Labrador Retriever vs Labradoodle
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Labrador Retriever | Labradoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| A cross of | Purebred | Labrador Retriever and Poodle |
| Size class | Large | Large |
| Adult weight | 24.9 to 36.3 kg | 22.7 to 34 kg |
| In pounds | 55 to 80 lb | 50 to 75 lb |
| Adult height | 55 to 62 cm | 53 to 64 cm |
| Energy | Very high | High |
| Grooming | Moderate | High |
| Coat | Short double | Medium wavy to curly |
| Shedding | High | Not published |
| Lifespan | 11 to 13 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | Australia |
The main differences
- They are about the same size: the Labrador Retriever is 24.9 to 36.3 kg and the Labradoodle 22.7 to 34 kg.
- The Labrador Retriever needs more exercise: very high energy against high for the Labradoodle.
- The Labradoodle takes more grooming (high) than the Labrador Retriever (moderate).
- The Labradoodle usually lives longer: 12 to 15 years against 11 to 13 years.
Temperament
Labrador Retriever: Good tempered and versatile, valued equally as a family companion, guide dog, service dog and working gundog.
Labradoodle: Friendly, loyal and quick to learn, the Labradoodle is an active family companion that was first bred as an assistance dog. They are sociable to the point of disliking long spells alone, and need about an hour of exercise a day.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Labrador Retriever
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be elbow graded by x-ray before mating
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Exercise induced collapse (EIC), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Labradoodle
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, screened in breeding stock by OFA or PennHIP radiographs
- Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test on both parents and by veterinary eye examination
- Hereditary cataracts and glaucoma, found on an eye examination including intraocular pressure testing
- Exercise induced collapse from the Labrador side, detectable by DNA test
- Heart disease, investigated by auscultation for a murmur, then echocardiography and chest radiographs
- Ear infections in the drop, hairy ear canal, found on otoscopic examination
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Labrador Retriever or the Labradoodle?
They are about the same size. Adults weigh 24.9 to 36.3 kg for the Labrador Retriever and 22.7 to 34 kg for the Labradoodle, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Labrador Retriever or the Labradoodle?
The published life expectancy is 11 to 13 years for the Labrador Retriever and 12 to 15 years for the Labradoodle. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Labrador Retriever or the Labradoodle better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
Next
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- petmd.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- purina.co.uk for country of origin