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 .

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Dogs

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 vs Lab

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 .

Small Golden Retriever Dog

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 .

Labrador Retriever

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 vs Labrador

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 .

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 .

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Dogs

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 :

Long Haired Golden Retriever

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 vs Labrador Puppies

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 Retriever Resting

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 .

Labrador Retriever Dog

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 .

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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 .