Which is Better between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle? A Very Detailed Review.

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Curly-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle

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Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Goldendoodle: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Goldendoodle. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Goldendoodle

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle: Overview

A very important difference between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Goldendoodle is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Goldendoodle belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offsprings of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds..

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the Goldendoodle based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Curly-Coated Retriever Goldendoodle
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 65 to 100 pounds 50 to 90 pounds
Life Span 9 to 12 years 10 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2170
Temperament Score 91.7 percent No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Curly-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Goldendoodle. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Goldendoodle is 90 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Goldendoodle is a better pet than the Curly-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Goldendoodle!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle

    Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle are most different:

  • Curly-Coated Retrievers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Goldendoodles are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Goldendoodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    • The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle

    The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle are most similar:

  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle are very easy to train.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Goldendoodles weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Goldendoodles are 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Goldendoodle?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Goldendoodles do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Goldendoodle

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Goldendoodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Goldendoodle?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Goldendoodles are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Goldendoodles can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Goldendoodles?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Goldendoodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Goldendoodle?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Goldendoodles are very easy to groom.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Goldendoodles?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Goldendoodles bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Goldendoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Goldendoodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Goldendoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Goldendoodles can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Goldendoodle?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Goldendoodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Goldendoodle?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Goldendoodles are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Goldendoodle

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Goldendoodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Goldendoodles?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Goldendoodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Goldendoodles?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Goldendoodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Goldendoodle?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Goldendoodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:

  • Airedale Terrier (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Goldendoodle vs Airedale Terrier.
  • English Springer Spaniel (79 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Goldendoodle vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Irish Setter (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Goldendoodle vs Irish Setter.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Goldendoodle

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Goldendoodle that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Goldendoodle:

  • Labradoodle (78 percent match with Goldendoodle). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Labradoodle.
  • French Spaniel (77 percent match with Goldendoodle). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs French Spaniel.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Goldendoodle compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Goldendoodle to other breeds:

    Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Curly-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Affenhuahua     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Tibetan Spaniel     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Catahoula Bulldog     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Beaglier     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Australian Terrier     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Black Mouth Cur     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Pharaoh Hound     Curly-Coated Retriever versus English Setter     

    Goldendoodle Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Goldendoodle versus Papillon     Goldendoodle versus Afghan Hound     Goldendoodle versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Goldendoodle versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Goldendoodle versus Havanese     Goldendoodle versus Schipperke     Goldendoodle versus German Shepherd Dog     Goldendoodle versus Golden Retriever     Goldendoodle versus Cocker Spaniel     Goldendoodle versus Biewer Terrier     

    Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Goldendoodle better suits you and your family.