Essentially, a Teddy Bear Goldendoodle is a hybrid mix typically involving an English Cream Golden Retriever and a Poodle, known for their plush toy-like appearance. Meanwhile, a Goldendoodle generally refers to any mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, boasting a range of coat types and colors.
In our comprehensive exploration, we’ll delve into the distinctive features of each breed, from their charming looks to their unique behavioral traits. We’ll cover their physical characteristics, grooming requirements, temperament, and health considerations, providing potential owners with the essential insights needed to make an informed choice.
Whether you’re captivated by the Teddy Bear Goldendoodle’s endearing persona or leaning towards the versatility of a Goldendoodle, continue reading to unearth which fluff companion could be the perfect addition to your family.
Table of Contents
What’s the Difference between a Teddy Bear Goldendoodle and a Goldendoodle?
Their main difference is that a Goldendoodle is a crossbreed dog produced by crossing a purebred Poodle with a purebred Golden Retriever while a Teddy Bear Goldendoodle also sometimes referred to as the English Goldendoodle, breed is created by crossing a purebred Poodle with an English Cream Golden Retriever.
Both Doodles can be different in size, depending on the Poodle parent, which can be a Toy, Miniature, or Standard variety. Both the parent dogs should be registered as being purebred with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The puppies produced are referred to as F1 hybrid Doodles.
How Do Teddy Bear Goldendoodles Compare to Goldendoodles in Terms of Parent Breeds?
As you can see, both these Goldendoodles have a Poodle parent. So, the key differences between these two distinct breeds are down to the Golden retriever parentage.
English Cream Golden Retriever vs. American and Canadian Golden Retriever
First of all, it’s important to note that the English Cream Golden retriever is not recognized by the AKC as a breed in its own right. However, the Canadian and UK Kennel Clubs both do acknowledge the breed as being distinct from the other retriever types.
So, there are three kinds of Golden retriever:
- American
- English
- Canadian
All these variants are descended from the original Scottish line of dogs.
Golden retrievers are thought to have originally been bred as tracker dogs in Russia. However, in the mid-1800s, the modern retriever breed was created in Scotland by Baron Tweedmouth of the Dudley Marjoribanks estate. The dogs were used for duck hunting, retrieving shot birds from marshes and bodies of water. So, retrievers have a flat, double coat that keeps them warm and dry in the coldest of conditions, and they have plenty of stamina to enable them to spend all day traversing rugged mountain terrain.
Goldens found their way across the Pond to the US and Canada, where slightly different breeding processes have caused a few variations in the breeds.
Subtle Differences
The English Cream Golden retriever is much lighter in color than its US and Canadian cousins, ranging from pale cream to light yellow. In contrast, American Goldens range from light golden to deep, vibrant auburn.
Generally, English Cream Golden retrievers are slightly smaller and have some facial differences, including rounder eyes and a broader head. Also, these dogs have a straighter topline from the base of the neck to the top of the tail, and they are stockier in build.
The Poodle
Poodles originate from Germany or France and were originally bred as a working breed, accompanying duck hunters in the field as bird dogs. Today, most Poodles are kept as family pets.
Poodles come in three sizes, toy, miniature, and standard. It’s the puppy’s Poodle ancestry that determines the size of the Goldendoodle puppies that are produced.
Comparison of Teddy Bear Goldendoodles and Goldendoodles
Here’s an at-a-glance overview of these two beautiful Goldendoodles:
Summary Table
Features
Teddy Bear Goldendoodle
Goldendoodle
Height:
17 to 24 inches
20 to 24 inches
Weight:
40 to 90 pounds
50 to 90 pounds
Coat:
Can be curly, straight or wavy
Can be curly, straight or wavy
Color:
Golden, cream
Red, cream, apricot, black, chocolate
Lifespan:
10 to 15 years
10 to 15 years
Health:
Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, PRA, Skin conditions, Epilepsy, Cancer
Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, PRA, Skin conditions, Epilepsy, Cancer
Intelligence:
High
High
Temperament:
Friendly, loyal, sociable, and eager to please
Friendly, loyal, sociable, and eager to please
Diet:
Depends on the size of the dog
Depends on the size of the dog
Exercise requirements:
Needs one hour of daily outdoor exercise, training, games, etc
Needs one hour of daily outdoor exercise, training, games, etc
Prize
Around $3,500
From $2,000
Teddy Bear Goldendoodle
Height:
17 to 24 inches
Weight:
40 to 90 pounds
Coat:
Can be curly, straight or wavy
Color:
Golden, cream
Lifespan:
10 to 15 years
Health:
Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, PRA, Skin conditions, Epilepsy, Cancer
Intelligence:
High
Temperament:
Friendly, loyal, sociable, and eager to please
Diet:
Depends on the size of the dog
Exercise requirements:
Needs one hour of daily outdoor exercise, training, games, etc
Price:
Around $3,500
Goldendoodle
Height:
20 to 24 inches
Weight:
50 to 90 pounds
Coat:
Can be curly, straight or wavy
Color:
Red, cream, apricot, black, chocolate
Lifespan:
10 to 15 years
Health:
Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, PRA, Skin conditions, Epilepsy, Cancer
Intelligence:
High
Temperament:
Friendly, loyal, sociable, and eager to please
Diet:
Depends on the size of the dog
Exercise requirements:
Needs one hour of daily outdoor exercise, training, games, etc
Price:
From $2,000
How Do Teddy Bear Goldendoodles Compare Directly to Goldendoodles?
When comparing Teddy Bear Goldendoodles to standard Goldendoodles, several differences emerge. Teddy Bear Goldendoodles are typically smaller in size. Additionally, Teddy Bear Goldendoodles often have minimal shedding with wavy or curly coats, requiring less grooming compared to standard Goldendoodles.
Let’s discuss these key differences in detail below.
Size and Average Weight
Although the Teddy Bear Goldendoodle is the slightly smaller one of these two breeds, they both fall into the same basic Goldendoodle categories when it comes to size.
Miniature
Miniature Goldendoodles are created by crossbreeding a Golden Retriever with a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
These dogs typically weigh between 15 and 35 pounds, standing from 13 inches to 20 inches tall from paw to shoulder.
Medium
Medium Goldendoodles stand from between 17 inches and 20 inches at the shoulder, weighing in at between 40 pounds and 50 pounds.
Standard
Standard is the largest size of Goldendoodle. These dogs can stand from 20 inches to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 50 pounds and 90 pounds at maturity.
Coat Type And Shedding
Golden retrievers of all types are reputed to shed massively! In fact, the main reason for crossing this breed with a Poodle is to dramatically reduce shedding, making the dogs more suitable for life in a home with allergy sufferers.
Depending on the generation of Doodle you choose, your puppy might have a straight, wavy, or curly coat. Basically, the more Poodle genes the puppy inherits, the curlier his coat will be and the less he will shed.
It’s a protein contained in dried saliva and dead skin flakes that comprise pet dander that triggers allergies rather than pet hair. Therefore, no dog can be guaranteed as completely hypoallergenic.
Grooming Requirements
Goldendoodles and Teddy Bear Goldendoodles both have similar grooming and coat maintenance requirements.
Since these are both double-coated breeds, they need brushing frequently to prevent mats and tangles from forming in the fluffy undercoat. Curly-coated Doodles should be brushed every day, even if they are clipped. Straight coats can be brushed every other day.
Coat Type And Color Choices
Both breeds come in a variety of coat colors, generally any color that a Poodle can be. However, Teddy Bear Goldendoodle puppies tend to have lighter fur color if the pup takes more after the retriever parent.
However, all Doodles can change color as they age. That means you can never be entirely sure what color your Goldendoodle will finish up.
That’s part of the fun of owning one of these fabulous dogs!
Temperament
Both these Doodle breeds are friendly, loving, and affectionate dogs, making them ideal family pets. Kids and other pets are loved in equal measure by Goldendoodles, and strangers are welcomed, too.
The downsides of that wonderful temperament are that Goldendoodles are not good guard dogs, and they can suffer terribly from separation anxiety when kept away from their human family.
What Are the Exercise Requirements for Teddy Bear Goldendoodles and Goldendoodles?
Both dogs are extremely active breeds that must receive up to two hours of exercise every day to stay healthy and mentally satisfied. However, every dog is different, and exercise requirements will vary, depending on the dog’s size, age, and health.
These dogs love walking, playing games in your backyard, and taking trips to the dog park. Since both parent breeds are bred to be good swimmers, your Goldendoodle will most likely be a water baby too!
What Health Issues Are Associated with Teddy Bear Goldendoodles vs. Goldendoodles?
Some common health issues that can affect Teddy Bear Goldendoodles and Goldendoodles include:
Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. These painful, debilitating conditions affect the hip and knee joints respectively. Although both conditions are treatable with pain management and anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery can also be necessary in severe cases.
Goldendoodles of all breeds can be susceptible to certain cancers and epilepsy in later life.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a serious eye condition that can affect Goldendoodles of all breeds, eventually causing blindness, even at an early age.
Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) is a condition of the sebaceous glands in the skin, leading to hair loss, crusty patches on the skin, and a foul odor.
Most English Cream Goldens are imported into the US. Since Europe has stricter health testing regimes in place, it’s possible that Teddy Bear Goldendoodles are healthier than the American or Canadian equivalent.
Training
All Goldendoodle varieties are highly intelligent and are usually pretty straightforward and fun to train.
Both Teddy Bear and regular Goldendoodles learn quicker and respond best when positive reward training methods are used. You can double up by including a few training sessions as part of your dog’s weekly exercise regimen.
However, you should be warned; Goldendoodles need lots of mental stimulation to keep them happy. If deprived of toys, games, and puzzles, your dog will become bored, resulting in destructive behavior and excessive barking.
Diet And Nutrition
Although many Goldendoodles can be prone to sensitive stomachs, essentially, the nutritional requirements of Teddy Bear and regular Goldendoodles are the same.
You can work out what’s the best-balanced diet for your dog by trial and error, as every dog is slightly different.
Price
Since English Cream Golden Retrievers are relatively rare in the US, it follows that there are fewer Teddy Bear Goldendoodle puppies available on the market. Consequently, these dogs tend to be more expensive than regular Goldendoodles, retailing for upwards of $3,500.
Goldendoodles are generally lower in price, starting at around $2,000.
Unfortunately, their high price makes Teddy Bear Goldendoodles a particular draw for puppy mills and nefarious breeders. So, if you see a puppy advertised for sale at a very cheap price, walk away and help to put puppy mills and backyard breeders out of business!
What Are the Main Differences and Similarities between Teddy Bear Goldendoodles and Goldendoodles?
As you can see from our comparison, these two Goldendoodle types are very similar. However, there are a few notable differences between them, including:
- Teddy Bear Goldendoodles are slightly smaller and stockier than Goldendoodles.
- Both breeds love people, children, and other pets.
- Both breeds are highly intelligent and trainable, being eager to please their owners.
- Both breeds come in the same basic size categories.
- Teddy Bear Goldendoodles might be a little less prone to health issues.
- Teddy Bear Goldendoodles are generally more expensive than Goldendoodles.
- Both breeds can be suitable for dog lovers with pet allergies, depending on the Doodle’s coat type.
- Both breeds need lots of daily exercises.
- Both these Goldendoodle types enjoy the same basic dietary requirements.
In Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between a Teddy Bear Goldendoodle and a Goldendoodle, the key differences lie in their lineage, appearance, and sometimes their temperament.
The Teddy Bear Goldendoodle often boasts a rounder face, giving it that distinctive “teddy bear” look, while the standard Goldendoodle’s appearance can vary more widely. We’ve explored each’s unique traits to ensure you make an informed decision that’s right for your lifestyle and preferences.
From coat types, grooming needs, and activity levels to their loving and intelligent nature, both breeds share delightful qualities but also hold their distinct individual charms. Whether you lean towards the plush coat and gentle disposition of the Teddy Bear Goldendoodle or the diverse looks and vivacious personality of the standard Goldendoodle, each dog has the potential to be a wonderful, furry companion.
Ready to find your perfect match? Take the next step and meet with reputable breeders or visit adoption centers. Embrace the joy of selecting a Goldendoodle variety that will bring endless happiness and wagging tails into your home. Share your journey, connect with other doodle enthusiasts, or seek advice as you embark on the rewarding adventure of Goldendoodle ownership.
