Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever Mix

Goldens and labs have more similarities than distinctions, so it’s no wonder both are in the top five of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.

These dogs are intelligent, obedient, affectionate, gentle, playful, and loyal and are guaranteed to pass these traits to their cross.

However, no dog is perfect, so you should be aware of Goldador’s high grooming and exercise needs. Fortunately, these amazing dogs rarely cause owners trouble.

Appearance

The golden retriever Labrador retriever mix is nearly indistinguishable from a purebred dog, at least for an inexperienced person. Goldadors are on the larger side, ranging from 22 to 24 inches and weighing 55 to 85 pounds.

Overall, the facial features of a Goldador aren’t much different from a purebred lab or golden because the parent breeds look alike. They have drop ears, elongated snouts with black noses, broad skulls, and rounded brown eyes.

The golden retriever Labrador retriever coat type depends on which parent a puppy takes after – it can be either short or long, but always with a dense undercoat that makes the dog almost water-repellent and keeps it comfortable in any climate.

Goldador colors include all shades of gold, chocolate, black, and red. A yellow lab golden retriever mix is guaranteed to be golden.

The black golden retriever Labrador retriever mix is commonly mistaken for the “rare black golden retriever” that’s not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Temperament

Because Labrador and golden retriever have similar temperaments, the Goldador personality is very predictable. Each puppy is unique, but they share some common traits present in both parents.

The lab golden retriever mix is a friendly, energetic, confident, playful, curious dog that quickly makes friends with strangers and never minds someone petting it. These dogs retain puppy goofiness at a mature age, particularly males.

Despite their hunting heritage and bursting energy, these dogs are also gentle and patient with kids. They make wonderful family pets and won’t hurt smaller animals such as cats and rabbits.

Golden retriever Labrador retriever mix is unlikely to be stubborn or aggressive, so they make perfect working dogs. However, they may become mischievous if they don’t get enough physical activity and mental stimulation.

Temperament is truly what makes goldens and labs so sought-after, and their mix is no different. Goldadors keep up to the standards of the parent breeds, presenting owners with perfect behavior.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers are in the top ten of the most intelligent dogs, according to canine researcher Stanley Coren who studied the intelligence of 138 dog breeds.

Consequently, the Goldador is an equally bright dog. These dogs memorize commands from under five repetitions, whereas an average dog needs about 20. They also have a 95% obedience rate, compared to the average of 50%.

Golden retriever lab mix has excellent communication and problem-solving skills, vital for working dogs. Because of such intelligence and obedience, training a Goldador is simple even for first-time owners.

These dogs can assist owners with disabilities in performing daily tasks, including helping people with mobility issues because of their large size and strength. They are natural-born hunters and do well as police dogs.

Because goldens and labs are very empathetic and get along with strangers, they are excellent therapy and emotional support animals.

Health

Golden retrievers and labs share many health problems they may pass on to their puppies, so prospective owners should be aware of widespread Goldador health problems.

Both parent breeds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, a condition resulting from joint dislocation that causes discomfort when moving and, sometimes, makes a dog completely immobile.

One cannot predict hip dysplasia, but one can prevent it. Until a puppy’s bone growth plates close, owners should be mindful of how much exercise their pet is getting.

Another widespread condition among the parent breeds is progressive retinal atrophy, often causing partial or complete blindness. Like hip dysplasia, the condition cannot be predicted.

Epilepsy is also common in goldens and labs, usually manifesting between one and five years old. Many goldens and labs suffer from hypothyroidism, a condition caused by excess thyroid hormone production and causing dogs to become hyperactive.

Both parent breeds are prone to obesity and subsequent conditions, so owners of Goldadors should be mindful of their pet’s diet. Because Goldadors have drop ears, they are susceptible to ear infections, particularly dogs that love swimming.

Lastly, about 60% of all goldens and labs develop cancer at some point in their lifetime, and it’s the most common cause of death among the parent breeds.

Fortunately, some medical conditions can be ruled out with genetic screening, and a healthy lifestyle can prevent others.

Grooming

Golden retriever Labrador retriever cross grooming depends on the coat type. Regardless of the coat length, all Goldadors are heavy shedders with extra intense shedding periods in spring and fall.

For this reason, the golden retriever Labrador retriever mix needs regular brushing with a slicker brush and de-shedding tool. Short-haired Goldadors will suffice with brushing twice a week, while long-haired Goldadors need daily brushing.

The good news is that Goldador grooming doesn’t involve haircuts. Shaving damages the double coat and intervenes in thermoregulation, so the most breed-appropriate cut is a simple trim.

Additionally, owners of Goldadors need to bathe their dogs regularly to remove debris and excess oils and untangle persistent knots. The general recommendation is to bathe a Goldador once a month, but the frequency may vary based on the dog’s lifestyle and shedding season.

An ear cleaning routine is crucial to preventing ear infections, particularly for the golden retriever Labrador retriever mix that loves swimming because moisture trapped in the ear canal creates a perfect environment for thriving bacteria.

Exercise Needs

Golden retriever Labrador retriever mix exercise requirements are the same as parent breeds. Goldadors are packed with energy and need at least an hour of walking or 40 minutes of vigorous exercise daily.

Goldadors will appreciate swimming because they have all it takes to become amazing swimmers – webbed feet, double coats, and strong feet. Swimming is rooted in their genes.

Of course, these playful dogs will also appreciate amusing exercises such as playing fetch and tug of war. Hiking is another great exercise for the golden retriever lab cross.

Puppies need about five minutes of exercise for each month of their life, so a five-month-old puppy needs 25 minutes of walking and a six-month-old 30 minutes. Too much exercise can put a strain on a puppy’s joints, causing hip and elbow dysplasia.

Life Expectancy

Goldador life expectancy is no different from parent breeds – these dogs live for 10-12 years n average. This is a standard lifespan for a dog of this size.

Although Goldadors are a crossbreed and tend to be healthier than purebred dogs, they are still susceptible to cancer that often affects both goldens and labs. Furthermore, Goldadors are prone to obesity, which can cause heart problems.

Behavior Problems

Golden retriever and Labrador retriever behavior problems are alike, so their cross tends to have the same issues.

The most widespread Goldador behavior problems are pulling on the leash and jumping on people because these dogs are always excited and curious.

Although these habits aren’t dangerous, they can get pretty annoying. Fortunately, owners can combat them with timely training. Another potential problem with Goldadors is separation anxiety because they form strong bonds with owners.

The golden retriever lab mix is a very social dog. When left alone, Goldadors may engage in destructive behavior, bark excessively, whine, have potty accidents, and attempt to escape the house.

Similar behavior can be caused by boredom and under-stimulation, so owners must exercise their dogs sufficiently and provide them with mental enrichment.

Some Goldadors may be protective over their owners or resources. The problem is prevalent in dogs that weren’t socialized in puppyhood.

Goldadors are rarely aggressive towards strangers but may be anxious about unfamiliar people, situations, and surroundings.

Rarity

Goldador is among the most popular crossbreed dogs because of its wonderful temperament, trainability, and beautiful appearance.

Furthermore, goldens and labs are some of the most common dog breeds in the U.S., so finding a couple to breed is easy.

Goldens and labs don’t need human assistance to breed, unlike some designer crossbreeds like Golden Chis. For these reasons, finding a Goldador puppy is relatively simple – as simple as it can get with a cross.

Price

The average golden retriever Labrador retriever mix price is $800 for a puppy from a reputable breeder. Some puppies may cost over $1,000 or under $500.

A Goldador puppy’s price depends on its temperament, appearance, health, lineage, and breeder’s reputation. The price doesn’t vary much by location because goldens and labs are equally popular in all states.

Puppies with champion bloodlines are more expensive because they will likely inherit the traits that made their parents superior.

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