Poodle vs Labradoodle

Let’s end the debate today. Which one is better, Poodle vs Labradoodle. 

Many pet owners and aspiring ones would like to understand which is a better companion. Will it be Poodles or Labradoodles? The answer depends on your personal preference and capacity to own a pet. After all, you wouldn’t want to get a dog that doesn’t match your lifestyle, would you? It’s not healthy for you and your dog.

If you wish to learn more, this is the perfect post for you. 

Poodle vs Labradoodle, Quick Overview 

Let’s have a quick comparison of Poodle and Labradoodle. 

Poodles are about 10 – 22 inches tall and weigh 6 – 70 pounds. They are known to be friendly, intelligent, and easy-going. Plus, they have high energy. As for the lifespan, they could live between 12 – 15 years.

Moving on to Labradoodles, this breed is about 22 – 24 inches tall and weighs 20 – 60 pounds. You would fall in love with them as they are affectionate. And like Poodles, they are also clever and sociable. They have intense energy and could live between 12 – 16 years.

History, Poodle vs Labradoodle  

Knowing the history of each breed is important as this also dictates their current attributes or personality. In this section, we will share with you the origins of both breeds.

Poodles existed centuries ago. Least to say, they have an ancient history, and you could even see them in old portraits. This is the National Dog of France, but it originated in Germany. The name itself came from the German word pudel, which can be translated as ‘to splash in water’. 

This breed is athletic and has high intelligence. It’s not surprising that in the US alone, it’s the seventh most popular breed. They come in three different sizes, Standard, Miniature, and Toy.

Let’s now talk about Labradoodles. Compared to Poodles, their history is more recent. The breed originated in Australia back in 1989, and the goal was to have a guide dog for a blind woman whose husband was suffering from allergies. Labrador is considered a banner guide dog, and Poodles are known to be hypoallergenic. From there, Labradoodle was born. 

What’s great about the breed is it combines the lovely traits of its parents. They are loyal, playful, sociable, and smart. Having said that, they are fantastic family dogs.

Take note that there are different types of Labradoodles. We have F1, F1B, and F2. Let’s summarize it below.

• F1: This is 50% Labrador and 50% Poodle. 
• F1B: This is 75% Poodle and 25% Labrador.  
• F2: This is 87% Poodle and 13% Labrador. 

According to experts, F2 dogs are best if you have allergies. However, they are not an AKC-approved breed and are known as designer dogs. But if this doesn’t matter to you that much, we say go for it. They come in two different sizes – Standard and Miniature. In most cases, you will find a standard-sized dog.

Appearance, Poodle vs Labradoodle

These dogs have a lot of similarities. They have a wavy or curly coat, which you need to groom often. However, Labradoodles’ hair is softer and flat in some areas. For Poodles, the hair is coarse and wiry. This means, the latter is more high-maintenance.

Some of the common colors of Labradoodles are the following: 

• blonde 
• chocolate 
• charcoal 
• black 
• apricot 

You can also see Poodles with the above colors. However, some of them are white, grey, blue, brown, silver, and even cream. 

Temperament, Poodle vs Labradoodle

Poodles are known to be regal, and others might think that they are a snobbish breed. But don’t get turned off. With their high intelligence, you can easily train Poodles to be more friendly. Also, they are people-pleaser, which means they are willing to obey their owners. Take note that Miniature and Toy Poodles are more hyperactive than the standard ones.

On the other hand, Labradoodles are more fun-loving. However, they could be shy towards strangers and could bark often. This is also the result of their protective nature. They could adapt to any type of living environment. Yet, they thrive in big spaces. So if you live in a home with a backyard, getting a Labradoodle is a good option. This doesn’t mean that you can’t get a Labradoodle if you live in a small apartment. But the solution is to have a lot of playtime with them.

Exercise Requirements, Poodle vs Labradoodle 

As you may have already known, both breeds are active. And because of this, you need to keep them moving to ensure that they are happy.

For Poodles and Labradoodles, we suggest that you play with them for 30 – 60 minutes. They also love brain-stimulating games for their mental activity.

Specifically for Poodles, they might experience cabin fever, and this may cause them to be destructive. Thus, the more reason why you have to take them out and play.

Traning, Poodles vs Labradoodles

These dogs are easy to train, and they are eager to learn more. Take note that you must train them at an early age. If not, your Poodle might grow stubborn. As for Labradoodles, it is harder to train them when they get older too. They might have lousy behavior, which is quite hard to break.

Exposing both breeds to other dogs is also helpful so they could develop their social skills.  

Health Concerns, Poodle vs Labradoodle 

Generally, both Poodles and Labradoodles are known to be healthy dogs. But this doesn’t mean they could not get sick. There are still common illnesses you have to watch out for. 

For Labradoodles, always check the for the following. 

Ear Infections 

Remember that dogs are more prone to ear infections due to the shape of their ear canals. Know how you can properly clean their ears and only clean the parts that are visible to you. Some of the signs of ear infection are odor, pain, scratching of the ear, redness and swelling of the canal.

Hip Dysplasia 

This is a common skeletal condition that is seen in bigger dogs. However, smaller ones can be affected too. If you must know, the hip joint functions as a ball and socket. If your dog is suffering from this condition, the ball and socket will not develop properly.

Canine Diabetes

Dogs can have diabetes too, and you have to watch out for this on your Labradoodle. As we all know, this disease cannot be cured, but can be managed. Usually, the common signs are excessive thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, and weight loss.

For Poodles, here are the common diseases that they might encounter: 

Addison’s Disease 

This is a condition wherein the adrenal glands do not produce the hormones that they normally have to. If not managed properly, this could lead to serious complications and even death. Unfortunately, the cause of this disease is usually unknown.

Collapsed Trachea 

This could be a congenital disorder that can cause breathing problems to your Poodle. Some of the signs are difficulty in breathing, vomiting, wheezing, or coughing when you apply pressure to your dog’s neck.

Bloat 

When your Poodle experiences bloat, their stomach is filled with liquid or gas. This causes the belly to feel like a balloon, and at times, can be a cause of death. To prevent this from happening, do not use an elevated food bowl. Also, avoid exercising an hour before or after eating. Plus, ensure that you serve multiple meals per day. 

Both Poodles and Labradoodles could have Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Epilepsy, and Hypothyroidism. The best approach is to schedule a regular vet visit to ensure that your pet is in optimal shape.

You always hear that ‘prevention is better than cure,’ and that’s still true. Also, remember that it would be more expensive when you take your dog to the vet when the disease is already severe.

Proper Nutrition, Poodle vs Labradoodle

In general, Labradoodles need to burn more calories because of their extremely energetic behavior. For Poodles, we recommend an average daily consumption of 2 – 3 cups. Your Labradoodle, on the other hand, should have 3 – 4 cups of high quality dog food. This should be without lentils and peas as some dogs are not used to digesting these.

Grooming Requirements, Poodle vs Labradoodle 

We encourage that you hire a professional groomer if you plan to take care of your Poodles. They should visit the groomers every three to six weeks. But the good thing about Poodles is that they don’t shed too much compared to Labradoodles. Take note that they should be bathed every two to three weeks.

Labradoodles are easier to maintain than Poodles, and they only require basic grooming needs. In most cases, owners trim their pet’s hair two to four times a year. As for bathing, your Labradoodle can go up to five weeks without it.

Always use soothing and gentle shampoo for pets with sensitive skin.

Cost, Poodle and Labradoodle 

Poodles are more expensive than Labradoodle. You can get a Poodle puppy from $1000 – $10,000, depending on its bloodline and size. But for family pets, it should be around $1000 – $1500. 

Labradoodles are more affordable, and you can get yours between $1000 – $3000.

Pros and Cons, Poodle vs Labradoodle 

Now, it’s time to decide which breed is perfect for you. And to help you, we are listing down the pros and cons of having each.

Pros of Poodles  

• They are an AKC-recognized breed
• They have hair instead of fur
• They can easily adapt  
• They have high intelligence 

Cons of Poodles 

• They are expensive 
• They are high maintenance 
• They require regular playtime 
• They are not the best guard dogs 

Pros of Labradoodles 

• They have the good traits of Labradors 
• They are designer dogs and is visually appealing
• They are easier to maintain 
• They are people-pleaser 
• They are cheaper than Poodles  

Cons of Labradoodles 

• They still shed 
• They need more space 
• They do not have a pedigree 

What to Choose If You Have Kids in the Family? 

If your family has young children, we suggest getting a Standard Poodle or a standard-sized Labradoodle. This is so the pets could withstand rough play. 

Where to Get Your Poodles and Labradoodles?

We know that many people are offering cheaper Poodles and Labradoodles. However, you need to do your due diligence. It’s important that you get your puppy from a reputable breeder to ensure that they are healthy.

If, as of the moment, you do not have enough money to buy from genuine breeders, going to shelters is a good option too. This will not guarantee the best types of dogs. But come to think of it, they are the ones needing you the most. Thus, it’s not a bad option too.

Conclusion, Which is a Better Breed? 

There’s no single answer for this because there are pros and cons for owning each. The best solution is to evaluate what you need and what you can do for your pets. For example, if you want a Poodle, make sure that you have enough funds for its maintenance.

Mixed breeds are generally cheaper, but this doesn’t mean that the breed is not a great family dog. Again, they are also friendly and highly intelligent.

Either of these breeds is worth it.