So, let’s dive now into the Irish Doodle vs Labradoodle debate and compare one of America’s most loved Doodles to a lesser-known Doodle.
We will compare the Labradoodle and all you may enjoy about them to the Irish Doodle. You will get to know the ins and outs of these fantastic breeds to see which is right for you. Breeding
We all know that the Labradoodle is one of America’s most beloved Doodle breeds. The Labradoodle is a crossbreed of the Labrador Retriever and a Poodle.
These dogs were bred for their intelligence and ability to be therapy dogs. You won’t have to travel far to find a Labradoodle breeder in any part of the country.
On the other hand, the Irish Doodle is a hybrid of the Irish Setter and a Poodle. These dogs are on the growing list of designer breeds that people can’t get enough of.
These Doodles are comparatively new to the scene compared to the Labradoodle. Since they are so unique, they can be hard to find in some areas of the US.
And it can be even harder to find a reputable breeder with excellent practices. Both of these dogs have a lineage that originated for hunting.
Because of this, they are both intelligent dogs with strong instincts to hunt, problem-solve and please their owners.
These Doodles are bred with just the right balance to give them the good qualities of both parental lines.
Temperament
The Irish Doodle temperament is a perfect balance of relaxed and energetic. These Doodles love to romp around, play, and swim.
But they also like to be by your side and cuddle you without squirming to get away. Your Irish Doodle will love to do daily activities with you.
They can keep up with your active lifestyles while not being too hyper. Irish Doodles are known to be loyal and protective of their families.
A Labradoodle temperament is very energetic. They love to play and wrestle. As puppies, you can hardly keep them still.
While they do mellow out some as adults, they are primarily a go, go, go type of dog. Your Labradoodle will always be excited about life and all that it holds for him.
Nothing can get these dogs down in the dumps. This enthusiasm for life also means that they adore their owners.
Your Labradoodle will always be right by your side for the next great adventure, even if that adventure is only to the mailbox and back.
Both of these Doodles are highly intelligent and make great pets for families. Neither of them enjoys being alone for too long and prefers to be surrounded by their owners.
They also get along great with many pets and do better when they have another furry friend.
Training And Exercise
When comparing the Irish Doodle and Labradoodle, they are very similar in training and exercise requirements. Both of these dogs are easy to train.
They will love to do tricks and catch on quickly to core training and potty training. These Doodles love to please their owners, which drives them to learn faster. Nothing will please them more than a treat and praise for sitting pretty.
Also, the Irish Doodle and Labradoodle require a fair amount of exercise. You will need a decent-sized yard with a fence for your Doodle to play in periodically throughout the day.
And regular walks around the neighborhood will help keep these pups in great physical shape in addition to face-to-face playtime.
But, you will also need to exercise these Doodle’s minds. Since these dogs are so intelligent, they get bored quickly.
Giving them puzzle treats for when you are at work is a great way to keep them active. They also love learning other tasks as part of this exercise.
Keeping up with training times throughout their life will keep their minds busy and prevent boredom.
Coat Types
The Irish Doodle is a hypoallergenic dog because it is low to non-shedding. These coats are very soft and subtle that are usually curly or wavy.
You can get an adorable Irish Doodle in black, apricot, or red (the most common.) Your Irish Doodle must be brushed every other day to prevent mats and groomed every eight weeks.
Since these Doodles do not shed, they must regularly be taken to their groomers for haircuts. The longer the coat becomes, the easier it is to tangle and hurt their delicate skin.
Labradoodles are also hypoallergenic with curly, wavy, and straight coat types. You will want to avoid the straight coat types with the Labradoodle if you want a truly hypoallergenic dog.
These types shed more but do not require trips to the groomers for a trim. Labradoodles come in just about any color you can imagine.
Though rare colors may be harder to find, these Doodles will also need grooming every 6-8 weeks, with daily brushing in between 65 visits.
It is also worth mentioning that though these Doodles are hypoallergenic, people can still be allergic to them.
Allergies in dogs are usually to their dander, saliva, and urine. And, even though these Doodles don’t shed, they still have dander.
Hypoallergenic breeds are great for seasonal allergy sufferers, asthmatics, and people with eczema.
Size And Lifespan
The Irish Doodle size varies on the type you get. Currently, there are three recognized sizes of Irish Doodle: standard, miniature, and toy.
A standard-sized Irish Doodle will grow 35-50 pounds and 15-27 inches tall. While a mini Irish Doodle grows to 25-35 pounds and is 12-17 inches tall.
These sizes seem to be a big difference within the breed, and that is dependent on the parents. If the parents are larger, your puppy will also be larger.
There seems to be no standard on the sizes of a toy Irish Doodle. That is because a toy is a mix of a mini Irish Doodle and a Toy Poodle.
Depending on the Doodle parent size, these sizes can be larger or smaller. It is also worth mentioning that a toy-sized Irish Doodle will mostly be a Poodle genetically.
These Doodles are more challenging to determine characteristics, size, and temperament.
The Labradoodle also comes in various sizes for all lifestyles. The three Labradoodle sizes are standard, medium, and miniature.
A standard gets 21-24 inches tall and 55-65 pounds. Medium-sized Labradoodles grow 18-20 inches tall and 30-45 pounds. A mini will only get 14-16 inches and 15-25 pounds.
While these Doodles come in various sizes, their lifespans are generally 11-15 years. Smaller dogs usually live longer than their larger counterparts.
But be assured that no matter what size of Doodle you get, they will have the same temperament as standards.
Medical Conditions
With every breed, there are certain risks of medical conditions that they can be prone to. These medical conditions can be prevented with proper breeding.
Before putting deposits on any puppy, ensure you have also seen the parental medical tests and that the parents are in good breeding health. T
hese tests can significantly lower the risk of your Doodle developing diseases later in life.
Some diseases Irish Doodles are prone to are:
- Epilepsy
- Cushing’s
- Bloat Eye disease
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
Some diseases Labradoodles are prone to are:
- Eye diseases
- Bleeding disorders
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Allergies
- Epilepsy
Price
Finally, the price is the last aspect of comparing Irish Doodles and Labradoodles.
Since Irish Doodles are sometimes harder to find, their cost can be more, including transport plus the price from a reputable breeder.
The average cost of the Irish Doodle is $1,300-$3,000 when you get them from a reputable breeder. Cheaper dogs could be a sign that the dog is poorly bred and comes from a puppy mill.
Labradoodles are relatively common in all areas of the USA. Most Labradoodles, on average, cost $1,000-$3,000 when they come from a breeder that knows what they are doing.
Labradoodles are some of the most commonly bred dogs in backyards and puppy mills. These dogs are prone to a lot of diseases and are usually cheaper than $1,000.
Both of these Doodles, when bred correctly, seem like a lot of money, but it is worth the cost upfront.
Higher prices from the breeder can save you thousands in medical bills later in life, especially if your breeder has a good reputation as a healthy dog breeder.
In Conclusion
The Irish Doodle and Labradoodle are both unbelievable pets for any lifestyle. If you are more relaxed, you might choose an Irish Doodle.
If you are active and love the outdoors, you may select a Labradoodle. Or maybe you have another Doodle in mind? No matter what Doodle you choose, it will bring your home great joy for years.
They will brighten your life and give it a new meaning.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
