How Do We Know That Golden Retrievers Are Smart
There are a few ways that experts can test how intelligent an animal is. First, you can test how smart dogs are by studying how they respond to training and commands. Second, there have been tests that have been developed for the use of testing intelligence in dogs. These tests include learning, memory, and problem-solving challenges.;
If youre interested in testing your own pets intelligence, you can do a few things at home. The first thing you can do is take a towel and put it over your dogs head. This will test their problem-solving skills. The task is to see how long it will take for your dog to figure out how to remove the towel.;The faster he removes it, the more intelligence it shows.
Another test you can do is take three cups and place them upside down, placing a treat under one of the cups. Distract your dog for a few moments, then see if they remember where the treat was. This small test sees if they have both good memory and problem solving skills.;
What To Consider When Naming Your New Golden Retriever
There are many things to consider when naming your new Golden Retriever. The most helpful usually end up being his or her personality, coat color, resemblance to a favorite character, or just something you find adorable about the Golden Retriever breed. You may find yourself stuck in a naming rut, but the easiest way to get out of that is to spend some time reflecting on meaningful moments, objects, and words that can provide you hints on a naming direction.
Golden Retrievers Get Bored
Similar to the issue of the lack of exercise, Golden Retrievers get bored and act out by showing their hyperactivity. The boredom can stem from many things like a lack of attention, exercise, or not having enough stimulating activities or training. To keep your dog from feeling bored, it is best to keep up their training and introduce new games and activities for them to try. Much like children, they need to be constantly stimulated, so switching up toys, or taking them to a dog park so they can have new interactions are great ways to rectify this.
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Is Your Golden Retriever Smart
Having the experts tell you that the Golden Retriever is smart is one thing. But what about real Golden Retriever owners? One of the best way to gauge a breeds true intelligence is to ask the owners themselves.
So, we went and surveyed owners on the Golden Retriever Sub Reddit and other popular dog forums to ask them this question. Heres what these owners had to say about their dog:
What Is The Best Lab Mix
This is really based on what you want. Consider the yard you have and the amount of space you have for a dog, how much attention you can give them and so on before you determine which lab mix would best fit what you have to offer. The Goldador is one of the most common lab mixes, a cross between a Labrador and a Golden Retriever and is the most popular dog for search and rescue or guide dogs. Another popular option is the Labradoodle which is a mix between a Labrador and a poodle, one that sheds less and is smaller perfect for those with allergies or smaller homes.
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Labrador Retriever Vs Golden Retriever Exercise
One thing that Labradors and Golden Retrievers share is their love for physical activity of all kinds.
Labs were originally working dogs, revered for their detection abilities, tracking, hunting, therapy assistance, and carting. If they dont get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, then their urge to do something physical can manifest in misbehavior. For example, your Lab might chew up household objects.
Golden Retrievers, being retriever dogs on land and in sea, were also bred to be active. A half-hour of activity might not cut it for the Golden, so try to give the dog an hour of exercise per day. Some Goldens can even romp around for upwards of two hours, but that depends on your dogs age, health, and personality.
If youre bringing home a Retriever puppy, you cant expect to exercise it that much right away. Youll overexert the poor thing and put its health at risk. Instead, for each month of life the puppy has had, tack on five additional minutes of exercise.
For example, if you adopt a five-month-old Lab or Golden, youd multiply 5 x 5 for a max of 25 minutes. This shouldnt be overly vigorous exercise either, but playing fetch or going for a walk with your puppy. Playtime generally does not count towards a dogs overall daily exercise requirements.
Goldendoodle Vs Labradoodle Toilet Training
The Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle are both eager to please. This positive mindset is common across most dogs. Most owners report with dedicated training a happy and obedient dog.
When it comes to toilet training, these dogs are open to training to either
- Urinate and toilet outside when walking
- Let themselves out into a secure backyard
When it comes to peeing accidents, you may need to have patience. The higher percentage of Poodle does give rise to a Poodle trait. Excited peeing.
When the puppy is very excited up till the age of one year it is not unusual for Labradoodle and Goldendoodles to urinate a little when excited.
Consider this separate from your toilet training techniques. Do not despair if this trait does occur when the Goldendoodle or Labradoodle is a puppy.
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Labs Have More Energy
If you are looking for a dog that loves to get outside and join you for a run, walk or adventure then both breeds are perfect.
Both dogs are active and love to have a job to do.
However, the energy levels of a Labrador vs Golden Retriever are very different.
Golden Retrievers are an active breed, but they do enjoy a calm and quiet environment. Their tranquil nature allows them to fit into a large variety of homes easily.
Unlike a Golden, the Lab is not suited for a sedentary lifestyle.
Their high energy levels may be a bit too much for seniors to keep up.
Labradors are a bundle of energy. From puppy to adulthood Labs have high energy levels and are very playful. Once they reach maturity, at approximately 18 months of age, they settle down a bit more. However, when comparing them to Golden Retrievers, Labradors are still very high energy!
The Labrador fits well into a lively and busy home. They love having children, a family to play with, and joining all of their adventures.
Why Golden Retrievers Are Better Than Labs
Activity Level and Temperament This means that they’re best suited to an active lifestyle. They’re both ideal breeds if you enjoy jogging, walking, and exploring. Both goldens and labs are highly intelligent dogs and excel in different roles, working as service dogs, guide dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
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Aside From That Goldens Branched Out Into American British And Canadian
Each of these variations have their own set of characteristics. Americans are the leanest with long and wavy coats. They usually come in the standard Golden color.;
British Goldens have blocky heads and a bit more muscle definition. Their coats are also beautifully thick. Their coats are generally a lighter gold, and some are so pale they almost look white.
Canadians are slightly bigger than the two, but their coats are less feathery. Their thin coats are the darkest amongst the three.
Despite cosmetic differences, their temperaments and personalities are supposed to be the same.
How Closely Related Are Golden Retrievers And Labradors
How much in common do the Golden and Lab share? To answer that question, lets examine the historical origins of both breeds.
Labrador Retrievers existed first, sometime in the 1830s. They were bred in Newfoundland by curious European settlers who combined the genetics of St. Johns Water Dogs with British hunting dogs. Labs were favored then by royals such as Sir John Scott, the Earl of Home, the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Earl of Malmesbury.
Golden Retrievers came from Scotland and were first bred midway through the 19th century. As the breed name tells you, Goldens could retrieve on land and in water. To produce the Golden Retriever, prior generations of retriever dogs were bred with water spaniels.
Okay, so there are no matches on the lineage. It doesnt seem like the two Retriever breeds ever intersected in those early days.
Goldens and Labs arent the only Retrievers, by the way. Other, lesser-known Retriever breeds include the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Curly-Coated Retriever, and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. These Retriever breeds are all recognized by the American Kennel Club.
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Age: Oh The Golden Puppy Stage
Age is a major contributing factor when it comes to why your Golden Retriever is so hyper. They are developing social constructs, getting used to their surroundings, and just like children, they love to play. Due to their historic disposition of outdoor activities, this dog loves to be outside in a big yard playing with children or other dogs. This lets them run off all of that energy while also building interactions with others.
Goldens Have More Health Issues Than Labradors Do
Both breeds are prone to obesity and gastric torsion. They might also develop elbow and hip dysplasia. These two joint malformations are often caused by extreme exercise or accelerated growth.
They are at risk for progressive retinal atrophy, which can cause loss of visionalso, entropion, which causes the eye to droop.;
Exercise-induced collapse caused by heat and overexertion can happen in both breeds. Its important to pace yourself and your dog. This can be fatal, but most times, it will cause your dog to be temporarily paralyzed from exhaustion.
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Training Training And More Training
Training your golden is very rewarding for both you and them, and as an added bonus it helps to keep their hyperactivity to a minimum. Golden Retriever dog breed is especially intelligent and is fairly easy to train, and sometimes they just need a little help with self-control, which can be taught. Obedience training will allow you to mentally stimulate your dog while also letting them learn the proper commands and times for things. For example, you can teach them to stop jumping on people or the furniture by teaching them down, or sit. Also, as you get more in tune with your Goldens personality, you can teach them to calm down when they are in a hyper state and then reward them by going outside with them to play or giving them a treat. The more training you give your dog, the more well-behaved they will be and the stronger your bond will become.
Are Golden Retrievers Smarter Than German Shepherds
German Shepherds are a modern dog breed that only dates back to 1899. They are a medium to large-sized dog and have a wolf-like appearance. Theyre considered to be the second most popular dog breed in the United States.;
Golden Retrievers are almost identical to German Shepherds in terms of popularity , but are they equal in terms of intelligence? Not surprisingly, the two dogs are similar in intelligence, as well as popularity. German Shepherds rank third in Dr. Stanley Corens list. They stand just above Golden Retrievers in intelligence for several reasons.;
German Shepherds are trained for many positions, including police dogs, military dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. They are talented at sniffing out drugs and bombs, which makes them useful for servicing the police and military. Furthermore, German Shepherds are the only breed of dog that was specifically bred for intelligence.;
As well as having those talents, German Shepherds are considered the easiest to train by many dog owners and experts. They are very obedient and can learn new things with one try. Theyre one of the few breeds who can do that.;
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Golden Retriever Vs Labrador Retriever: Shedding
Golden Retriever’s shed a lot. They shed all year round. Dog parents claim that you will have hair everywhere in your house if you own a Golden Retriever.
They shed more hair before winter starts. Using a good undercoat hair brush helps in removing hair quickly and keeping their coat clean. Brushing your dog is the only solution to keep your house clean. But, no matter what you do, Golden Retriever will not stop shedding.
Effective grooming techniques can help in preventing scattered and untangled hair. During spring, the undercoat of Goldens tends to grow thick. Extensive shedding almost blows the coat of the Golden retriever. Lint rollers are essential if you own a Golden Retriever.
Make sure that you bathe the Golden with lukewarm water. If the Golden scratches its skin more often while it sheds its hair, take it to a vet. It would help if you got rid of shedding related allergies before it gets dangerous. Providing nutritional food also plays a vital role in reducing excessive shedding.
Labs tend to shed the same amount as Goldens. The only difference is that Labs have short hair, which makes it easier to maintain their hair. Heavy shedding during the autumn season is prevalent in Labrador Retrievers. In warm weather, the undercoat experiences more shedding.
Physical Traits Of Labradors Vs Golden Retrievers
Both Labs and Golden Retrievers share many physical characteristics. For starters, they have incredibly cute faces, with happy and enthusiastic expressions.
They both have similar body structures, and they are roughly the same size and weight. The most obvious difference between these breeds is their hair. Golden Retrievers have longer hair than Labradors. But there are other small differences besides this.
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What Is The Best Type Of Lab To Get
The most popular Labrador Retriever is the Yellow Labrador. These dogs make great pets and are often used as service dogs, particularly for the blind. Yellow Labs were originally bred in England at the turn of the twentieth century as hunting dogs. They are good as hunting companions and for flushing out fowl.
Grooming A Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever has a medium length double coat, consisting of a water repellant top coat and a soft undercoat. They have longer feathering fur on the neck, legs, and tail. Goldens are sometimes bred for longer, silkier coats than what is described in the breed standard. Many owners like soft, flowing coats while breed purists say that Goldens, as hunting dogs, should have more moderate coats.
All Goldens, regardless of coat length and texture, require regular grooming. The undercoat grows denser in cold weather and sheds in warm weather. Use of an undercoat rake can help remove loose fur from the undercoat. For the top coat a good quality slicker brush is a must-have. Some also like steel tooth combs.
More than one brushing per week is recommended for Goldens. Grooming a Golden also requires trimming some of the longer fur with scissors, specifically thinning shears. Areas that require regular trimming with scissors include the ears, feet, neck, and tail. The coat of a Golden Retriever should never be shaved.
Besides maintaining the coat, basic grooming needs for a Golden also include baths, nail trimmings, and ear and teeth cleaning. Remember that drop eared dogs are prone to ear infections. So how does Golden Retriever grooming compare with Labrador Retriever grooming?
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Golden Retriever Puppies And Labrador Puppies
Via Flickr User Paul David
Via Flickr User RD_Elsie
Both are too cute for words! When youre ready to meet with lab or golden breeders, keep this checklist handy to make sure you get all the information you need.
- ask about the health history of both dog parents, including health screenings and vet checkups
- ask for a record of immunizations
- observe the dog parents temperaments and personalities
- choose a puppy that appears healthy
- choose a puppy who plays good-naturedly and isnt timid or anxious
Health Issues Specific To Labrador Retrievers
Muscular dystrophy is a rare disease that manifests in Labs as young as one-month-old. This disease causes muscles to fail until the heart gives out. The good news is that it is something that can be tested for.
This is why its crucial to acquire your puppy from a reputable breeder.
Laryngeal paralysis causes muffled barks or breathing problems. It is an illness that partially paralyzes the voice box and often occurs in older dogs.
Skeletal dysplasia is a mild form of dwarfism which stunts the growth of Labradors. This makes them smaller than their unaffected counterparts. This disease stems from one Labrador back in 1966, which was popularly used as a sire.
Malformation of knees and elbows is also common in Labs.
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The Differences Between Golden Retrievers And Labrador Retrievers Are Subtle
At a glance, it might seem that the only difference between Goldens and Labs is their coat. The Golden has a dense and glamorous coat of gold. The Lab has a much shorter coat, and he has no plumage on his tail.;
Upon closer look, you might notice that their build is quite different. While their height and weight dont vary much, their body shapes are distinct. Goldens have a sleek body and have a narrow snout.
The Lab is muscular, with thick and short snouts and blocky heads.;
Labs are also known for their expressiveness due to those prominent eyebrow ridges.;
Take a look at the expressive eyes of a Lab
But, Goldens have them too. Its not that obvious, but its there.
The chart below shows a comparison between the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever.
| Hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, gastric torsion | Hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, gastric torsion |