Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: 5 Key Differences

Written by August Croft
Published: April 26, 2022
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Both extremely friendly and hypoallergenic, there are many similarities between the Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle. But what might some of their differences be, if there are any, and how can you learn how to tell the differences between these two dog breeds?

In this article, we will compare and contrast everything you need to know about the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle. We will discuss their appearances, their ancestries, and their behaviors. Finally, we will compare their lifespans and sizes in case you are considering adopting either of these two breeds. Let’s get started now!

Comparing Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle
The ancestries of these two dogs differ, with the Labradoodle having Labrador Retriever DNA, and the Goldendoodle having Golden Retriever DNA.
Australian LabradoodleGoldendoodle
Size14-24 inches tall; 15-65 pounds21-24 inches tall; 55-75 pounds
AppearanceCurly fur found in a variety of colors and patterns, including brown, red, cream, blue, gold, and silver. Long ears and short muzzle. Heavy and athletic bodyCurly fur found primarily in light or yellow shades, such as cream, white, and gold. Lanky and athletic, with floppy ears and a shaggy coat compared to the curly coat of the Labradoodle
AncestryMix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle; bred originally in Australia as the first ever hypoallergenic guide dogMix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle; bred originally in the United States as a designer dog breed with hypoallergenic qualities
BehaviorClever, easy to train, and comfortable in a variety of families and situations. May exhibit aggression to dogs of the same genderExtremely friendly, intelligent, and kind. Ideal for many households, especially those with kids, though they won’t likely make good guard dogs given their friendly nature
Lifespan13-16 years12-15 years

Key Differences Between Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is larger than the Australian Labradoodle, in both height and weight.

©everydoghasastory/Shutterstock.com

There are many key differences between an Australian labradoodle and a Goldendoodle. The Goldendoodle is larger than the Australian Labradoodle, in both height and weight. The Australian Labradoodle is found in a variety of darker colors, while the Goldendoodle is primarily yellow or white in appearance. Finally, the ancestries of these two dogs differ, with the Labradoodle having Labrador Retriever DNA, and the Goldendoodle having Golden Retriever DNA. 

Let’s take a look at all of these differences in more detail now. 

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Size

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

Taking a closer look at the figures, the Goldendoodle averages a height of 21-24 inches tall, while the Australian Labradoodle measures anywhere from 14-24 inches, depending on breed size.

©Sophia Granchinho/Shutterstock.com

Depending on the breed and variation, the Goldendoodle grows larger than the Australian Labradoodle overall. However, both breeds have three different sizes based on the possible sizes of poodle: toy, miniature, and standard. Comparing the sizes of these individual breeds still results in the Goldendoodle growing larger than the average Australian Labradoodle.

Taking a closer look at the figures, the Goldendoodle averages a height of 21-24 inches tall, while the Australian Labradoodle measures anywhere from 14-24 inches, depending on breed size. Additionally, the Australian Labradoodle weighs 15-65 pounds, while the Goldendoodle weighs 55-75 pounds on average. However, it always depends on the individual genetics of these cross breed dogs!

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Appearance

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

Both of these dogs have curly or wavy fur, though the Goldendoodle often has a shaggier coat compared to the Australian Labradoodle. 

©Virrage Images/Shutterstock.com

It can be very difficult to tell the Australian Labradoodle apart from the Goldendoodle. However, there are some things you can use to see their differences, but most of these cross breeds look very similar. It depends on how much poodle is present in their DNA, but Labradoodles and Goldendoodles can have the same textures and colors of fur.

However, most Goldendoodles come in lighter shades, such as gold, yellow, and cream. The Australian Labradoodle comes in darker shades such as brown, black, and silver. Both of these dogs have curly or wavy fur, though the Goldendoodle often has a shaggier coat compared to the Australian Labradoodle. 

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Ancestry and Breeding

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

The Australian Labradoodle was first bred in Australia, while the Goldendoodle was first bred in the United States.

©iStock.com/Jennifer McCallum

One of the primary differences between the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle is their ancestry and breeding backgrounds. The Australian Labradoodle was first bred in Australia, while the Goldendoodle was first bred in the United States. There are also some differences in their ancestry and DNA. Let’s talk about that now.

The Australian Labradoodle is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, while the Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. Given that both of these breeds have poodle DNA, they were originally bred for hypoallergenic purposes. However, the Australian Labradoodle was bred for guide dog professions, while the Goldendoodle was bred for companionship.

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Behavior

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is so friendly that they are not recommended as a reliable guard dog, while the Australian Labradoodle may be more intuitive in this respect.

©cine-nomadic/Shutterstock.com

The behaviors of the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle are fairly similar. Both dogs are friendly, intelligent, and capable of learning a variety of tricks during training. However, the Australian Labradoodle is more likely to exhibit aggression toward dogs of the same gender, while the Goldendoodle is a more approachable and friendly breed overall. 

Additionally, the Goldendoodle is so friendly that they are not recommended as a reliable guard dog, while the Australian Labradoodle may be more intuitive in this respect. However, both of these dogs are extremely friendly and ideal for families with young children, especially families seeking a hypoallergenic breed. 

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: Lifespan

Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle

The Labradoodle lives slightly longer than the Goldendoodle on average, though this is likely due to their size differences more than their health as breeds.

©Josiah Gaulke/Shutterstock.com

The final difference between the Australian Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle is their lifespans. The Labradoodle lives slightly longer than the Goldendoodle on average, though this is likely due to their size differences more than their health as breeds. Given that both of these are crossbred with poodles, both the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle have healthy genetics overall. 

Looking at their life spans in more detail, the Australian Labradoodle lives an average of 13 to 16 years, while the Goldendoodle lives an average of 12 to 15 years. However, with a nutritious diet and a well-balanced exercise routine, both of these dog breeds can live long and happy lives!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SoySendra/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

August Croft is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on astrology, symbolism, and gardening. August has been writing a variety of content for over 4 years and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater from Southern Oregon University, which they earned in 2014. They are currently working toward a professional certification in astrology and chart reading. A resident of Oregon, August enjoys playwriting, craft beer, and cooking seasonal recipes for their friends and high school sweetheart.

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