Australian Labradoodles are a mixed breed from Australia. They’re a mix of several dogs, including Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Curly Coated Retrievers, Poodles, and Irish Water Spaniels. This breed usually has generations of parentage and is pretty much “set in stone.” On the other hand, a Goldendoodle is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They can inherit traits from either parent, so you never really know what you’ll get.

While these dogs both have Poodle genetics, they are remarkably different. In this article, we’ll examine those differences and help you choose between them.

 

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Australian Labradoodle Overview

Australian Labradoodles were initially bred as service dogs. Therefore, they have very particular traits that were carefully curated over several generations. They are very intelligent and friendly, which are some of the traits necessary for service dogs.

Personality

The Australian Labradoodle is known for their friendly personality. They’re a cross between many dogs, including the Labrador Retriever. Therefore, they are very sociable and affectionate. They’re excessively people-oriented, which is both a good and bad thing.

Australian Labradoodles are very gentle and patient, so they’re an excellent choice for those with children. They are very understanding, even of rambunctious toddlers and other small children. Their friendly nature extends to strangers, and they tend to love everyone. This behavior makes them poor guard dogs but excellent family pets.

Another noteworthy trait of the Australian Labradoodle is their intelligence and eagerness to please. They’re relatively simple to train and respond exceptionally well to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Their desire to make their owners happy and their sharp minds allow them to excel in obedience training and 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 can quickly learn commands and tricks. Early socialization is highly recommended. Although Australian Labradoodles 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 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 specific health conditions. Responsible breeders 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 two to three times a week is usually sufficient, along with professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Luckily, Australian Labradoodles don’t shed very much.

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.

Personality

Typically, Goldendoodles are friendly and gentle. They’re great family dogs, especially if you want a more active canine. They’re affectionate and warm, which is why 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.

Goldendoodles 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

Like the Australian Labradoodle, Goldendoodles are intelligent, quick learners, and eager to please. They’re also among the most trainable dogs, making them an excellent choice for first-time owners. Of course, they still need early socialization to prevent shyness or fearfulness. You should introduce them to several people, animals, and places as soon as possible.

Training them requires consistency and 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 since 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 possible for them to end up with health issues. Careful breeding can eliminate some 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 the traits a puppy inherits (which is completely random). Most need brushing several times a week and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.

Are Australian Labradoodles Calmer than Goldendoodles?

Australian Labradoodles are somewhat laidback because of their Cocker Spaniel genetics. However, they aren’t inactive. They require plenty of exercise and stimulation. Otherwise, they won’t be calm at all.

Goldendoodles are similar, and they share some of the same DNA. However, you can have a very calm or a very wild Goldendoodle. It just depends on which traits the Goldendoodle inherits from which parents. Either way, you can help keep your dog calm through training and regular exercise.

If your dog is extremely hyper (and no longer a puppy), you may want to look into exercising them more. Whether they’re Australian Labradoodles or Goldendoodles, puppies are more energetic until they become adults. 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?

Australian Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are delightful and friendly mixed breeds, each with unique traits. Australian Labradoodles are known for their traits developed through generations of careful breeding, and they’re 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 variations in temperament and appearance. They are also family-friendly and affectionate, and they form strong bonds with their human family members. Goldendoodles are generally energetic and playful, making them an excellent choice for active families who enjoy spending time outdoors.

Both breeds are highly trainable and intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Early socialization is vital for both to ensure they become well-adjusted and well-behaved adults.

See also:

• Mini Goldendoodle vs Goldendoodle: Differences Explained (With Pictures)
• Double Doodle vs. Goldendoodle: The Differences (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: (T) Sophia Granchinho, Shutterstock | (B) Rena Schild, Shutterstock