Should I get a lab or golden

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 20, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Golden Retriever vs. Labrador Retriever: Similarities & Differences

They are two of the most well-known and beloved breeds the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. In fact, the active Labrador is the most popular breed based on AKC registration statistics, an honor theyve held since 1991. And devoted Goldens arent far behind, ranking number four in 2020. You might be familiar with these friendly dogs, but do you really know what sets them apart from each other? One is not simply a furrier version of the other. Read on to dig into the difference between these two members of the Sporting Group.

Trainable and Sociable

Nancy Talbott got her first Golden in 1977 and her first Labrador ten years later. As an AKC judge and former education director and breed mentor for the Golden Retriever Club of America, shes been breeding, showing, and participating in dog sports for over 40 years. According to Talbott, a main similarity between the two breeds, along with their structure and size, is their shedding. Both breeds shed all year, and profusely in the springtime! The shorter coat of the Labrador is not a non-shedding coat.

She also explains the breeds share their history as hunting retrievers, their trainability, and their sociable temperament. The hallmarks of both breeds are their kind nature with all humans, from infants in a stroller to seniors in a long-term care environment, and everyone in between. Both breeds also get along well in groups of other dogs an aggressive Labrador or Golden is a rare occurrence and not acceptable. A proper Labrador or Golden temperament is tolerant, loving, gentle, and unusually empathic.

Dr. Fran Smith, vice president and health chair of the Labrador Retriever Club, has been breeding Labradors under the kennel name Danikk since 1970. A judge of both hunt tests and field trials, as a veterinarian she is also president of the OFA, the largest companion animal health database in the world. Smith agrees that the Golden and Labrador are both sociable, personable, and very trainable. Not to mention, both breeds shed a lot.

: Labrador Retriever

: Golden Retriever

Shedding in Different Colors

There are physical differences between the breeds. Some are obvious while others take a more discerning eye. First, Labradors tend to be heavier in appearance due to denser bone, a deeper chest, and a rounder ribcage. Second, there are subtle distinctions in the shape of the head, although both are designed for carrying game birds. And finally, the coats vary as they serve different purposes. Talbott explains, Goldens were developed as primarily upland game dogs, so they require a firm jacket and moderate feathering over a dense undercoat that protects the body from brambles and other hazards, as well as harsh weather. Labradors were developed as primarily water dogs, and their coats insulate them against cold and icy water with dense undercoats and a slightly oily, short outer coat.

Smith points out there are differences in the coat color as well. Labradors can shed hair in three colors yellow (ranging from pale cream to fox red), black, and chocolate. The Golden coat varies from very pale cream to nearly fox red. So, an owner can match the shedding to their decorating and wardrobe preferences.

: Labrador Retriever puppies

: Golden Retriever puppies

Peter Pan vs. Emotional Support

The personalities have some subtle differences as well. Smith finds Goldens to be clingy compared to Labradors. And when it comes to training the breeds, Smith explains that Goldens love repetition whereas Labradors dont. Plus, she adds, I can tell you that it is easier for the public to deal with an untrained Golden Retriever than an untrained Labrador Retriever.

Talbott believes, although its a generalization, that the two breeds have differences in sensitivity as well. She labels the resilient, confident, and joyful Labrador as the Peter Pan of retrievers because they see the fun in every situation and never grow up. On the other hand, while Goldens love the fun too, they consider all the angles before they burst into a new situation with gusto. She says field trainers have told her Goldens think too much, figuring out their own way of doing a task. But Labradors just go for it.

Shes developed her own metaphor for this difference in personality. If an explosion happens in your backyard, a Golden will call 911, check to be sure everyone is ok, and then give you emotional support. A Labrador will grab a stick and a hot dog and charge outside to be the first one at the BBQ!

: Labrador Retriever

: Golden Retriever

Common Misconceptions

Talbott explains that people can confuse the two breeds, asking if they should get a Lab or a retriever, or thinking a yellow Labrador is a Golden. But in many cases, its really about terminology. There is no such thing as a Golden Labrador, and a Black Lab is not a separate breed she says. An English Cream is not a different or more valuable breed than a Golden Retriever, and there are no Labradors in any other color than black, yellow, or chocolate.

Smith hears people say they want/have a Golden Lab, which is of course a misnomer created from blending the names of both breeds. Another misconception she wants to clear up is based on the Labradors historical purpose. I wish people knew that this is a retrieving breed and if they do not want objects in their home picked up and moved and sometimes destroyed, they need to do appropriate training and appropriate confinement.

Talbott has a similar concern, saying, I wish more people understood that while they are great companion dogs, both are active breeds, primarily hunting dogs, and as such they need a job to do from puppyhood on. A Golden or Labrador left alone, not trained, and not socialized well becomes a destructive dog. They dig, they chew, they love mud and water, and they shed. All those traits can be channeled through adequate mental and physical exercise, proper grooming, and a safe, secure living situation (crate training and a fenced yard). Goldens and Labradors are family dogs and need to be indoors as part of the pack, not left alone outdoors.

Now you know the differences between these two wonderful breeds. Their names are similar, theyre both retrievers, and they can both be yellow, but theres so much more to them than that. Whether you choose to have one join your family, or you simply meet one on the street, you can be confident you understand exactly what sets them apart.

The Goldador

Your Goldador has a noble heritage and a modern purpose.

Originally two intelligent, trainable hunting breeds, the cooperative Golden Retriever Labrador hybrid surged in popularity just a few decades ago thanks to service dog charities. In fact, the first Goldador I met was a seeing eye dog puppy, being socialized by a family friend.

Goldadors are enthusiastic about reward based training, easy to motivate and friendly too. Your Goldador puppy will form strong bonds with their family, but not be too over excited when meeting strangers. This is a bonus if you have a job to do like assistance dogs.

The Golden Retriever Lab mix is also less likely to be impacted by the cancer gene currently causing devastation in the pedigree Golden Retriever breed.

Good therapy dogs make excellent pets, and your large, confident Goldador is no exception.

Despite what the name and Golden Retriever genetics suggests, your puppy could be any color from white to gold, yellow, black or brown.

Goldador Characteristics

Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are similar breeds. Your Goldador puppy will look a lot like its littermates. As an adult dog your Goldador will be large. First generation mixes have a short coat and lightly feathered tail.

Your Goldador will have floppy ears, a broad chest, long muzzle and lengthy legs. When fully grown your dog will end up about 75 lbs and 24 inches high.

Goldadors with working bred parents, from American Labrador and Golden Retriever lines, will have narrower heads. If your Goldador has show or English history behind them, they will have a blockier build.

Goldador Colors

Your Golden Retriever Lab puppy might look more like a Labrador than Golden Retriever, or vice versa.Golden Retriever Lab puppies that closely resemble their Labrador parent will be one of the following:

Puppies that resemble the Golden Retriever parent will be one of the following:

Dark golden Goldador.
Golden Goldador.
Light golden Goldador.

Golden Retriever Lab Mix Coat Types

Your puppys Golden Retriever parent has a long coat with feathering, but your Labrador Golden Retriever mix puppy will likely have inherited the Labs short double coat. This double coat has a soft undercoat and water resistant top coat. And its high maintenance.

Shedding and Grooming

Your puppy will shed a lot. Both parent breed molt heavily. They have two seasonal blowouts, and moderate shedding the rest of the year.

Brush them at least twice a week to catch loose hairs. A good pet hair vacuum is also a must!

Your puppys teeth will also need brushing, which will stave off dental problems, decay and fum disease.

You will also need to clip their nails weekly, with pet clippers or a rotating claw sander.

Are They Hypoallergenic?

Your Goldador is not hypoallergenic. This is not an allergy friendly dog. Goldadors high shedding means dander from skin and saliva will be liberally spread around your home and clothes.

Goldador Temperament

Goldador temperament will vary from puppy to puppy. Designer breeds combine two personality types into one package. However, the Labrador and Golden Retriever demeanor are so similar, you have a much better chance of estimating your Golador puppys future characteristics than someone with a more varying breed mix might.

What Is The Typical Goldador Personality?

Your sociable Golden Retriever Lab mix wont like isolation. Goldadors chew out of boredom and anxiety when left alone.

Your Goldador might inherit the Labs excitability. Labs dont know a stranger, they love new faces and making instant friends.

Golden Retrievers and Labradors are retrievers. Your dogs amazing nose and desire to chase small creatures can lead to mischief. An enclosed back yard is a must, as is a good recall cue.

Socialization

Early age socialization is vital to help your Goldador get on with children and other pets. Although naturally open to new experiences, there are no temperament guarantees in any breed.

Training and socialization can begin with fun puppy training classes.

Training Tips

Your Goldadors greedy yet easygoing nature makes them very trainable. And with positive reinforcement methods you can start from day one.

Goldadors and their parent breeds have a long history as service dogs, bomb detection dogs, hunting dogs and therapy dogs. You are set up to win here, if you put in the time to train.

Obedience classes help create well mannered dogs. Jumping up and running off are best avoided in large breeds.

Energy Levels

Your Golden Retriever Labrador puppy will grow into a high energy adult with a love for play and passion for fetch.

Your Labrador Golden Retriever mix will be a great companion for jogging, hiking and cycling. This hybrid dog loves to swim too. Canine sports like agility obedience trials and tracking will also keep your dog active and out of trouble.

Bored unexercised Goldadors have pent up energy that can lead to destructive tendencies.

Youll need to take your dog on daily walks, and let them self exercise in the enclosed back yard.

Exercise leads to good health. Your Goldadors parents, the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, can develop elbow and hip dysplasia. Weight management is one way to prevent joint problems.

Health and Care

All pedigree dog breeds are inbred to an extent. The measure of this is coefficient of inbreeding (COI). The higher the COI the greater the risk of health issues from inbreeding.

In general, health issues emerge at over 5% COI. In a crossbreed like your Goldador, the COI is lower than a purebred dog, and very unlikely to be over that 5% barrier.

Goldadors do however still have health risks and care vulnerabilities from inherited diseases in the parent Labrador and Golden Retriever breeds.

Labrador Health

Labrador Retrievers are prone to a few hereditary health conditions and joint problems, as well as some health issues common to most dogs. To help minimize the likelihood of hereditary health issues in your new Goldador pup, check that your breeder has followed the recommended testing for the Labrador Retriever breed:

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNKP)
Centronuclear Myopathy (CN)
Hip and Elbow Evaluation
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)
Hereditary Cataracts (HC)

Golden Retriever Health

Golden Retrievers have some of the same hereditary health risks that Labradors do. They are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and hereditary cataracts. But there are a few other health conditions that are common to this breed. Recommended testing for Golden Retrievers includes:

Hip and Elbow evaluation
Cardiac Exam including an echocardiogram
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Hereditary Cataracts (HC)
Ophthalmological exams (OFA & ECR)

Goldador Health Problems

Golden Retriever Lab mixes are more likely to inherit health problems common to both parent breeds. But they are at risk of any of the above issues.

Ensure your breeder has screened for PRA, hip and elbow dysplasia and cataracts before you bring your new bestie home.

These conditions plague both parent breeds and your puppy would be at high risk.

Choosing a Goldador breeder that has proof of testing for all breed recommended tests for both parents increases the likelihood of your puppy being healthy. Unfortunately, some conditions like cancer and bloat cant be predicted.

There is evidence the risk of bloat decreases with a varied diet and small, frequent meals. Avoid once a day feeding.

How Long Do Goldadors Live?

Designer dogs live as long as their parent breeds. The Labrador Golden REtriever mix averages 10 to 12 years. However, chocolate Labradors have a 10% shorter lifespan than other Labs, and a higher rate of ear and skin infections. A chocolate Goldador may have a slightly shorter life expectancy than other mixes within this breed combination.

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Rescuing a Goldador

Local animal shelters can be a great way to adopt your new forever friend. Golden Retriever and Labrador rescues also sometimes have Goldadors looking for homes. Although some shelters focus on rehoming purebred dogs that were previously used in puppy mills as breeding stock, or retired from the show ring.

Golden Retriever Lab mix puppies dont often come up for adoption, but many adult or senior designer dogs end up needing a new zip code in their later years.

Goldador Breeders

The Goldador is a popular designer breed, so youll have your choice of puppies.

Good breeders arent always expensive, but be wary of cheap litters. Health tests, an awareness of the cancer gene, and temperament as a priority are key here. Breeding stock should have a purpose in their family beyond making puppies.

Your breeder should ask your lots of questions and be happy to answer all of yours. Visit them, check the environment your puppy lives in is clean and warm, and meet your puppys mother. She should be calm, friendly and confident, and your puppy should be delighted to meet you.