This crossbreed is excellent with kids and other pets which makes it a wonderful family member. Their intelligence skills are the reason why they are common in service, and guiding roles, among other important roles. Does it sound like the hybrid you have been looking for? Do not jump to conclusions yet since there is much you need to know first before committing yourself.
We have all the Golden Retriever Labrador mix information you need to help you decide whether it is the right crossbreed for you. From their appearance, disposition, training, exercise, dietary needs, grooming, health issues, and lifespan, you will know what you are taking home.
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What is a Labrador mix with Golden Retriever called?
The mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Golden Retriever is frequently referred to as a Goldador. The cross is not recognized by the AKC and there is no breed standard or club for the Golden Retriever Labrador mix.
Unlike other designer dogs that are popular as companions, the Goldador is yet to gain this acceptance.
| Size | 22 to 24 inches tall |
| Weight | 60 to 80 lbs. |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
| Grooming Needs | Sheds moderately |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Loyal, Friendly & Alert |
| Coat & Colors | Straight, dense & short topcoat; yellow to gold to reddish-gold |
| Suitable for: | Active individuals & families |
History of the Breed
The history of a Golden Retriever mixed with Lab was done deliberately less than a decade ago. The breeders wanted a pooch that is responsive and tolerant to work, and their efforts were effective. Now, the Goldador is the most preferred choice for institutes that train assistance and guide dogs.
So, what do we know about the parents of a Goldador that can help us understand this cross better?
Parents
The Golden Retriever – This dog breed originated from the Highlands of Scotland and was traditionally bred as a gun dog. The purebred comes in 3 varieties, including the American, Canadian, and the English or British Golden retriever. All three types have similar personalities and behaviors with very subtle differences.
The Golden Retriever has an outgoing, buoyant, trustworthy, and kind temperament. The dog breed was ranked the 3rd most popular dog in America by the AKC in 2020. In terms of dog IQ, the Golden Retriever is among the top 5 smartest dogs in the world known to man. It was recognized by the AKC as a breed in 1925 and has been in its top 10 positions since 1976. This guide will help you know your Golden Retriever better.
These sweet-natured dogs stand 21.5 to 24 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of between 55 and 75 lbs. The Golden Retriever has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years. Common health problems include hip & elbow dysplasia, skin conditions, cancer, cataracts, and panosteitis. Aortic stenosis and heart problems are also common. Check dog food for Golden Retriever with skin allergies here.
The Labrador Retriever – Labrador Retrievers came from Newfoundland in Canada and were bred as water dogs to help fishermen retrieve fish from icy waters. They also used to haul nets filled with fish. These purebreds come in 2 varieties including the American and English Lab and have been the top-ranked breed for the last three decades to date.
Labs are loved for their friendly, even-tempered, gentle, and kind temperament and are ranked the 7th most intelligent dog breed in dog IQ out of 138 distinct breeds. Labrador retrievers were documented by the AKC as a breed in 1917. Read about the official standard for the Labrador Retriever general appearance article by the AKC.
Labrador retrievers stand 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 55 to 80 lbs. They are considered healthy dog breeds that live 10 to 12 years. Common health problems in Labs include obesity, hip dysplasia, soft joints, epilepsy, bloat, allergies, tumors, and eye disease.
Appearance
The Goldador is a hybrid pooch that creates an element of ambiguity about what they might look like. Luckily, there is not much difference between the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever parents which makes it somewhat predictable. You should expect a well-balanced blend of both.
A Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever mix is a medium-to-large pooch with a big square head, droopy ears, and brown eyes. Like their parents, they will have an athletic stature and long legs, standing approx. 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulders and weighing between 60 and 80 lbs. Males will be bigger than females.
Your Goldador will have a double coat – a soft, dense undercoat while the topcoat is short and can be either thick & straight or with a slightly wavy texture. You will also notice a darker stripe in their coat that runs along their spine from below the neck to the top of their tail. The most common colors include gold, yellow, red, chocolate, brown, and black.
Check out the picture below of a Lab Golden Retriever mix black.
Temperament and Characteristics
Both parents of the Goldador are popular family dogs which means that you expect the same from their offspring. The cross is loving and loyal, loves kids, and is good with other animals too with early socialization. And while they are alert thus making them great watchdogs, their outgoing disposition fails them at being good guard dogs.
The Golden Retriever Labrador mix is eager to please and that combined with smartness makes these canines highly trainable. This love for people, especially family, means they will be unhappy when left alone at home for too long. If you are looking for a pooch that will cuddle on the couch and watch a movie with you, a Goldador is a perfect choice.
Goldadors are a suitable choice for both active and fairly active families or people but will still need ample exercise each day. Make sure that you also have a good yard where they can play to keep their active minds stimulated. These pooches will always make your day with their cute smile.
Ease of Training
The Goldador inherits great intelligence from both parents which explains why they are a top choice for law enforcement, assistant dogs as well as searchers and rescuers.
The Labrador Golden Retriever mix is a very obedient doggie and always excited to please you which makes them very trainable. Unlike most crossbreeds we have reviewed here, the Goldador is a perfect choice even for first-time dog owners. Your pooch will respond wonderfully to positive reinforcement during training but extremely unresponsive to unkind treatment.
When training, be consistent and set rules, and throw their favorite treat as a reward for what they get right. Make sure that you also introduce crate training immediately when you bring them home to create a familiar space that can help reduce nervousness, especially when alone.
Exercise
Your Goldador pup will grow into a high-energy mature canine that is playful and with a drive for retrieving. With this doggie, you better be ready to play fetch to keep up with their retrieving passion. These pooches will need at least 60 minutes of adequate training each day to meet their high levels of activity. Make sure that you can provide these exercise requirements before you decide to take your pup home, or they will end up in a shelter.
The Lab Golden Retriever mix will perform excellently in agility games and will like it when you change their regular exercise schedule. So, take them to the dog park often and allow them to go swimming.
Nutritional Requirements
On average, your Goldador needs to eat about 3 cups of high-quality dog food (kibble) per day. Make sure that the food is well formulated with premium ingredients and specifically made for large dog breeds as they contain the right nutrients needed for rapid bone growth. Study shows that feeding your Goldador this type of dog food reduces the risk of developing joint problems.
Remember to also feed a diet that is age-appropriate. A Goldador inherits a big appetite from the Lab parent. Therefore, make sure that you control the amount of food they take by splitting the food into several small meals. They are also prone to obesity so watch out.
Health Issues
The Golden Retriever Lab mix is generally healthier than its purebred parents but is prone to certain health issues. These include hip & dysplasia, diabetes, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Although not all Goldadors in the litter will get these diseases, you should know about them, nonetheless.
Ensure that you also maintain vet visits as scheduled if you want to raise a healthy pooch.
Life Expectancy
A Labrador mix with Golden Retriever has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years.
How to care for them
Make sure your home has a fenced yard where your Goldador can play and have fun safely to exercise the high energy needs. Exercising them is paramount as well and you can add flyball and agility to their regular schedule. Keep their intelligent minds active, train obedience often, and use positive reinforcement during training.
Grooming your Goldador is imperative since they adopt the double coat from their Lab parent that will shed moderately throughout the year. It sheds notoriously during the shedding season, so you need to blow their coat. Your mix will be fine when brushed several times a week when shedding. Invest in a quality vacuum cleaner, a slicker or pin brush, and a de-shedding tool.
Your Goldador needs a bath once every 8-12 weeks and be sure to check his body and eyes for any changes. Clip their nails when needed, check and clean their large floppy ears to prevent infections, and maintain oral health by brushing their teeth occasionally.
Cost
The average price for a Labrador and Golden Retriever mix puppy is anywhere from $800 when buying from a reputable breeder. If possible, visit the breeder’s location and ask to see their workplace as well as the health records of the pup’s parents.
Where to Adopt
If you are considering adopting a Golden Retriever Labrador mix, you can check with the staff in your local rescue centers. You can also try your luck in the official dog breed rescue organizations.
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