If you have read any of my posts, you know that I had a Golden Retriever. You would also know how much I loved my Golden Retriever.
Buddy had a friend, Henry, a Labrador Retriever, whom I also loved.
They were both wonderful dogs. They are both wonderful breeds.
Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever, which is your favorite retriever?
Personality
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. This breed is friendly, loyal, well-tempered, gentle and make a fabulous family pet. The Golden is great with kids and other dogs and very protective of their humans. They are very active, playful and eager to please. They keep their puppy-like personalities until three or four years of age.
Also, the Golden Retriever is absolutely beautiful.
The Golden Retriever is very intelligent which makes them great hunters, working dogs, athletes and easy to train.
The Labrador Retriever is the number one dog in the United States. The Labrador is a warm, loyal and intelligent breed. Because of their
intelligence, the Labrador Retriever is easy to train.
Labradors tend to be protective of their families but are happy to greet people. They are also good with children and other dogs.
They have plenty of energy, a friendly demeanor and are great family pets. The Labrador Retrievers are very active dogs and need to be exercised daily. They are bred to work and love to do their jobs.
Size
The Golden Retriever males are 23 to 24 inches and weigh 65 to 75 pounds. Females are 21 to 22 inches tall and weigh 55 to 65 pounds. The Golden’s reach full height at one year of age and mature weight at two years of age.
The maximum height for a male Labrador Retriever is 24 inches tall. Weight ranges from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. The Labrador reaches adult height from six to twenty-four months but continue to fill out until two years of age.
Coats
Golden Retrievers come in all shades of gold varying from light gold to dark gold. There are also some white Goldens, which are considered rare.
The Golden Retriever coats can be wavy or straight. Their fur is medium length and their fur is feathered on their backs, chests, underbellies, legs and tails.
The Golden’s fur is water-repellent and dense with a thick undercoat.
Labrador Retriever has a strong sturdy body. They have broad heads and drop ears. Their tails are thick and sturdy. The Labrador’s coat is short, thick and water repellent.
Their colors range from almost white, black, yellow and chocolate.
Health
Golden Retrievers are generally healthy but they are prone to certain diseases. Some of those diseases are: Hip Dysplasis, Elbow Dysplasia, Cataracts Cancer, and Epilepcy.
This does not mean that every Golden will develop one of these diseases.
Just like the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retrievers are also prone to some diseases. Some of those diseases are:
Obesity related conditions, Cancer, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Retinal Atrophy,
Again, this does not mean every Labrador will develop one of these diseases.
For both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, these diseases can be inherited and owners should be aware.
Very Active
Golden Retrievers are very active and love the outdoors. They need to be exercised everyday. Long walks, a game of fetch, a trip to a dog run are great physical activities for your Golden. Swimming and hunting are also great activities. The Golden loves to swim. Time in the water swimming makes their day. Golden Retrievers are used for hunting waterfowl.
Labrador Retrievers are also very active dogs who love the outdoors. Exercise every day is necessity to keep this breed happy. Visits to the park or a dog run, will give your Lab a good amount of exercise. The Labrador is an excellent swimmer. Their paws are a little webbed which ads them in swimming. The Labrador Retriever has great retrieving abilities, especially in water, retrieving fallen ducks.
Working Dogs
Because Golden Retrievers are even tempered, loyal and eager to please, the Golden Retriever is easy to train and loves to perform many different tasks.
The Golden Retriever can be trained to be Service Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs, Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Hunting Dogs. They also enjoy obedience and other competitive events.
The Labrador Retriever’s love of work and intelligence make them perfect working dogs. The Labrador excel at being service dogs, guide dogs, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson dogs, search and rescue dogs and of course, hunting dogs. They too enjoy being performance dogs.
So, Which One Would You Choose?
As you can see, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are very similar in many ways.
Obviously, they are physically different. When you see a Golden or a Lab you immediately recognize the difference. Their coats and colors are not similar at all. The Golden Retriever needs more grooming than the Labrador Retriever.
But in all other categories, they are very similar. They are great family pets. Both breeds are well tempered, good with children, easy to train and intelligent.
Both the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever are both very active dogs that need a lot of exercise. They both love playing fetch, swimming, and hunting.
The Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever both are excellent working dogs and love to participate in obedience and athletic performance events.
So, now that we have compared Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, which one would you choose?
Either one would be a great choice.
When you decide which breed would complete your family. Leave your choice in the comment box below. I would like to know which breed you choose.