Mini Labradoodle vs. Mini Goldendoodle – which of these designer breeds is the perfect dog breed choice for you?
Both these breeds have similarities and differences that you need to know before you make your final decision and start searching for the perfect puppy. Which breed is best for an outdoorsy family? Does a Labradoodle make a better hunting companion than a Goldendoodle? What are the pros and cons of Goldendoodles and Labradoodles?
Read this guide to find out!
Table of Contents
Mini Labradoodle vs. Mini Goldendoodle – What’s The Difference?
The main difference between the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Goldendoodle is in one of the parent dogs.
Both breeds have a Poodle as one parent. However, the Mini Labradoodle has a Labrador retriever parent, whereas the Mini Goldendoodle has a Golden retriever. Both the parent dogs must be registered as purebred, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) classifications.
The offspring of both these crossbreeds are referred to as F1 Doodles.
Mini Labradoodle vs. Mini Goldendoodle – Parent Breed Comparison
So, both mix breeds have a Poodle parent, but it’s the other 50 percent of the puppy’s genetic profile that makes the difference between the two dogs.
The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador retriever was bred for use as a bird dog, assisting hunters of waterfowl by retrieving shot birds from marshes and bodies of water. As you might expect, Labs are very strong swimmers that are drawn to water on trips to the lake or to the beach.
These dogs are bred to have a “soft mouth.” That means that the dog won’t damage the hunter’s prey, and you don’t need to worry that your Lab will bite you. These dogs are generally very friendly and not prone to snapping.
Labradors first appeared in England during the 1830s, and in 1903, the Lab was recognized by the UK Kennel Club and classified as a Gun dog. Today, Labs are often seen working in their traditional role as hunters’ companions, but also as service dogs and as much-loved family pets.
The Golden Retriever
Just like the Lab, the Golden retriever was traditionally used to accompany waterfowl hunters, having a soft mouth and being an excellent swimmer.
These powerful, athletic dogs might have originated in Russia, where they were used as trackers. But the modern Golden was created by Baron Tweedmouth of the Dudley Marjoribanks estate in Bonny Scotland. These dogs have amazing stamina, and their flat, double coat enables them to handle the hostile weather of the bleak, rugged Scottish Highlands.
Like the Lab, the Golden was recognized by the UK Kennel club in 1903 as “Flat Coats,” although it wasn’t until 1908 that the Golden retriever was renamed as such.
The Poodle
The Poodle comes from France or Germany and is also a working breed. However, today, most Poodles are kept as pets.
There are three sizes of Poodle, mini, toy, or standard. It’s the smaller types that are used to create Mini Doodles.
Comparison of Mini Labradoodles and Mini Goldendoodles
Here’s an at-a-glance comparison of these two gorgeous Doodles:
Summary Table
Features
Mini Labradoodle
Mini Goldendoodle
Height:
14 to 16 inches
16 to 19 inches
Weight:
15 to 25 pounds
20 to 30 pounds
Type of Coat:
It can be short, wiry, and wavy. Low-shedding
Generally longer, straight or curly coat. Low-shedding
Color:
Chocolate, black, cream, blue, parchment, golden, red, apricot, chalk, cafe, lavender, silver, merle
Cream, black, brown, white, golden, red, sable, silver, merle
Lifespan:
12 to 15 years
12 to 15 years
Health:
Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, hyperthyroidism, PRA, cataracts, Addison’s disease
Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, PRA, cataracts, skin conditions, cancer, epilepsy
Intelligence:
High
High
Temperament:
Highly trainable, friendly but can be wary of strangers
Extremely affectionate, sociable, wants to please
Diet:
Depends on the size of the dog
Depends on the size of the dog
Exercise requirements:
Needs plenty of outdoor walks and exercise. Loves swimming.
Needs plenty of outdoor walks and exercise. Loves swimming
Price:
$2,500 and upward
$2,500 and upward
Mini Labradoodle
Height:
14 to 16 inches
Weight:
15 to 25 pounds
Type of Coat:
It can be short, wiry, and wavy. Low-shedding
Color:
Chocolate, black, cream, blue, parchment, golden, red, apricot, chalk, cafe, lavender, silver, merle
Lifespan:
12 to 15 years
Health:
Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, hyperthyroidism, PRA, cataracts, Addison’s disease
Intelligence:
High
Temperament:
Highly trainable, friendly but can be wary of strangers
Diet:
Depends on the size of the dog
Exercise requirements::
Needs plenty of outdoor walks and exercise. Loves swimming.
Price:
$2,500 and upward
Mini Goldendoodle
Height:
16 to 19 inches
Weight:
20 to 30 pounds
Type of Coat:
Generally longer, straight or curly coat. Low-shedding
Color:
Cream, black, brown, white, golden, red, sable, silver, merle
Lifespan:
12 to 15 years
Health:
Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, PRA, cataracts, skin conditions, cancer, epilepsy
Intelligence:
High
Temperament:
Extremely affectionate, sociable, wants to please
Diet:
Depends on the size of the dog
Exercise requirements::
Needs plenty of outdoor walks and exercise. Loves swimming
Price:
$2,500 and upward
Mini Labradoodle vs. Mini Goldendoodle Direct Comparison
Now, let’s take a look at these two breeds in more detail in this side-by-side comparison.
Size and Average Weight
Both these mixed breed dogs are pretty similar when it comes to their size and they’re classified as a medium-sized dog breed.
Of the two, the Mini Labradoodle is a little smaller, standing from 14 to 16 inches tall as an average height and weighing between 15 to 25 pounds. In comparison, the mini Goldendoodle is 16 to 19 inches tall and 20 to 30 pounds in weight.
Homelife
Both these Mini breeds can do fine in an apartment setting, provided that they get plenty of regular exercise each day.
As they both suffer from separation anxiety when left alone by their human family, neither of these breeds does well when kept in an outdoor kennel. Ideally, your Doodle needs to live indoors as part of your family.
Coat Type
Contrary to popular belief, Doodles are all double-coated. So, even though these dogs are light-shedders, those with a severe pet allergy might still suffer a reaction.
However, Goldendoodles tend to have longer, wavier coats than the Labradoodle, which has a short, wiry coat. Doodles with a straighter coat are generally less hypoallergenic than those with a curly coat.
Hypoallergenic Qualities Of Mini Labradoodle vs. Mini Goldendoodle
Both Mini Labradoodles and Mini Goldendoodles are a good choice of breeds in terms of the hypoallergic qualities, although both do shed to some degree. Both breeds have a double coat, and they shed their fluffy underfur in the spring and fall when the days lengthen and shorten respectively.
Multigenerational Doodles that contain a high percentage of Poodle DNA tend to shed less than those with more Golden retriever or Labrador in their genes. That’s because the Poodle has a single coat that barely sheds at all.
Did you know that it’s not the pet’s hair that causes allergies? Well, it’s actually pet dander that causes the problem. Dander is comprised of dead skin flakes and dried saliva, and it’s a protein within the saliva that triggers allergies in sufferers.
Coat Colors
Both Mini Labradoodles and Mini Goldendoodles come in a variety of coat colors.
Mini Labradoodles can be chocolate, black, cream, blue, parchment, golden, red, apricot, chalk, cafe, lavender, silver, and merle. Mini Goldendoodles can be cream, black, brown, white, golden, red, sable, silver, and merle.
Both breeds can change color as they get older, so you never quite know what color your Doodle will finish up!
Mini Labradoodle vs. Mini Goldendoodle: Health Issues
Mini Labradoodles and Mini Goldendoodles are relatively healthy mixed breeds that both enjoy a good life expectancy of between ten and 15 years.
However, both of these mixed breeds can be vulnerable to a few inherited health risks. That’s why you must always buy your puppy from a reputable breeder that has its breeding dogs screened for the health conditions that can affect the breed. Always ask the breeder to show you health certificates for both parent dogs that cover the most common health risks associated with these breeds.
The most serious common health issues that can affect Doodles include:
- Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation affect the dog’s hip and knee joints respectively. Both these hereditary health issues are extremely painful and debilitating for the dog, but they can be treated with pain management drug therapy. However, more severe cases can require expensive surgery.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a serious eye condition that eventually causes blindness.
- Mini Labradoodles can be susceptible to hormonal disorders, including hypothyroidism and Addison’s disease.
- Mini Goldendoodles can be prone to developing epilepsy and some forms of cancer.
- Both breeds are susceptible to skin irritation.
Generally, healthy parents breed healthy puppies. So, steer clear of puppy farms and backyard breeders that often use dogs that carry genetic diseases.
Training
Both breeds are highly intelligent and are generally easy to train. That’s why both Mini Labradoodles and Mini Goldendoodles can be seen working as service dogs in various roles, including search and rescue dogs, disability assistance dogs, and medical alert dogs.
Both varieties of Doodles respond best to positive reward training methods. Be sure to include fun training sessions in your dog’s weekly exercise regimen.
Temperament
Labradoodles and Goldendoodles both have a reputation as being very friendly, sociable breeds that get along well with people and other pets and make wonderful family dogs. That’s definitely true, although the Labradoodle can be somewhat aloof with people he doesn’t know well.
Both breeds are usually trustworthy with kids, love receiving attention from humans, and neither are known to be barkers. However, I always advise would-be dog owners to make sure that their pets are well-socialized from day one.
One downside of owning such a people-oriented dog breed with an easygoing temperament is that both these types are prone to becoming anxious when separated from their beloved human family for too long. That often results in destructive behavior and barking.
Are Mini Doodles Pet-Friendly?
Remember that the parent breeds of both these Doodles have a pretty high prey drive.
So, although these dogs have an excellent temperament and are usually fine with other pets, you must be sure to socialize your puppy early on in your relationship to prevent any chasing or retrieving issues with your cat or bunny rabbit!
Exercise Requirements
Both these Mini Doodles are bred from working breeds, and they both need plenty of exercise every day to keep them healthy and happy.
Even these smaller sized dog breed types need an hour’s walk every day and some playtime with you in your backyard. Labradoodles and Goldendoodles love to swim and play in water, and that’s something to be mindful of if you’re heading to a spot with smelly ponds and muddy ditches, both of which are a magnet for these pups.
Diet And Nutrition
When working out how much to feed your dog, it’s generally recommended to feed your pet according to his weight and the amount of daily exercise he has.
Since Goldendoodles are slightly larger than Labradoodles, they need slightly more food, but that depends how much exercise your dog gets, his age, and any special dietary requirements he has.
Always refer to the food manufacturer’s guidelines on the product packaging when calculating how much to feed your dog.
What Are the Main Differences Between Mini Labradoodles and Mini Goldendoodles?
Both these hybrid breeds are pretty similar. However, there are a few differences between them that you need to know about before you make your choice:
- Mini Goldendoodles generally have longer fur. That means that these pups typically need more brushing and tend to shed a little more than Mini Labradoodles.
- Both these Mini Doodles are lively and can be excitable, but Mini Goldendoodles tend to be more relaxed around other pets and visitors to your home than Mini Labradoodles.
- Mini Labradoodles are highly trainable and they love to work. So, this breed is more suitable as a service dog or hunting companion than the more happy-go-lucky Mini Goldendoodle.
What Are The Main Good Points Of Mini Doodles?
Mini Labradoodle
Here are the main good points of a Mini Labradoodle:
- Loyalty and intelligence
- They make excellent service dogs for those with disabilities
- Friendly, outgoing, joyful dogs that love to be around family
- Get along great with other pets and kids
- High-energy pets that are ideally suited to life with an active, outdoorsy family
- Low-shedding dogs that can be suitable as pets for those with minor pet allergies
- Excellent, non-aggressive temperament
- Suitable for life in an apartment or small home
Mini Goldendoodle
Both these medium-sized breed dogs have a lot to offer. Now, here are the main good points of a Mini Goldendoodle:
- Low-shedding coat
- Curly-coated types are hypoallergenic
- Highly trainable
- Energetic and friendly, making an excellent family dog
- Very sociable and loves to please their human family
- Adaptable to most climates
- Very affectionate and loyal dogs that love to be around people
- Trustworthy with kids and other pets
In Conclusion
If you have your heart set on a Doodle, you’ll be pleased to learn that both the Mini Goldendoodle and the Mini Labradoodle make excellent family pets. These breeds thrive in families that spend time outdoors and enthusiastically join in on hikes, camping, and sailing trips. Both breeds are highly trainable, making them a good choice as service dogs.
Both these Doodle breeds need plenty of exercise every day and they can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods without sufficient mental and physical stimulation.
These low-shedding dogs are suitable for life in a home with allergy sufferers.
In our opinion, a Mini Goldendoodle is the best choice as a family pet, whereas the Mini Labradoodle would be a better fit as a working companion to join you in the hunting field or as a service dog.
Do you own a Mini Labradoodle or a Mini Goldendoodle? What’s your favorite dog breed?
We’d love to hear about your dog and why you chose that breed. Tell us about your pet in the comments box below, and don’t forget to share!
Very insightful article. I own a black female labradoodle with wavy-curls hair, just turned 1 year old today, March 13. Her temperament, intelligence, features are exactly what you have described. Super intelligent dog which can also read your body languages. Highly trainable. Only one year old, she has already mastered well all basic commands such as sit, stay (for over 3 minutes or more), fetch, come, walk on loose leash, crate and bed (her resting cushion) training, etc. She has been trained not to come to our table when we are having dinner or go into our bedrooms, laundry room or bathrooms. Never had any destructive behaviors as chewing shoes, slippers, furniture. Lovable, affectionate, playful, the best pet you can have.
The breeder is Copper Canyon in Chemainus, B.C. Canada. They specialized in Australian labradoodles, a very reputable breeder.