Which is smarter Lab or Golden Retriever

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.

Labrador Vs Golden Retrievers: A Side by Side Comparison

How Closely Related Are Golden Retrievers and Labradors?

How much in common do the Golden and Lab share? To answer that question, let's examine the historical origins of both breeds.

Labrador Retrievers existed first, sometime in the 1830s. They were bred in Newfoundland by curious European settlers who combined the genetics of St. Johns Water Dogs with British hunting dogs. Labs were favored then by royals such as Sir John Scott, the Earl of Home, the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Earl of Malmesbury.

Golden Retrievers came from Scotland and were first bred midway through the 19^th century. As the breed name tells you, Goldens could retrieve on land and in water. To produce the Golden Retriever, prior generations of retriever dogs were bred with water spaniels.

Okay, so there are no matches on the lineage. It doesn't seem like the two Retriever breeds ever intersected in those early days.

Goldens and Labs aren't the only Retrievers, by the way. Other, lesser-known Retriever breeds include the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Curly-Coated Retriever, and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. These Retriever breeds are all recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Labrador Retriever vs. Golden Retriever Appearance

Comparing Goldens and Labs in the appearance department reveals very obvious differences between the two dogs.

Labrador Retriever Description

Let's start by describing Labs. According to the AKC, Labrador Retrievers feature a bony face, flat cheeks, curved lips, a long head, and an average-sized muzzle. Their ears are low and stay close to their face. A Lab's eyes are a regular size and mid-set; they're described as friendly. Their body is wide-chested with tapered front legs and short loins.

A Lab's coat can be dense, straight, or short but always soft. Along the back half, the Lab's coat may be wavy. The breed's forequarters are always taller and longer than the hindquarters and its tail is thick yet tapered. Some people call it an otter tail. Labrador Retrievers come in hues such as chocolate brown, black, or yellow.

Golden Retriever Description

Per the AKC, the Golden Retriever has a broader skull with a wide and deep foreface and a straight muzzle. Their ears are shorter than Labradors with a noticeable front edge that is set lower. Their eyes are regular-sized and deeper than a Lab's eyes. The AKC says Goldens have friendly eyes as well.

The Golden Retriever features a tall neck, a deep forechest, and a short yet deep loin. Their coat is water-repellant and quite dense. If left untrimmed, the Golden can develop feathering on their belly and their hindlegs, which is another way they're quite different from Labs. Golden Retrievers are known for their golden color, but they can be lighter or darker gold and even cream-colored.

Their forequarters are strong and muscular, and their hindquarters are strong but broader. The tail starts at the base of the Golden Retriever and is muscular as well so the dog can happily or excitedly wag their tail.

Which Dog Is Bigger: Labs or Goldens?

There's a barely imperceptible difference between the size of Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Male and female Labs are 22 to 24 inches tall. That's also the size of male Goldens. Females are slightly smaller, 20 to 22 inches in adulthood.

As for which dog weighs more, it's practically a tie. Female Labs are 55 to 71 pounds, as are female Goldens. Male Golden Retrievers may weigh 65 to 75 pounds whereas male Labradors are 64 to 79 pounds.

Labrador Retriever vs. Golden Retriever Personality

You want a dog with a big, kind, loving personality. Is the Golden or Labrador more of what you're looking for?

The AKC describes Goldens thusly: powerful, energetic, playful, joyful, eager-to-please, devoted, intelligent, and friendly. If you want a dog that acts like a puppy as they enter adulthood and even years after that, the Golden Retriever is that dog.

The Labrador Retriever is called friendly, sociable, companionable, energetic, easygoing, outgoing, and sweet according to the AKC. As the most popular dog in America, Labs have an affable personality that people can't help but love.

Are Golden Retrievers Smarter Than Labradors?

Between Goldens and Labs, which is the more cunning of the two? A 1994 book by Stanley Cohen called The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions compared the smarts of Goldens and Labs. Per the information in that book, Labs were declared to be the seventh most intelligent dog whereas Goldens were called the fourth most brainy. That would mean Golden Retrievers are smarter according to Cohen.

The book is old though and is but one piece of research into the intelligence of dogs. The AKC mentions nothing about Goldens being smarter, so don't be discouraged if you're more interested in owning a Labrador. Both Retriever breeds are plenty smart and will continually impress you with their intelligence.

Labrador Retriever vs. Golden Retriever Grooming

We hope you don't mind cleaning mountains of dog fur off your couch, your clothes, and just about any surface, as both Labradors and Golden Retrievers are shedders.

We wrote about a Lab's shedding habits here. Per that article, Labradors shed twice per year during molting season. The first time they'll shed is in the spring, as the Lab will remove their heavy winter coat to prepare for warmer weather. Expect another round of shedding in the fall as your Lab develops a thicker coat. Each shedding period lasts about three weeks.

Golden Retrievers follow the same shedding schedule. However, as we mentioned earlier, the Golden has longer fur, so when the dog sheds, there's a lot more fur to go around.

To maintain your Golden Retriever's coat, brush your dog once per week when they're not shedding and then about daily during shedding season. You can also bathe your Golden ahead of their grooming to dislodge all those dead hairs that keep attaching to your clothes.

Labs need bathing slightly more seldom, but then again, that depends on how dirty your dog gets. You'll brush them about weekly and nearly daily when they shed.

Labrador Retriever vs. Golden Retriever Exercise

One thing that Labradors and Golden Retrievers share is their love for physical activity of all kinds.

Labs were originally working dogs, revered for their detection abilities, tracking, hunting, therapy assistance, and carting. If they don't get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, then their urge to do something physical can manifest in misbehavior. For example, your Lab might chew up household objects.

Golden Retrievers, being retriever dogs on land and in sea, were also bred to be active. A half-hour of activity might not cut it for the Golden, so try to give the dog an hour of exercise per day. Some Goldens can even romp around for upwards of two hours, but that depends on your dog's age, health, and personality.

If you're bringing home a Retriever puppy, you can't expect to exercise it that much right away. You'll overexert the poor thing and put its health at risk. Instead, for each month of life the puppy has had, tack on five additional minutes of exercise.

For example, if you adopt a five-month-old Lab or Golden, you'd multiply 5 x 5 for a max of 25 minutes. This shouldn't be overly vigorous exercise either, but playing fetch or going for a walk with your puppy. Playtime generally does not count towards a dog's overall daily exercise requirements.

Do Golden Retrievers Smell More Than Labradors?

No one likes a stinky dog, that's for sure. Even if you bathe your Retriever regularly, is one breed prone to smelling more than another?

No, a Golden Retriever shouldn't smell more than a Labrador. Labs may have seborrhea if their sebaceous glands are overactive. This condition is common in Labs. Having seborrhea can lead to an oily, slick coat that might get stinky.

Then again, an oily coat can just as easily be a sign of hypothyroidism, which will cause dandruff, pimples, puffiness, and lethargy. Keep reading for more on the health issues that affect Labs vs. Goldens.

We will say this: if you've recently bathed your dog, they haven't done any hard playing, and they still smell like sweaty gym socks at the bottom of a clothes hamper, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. The stink is indicative of a health issue.

Labrador Retriever vs. Golden Retriever Health Issues

Next, let's compare the health issues in Golden Retrievers and those that Labrador Retrievers are more likely to develop.

Labrador Retriever Health Issues

• Cancer: Canine cancers common of Labradors are mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and/or osteosarcoma, which affects the bones. The symptoms could include lumps, vomiting, decreased appetite, and weight loss.
• Seizures: Cancer is one cause of seizures in dogs, as are head injuries, kidney disease, liver disease, and blood pressure changes. Your Lab may foam at the mouth, chew their tongue, drool, or twitch during a seizure.
• Elbow dysplasia: When the bones in a Lab's front legs grow unnaturally, such as in elbow dysplasia, pain can follow.
• Arthritis: Canine arthritis can occur from dysplasia as well as joint trauma, nagging injuries, osteochondrosis, and aging. The stiff joints limit a Lab's mobility.
• Laryngeal paralysis: In a case of laryngeal paralysis, your Lab's airway may be blocked, preventing deep breathing. Vets and experts are not sure what causes this condition, but it's definitely a serious one.
• Hip dysplasia: A dog's hip socket and ball socket are supposed to fit naturally. When these areas misalign, it can lead to friction and rubbing whenever your Lab moves their body.

Golden Retriever Health Issues

• Low thyroid: Golden Retrievers may have low thyroid, which is also known as hypothyroidism.
• Cataracts: Vision blockages in the form of cataract clouds often require surgery to remove. Without treatment, cataracts can cause blindness in a dog.
• Luxating patella: The kneecap dislocation known as a luxating patella can make your Golden favor their other three legs over the bad one. They may also skip, hop, or limp to avoid stepping on the bad leg.
• Von Willebrand disease: If your Golden Retriever lacks the proteins to make their blood clot, then they may have Von Willebrand disease. The symptoms can include hemorrhaging out of various areas of the body, but dogs can also be asymptomatic.
• Cancer: Like Labs, Golden Retrievers may develop cancers like osteosarcoma, mastocytoma, and/or lymphosarcoma.
• Subvalvular aortic stenosis: A congenital defect, the heart condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis causes the left ventricle to shrink in size so blood flow cannot occur to and from the heart.
• Skin issues: From lipomas to sebaceous cysts, seborrhea, sebaceous adenitis, and lick granuloma, a Golden Retriever is prone to many painful and uncomfortable skin conditions. Some can cause oily fur and others hair loss.
• Hip dysplasia: Just as Labs can have hip dysplasia, the similarly-sized Golden Retriever can as well.

If you read our post on Goldadors, which are a combination of Labs and Golden Retrievers, then some of these health afflictions may seem familiar to you.

Labrador Retriever vs. Golden Retriever Training

Training your dog at the basics is a must, but what kind of training experience can you expect with a Labrador versus a Golden?

As we wrote about here, Labs are considered quite easy to train. They love the exercise, they want to make you happy, and they're highly intelligent. With some treats and lots of verbal and physical praise, you can encourage a Lab to learn just about anything, even guarding.

Golden Retrievers also train with little difficulty provided you put the time and work in. These dogs are smart, ready to learn, and happy to work with you to nail down basic commands such as sit, stay, and lie down.

Labrador Retriever vs. Golden Retriever Cost

There's just one more question you have about Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Which is the more expensive dog?

Labs might cost $800 to $1,200 and Golden Retrievers anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000. Do keep in mind these are averages and by no means indicative of what you might pay to adopt one of these dogs. The factors that influence the cost of a dog are the breeder you choose, where you live, if the dog has any rare genetics, and the health and quality of the dog.

Should You Get A Labrador or Golden Retriever?

As you can see, there's plenty of reason to consider either one of these wonderful breeds. It is unlikely that you'd end up disappointed with either decision.

However, if you find yourself really torn to make a decision one way or the other, consider a Goldador!

A Goldador is a mix between a Lab and Golden Retriever. I wrote an article specifically about them and would recommend checking it out. This may be the solution you need!

Conclusion

Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers share the Retriever name, but they're not the same in all respects. Now that we've compared these two breeds in full, you're one step closer to adopting the perfect dog for you and your family.