), and whether they are being purchased from a breeder or adopted from a shelter. Potential owners must figure out the specifics of what puppy they are looking for, and account for the variable costs.

Both Poodles and Goldendoodles’ prices can be about the same, averaging upwards of $1,000 from a quality breeder. However, these prices are not set in stone, and can the factors mentioned above can significantly factor into the price.

For those looking to purchase from a breeder, make sure to look for reputable breeders who offer honest health documentation and are willing to answer all questions about the puppy.

Final Thoughts

Since the beginning of their existence, many families have enjoyed the loyalty and friendliness of both Poodles and Goldendoodles. While these two breeds have many similarities and can get along with other animals and children, some distinctions may concern some owners.

Goldendoodles are larger dogs that need room to run and play. Dog owners with bigger houses and fenced-in yards may be the best place for a Goldendoodle. Those seeking a nightly cuddle buddy may decide to adopt or purchase one of these snuggly, furry friends.

On the other hand, Poodles are much smaller but have more energy. More active families who can offer a lot of attention may appreciate having a hyper Poodle around at all times. People who want to showcase their pup at a dog show may have better luck with a Poodle, as they come from a long line of award-winning prestige.

Enjoy your new best friend, no matter if they are a Goldendoodle or Poodle. At the end of the day, what matters most is that both owner and pup are happy!