Which is heavier golden retriever or Labrador

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

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.

The Labrador Site Founder

Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.

She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program

Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Breed Traits and Personality

Golden Retriever vs Labrador breed traits are surprisingly similar. Both dogs are family friendly, active, intelligent and affectionate. But there are some ways to tell the two sweet natured, floppy eared, webbed pawed dogs apart.

Golden Retriever grooming is a bigger deal, with their longer coats, though both breeds are high shedders, and neither is hypoallergenic. Goldens are all shades of gold, from cream to red, but the Lab comes in black, chocolate and yellow, as well as some dilute hues. The Lab is also a bit more lively and has higher prey drive than the Golden Retriever, but there are some Golden Retriever health problems that trump Labrador issues!

Finding the right breed for your family can be tough, even when youve narrowed it down to a pretty great shortlist of two very similar dogs. Golden Retriever vs Labrador? Labrador vs Golden Retriever? Its a conundrum! But we are here to help you choose between these similarly wonderful breeds. Because although its hard to go wrong with either breed, there are differences between the two that can help you decide.

Historical Differences

The Golden Retriever can trace its ancestry back to the 1800s, when the founder of the breed, Lord Tweedmouth, crossed a Wavy Coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel in Scotland. The result of this original cross breeding (and later modifications) is the Golden Retriever, a dog famous for its devoted, big-hearted personality and rich golden coat.

The Golden was bred to be a sporting dog. This means that it is adept at finding and retrieving birds and other game brought down by hunters. As a Retriever, the Golden is bred for a soft, gentle mouth and an obedient, highly trainable temperament. Like other Retriever breeds, they were often used to retrieve waterfowl, and still retain their love of water.

Golden Retrievers can vary in appearance depending on where they were bred. There are differences in British, American, and Canadian Goldens. The British type is generally larger and more muscular than the other two. There are also some coat variations among the three types too.

The Labrador Retriever

When it comes to sheer numbers, the Lab has ranked #1 in popularity among all dog breeds for many years. The Labrador was first developed in Newfoundland Canada from other local dogs like the St. Johns Water Dog. The Lab was used as a working water dog, to help fishermen retrieve nets and haul gear.

Their love of water and expert retrieving ability made them ideal waterfowl retrievers for hunters who brought the breed to the U.S. and U.K. But these days there are two different types of Labrador Retriever. They are the American (or Working) Lab and the English (or Show) Lab. They differ in both looks and temperament.

The American type Labrador Retriever is sensitive, intelligent, and active. The English type is generally larger, calmer, and less energetic than its American counterpart. Although it can also be a little sillier! Both types of Lab are famously friendly, playful, and outgoing.

Besides being a popular family pet, they are also frequently trained as service dogs. As are Golden Retrievers, and Golden Lab mixes too! So as you can see the Golden Retriever vs Labrador histories are fairly similar in terms of their working purpose. But although they have quite similar histories, what about their stature?

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Size

Both Golden Retrieverss and Labs are popular choices for people interested in medium to large sized dogs. Males tend to be larger than females, and height is measured at the tallest point on the bodythe shoulder blades or withersand not the head.

Generally, at an average of 24 inches tall and 75lbs, the Lab is a slightly larger dog than the Golden, who istypically just half an inch and 5lbs lighter.

While breed standards are exacting for show quality dogs, remember that a pet quality dog can be larger or smaller than the breed standard, depending on the individual animal. The overall body type of Golden vs Lab reflects the size difference between the two breeds. The proportions of the Golden tend to be elegant and symmetrical. Labs are generally more solid and sturdy than overly refined.

Labrador vs Golden Grooming

Coat type, grooming requirements, and amount of shedding often play a large role in the Golden Retriever vs Labrador decision making process. Many people think Labs require less maintenance. Is this true? Lets look at the coat types and grooming needs of both breeds.

The Golden Retriever has a medium length double coat, consisting of a water repellant top coat and a soft undercoat. They have longer feathering fur on the neck, legs, and tail. They are sometimes bred for longer, silkier coats than what is described in the breed standard. Many owners like soft, flowing coats while breed purists say that as hunting dogs, should have more moderate coats.

All Golden Retrievers, regardless of coat length and texture, require regular grooming. The undercoat grows denser in cold weather and sheds in warm weather. Use of an undercoat rake can help remove loose fur from the undercoat. For the top coat a good quality slicker brush is a must-have. Some also like steel tooth combs.

I recommend brushing these long haired lovelies at least twice a week. This also involves trimming some of the longer fur with scissors, specifically thinning shears. Areas that require regular trimming with scissors include the ears, feet, neck, and tail. The coat of a Golden Retriever should never be shaved.

Besides maintaining the coat, basic grooming needs for a Golden also include baths, nail trimmings, and ear and teeth cleaning. Remember that drop eared dogs are prone to ear infections. So how does Golden Retriever grooming compare with Labrador Retriever grooming?

Grooming a Labrador Retriever

Like the Golden, the Labrador also has a double coat. It consists of a soft undercoat that protects the dog in cold weather, and a top coat that is shorter in length than the Goldens. Also like the Golden Retriever, the Lab does shed its undercoat in warm weather.

Labs dont have the feathery furnishings and dont ever need trimming. However, while their coat length is short, they do have a double coat that needs maintenance.

Labs require an undercoat rake to remove the dead hair from the undercoat. You can then use a slicker brush for an overall grooming.

Nail trimming and ear cleaning should also be a regular part of your grooming routine. Labs generally need to be bathed less frequently than Goldens, although if they are a fan of rolling in muck this can ramp up. In non shedding season Labs coats are less maintenance than Goldies.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Shedding

Both Labs and Goldens have double coats consisting of a top coat and an undercoat. The undercoat will shed in warmer weather in both breeds, but does one dog shed more than the other?

Golden Retrievers can shed quite a bit all year round. If youve ever petted a golden retriever while wearing black trousers, you will be able to attest to this. Besides normal, everyday shedding, their undercoat grows thicker in the winter and sheds in the spring. This warm weather shedding is often called blowing the coat a very descriptive term for the extensive seasonal Golden shedding!

The best way cope with shedding in a Golden is with a good brushing every few days; once weekly brushing may not be adequate. Besides regular brushing, your dog will need regular grooming sessions with an undercoat rake, especially during shedding season.

When you first start using an undercoat rake, you may be surprised at the huge amount of dead fur that will be removed from your dogs coat. Dont panic! This will only be at the beginning. Once you start doing it regularly, a once weekly raking should be fine. Grooming your Golden outdoors can be a good way to reduce the amount of hair in the house. And remember to never shave a Golden Retrievers coat. How does Golden Retriever vs Labrador shedding compare?

Labrador Retriever shedding

Labs shed as much as, if not more than, the average dog. While the outer coat is short, its the undercoat that experiences a big seasonal shedding in warm weather. You will often hear Lab owners refer to this as blowing the coat, just like in Golden Retrievers.

Fur in the house can be controlled by outdoor grooming sessions. So Golden Retriever vs Labrador shedding is similar, but Goldens usually require more day to day grooming. Their long hairs also show up more when they do shed than the black or chocolate Lab, due to their light color. Neither of them are low shedding dogs.

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Colors

The Labrador Retriever breed standard recognizes three solid coat colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. No other color variations are acceptable in show quality Labs. The yellow and chocolate colors can both vary in shading from light to dark.

Golden Retrievers are, of course, golden in color. The breed standard describes it as a rich, lustrous golden that can vary from dark to light, although very light and very dark are not accepted in show quality dogs. Some have lighter colored fur on the areas where the coat is long and feathery, such as the tail, neck, and legs.

Yellow Labs and Goldens can have very similar coat coloring, but their coat types will be true to breed.

Comparing Temperament Traits

The words commonly used to describe the temperaments of both Goldens and Labs are the words we use to describe very good dogs! Both breeds are friendly, reliable, affectionate, gentle, trusting, and kind. But many potential owners wonder about the differences between Lab and Golden Retriever personalities.

Before talking about temperament, its always a good idea to remind new dog owners that all dogs are individuals, and breed alone does not guarantee any specific personality traits or behaviors. Meeting the parents, good training and socialization practices from puppyhood into adulthood are the best ways to ensure that you get the kind of dog you want.

Labs and Golden Retrievers are both very trainable and obedient, which is good news for novice owners. Canine behavior experts explain the minor temperament differences between Goldens and Labs in terms of degrees. Generally, Golden Retrievers are said to be a bit softer, gentler, and more sensitive than Labs.

While both do well in families with children, Labs tend to have the advantage in adapting to households with boisterous, lively, and loud young children. Many Golden Retrievers prefer a slightly more calm and tranquil home environment.

Its always important to take your lifestyle into account when choosing a dogboth the breed and the individual animal. An active family with young children may prefer an energetic Lab, while a retired couple may welcome a gentle Golden instead.

Health Problems in Golden Retrievers and Labradors

Like most purebred dogs, both breeds can suffer from inherited health problems. What are the main health issues potential owners should know about in both breeds? Heres the rundown on Golden Retriever vs Labrador health problems.

Genetic Diseases

Golden Retrievers can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as eye and heart problems. Labs also can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, and a condition known as exercise induced collapse.

Cancer

One important genetic health issue potential Golden owners need to know about is the breeds increased risk for cancer. Approximately 60% of them will develop cancer at some point in their lives. The cancer incidence rate in US jumped in the 1990s, suggesting a recent genetic mutation.

The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is an important long-term project that studies cancer in Goldens. Researchers have made great progress in understanding the genetic and environmental risk factors for cancer.

Two types of cancer are especially common in Golden Retrievrs: hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessel walls, affecting the spleen and heart) and lymphoma (cancer of immune system cells, affecting lymph nodes, liver, and spleen).

Obesity

Labrador Retrievers are at an increased risk for obesity compared to other dog breeds. Recent genetic research, led by the GOdogs project at Cambridge University, has found a genetic mutation that affects appetite and obesity in Labradors and Flat-Coated Retrievers.

A variant of this gene, called POMC, is present in one quarter of all U.K. Labradors. Dogs with 2 copies of the gene are on average 4 kg heavier than non-carriers. The affected dogs also score higher on food motivation tests. Weight management is important for all dogs, but especially for breeds at higher risk for obesity.

Is One Healthier Than The Other?

When looking at Golden Retriever vs Labrador health as an overall picture, the Labrador probably comes out on top. The high risk problems in Labs are often avoidable through health testing.

Good hip and elbow scores, PRA clear DNA test and a recent eye test will help you to find a health puppy. With Goldies these tests still need to be carried out, but there is the added life limiting risk of cancer.

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Golden Retriever vs Labrador As Pets

Both Labradors and Goldens rank high on most peoples lists of the ideal dog to add to their family. Its no accident that the Lab has been the most popular dog breed in the U.S. for the past 26 years, and the Golden is not far behind.

If you are looking for an energetic, intelligent, and outgoing dog to keep up with your active lifestyle, particularly if you have children, the Lab might be the perfect dog for you. You will have to watch their weight, and make sure that you get your puppy from fully health tested parents.

If a loving, kind, and gentle dog is more your speed, be sure to consider the Golden. Golden Retrievers also need fully health tested parents, but there is the added risk of cancer in Golden Retrievers to consider.

This is something you cant avoid through health testing, but might be helped by choosing puppies with older parents and no family history of cancer.

Cant decide? Then maybe a Goldador is what you are really looking for!

References

Simpson, M., Searfoss, E., Albright, S., et al. Population Characteristics of Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Enrollees. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2017.
Raffan, E., Dennis, R.J., ODonovan, C.J., et al. A Deletion in the Canine POMC Gene Is Associated with Weight and Appetite in Obesity-Prone Labrador Retriever Dogs. Cell Metabolism, 2016.
The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, Morris Animal Foundation
GOdogs, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories
Labrador Retriever Health