Labrador Retriever vs Poodle
Both are friendly, very intelligent sporting dogs, and both were originally water retrievers. The Labrador sheds a lot and needs little grooming; the Standard Poodle sheds very little but needs regular clipping. Poodles also come in smaller sizes.
At a glance
| Labrador Retriever | Poodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Large |
| Weight | 55–79 lb (25–36 kg) | 7–71 lb (3–32 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Short · Short, dense, water-resistant | Dense, curly, low-shedding |
| Origin | Canada | Germany / France |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$110 / month | $105–$225 / month |
Temperament & care, rated 1–5
| Labrador Retriever | Poodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy levelNeeds a lot of activity every day | 5 | 4 |
| Exercise needsLong daily walks or workouts required | 5 | 4 |
| IntelligenceLearns quickly and solves problems | 5 | 5 |
| TrainabilityTakes to training readily | 5 | 5 |
| AffectionWants close contact with people | 5 | 4 |
| IndependenceCopes well with time alone | 1 | 2 |
| Good with childrenPatient and tolerant with kids | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other petsUsually settles with other animals | 5 | 4 |
| Apartment friendlyComfortable in a smaller home | 4 | 5 |
| Beginner friendlyForgiving for a first-time owner | 4 | 5 |
| SheddingSheds heavily | 3 | 3 |
| Grooming needsFrequent brushing or professional grooming | 2 | 5 |
| Noise levelVocal — barks, meows or calls often | 3 | 3 |
Highlighted = the easier choice for most owners on that trait (higher, except shedding, grooming and noise, where lower is easier).
The key differences
- Coat: Labs shed heavily; Poodles shed little but need clipping.
- Size: Standard Poodles are similar in height but usually lighter than Labs.
- Temperament: Labs are boisterous; Poodles are often more reserved with strangers.
- Weight gain: Labs are especially prone to obesity.
Choose the Labrador Retriever if…
- You want a low-maintenance coat (but you will vacuum often).
- You want an outgoing family dog that loves everyone.
- You want a robust dog for swimming and retrieving.
Choose the Poodle if…
- You prefer a low-shedding coat and are happy to pay for grooming.
- You want a dog that lives a little longer on average.
- You want a choice of size: Toy, Miniature or Standard.