When you think of Labrador Retrievers, you think about them with warmth and compassion. Labradors consistently rank as the #1 most popular AKC breed in the United States. They are one of the most well known purebred dogs and for good reason! They are beautiful, loyal and affectionate in nature, and make excellent pets.

The popularity of the great American Lab is one of the main reasons why Labradoodles have quickly become one of the most popular dog breeds in recent history. A Labradoodle is a combination of a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. Labradoodles have many of the same desirable traits as the Labrador while adding a few more Poodle traits that are specific to the Labradoodle breed.

What sets each breed apart? Let’s have some fun as we compare the Labrador Retriever vs. the Labradoodle below:

Labrador Retrievers are an AKC registered Purebred dog. Labradors are typically 55-80 pounds, which makes them a medium to large size dog. Labs come in three primary colors: chocolate, yellow (sometimes cream), and black. Their coats have two layers, which adds to their high amount of shedding. They also have short hair coats and long tails. Their long tails add to their signature look as well as helping them when swimming. Since they are utilitarian, this helps when Labrador Retrievers are raised to be hunting dogs.

Labradors are affectionate, loyal, and intelligent making them excellent family pets. Labrador Retrievers also make excellent service and hunting dogs!  Labs need daily exercise to keep them healthy and agile. They were originally bred as working dogs so they could be prone to obesity when they don’t receive the correct amount of exercise.

Labradoodles are a hybrid combination of Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. Mini Labradoodles combine the mini Poodle with the Labrador Retriever. These two specific breeds (Labrador and Poodle) were picked to mix because they are both intelligent and highly trainable. The Poodle breed adds hypoallergenic qualities to the Labrador while also adding Hybrid Vigor to improve the lifespan and overall health of the dog. Breeding a Poodle with a Labradoodle makes the Lab less prone to obesity and adds hypoallergenic qualities to the dog’s coat.

Because Poodles are available in four sizes (toy, mini, moyen, and standard), Labradoodles can have a much greater size range than Labrador Retrievers.

Whereas a Labrador has a short coat that sheds a lot, Labradoodles can have three varieties of coat: straight, wavy, or curly. Read this article for a greater understanding of doodle coat types.

The Labradoodle coat also comes in a variety of colors.

Labradoodles coats come in colors such as chocolate, yellow, and black. Because Poodles have a much greater color variety than Labradors, several additional colors are available for Labradoodles, that would not be found in a purebred AKC Labrador Retriever. For instance Labradoodles can be red, parti-color pattern, tuxedo pattern, tri-color and multiple other color combinations. Labradoodles range in size from Petite Mini (sometimes called Toy Labradoodles) at 8-25 pounds, Traditional Mini Labradoodles at 25-40 pounds, Medium at 40-55 pounds and Standard size Labradoodle at 55-90 pounds full grown. The hypoallergenic qualities of the Labradoodle’s coat makes them an excellent choice for individuals and families with dog allergies.

Labradoodles have many of the same personality traits as Labrador Retrievers, but also have increased intelligence and a generally calmer nature thanks to the Poodle genes.  Labradoodles make incredible therapy dogs and lovable family dogs but they need daily exercise for optimal health and temperament.

Both Labradors and Labradoodles make excellent family and therapy dogs. Some of the main differences between the two breeds are that Labradors are a more established breed while the Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, tend to be healthier because of hybrid vigor and come in a larger variety of colors and sizes. While both breeds are extremely endearing and intelligent, we believe the Labradoodles are a better choice for families who may have allergies or individuals looking for a service dog. We love both breeds and hope this comparison helps you select the right dog as your forever friend!