Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Labradoodle: Introduction
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle: Overview
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle
- The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle
- Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle
- Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Labradoodle
- Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever versus Adopting the Labradoodle
- Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle
- Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Labradoodles?
- Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labradoodle?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labradoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labradoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle?
- Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Labradoodle?
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Labradoodles?
- Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Labradoodle
- Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Labradoodles?
- How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Labradoodles?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labradoodle
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle. Which One is a Better Pet?
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Labradoodle: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle? 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and for the Labradoodle. 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle: Overview
A very important difference between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Labradoodle is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Flat-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 Labradoodle belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offsprings of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds..
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever to the Labradoodle 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 | Flat-Coated Retriever | Labradoodle |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 50 to 65 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1350 | $1640 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $1800 | $1000 – $2000 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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 Flat-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 Labradoodle. 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 Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Labradoodle is 94 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Labradoodle is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Labradoodle!
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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle
Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle are most different:
The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle
The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle.
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Labradoodles weigh 50 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Labradoodles are 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Labradoodle
The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Labradoodle puppy is $1640. The price of the Labradoodle typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Labradoodle can be as low as $250 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2360 Labradoodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Labradoodle is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Labradoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1350 | $1640 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $1800 | $1000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Labradoodle. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Labradoodle puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Labradoodles
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy or the Labradoodle puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever versus Adopting the Labradoodle
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Flat-Coated Retrievers and many Labradoodles are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Flat-Coated Retriever named Palisade that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Flat-Coated Retrievers like Palisade on pefinder.com.
Also, like Flat-Coated Retrievers, Labradoodles are also available for adoption. For example, Barney is a Male Labradoodle that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Labradoodles like Barney that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Clarence is the name of another Flat-Coated Retriever (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Cash, an adorable Male Labradoodle on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers and Labradoodles that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Labradoodle?
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Labradoodles adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Labradoodles can be left alone for some time without problems.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Labradoodles are very good for new dog owners.
Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle
Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Labradoodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Labradoodles?
Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Labradoodles shed moderately.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labradoodle?
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Labradoodles 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.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labradoodles Tolerate Cold Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Labradoodles can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labradoodles Tolerate Hot Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Labradoodles can tolerate hot weather.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Labradoodles are very easy to groom.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Labradoodle?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Labradoodles are very easy to train.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Labradoodles?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Labradoodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Labradoodle
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Labradoodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Labradoodles?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Labradoodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Labradoodles?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Labradoodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labradoodle?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Labradoodles get along very well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labradoodle
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Labradoodle 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 Labradoodle:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Labradoodle compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Labradoodle to other breeds:
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Cavachon Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Terrier Flat-Coated Retriever versus Standard Poodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bracco Italiano Flat-Coated Retriever versus Borzoi Flat-Coated Retriever versus Standard Poodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bouvier des Flandres Flat-Coated Retriever versus Harrier Flat-Coated Retriever versus Papillon Flat-Coated Retriever versus Field Spaniel
Labradoodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
Labradoodle versus Basenji Labradoodle versus Affenpinscher Labradoodle versus Belgian Sheepdog Labradoodle versus Brussels Griffon Labradoodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Labradoodle versus Chorkie Labradoodle versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Labradoodle versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Labradoodle versus Dutch Shepherd Labradoodle versus Puli
Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle. 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labradoodle better suits you and your family.