Golden Retriever vs Goldendoodle
The Golden Retriever was bred for retrieving game for hunters; the Goldendoodle is a cross of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. The Golden Retriever is large by weight; the Goldendoodle is small to large. The Golden Retriever has a long double coat, needing regular grooming; the Goldendoodle, a coat that varies with the parents, needing regular grooming. The Golden Retriever sheds a lot; the Goldendoodle, anywhere from less than most to a lot. Both need lots of exercise.
Side by side
| Golden Retriever | Goldendoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Bred for | Retrieving game for hunters | A cross of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle |
| Size | Large | Small to large |
| Weight | 55 to 75 lb | 15 to 80 lb |
| Coat | A long double coat | Depends on the parents: a long double coat or curly |
| Grooming | Regular brushing, and trims for some coats | Regular brushing, and trims for some coats |
| Shedding | A lot | Lower to heavy |
| Exercise | Lots of exercise | Lots of exercise |
| Voice | Not in its sources | Not in its sources |
| In license records | 6,694 | 4,616 |
What people name them
The most common names in the pet license records we use.
From pet license records published by New York City, Seattle, Cambridge in Massachusetts, and Allegheny County in Pennsylvania.
General information to help you narrow your choices. Every animal is an individual; meet them first. Check your lease and local rules.
Breed facts: Wikidata and each breed's Wikipedia article, read 2026-10-04. The ratings are ours, from those facts; how we match is on the breed fit quiz.
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