Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: The Differences (With Pictures)

You are excused if you’ve ever confused your friend’s Irish Doodle for a Goldendoodle or vice versa. The two have numerous crossing physical attributes. For instance, both are poodle hybrids with dark eyes, floppy ears, and a curly or wavy coat. Also, they are small to medium-sized dogs that come in several similar shades, including red and apricot.

But are the Irish Doodle and Goldendoodle the same dog breed?

Even with numerous similarities, Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles are two unique breeds. They differ in their bloodlines, temperament, trainability, and health issues.

Buckle up as we explore the main similarities and differences between these two canine breeds. We aim to lay down the facts to help you understand what makes each breed unique. Hopefully, this will also make it easier to decide which of the two is ideal for your household.

 

Visual Differences

At a Glance

 

Irish Doodle Overview

Irish Doodles are hybrids between the Irish Setter and Poodle dogs. They go by various names, including Irish Setterdoodles, Irish Setterpoos, Irish Poo Setters, and Irish Doodle Setters. There are standard and mini versions of the hybrid, and adults weigh between 25 and 70 pounds and stand at a height of 12 to 28 inches.

The coat color of an Irish Doodle highly depends on the hues of the parent breeds. Generally, Irish Setters have a flashy red coat, while Poodles come in various shades, including apricot, white and black. Irish Doodles can take after either parent and have black, apricot, or red coats. Some individuals have coats with any of these solid hues and a splash of white, commonly around the chest.

Here is more information about the Irish Doodle.

Personality / Character

Irish Doodles make wonderful companions thanks to their warm temperaments. They are friendly, loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and always eager to please their owners.

Furthermore, they are highly energetic dogs and can accept kids and treat them as play buddies. They have the strong hunting instincts of both parents, and although they can tolerate other dogs, you should not trust them to play unsupervised with smaller pets.

Generally, Irish Doodles are companion dogs that love nothing more than to follow their owners around. They are borderline clingy, making them prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. If distressed by the absence of their owners, they can develop behavioral issues like destructiveness.

If you are looking for a watchdog, you’ll have better luck considering other canine breeds. Irish Doodles are social creatures likelier to befriend an intruder than inform you about them. Moreover, they are quiet and don’t bark a lot unless pushed to the edge.

Training

Irish Doodles are intelligent dogs like Poodles. They are eager to please but can be stubborn, especially if they find your sessions too long or boring. Although they behave best when offered plenty of extra-yummy treats, they are generally easy to train.

It takes just a few repetitions for an Irish Doodle to master new commands. These dogs also have an above-average capacity to retain what they learn and respond appropriately to instructions. Besides regular training, you can also enroll your dog in agility courses and scent work.

Exercise

As a hybrid between two working dogs, Irish Doodles have lots of energy and need plenty of mental and physical stimulation daily.

Ideally, take your dog on a one-hour walk or engage in vigorous play. Moreover, offer additional activities in between to help release pent-up energy.

Grooming

Irish Doodles are the closest thing to a hypoallergenic dog. These dogs can have curly or wavy coats, and both don’t shed much. Although this makes them ideal for allergy sufferers, they need more coat grooming because their fur is prone to forming mats and tangles.

It would help to brush your dog’s coat daily to keep it smooth and tangle-free. Some coat trimming is also necessary to prevent long furs from mopping dirt and debris. Moreover, brush your dog’s teeth every other day and wipe the floppy ears to avoid infections commonly caused by dirt and moisture buildup.

Health & Care

Crossbreeding dramatically reduces the risk of diseases prone to the parent breeds of the Irish Doodle. Still, it is crucial to be on the lookout for specific health concerns and ensure you seek appropriate medical attention.

Breeding

Irish Doodles generally straddle the line between small and medium-sized dogs. They are sexually mature between six and nine months of age but are only physically mature at around 12 months. Although having your pet spayed or neutered is always better, you can also consider breeding after the one-year mark.

Suitable For:

Irish Doodles possess just the correct set of traits to make them almost perfect family pets. They are playful, affectionate, and gentle with kids and other pets. Generally, they fit nicely into all kinds of households. However, the ideal owner must be ready to dedicate time and energy toward providing plenty of attention and affection.

Moreover, these dogs are highly energetic, like both parent breeds. Before adopting one, ensure you can provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Irish Doodles make excellent companions for individuals looking for running or hiking partners.

Goldendoodle Overview

Goldendoodles are part Golden Retriever, part Poodle. As a hybrid between two adorable and well-natured purebreds, this dog offers the perfect blend of both worlds.

The sizes of Goldendoodles vary, and you can find standard, medium, and miniature versions of the hybrid. Generally, these dogs weigh between 15 and 90 pounds and stand at a height of 13 to 24 inches. They have curly or wavy coats in various colors, including black, chocolate, light tan, red, and apricot.

Here is more information about the Goldendoodle.

Personality / Character

Goldendoodles are friendly, happy, playful, and outgoing dogs. They are people-pleasers and tend to get along with everyone. These family-oriented pets have the patience and stamina to play with kids and don’t mind sharing their home with other pets.

Like Irish Doodles, Goldendoodles have a strong prey drive, so you should supervise play sessions with smaller pets like rabbits and guinea pigs. Thanks to the intelligent gene of the Poodle and Golden Retriever, you can expect your dog to wear the smart pants during training and master a range of commands in just a few repetitions.

Although Goldendoodles can pack pounds, they are not good guard dogs. Like Irish Doodles, they are super friendly and likelier to accept a tummy rub from an intruder. As a people pleaser, this hybrid is also prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long hours.

Training

Training a Goldendoodle is super easy. These dogs are intelligent, eager to please, and very obedient. They rarely get big-headed and usually maintain a good attitude throughout sessions. Still, implementing positive reinforcement training tactics is crucial to keep your pet enthusiastic about learning new commands and tricks.

You can also indulge your furry friend in dock diving and agility sports besides regular obedience training. Goldendoodles can amaze you with their athleticism and big brains. They are swift at mastering how to navigate through timed obstacle courses made of tunnels, walkways, jumps, weave poles, and more.

Exercise

Like Irish Doodles, Goldendoodles have high energy levels. They require an hour of exercise daily to keep them fit and happy. Because these dogs have vibrant personalities, providing plenty of entertainment sources throughout the day is crucial.

Exercise routines should include brisk walks, hikes, jogging, and swimming. Thanks to the Golden Retriever heritage, Goldendoodles also love the game of fetch and flyball. Be sure to also cater to the high mental stimulation needs of the hybrid and engage it in brain games like hide and seek.

Grooming

Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic dogs that can inherit the coat of their Golden Retriever or Poodle parent. Whether your pet has wavy or curly fur, you should brush her coat regularly. Also, do periodic coat trims to keep your pet looking its best.

Dogs with floppy ears are more prone to ear infections than those with upright ears. Goldendoodles need regular ear checks, especially if they swim a lot. Moisture trapped in the ears can lead to bacterial or yeast ear infections.

Health & Care

Like most hybrids, Goldendoodles are considered healthy because of their genetic diversity. They enjoy relatively good health and an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, especially when bought from an ethical breeder. Still, your pet can face a range of health problems prone to either parent.

As a responsible pet parent, it is essential to know about common health concerns that affect Golden Retrievers and Poodles. This will make monitoring your pet’s health easier and ensure you consult your vet promptly if something is off.

Breeding

Goldendoodles are medium-sized dogs that reach sexual maturity at nine to eleven months. They are physically mature between 18 and 24 months when you can choose to breed your dog or schedule a desexing procedure. The latter is the best option if you don’t want to raise an unexpected litter of puppies.

Suitable For:

Easy-going, playful, affectionate, cuddly, intelligent, and eager to please, the Goldendoodle makes an excellent pet for most households. The hybrid is content as an only pet but can also fit into families with kids and other pets.

Still, it is best to adopt the dog only if you lead an active lifestyle. Goldendoodles need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to stay out of trouble and maintain relatively calm and pleasant demeanors. Moreover, they love attention and are happier living with owners with lots of time to spend with their furry companions.

 

Which Breed Is Right for You?

So, Irish Doodle versus Goldendoodle, which breed is ideal for your household?

Choosing between these two breeds is super challenging because they share a lot of crossing traits. Both are affectionate, energetic, friendly, intelligent, and eager to please. There are only subtle differences in their size, temperaments, and grooming needs.

If you must choose between the two, it is better to put a higher emphasis on the genes passed down to a prospective pet.

When choosing between two highly similar breeds, it is easier to make an informed choice after observing the personalities of the parent breeds. Whether you settle for the Irish Doodle or Goldendoodle, brace yourself to welcome a super friendly and active furry buddy to your household.

See Also:

• Australian Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: The Differences (With Pictures)
• English Borsetter Collie (English Setter & Border Collie Mix)

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Featured Image Credit: Left – Joca de Jong, Shutterstock | Right – Leiada Krozjhen, Unsplash