Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever

It’s time to compare two of the most iconic, popular dogs of all time: the Golden and Labrador Retriever When you think of retrievers, the lab and golden are probably the first two that come to mind. Both retrievers are known for their friendly personalities and keen intelligence. But what’s different between these two dogs? To find out, we’re comparing stats, temperament, maintenance, intelligence, and more of the Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever.  

Labrador Retriever Overview

The Labrador Retriever (Lab) is the most popular dog breed in the US thanks to its friendliness, intelligence, and hunting ability. Labrador roots trace back to Newfoundland and were originally bred to fetch ropes and haul nets for fishermen.

You’ll find labs with black, chocolate, and yellow coats. The silver coat found of some labs is not formally recognized as a lab color, but that is up for debate. They grow to around 2 feet, and will typically grow to anywhere from 55 to 88 pounds. Average lifespan ranges from 10-14 years. 

Intelligence

The lab is easily one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. Labs don’t only thrive under high mental stimulation, they require it.  You’ll find labradors commonly employed as hunting dogs, but are also used as search and rescue dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, and more.

For most labs, hunting is in their blood. With a thick, water-resistant coats and webbed paw to swim through icy waters for waterfowl. Dogs have a sense of smell 1,000 to 10,000 times stronger than ours. The lab is no exception, with a sense of smell far above average. Tracking game is no problem for these dogs.

Looking for a hunting dog? READ: 9 Tips to Pick the Perfect Hunting Puppy

Temperament  

Labrador retrievers default to friendliness, not aggression. They are a great option for families with children, but probably won’t be the perfect guard dog. The upbeat personality and high energy of this breed is contagious. While obedience training is relatively easy for labs, an unstimulated and unexercised lab can be destructive. They need an energy outlet. Expect a lab to bark, like most dogs, for a variety of reasons: fear, frustration, excitement, anxiety, etc.

Learn how to stop dog barking humanely with BarkBlaster.

Maintenance

You’ll need to regulate a lab’s diet, as they are prone to overeating if left unchecked. Labradors can occasionally succumb to hip and elbow dysplasia, but most labs are healthy. Labradors typically die from cancer. Sadly, around 41% of Labrador deaths are from cancer. Occasional grooming is recommended. Labs shed moderately throughout the year, and heavily twice a year. High exercise is an absolute necessity.

Golden Retriever Overview

Owned by stars like Jimmy Fallon and Adam Levine, the Golden Retriever is known for its loving personality and quick wits. Most Goldens weigh 55-75 pounds, and grow to around 20-24 inches tall. This breed was bred Scotland in the mid 19th century to retrieve small game. The golden coat of the Golden Retriever isn’t just pretty, it has a dense undercoat that helps insulate these dogs in cold temperatures. These dogs typically live around 10-12 years.

Intelligence

We’ll say it again, Golden Retrievers are incredibly intelligent. Because of this, they are commonly employed as seeing-eye dogs, hearing dogs, hunting dogs, search and rescue dogs, and more. Goldens love pleasing you, and will often respond well to obedience training. To be successful training this breed, offer an upbeat and exciting training environment.

Want to learn more about training? Read these 10 Dog Training Mistakes You’re Probably Making.

Temperament  

Even though Goldens are large, this breed is typically suitable for families with small children. They are very patient, and rarely aggressive. This dog is far more likely to say hello to an intruder than tell the intruder to go away. Golden retrievers are very focused, and enjoy working hard. Expect Goldens to bark a moderate amount when stimulated.

Maintenance

Weekly grooming is recommended, as Goldens are known for moderate to heavy shedding. This will vary depending on the time of year. Due to high energy levels, it’s extremely important to give these dogs a lot of exercise and room to run. Golden Retrievers are very prone to cancer. Sadly, around 62% of these dogs die from cancer. They have some risk of genetic health issues like hip dysplasia. 

Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever Conclusion

When comparing the labrador retriever vs golden retriever, despite a difference in appearance, these dogs are incredibly similar on paper. If you’re interested in saving a few bucks, a Lab might be your best choice. While a wide variety of factors affect pricing, the average puppy price of a lab is around $750. The typical Golden Retriever puppy price is around $1500. Labs are more commonly employed as hunters than Goldens. Goldens will require more grooming due to high levels of shedding. Labradors are slightly less prone to genetic heath disorders. Golden Retrievers are know for their susceptibility to cancer. 62% of Goldens die from cancer, while around 41% of Labradors die from cancer. 

At the end of the day, both dogs are unbelievably friendly and intelligent. They are relatively easy to train, and love to run. You can’t go wrong with either.

Which breed would you rather own? Let us know in the comments below!