Doodles 101

Are you looking for a doodle but can’t decide which one to get?

Well, we are here to help.

Two of the most popular doodles are the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle.

Both of them have great qualities, but you might be wondering which doodle is the best choice for you.

Join us as we compare the Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle.

Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle

When looking at the two dogs in the above picture you might be thinking that they a lot look alike. You might even be surprised to find out that one of the doodles is a Goldendoodle and the other one is a Labradoodle. Do you think you could tell tell which one is which? Stick around and we will reveal the answer later in this post.

While the two doodles in the picture may look alike there are subtle differences that might make one doodle a better choice for you. Keep reading to find out what those differences are.

Breed Heritage

But before we look at the Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle we should first look at the parent breeds that make up theses doodles. This will allow us to get a better understanding of where the dogs come from.

If you are looking at getting a doodle you probably already know that all doodles are part poodle, so let’s start there.

The Poodle

Although there is some disagreement about which country poodles were first developed everyone agrees that the Poodle got its start as a water fowl retriever. Their woolly, curly coat is perfect for keeping them warm while diving into cold water to retrieve a hunter’s catch. Plus the curly coat is water resistant, allowing the water to run off the coat instead of soaking through to the dog’s body thus lowering their internal temperature.

Like all retriever type dogs, Poodles want to be with their people all the time. They are very loyal to their family.

In addition to being a great family dog, the poodle is also known as the second most intelligent dog breed, right behind the border collie. This makes poodles easier to train, which is great for first time pet owners.

If that wasn’t enough good things about the poodle, the poodle is also considered to be hypoallergenic, making them an excellent choice for families with young kids or people with allergies. It’s no wonder that the poodle has been on the American Kennel Club (AKC) top ten lists since at least 2013. That is as far back as I could find the yearly lists.

The downside of Poodles is the coat maintenance. Since poodles have hair instead of fur they need regular professional grooming. This includes daily combing and they need to have their hair trimmed regularly. Another distraction is that some people do not like the look of their tight curly coats.

Labrador Retriever

The Labra in labradoodle stands for Labrador Retriever. A wonderful family dog.

The Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog for 29 years in a row according to the American Kennel Club. Why you may ask? According to breeders they are extremely versatility, have a good temperament, are friendly, trainability, and athletic. I will also add that they are very family friendly and easy going.

Originally breed to support hunters in the fields and lakes, the Labrador also wants to be by the side of their people all the time. They are a hard working breed that likes to be busy. Although not considered to be as smart as the Poodle, the Labrador is easy to train and wants to please their people.

Labradors have a short double coat that repels water and insulates them from the cold. They also have webbed feet and an otter tail that makes them great swimmers. A Labrador’s short fur makes for easy maintenance. All they really need is a bath from time to time and an occasional brushing. Unlike the poodle the Labrador does not need regular grooming but they do shed when they go through a seasonal coat change. Brushing them regularly during this time will minimize the amount of hair laying around.

Labradors are also not considered hypoallergenic. This is why they were first bred with poodles in Australia to create a hypoallergenic guide dog.

Golden Retriever

Much like the Poodle and Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever was bred to retrieve a hunter’s catch. Originating in Scotland as a water fowl retriever, the Golden was developed to have a thick under coat and a long water resistance outer coat to protect them from the damp Scottish weather.

The Golden has also been on the top ten list dog breeds for many years now. Although bred to be a hunter’s working dog and companion the Golden makes a great family dog. This is because of their relaxed, friendly nature. If you are looking for a guard dog do not look for a Golden. Most Golden Retriever’s have never met a person they did not like.

Goldens are also not consider to be hypoallergenic. Their long thick fur sheds regularly, but is worst during the change of seasons. Goldens do need a bit more grooming then Labradors but not nearly as much as poodles. An occasional brushing and a bath will do.

Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Comparison

Now that we looked at the individual breeds that go into the two most popular doodles, let’s look at what that mix means

Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Temperament

When looking at the individual breeds that create these two doodles, we see that they are all a type of retriever that likes the water. This means both the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle will also like being around water. In addition they are all high energy dogs that want to be around people, though Golden Retrievers are a bit less active than a Labrador. Both the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle are people pleasers. They want to make you happy so they are both easy to train.

Where they might differ is in how they interact with other people outside of the family. While Labradoodles might be a little less friendly to strangers and a little more protective of their families, a Goldendoodle wants to be everyone’s friend. But both dogs make great family dogs and companions.

Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Fur types

What type of fur your doodle will have depends on the generation of your Doodle. Doodle generations that have a higher percentage of Poodle in them will have a curlier and softer coat. Because of this it makes comparing a Goldendoodle to a Labradoodle a little difficult. For this reason we are only going to look at first generation doodles. So a doodle that is 50% Poodle and 50% retriever.

A first generation labradoodle may have a wiry coat that is closer to a Labrador’s coats but with waves. A first generation Goldendoodle will have a soft, longer coat that may be curlier that the Labradoodles coat. These differences generally go away in later generations as the genes skew more towards poodle, but can still pop up from time to time.

Which one sheds less, the Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?

To answer this question I asked a group of Doodle Parents if their doodles do not shed as claimed by breeders. Here is what I found.

• The majority of people with a Goldendoodle stated that their dog did not shed regardless of the generation
• Only a couple of Goldendoodle parents said their doodle shed.
• The majority of people with Labradoodles also stated that their dog did not shed.
• But there were more labradoodle parents that stated their Labradoodle did shed as compared to a Goldendoodle
• Also the Labradoodles that shed were mostly F1 Labradoodles.
• No one with an Australian Labradoodle stated that their doodle shed, but they were all multi-generation doodles.

So if a non shedding dog is important to you, a Goldendoodle or a F1B Labradoodle might be the best choice. It seems that F1 Labradoodles have the greatest chance to shed. But a lot depends on the breeder and what genes are passed down from the parents.

It also appears that the curlier the coat the less they shed. But as one Doodle mom pointed out they mat more than a doodle with a straight coat.

This information was derived from a small group of people who responded to the question. It does not guarantee that the doodle you chose will follow the same path.

Below you can find our chart on the Doodle Generation Classifications to help you understand the doodle generations. This information was compiled through multiple breeder’s websites.

To learn more about doodles check out our post Oodle Dog Guide – What You Need to know

Which one is Hypoallergenic

Since both the Labrador and the Golden are not considered a hypoallergenic breed both hybrid dogs can cause allergies.

On the other hand Poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic. But remember hypoallergenic means that it is “relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction“. It does not guarantee that it will not cause an allergic reaction.

For allergy sufferers the best bet is to go with a later generation doodle that has more Poodle in them than retriever. However everyone is different and so is every dog. If you have allergies you should spend time with the puppies before you take them home. There are no guarantees that just because they are part poodle you will not be allergic.

Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Size Comparison

The size of your doodle will depend on the size of the poodle bred with the retriever. Both Goldens and Labs can be bred with Standard, Moyen (Medium) or Mini Poodles. Dogs breed with a mini poodle are called Mini Goldendoodles or Mini Labradoodles. Below you can find a comparison of the size ranges for each size category.

Since both the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever are close in size, the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle will also be close in size. However it is interesting to note that the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle seem to have a tendency to grow larger than the parent breeds.

*Size comparison is based on breeder information and information gathered from Goldendoodle and Labradoodle owners. Actual size will depend on parent dogs

Looking for a name for your large dog? Check out our list of Big Dog Names: 300+ Names From the Classic to the Unique

Color Comparison

Labradoodles

Labrador Retrievers come in either Black, Yellow or Chocolate. Poodles come in Black, Brown, white, Blue (Gray), Silver, Apricot, Sable, and Cream. Your doodle can come in any of these colors. Look at the parents to determine what color your doodle may be.

Goldendoodles

Golden Retrievers come in either dark red, light golden or cream color. Like the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle can come in any of the regular Golden Retriever or Poodle colors (see above), but the light red or cream colors seem to be the most common Goldendoodle colors available.

Lifespan Comparison

The average Goldendoodle’s lifespan is 10 to 15 years. As a comparison a Golden Retriever will live on average between 10 to 12 years and a Poodle will live between 12 to 15 years.

A Labradoodle can be expected to live on average between 12 to 15 years

Cost comparison

The cost of a Labradoodle that has been fully health tested is around $3,000 to 3,500. A fully health tested Goldendoodle cost about the same. You can find both doodles for less, but if it is much less the parents will most likely have not had the proper health testing. Health testing helps to protect you from buying a doodle that will have future health care costs.

An alternative to buying a doodle is to adopt one from a rescue. To learn more about where you can adopt a Labradoodle, Goldendoodle or other types of doodles look here:

• Labradoodle Rescue: 14 Best Places to Find a Labradoodle
• The 9 Best Places to Find a Goldendoodle Rescue
• Bernedoodle Rescue: 15 Best Places to Find One
• Doodle Rescue: 12 Best Places to look for a Doodle
• Poodle Rescue: 9 Best Places to Look For One
• The Bernedoodle: 10 Things You Don’t Know About Them

Health Concerns

Note: Health Information and testing information was gathered from the Embrace Insurance webite. I am not a veterinarian. Nor should anything in this post be considered legal or medical advice.

Labradoodle

Labradoodles can develop health conditions that are common to both the Labrador Retriever and Poodle. These include;

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy, a eye disease
• Patellar luxation
• Von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder.

To minimize the risk of buying a dog with health issues ask the breeder for proof of health testing on both the parents.

Possible tests include:

• Hip and elbow certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
• DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy
• Certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that the eyes are healthy.
• A DNA test for von Willebrand’s disease
• For small or medium-size Labradoodles, the OFA patella (knee) clearance.

Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles can also develop health conditions that are common to the Golden Retriever and Poodle. Health concerns include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Sebaceous Adenitisa, a skin disease
• Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, a heart condition
• Addison’s disease
• Eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and glaucoma.

To minimize the risk of buying a dog with health issues ask the breeder for proof of health testing on both the parents.

Possible tests include:

• Hip certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals,
• OFA heart clearance
• Certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that the eyes are healthy.
• An OFA elbow clearance for standard Goldendoodles,
• An OFA knee clearance for small or medium-size Goldendoodles
• A DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy.
• For more information, see the Ribbon requirements set by the Goldendoodle Association of North America.

Only buy your doodle from a reputable breeder that puts the health of the parent dogs and future puppy over profit. To do this you should not buy a puppy from a breeder that cannot provide you with written, verifiable documentation that the parents were cleared of health problems that affect the breed. A “vet check” is not a substitute for genetic health testing.

Is the Goldendoodle the right dog for you? Join us to find out why the Goldendoodle is not for everyone. 

Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Final Thoughts

In many ways the Goldendoodle and labradoodle are a lot alike. Especially if you are getting a later generation doodle that has more poodle in them. They are both great family dogs that are easy to train and want to be with their families. Neither doodle is suited to be left alone for long periods of time and may get into trouble.

The main differences between the two are that the Goldendoodle may be a little more friendly than the Labradoodle and a little less active. But both will need proper socialization as puppies, regular daily walks and exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

In the end both dogs make wonderful companions as long as they are socialized and properly trained. To learn more about how to train your new puppy check out our other posts on puppy training.

• Potty Training a Puppy: Made Easy
• Crate Training a Puppy – Made Easy
• How to Crate Train a Puppy: 10 Mistakes to Avoid
• Puppy Potty Training Mistakes
• How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Puppies
• Here are 10 Secrets to Easy Puppy Training

Which doodle is which?

Have you figured out which of the two doodles in the top picture is the Labradoodle and which is the Goldendoodle? As it turns out the one on the left is a Labradoodle and the one on the right is a Goldendoodle.

Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle Resources

• Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA)
• The Poodle Club of America
• Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) 
• Breed review by Embrace; Labradoodles and Goldendoodles
• What is Patellar Luxation?

The Rat Terrier Poodle mix, also known as a Rattle Dog, is not a common poodle mix breed.  In fact you would be hard pressed to find any dog breeders that breed the Rattle dog. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a Rattle dog if you are looking for one.  Since the Rattle dog is a combination of the Poodle and Rat Terrier, both popular breeds in the US, you can find Rattle dogs in shelters all across America.

If you are considering getting a Rattle dog keep reading.  Here we will provide you with an in-depth review of the Rattle Dog from someone that lives with one. 

Quick Overview of the Rattle Dog

The rattle dog is a small to medium sized dog that can live on average between 13 and 18 years old. Their hair can be short and coarse like the Rat Terrier or soft and curly like the Poodle. Most rattle dogs end up with a combination of the two with the most common combination being long, straight hair. The pointy ears of the Rat Terrier also tends to be a dominate feature on the rattle dog, though you can still find a few Rattle dogs with the floppy ears of a poodle. Our Rattle dog shown in the picture above took on the appearance that is closer to the poodle, but her hair is more wavy then curly.

While Poodles have a reputation of being highly intelligent and aloof, Rat Terriers are known to be affectionate. They are family dogs that like to be close to their people. The combination of the two traits helps to balance out the two extremes.

But like all terrier breeds, Rat Terriers were bred to work independent from their people. That independent streak along with the high intelligence of a poodle can make training a Rattle a little tough. But the personality of a Rattle dog more than makes up for any of the training issues.

Overall a Rattle dog can make a good companion dog for a family, couple or single owner as long as they have an active lifestyle. The rattle dog is not a couch potato. They are happiest when active.

What do you call a Rat Terrier Poodle Mix?

A Rat Terrier/Poodle mix goes by many names. The most used name is the Rattle Dog. However it does have other names including; RatDoodle or a Ratapoo.

It’s funny that they have so many names considering they are not that common.

Differences between a Ratdoodle and a Labradoodle

Although a Ratdoodle is a type of doodle there are differences between a Ratdoodle and a Labradoodle. The biggest one is predicting what they may look like as an adult dog.

Let’s look at a Labradoodle first. A Labradoodle is part Poodle and part Labrador Retriever. Both breeds have a lot in common. They are fairly close in size. They also both have floppy ears and longer snouts. This means that when you combine the two you know the approximate size your doodle will be and that it will have floppy ears and a longer snout. The one thing you will not be able to tell is the fur type. People with Labradoodles have reported that their dog’s fur changed as they became an adult. As fully grown dogs some doodles will have short straight hair like a Labrador and some will have fluffy, curly hair like a poodle.

Now let’s look at the Ratdoodle. The Rat Terrier looks nothing like a Poodle. A Rat Terrier has large, pointy ears that stand erect at all times. They also have short fur and a small, thin frame. A poodle on the other hand has floppy ears, tend to have a fuller body and a long curly coat. When you mix them together you don’t know what the dog will look like until they are fully grown.

So, if you want a dog that will look like the typical teddy bear looking doodle then a Rat Terrier Poodle mix puppy may not be right for you.

Rat Terrier Poodle Mix aka the Rattle dog

Rattle Dog Lineage

The Rattle dog is a hybrid or mixed breed dog that does not have a standard for its breeding. It’s a combination of the Poodle and an American Rat Terrier. Both the Poodle and the Rat Terrier are also a combination of other breeds. But these breeds have been standardized over the years so you know what to expect from the breed. Since there is not a standard for the Rattle dog you need to look at the two parent breeds to understand what they may be like.

Poodle

The Poodle comes in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The miniature and toy sizes are bred down from the standard Poodles. All three sizes have the same general characteristics.

Poodles are known for their intelligence, ranking only second to the Border Collie. They are active, fun-loving dogs that like to clown around. Poodles are easily trainable and thrive on attention making them a good choice for active families.

Although the poodle’s origins are disputed what is agreed upon is that they descend from water dogs that were used for retrieving prey.

Rat Terrier

It’s believed that the original Rat Terriers were brought to the US as mongrels by working class British migrants. The dogs were used in rat-baiting, and bred for speed.

As the dogs became popular on American farms the breed was refined by breeding them with Beagles, Italian Greyhounds, and Manchester Terriers. The Rat Terrier was bred to be independent and to hunt vermin.

Can a dog smile?  Many Dog Trainers and Animal Behaviorists will tell you that dogs cannot smile, at least not in the true sense of a smile.  But I am not so sure they are correct.  Check out why I think some dogs can smile.

Rattle Dog Appearance

As I mentioned earlier since these two breeds look so different you will not know what your Ratdoodle puppy will look like until they are fully grown.

However you should be able to get an idea of what they will look like when they are still puppies. Take a look at the pictures below.

All three puppies are sisters. Their mom is a Rat Terrier and their dad a Mini Poodle. As can see two inherited the long, fluffy hair and floppy ears of a poodle but one has short, straight hair, pointed ears and the markings of a Rat Terrier. The one in the middle is our Bella when she was just 8 weeks old. Below is a picture of what Bella looks like now.

Temperament

Temperament is not only based on the breed but also how the dog is raised.

Our Rat Terrier Poodle mix is a very affectionate, loveable dog with a big personality. She is probably the most vocal dog I have ever had. Not that she barks a lot but if she wants something she uses her “voice” to let us know.

Watch Dog

Although she is small she makes a great watch dog. Every day while we work she spends her day on her perch on the back of the couch. There she spends her time looking out the window making sure no one enters the yard without us knowing.

Pack Dog

True to her pack animal heritage she prefers when we are all together. An example of this is she will force us to wait for everyone to come together before she will proceed on a walk. The flipside to that is I don’t believe Bella would do well being alone for long periods of time. This is not something we have tested since we work from home.

Born Hunter

She is also a born hunter that keeps our homes free of creeping, crawling things. However the hunting instinct may not be good for a home with small pets like hamsters or mice.

Along with the hunting instincts she also likes to burrow.  This is a common trait with small terriers.  We often find her under the couch or bed sleeping, even though she has a safe spot with comfy bedding.

Are Rat Terrier Poodle Mixes Hypoallergenic?

Since the Rat Terrier is not a hypoallergenic dog breed there is no way to guarantee that the Rattle dog will be. It will depend on the type of fur they inherit. Our Rat Terrier Poodle mix has a single coat of soft wavy hair. Although she is not odor free, I find that she does not trigger off my allergies like some of the other dogs I have lived with.

To learn more about terrier poodle mix breeds that are hypoallergenic, please see our post on Terrier Poodle Mix Breed Guide

Grooming needs

Grooming needs will depend on the type of fur your Ratdoodle has. A Ratdoodle with a wavy or curly coat will require daily brushing and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Short haired Rattle dogs will require less grooming but will shed more.

Life Expectancy

Both the Mini Poodle and the Rat Terrier enjoy long lives. The median lifespan for a mini poodle is 15 years, with a range of 14 to 16 considered normal, while the average life span of a Rat Terrier is 15 to 18 years. Since hybrid dogs tend to have fewer breed specific health issues a lifespan of 15 to 18 years is not unrealistic.

Of course genetics are only part of aging in a dog. Proper nutrition and exercise is required to keep your Rattle dog around for a long time. Also you need to make sure your Rattle dog maintains a healthy weight

Exercise requirements

Since both the poodle and rat terrier are high energy dogs, a Rattle dog will need to be exercised regularly. They are the happiest when they are active. Lack of exercise will result in your Rattle dog becoming bored. This in turn will cause them to be destructive.

Recognized Clubs

The Rattle dog is not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club.

Where to find Rat Terrier Poodle Mix Breeds

As I mentioned above you will have a hard time finding a breeder that specializes in Rattle dogs. Most often the mix comes about by accident. Therefore, if you are looking for a rat terrier poodle mix you should look at rescue sites like PetFinder.com or Rat Terrier Rescue organizations like the ones listed below.

National Rat Terrier Recues

• Rat Bone Rescues
• Rat Terrier ResQ

This list is a courtesy. We do not endorse any clubs or rescues listed.

Final Thoughts

Although, I would never suggest that people should start randomly breeding Rattle dogs, if you happen to come across one in a shelter they can make very good companions.

Are You Looking for a Rescue Dog to Adopt?

Here are some resources to help you with your search

• Goldendoodle Rescue: 9 Best Places To Look For One
• Labradoodle Rescue: 14 Best Places to Get a Labradoodle
• Bernedoodle Rescue: 15 Best Places to Find One
• Doodle Rescue: 12 Best Places to look for a Doodle
• Poodle Rescue: 9 Best Places to Look For One
• Goldendoodle: 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get One