Golden Retrievers and Labradors are both extremely loving dogs who share many similarities . Both are great with children , have a sweet nature and are extremely patriotic family pets .
It is no wonder why many people have a unmanageable clock time choosing between the breeds .
Generally when comparing aGolden Retrieverto aLabrador , Goldens are more adaptable to a sedentary lifestyle and Labradors have mellow energy reserves . Golden Retrievers also have a long coat , which means more grooming whereas a Labrador ’s bouncy nature makes them more boisterous .
Howeverthere are many pernicious differencesthat may shake your final decisiveness .
Keep reading to find ten differences you should know about the Golden vs research lab debate …
Golden Retriever vs Labrador – What Is The Difference?
1. Golden Retrievers Are Smaller
When equate the size difference of a Golden Retriever vs Labrador you will notice Goldens are more or less humble on mean .
Both breed are distinguish as being medium size , however if you valuate a Golden vs Lab you will noticethe Golden Retriever is an inch short .
you’re able to see the slight sizing variation in the table below which show the median height and weight of both strain :
Golden Retriever (left) and Labrador (right)
Female Golden Retrievers stick out at 21 to 22 in compare to distaff Labradors with a height of 21.5 to 23.5 inches .
Male Goldens are slightly expectant and abide at 22 to 24 inches in height compared to a manly Lab standing at 22.5 to 24.5 inches .
distaff Goldens consider between 55 to 70 Egyptian pound and female Labs count about the same as between 55 to 70 pounds .
The Golden Retriever (left) is smaller than a Labrador (right)
Male Golden Retrievers are slightly light at 66 to 75 pound vs the male Labrador Retriever at 64 pounds to 80 pounds .
The Labrador Retriever is larger than the Golden . However , the Golden Retriever is bang to be somewhat longer and has a long snout too .
Labradors have a more robust look straits form .
The Labrador Retriever has more kennel club registrations than any other breed each year.
This is especially true for theEnglish Labradorwho are stockier and less gymnastic than the American Lab .
2. Golden Retrievers Are From Scotland vs. Labs From Canada
Golden Retrievers were bred from wavy ( or flat ) coated Retrievers and Tweed Water Spaniels . Labrador were selectively bred from St. Johns Water Dogs .
The Golden Retriever originated in Glen Affric , Scotland in the 1800s . Lord Tweedmouth mat a wavy coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel .
The Labrador Retriever originated 4,000 international mile away from Scotland in Newfoundland , Canada .
Golden Retriever (left) vs Labrador (right)
Canadians selectively bred theNewfoundland dog breedwith little water dog to create a St. Johns Water Dogs . The St. Johns Water Dog was then imported to England and used as retriever in shoot sports . After arriving in England the stock officially became known as a Labrador Retriever .
Goldens were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 , 8 years after the Labrador was officially recognized in 1917 .
3. Labradors Are More Popular
The Golden Retriever and Labrador are among the most pop dog breeds listed by the American Kennel Club .
Goldens are rate the tertiary most popular strain and Labs are first .
The Golden Retrievers popularity sky rocketed to 3rd after the movie Air Bud .
Labrador Retrievers have been the most popular dog breed in America for over 20 twelvemonth .
Both retrievers are loved for their gentle nature which is why they are used astherapy dogand bring dog .
4. They Were Bred For Different Jobs
The difference between the purpose of the Golden Retriever vs Labrador are subtle now because they both have similar job , however , historically they had very different jobs !
Golden Retrievers were actually a valet de chambre ’s dog , bred to retrieve waterfowl . Labradors were a fisher ’s dog , bred to recall Pisces lucre and Pisces the Fishes .
Both stock were breed for their loyalty , intelligence , swim abilities , and soft - mouths :
Golden Retriever Coat
Golden Retrievers were in the first place breed to call up shot water bird ( such as duck ) during a man ’s hunt . They were the everlasting sporting fellow traveller for affluent proprietor who revel plot search .
Unlike the Golden , the Labrador Retriever ’s first job was to find net , circle and fish for fisher .
It was n’t until after the St. Johns Water Dog was import to England that aristocrats admired their loyalty , make ethic and love of water . After they make it in England , Labradors were then breed to be sporting companions whose duty was to retrieve shot water bird ( just like the Golden ’s original job ) .
Golden Retriever Puppy (left) and Labrador Puppy (right)
At this point , both breeds became pop companions for shooting sports .
5. Labs Can Be Yellow, Black and Chocolate. Goldens Can Only Be Gold!
From Adobe Stock
It is a common misconception that Labradors can be prosperous in coloring . In fact , if you ever do cross course with a golden colored Retriever then it is probably a Goldador ( Golden Retriever Labrador Mix ) .
The colouration of Golden Retriever vs Labrador dogs is one of the major differences .
Golden Retrievers and Labradors have differences coat colour .
Their breed standards nation :
Labrador Retrievers can be ared laborsilver lab . However , these two colour are not formally recognized .
6. Golden Retrievers Are Long Haired
The Golden Retriever has a very long coat that can be either wavy or straight . The Labrador has a short , bland and straight pelage .
Goldens have a very long coat when compared to the Labrador Retriever .
A Golden Retriever is best suited to a family who have plenty of time for grooming ! The Golden also has furred feather - like pelt around their physical structure . These areas are extra fluffy and let in their ears , neck , paw and tail .
They both have a dim , double coating that make their pelage specialize for swimming .
Their outer coating is pee - repellant and they have a thick undercoat to protect them from debris .
Both dogs are not a serious choice for anyone attend for ahypoallergenic dog .
7. Labrador Retrievers Do Not Need Regular Grooming
When comparing a Golden Retriever vs Labrador the Golden is known to have significantly high groom requirements .
Due to their duple coats , both blackguard will need brush but Goldens should be brushed daily and Labs every few day .
Regular brushing help keep your dog ’s pelage gentle and polish off dead pelt . Golden Retrievers command more brushingto prevent any matting of their long coat .
However , the Labrador sheds just as much fur as a Golden .
This is especially true during previous autumn and outflow when their pelage are preparing for either ice chest or warm temperature .
owner often trim the Golden Retriever ’s longer fur near the ears , cervix , paws and can . Labrador do not have any areas with longer sections of pelt that require trimming .
Both breeds are similar with their teeth , nail and ear grooming requirements .
With both dogs , it is of import to begin grooming from a young age so that they produce accustomed to it .
The Labrador Retriever is a lower upkeep breed when it comes to train .
8. Golden Retrievers Are More Patient
Both breeds are well-disposed , affectionate and firm dogs . They are both very sociable and have rattling temperaments .
It is not by prospect that they are America ’s most pop family unit pets .
When equate a Golden Retriever vs Labrador , the Golden is a gentler , more patient and sensitive dog .
Golden Retrievers have a aristocratical nature that shines throughout their interaction with young children . They are very careful and soft .
Labrador Retrievers are also great with fry but they are typically more excitable and bouncy .
The Golden Retriever enjoys a calm and smooth surround . Whereas Labradors do not bore out easily and are always ready to play as presently as you are !
Labradors are not be intimate to be sensible .
9. Labs Have More Energy
If you are looking for a dog that loves to get out of doors and join you for a running game , take the air or adventure then both strain are thoroughgoing .
Both weenie are participating and love to have a caper to do .
However , the Energy Department levels of a Labrador vs Golden Retriever are very different .
Golden Retrievers are an participating breed , but they do enjoy a tranquil and placid environment . Their tranquil nature allow them to correspond into a large variety of homes well .
Unlike a Golden , the Lab is not befit for a sedentary lifestyle .
Their high energy levels may be a scrap too much for senior to keep up .
Labradors are a bundle of muscularity . From puppy to adulthoodLabs have high-pitched Department of Energy levelsand are very playful . Once they progress to maturity , at some 18 calendar month of age , they settle down a bit more . However , when compare them to Golden Retrievers , Labradors are still very mellow vitality !
The Labrador fits well into a lively and meddlesome home . They jazz take shaver , a family to play with , and joining all of their adventures .
10. Labrador Retrievers Live Longer
The Golden Retriever and the Labrador are both goodly dog .
Goldens have an intermediate life expectancy of 10 to 12 years compared with a Labrador ’s sprightliness anticipation of 10 to 14 year .
Both frank are genetically predisposed to health consequence that can be discovered with routine elbow and hip scoring and eye exam .
But Golden Retrievers and Labradors suffer from dissimilar diseases …
Golden Retrievers and Cancer
Unfortunately , this strain is at endangerment of developing malignant neoplastic disease .
Statistically , 61 % of Golden Retrievers experience malignant neoplastic disease . This is one of the high percentages of any heel breed .
It is not yet fully understood which specific genes are head to the inheritance of cancer - risk genes .
This have it a disease that neither the stock breeder nor owner can control .
It is not guaranteed that they will develop cancer over their life-time . They are just genetically predisposed to welcome genes that may mutate .
Labrador Retriever And Obesity
Any Lab owner will tell you just how food orientated this breed is .
They make love to eat .
regrettably , their sexual love of solid food can get many wellness outlet .
The Labrador Retriever is genetically prostrate to obesity .
Genetic factors ( due to a POMC factor variation ) leaves the Labrador genetically predispose to excessive weighting gain , increased appetence and obesity .
This transmissible mutant is only common in Labradors and is not found in other dog breed .
Which Breed Is Healthier?
The Labrador Retriever is a sizable breed because of genic testing .
Most wellness issues can be avoided in Labs through transmitted testing , weight management and exercise .
However , there is currently no hereditary testing useable to tax a Golden Retriever ’s predisposition to genus Cancer .
Summary
Both of these retrievers are fantastic dogs .
Golden Retrievers are ranked third and Labradors have been the most democratic dog breed for the last 20 years . They are admire worldwide due to their sweet temperament , good - nature and tremendous companionship .
The Golden Retriever and Labrador are both very standardized , but they also portion out a few differences .
Labradors are more active with plenty of Department of Energy and prosper in a fast - paced , busy family home ; they make the complete gain to any combat-ready class .
However , if you are look for a loving , loyal , and passing gentle breed who get laid a more sedentary lifestyle , then perhaps the down - to - earth Golden Retriever is the selection for you ?
Or perhaps you still ca n’t decide ?
allow us bed what you think below .