Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Goldendoodle |  Cockapoo |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States and Australia, deliberately bred from a Golden Retriever and a Poodle | United States, popularised in the United Kingdom |
| Group | Crossbreed | Crossbreed |
| Size | Medium to Large | Small to Medium |
| Coat | Wavy to curly coat, varying from loose waves to tight curls depending on the individual dog | Variable, from loose waves to tight curls to a flatter spaniel type coat |
| Weight | 20 to 35 kg | 4.5 to 11 kg |
| Height | 45 to 66 cm | 25 to 38 cm |
| Lifespan | 10 to 13 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
| Exercise need | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Affection | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Grooming needs | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Barking | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Good with children | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Trainability | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Prey drive | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Copes alone | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Drool | 3/10 | 1/10 |
| Shedding | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Flat fit | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Running cost | €170 / month | €163 / month |
Goldendoodle verdict
A friendly, trainable Golden Retriever and Poodle cross whose coat, size and health depend heavily on the specific pairing behind it.
Get one if
- · Owners who can offer consistent daily company and structured alone training from puppyhood
- · Active families with space and time for well over an hour of exercise most days
- · People happy to commit to frequent brushing and regular professional grooming appointments
Think again if
- · Owners who are out of the house for long working days without a plan for company
- · Anyone choosing this cross purely to avoid allergies without meeting the specific puppy first
- · People hoping for a coat that never mats or needs professional grooming
Cockapoo verdict
An affectionate Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross where coat, size and energy vary litter to litter, so no two Cockapoos are quite alike.
Get one if
- · Owners wanting an affectionate, people focused companion that bonds closely with the family
- · Households able to commit to regular professional grooming regardless of coat type
- · Families realistic that allergy friendliness is a possibility rather than a certainty
Think again if
- · Anyone choosing a Cockapoo purely to avoid grooming costs
- · Allergy sufferers relying on reputation alone rather than testing their own reaction first
- · Households that cannot offer much daily company or structured alone training