Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Comparing Temperament, Size, & Maintenance

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle – what’s the difference between these seemingly similar, yet very individually charming Doodles? That’s exactly what we’re going to find out in this guide, as we’ll be comparing all aspects of these amazing dogs, including their size, family suitability, temperament, shedding levels, grooming requirements, trainability, and much more. So, if you’d like to learn more about these two Poodle mixes, and find out which one is the perfect dog for you, then keep on reading. 

Table of Contents

• About Irish Doodle: History & Key Characteristics
• About Goldendoodle: History & Key Characteristics
• Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Size
• Irish Doodle Vs Goldendoodle: Temperament
• Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle: Appearance
• Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Grooming & Maintenance
• Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle: Health & Wellness
• Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle: Lifespan
• Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Training & Environment
• Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Cost
• Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Are They Family Friendly?
• Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Which Is The Puppy For You?

About Irish Doodle: History & Key Characteristics

The Irish Doodle is a cross between the Irish Setter and Poodle. Irish Doodles were likely first bred some time in the 1980s or 90s. Although Irish Doodles are only becoming more well-known, they already have tons of adorable nicknames to choose from. Some of them including Irish Doodle Setter, Irish Poo Setter, Irish Setterpoo, or Irish Setterdoodle. 

Irish Doodles are notoriously friendly and loyal dogs often easily recognizable by their rich red coats. They combine the best traits from both the Irish Setter and Poodle. Irish Doodles are fun-loving, even mischievous at times, and they tend to bond very well and quickly with their families. 

Most commonly, Irish Setters are crossed with either Standard or Miniature Poodles. Based on what size of Poodle is used in the mix, we can have either Standard, Medium, or Mini Irish Doodles.  

About Goldendoodle: History & Key Characteristics

Then we have the wildly popular Goldendoodle, probably the most well-known of all Poodle mixes. The Golden Retriever Poodle mix is a loving, social, and simply amazing crossbreed. They were first bred in the 1960s to achieve an allergy-friendly guide dog, and have since become a popular family pet. 

Goldendoodles are intelligent, friendly, and highly trainable. They are also low-shedding, which makes them a good choice for people with allergies. In fact, Goldendoodles are often used as hypoallergenic service dogs because of their easy-going nature and willingness to please their owners.

As one of the more established Doodle breeds, the Goldendoodle comes in a variety of sizes – Toy, Mini, Medium, and Standard Goldendoodle. Whether you live in a spacious house or an apartment right inside the city, there’s a Goldendoodle for almost anyone. 

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Size

To start, let’s compare the Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle size. The Irish Doodle comes in three sizes – Mini, Medium, and Standard – whereas the Goldendoodle ranges from Toy to Standard. So if size is a factor in your decision, that’s something to keep in mind.

Here’s a full Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle size comparison:

	Irish Doodle	Goldendoodle
Toy	–	10-25 poundsUp to 15 inches tall
Mini	20-30 pounds15-18 inches	25-35 pounds15-17 inches
Medium	30-40 pounds19-22 inches	35-50 pounds17-20 inches
Standard	40-70 pounds22-28 inches	50-90 pounds20-26 inches

* A dog’s height is measured from the highest part between their shoulder blades, also known as withers.

In terms of the Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle size, we see that both of these Doods are in a similar height and weight range. However, Golden Retrievers can be somewhat stockier and heavier, whereas Irish Doodles tend to be slightly taller and leaner. 

The average weight for a Standard Irish Doodle is between 40 and 70 pounds, while the average weight for a Standard Goldendoodle is between 50 and 90 pounds. However, there is some variation within each breed – Mini Irish Doodles are on the smaller side, weighing closer to 25 pounds. Meanwhile, Mini Goldendoodles usually fall between 25 and 35 pounds.

Irish Doodle Vs Goldendoodle: Temperament

Both the Irish Doodle and Goldendoodle are known for being intelligent, friendly, and affectionate dogs. They make great family pets and are good with children. They’re both outgoing and social, and they definitely enjoy being around their humans. Goldendoodles are known to be extremely friendly with everyone they meet, whereas Irish Doodles may be more cautious when meeting new people.

Nonetheless, Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles tend to form strong bonds with their families. However, this also makes them more prone to separation anxiety. So, neither of these dogs should be left alone for too long. Otherwise, they may start showing anxious and unwanted behaviors. 

Both Poodle mixes are relatively energetic, and the larger varieties can have quite the stamina as well. But when comparing these two Doods, Goldendoodles are often more energetic, and therefore also require more exercise throughout the day. 

Although Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles are both friendly and overall sweet and loving dogs, it’s important to keep in mind that all puppies are unique and have their own personalities. In addition to that, early socialization, training, and various forms of enrichment methods also go a long way supporting the puppies’ emotional development. 

Moreover, both of these Doodles may bark from time to time. Irish Doodles may be somewhat more vocal than Goldendoodles. However, it’s not uncommon for either of those breeds to bark when they greet someone or when they’re simply curious. 

Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle: Appearance

When comparing the Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle appearance, they both can inherit the signature shaggy Doodle coat. However, the Irish Doodle’s coat is usually not as thick or dense as the Goldendoodle’s coat.

In terms of coat colors, the Irish Doodle often comes in its signature red Irish Setter-inspired coat. They can also have black, apricot, brown, cream, and silver coats, to name a few. Meanwhile the Goldendoodle can also come in a variety of colors, including the signature golden hues, but also black, brown, cream, apricot, and red coats. 

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Grooming & Maintenance

When comparing the Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle coat care and grooming requirements, both of these Doods are rather high-maintenance dogs. The great thing about Poodle mixes is that they tend to inherit low shed properties from the Poodle parent. However, both the Irish Doodle and Goldendoodle will require regular hair trimming and brushing to prevent matting. Luckily, with regular brushing and grooming, they can be low-shedding dogs that are relatively easy to care for.

Both Goldendoodles and Irish Doodles can inherit either curly, wavy, or straight coats from their parents, depending on how much they take after each of their purebred parents. By the way, their grooming requirements largely depend on what coat type they have. Let’s take a closer look. 

Curly Coat

Curly coats are considered the most hypoallergenic out of the three coat types. Curly-coated Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles inherit the curly Poodle-inspired coat that’s usually single-coated and very low to non-shedding. These pups are perfect for people who struggle with allergies. 

The only downside of curly coats is that they’re slightly harder to manage than wavy and straight coats. Dirt, debris, and loose dog hair can easily become tangled inside the fur, making curly coats the most prone to matting. However, you can simply prevent matting by brushing your curly Doodle daily.

Wavy Coat

Wavy coats fall somewhere between curly and straight coats. They’re generally low shed, but they may inherit an undercoat. It all depends on a puppy’s genetic makeup. Still, these pups may not be as allergy-friendly as curly coated Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles. 

In terms of their coat care, wavy coats are usually quite easy to manage and maintain. Since their hair isn’t as textured, they aren’t as prone to matting as curly coats. Still, we recommend you give your wavy coat Dood a good brush at least every few days to prevent matting. 

Straight Coat

Then we have the straight coat, which takes more after the purebred Irish Setter or Golden Retriever parent. As you can probably guess, these pups often also inherit the shedding undercoat, making them the least ideal option for people with severe dog allergies. 

Luckily, straight coat Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles still generally shed less than their purebred parents, all thanks to their Poodle heritage. You can also greatly reduce shedding by brushing your dog daily, as you’ll be constantly removing any dead hair that would otherwise fall out. 

Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle: Health & Wellness

Another great thing about hybrid breeds is that they’re often healthier than their purebred parents. That’s thanks to something called hybrid vigor, which indicates that crossbreeds inherit superior qualities from both sides of their lineage. Therefore, they’re also less likely to inherit certain genetic conditions that are common in their purebred parents.

Still, this doesn’t mean that Doodles cannot suffer from any health conditions. Both Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles can inherit genetic illnesses common in their parental breeds, many of them even overlapping due to their Poodle heritage. 

Both Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles are prone to joint problems, including hip and elbow dysplasia. They can also suffer from digestive issues, food intolerances, allergies, ear infections, and even bloat. Eye disorders like PRA and cataracts are also common, so are skin issues, such as skin sensitivities and allergies. There’s also an increased risk of thyroid issues and epilepsy. 

Moreover, Irish Doodles may be more susceptible to diseases that are common in purebred Irish Setters, including certain heart diseases, certain cancers, and blood-clotting diseases. Meanwhile, Goldendoodles may be at a higher risk of health conditions common in Golden Retrievers, such as a heart disorder called subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS).

Please note, however, that the key to raising healthy litters, regardless their breed, lies in extensive health and genetic testing. Ethical Doodle breeders have all of their breeding dogs tested for various genetic conditions before breeding any litters. This ensures that only the healthiest dogs from strongest bloodlines are added into programs, greatly minimizing the risk of puppies inheriting any serious genetic illnesses. 

Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle: Lifespan

Obviously, thanks to hybrid vigor, both Poodle mixes tend to live long lives, even slightly longer than their purebred parents. Irish Doodles have an average life expectancy between 12 and 15 years, whereas Goldendoodles can live anywhere from 10 to 15 years. 

In addition to that, smaller dogs tend to outlive their larger cousins. Therefore, we can expect Toy and Mini Doodles to live a few years longer than Standard-sized Doods. 

Of course, you can very much promote your Doodle’s longevity by feeding them a healthy and balanced diet, keeping track of their weight, making sure they get enough exercise, and providing them a happy and stress free life. 

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Training & Environment

Thanks to their Poodle heritage, Goldendoodles and Irish Doodles are generally very easy to train. They’re both highly intelligent breeds, but also eager to please, which makes training them an absolute breeze. On the other hand, Irish Doodles may inherit a mischievous side from the Irish Setter parent. They can also be quite independent, which can make things a bit trickier. 

Nonetheless, both of these Poodle mixes are known to respond well to positive reinforcement training. To set your pup up for success, start with early socialization, potty training, crate training, and obedience training early on. This will enforce good behaviors from an early age, meaning that they’re much more likely to stick once they grow up. 

Obviously, before you adopt a puppy, you’ll also have to consider your living arrangements. If you live in a small apartment, a Toy or Mini Doodle will be a much more suitable option for you. However, if you live in a more spacious home, maybe even have a fenced backyard, then you could also opt for larger Standard Doodles. 

Regardless of your new puppy’s predicted size, both of these Poodle mixes need their daily mental and physical stimulation. Both of them should get to exercise at least an hour each day. Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles also love all sorts of outdoor activities, such as going for a hike, swimming, or jogging. In addition to that, they also greatly benefit from interactive dog toys and puzzle games that prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. 

Although Goldendoodles and Irish Doodles are generally well-behaved dogs, provided that you’ve contributed to their training and socialization, it’s completely normal if you need help in certain areas. If you’re set on raising your Doodle pup into a well-behaved and confident adult, then you may find the Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella a helpful program to follow at your own pace, from the comfort of your own home. 

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Cost

Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles usually cost anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on where you live and what color or size you choose. Keep in mind that the price of a Doodle pup usually goes up in more populated areas. Additionally, the price depends on the breeder’s experience, reputation, and health testing protocols. 

It’s also common for breeders to charge more for smaller Toy and Mini Doodles, whereas Standard-sized pups often cost less. Similarly, you may have to pay extra for rare and highly coveted coat colors and patterns.  

Of course, these pups do not come cheap, and it takes time to save up for a Doodle puppy. It may even be tempting to adopt from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder, as their prices are that much lower, and they always seem to have puppies for sale. However, these types of breeders should always be avoided, as they’re known to neglect their dogs and puppies, many of them struggling with severe health issues. 

In addition to the initial cost of adopting your new puppy, you’ll also have to take into account all the regular expenses that come with dog ownership. You’ll have to budget for dog food, treats, grooming and grooming tools, dog beds and dog bowls, crates, pet insurance, vet visits, and so forth. 

You may also want to consider that the size of your new puppy could also influence how much you’ll have to spend on food and grooming. For instance, a Toy or Mini Doodle will eat considerably less than a Standard-sized Dood. 

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Are They Family Friendly?

When comparing the Goldendoodle vs Irish Doodle family suitability, you’ll be glad to hear that they both make great family companions. They are good with children and get along well with other dogs. However, as both Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles are active breeds, they may be a bit too much for some families. 

Even though both of these Doodles are great with kids, if you have smaller children, you might want to go with a Mini Doodle. Standard Doodles, especially energetic crosses like the Irish Doodle and Goldendoodle, can be too much to handle for small kids. 

Needless to say, early socialization with children and other pets is crucial, as this will teach puppies how to appropriately interact with others. Likewise, you should teach your kids how to appropriately handle the pup, so they won’t accidentally hurt or injure them. 

Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle: Which Is The Puppy For You?

So, you’ve made it to the end of this guide. You may have a better idea which of these Doods is a better fit for you. Or maybe you’re more confused than before – after all, they’re both amazing dogs with many wonderful qualities. 

All in all, when comparing the Irish Doodle vs Goldendoodle, there aren’t many differences between these two Poodle mixes, besides their appearance. Irish Doodles are generally taller and leaner, and often flaunt beautiful red Setter coats. Meanwhile, Goldendoodles tend to be heavier and slightly shorter, often inheriting signature Golden Retriever coats. 

Goldendoodles also tend to be more excitable, especially around new people, whereas Irish Doodles are known to be slightly more independent and wary of strangers. Still, they’re both extremely friendly and sweet-natured Doods, making excellent companions for singles, couples, and families. Both of them are also praised as excellent hypoallergenic service, therapy, and guide dogs. 

Hopefully our guide on the key similarities and differences between Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles helps you decide which Doodle is best suited for your personality and lifestyle.