Do Goldadors Make Great Family Pets
Yes! The Goldadors are great family dogs. This is because irrespective of their large size, their easy-going and gentle dispositions coupled with their general friendliness and overall level of affection make them the perfect family/ companion dogs.
Youll often find the Goldador wagging its tail, jumping, kissing, and greeting strangers and basically anyone it meets. This particular personality trait is what makes them terrible guard dogs.
The best family suited for the Goldador should be one with a lot of love and care to offer. A family that considers the Goldador to be a lot more than just a family pet, to be a member of the family.
For a family with children, the Goldador would be the perfect family companion as they love and practically cherish children and the company they offer. Their perfect blend of being both calm and active is perfect for kids that love to run and play.
I do however recommend an adult is present to supervise playtime with the Goldador. This is because the Goldador is a large dog, which might be somewhat harmful to toddlers and generally infants.
Do Labradors And Golden Retrievers Shed The Same Amount
Both Labradors and Golden Retrievers shed roughly the same amount of hair.
Both breeds shed lightly throughout the year and will have a serious shedding season during spring as they lose their very heavy winter undercoat.
Both breeds will need to be brushed two to three times a week to prevent their undercoats from becoming matted and compacted, which can quickly become very painful for the dog.
Weve had many Labs and Goldens come through our house and in general the amount they shed is similar. However, individually Ive had Labs and Goldens that shed more or less than others.
Two things Id mention about dogs and shedding:
Labrador And Golden Retriever Temperament
One of the most common questions dog shoppers ask is which dog breed is the best choice for families with young children.
While some dog breeds may be too high strung or fragile to make for good family dogs, this certainly doesnt apply to either the Labrador or the Golden Retriever!
Both dog breeds often make WONDERFUL family dogs, as long as they are well chosen and well raised.
Both are normally great with children, with their affectionate, sociable, outgoing and eager-to-please personalities.
Labrador Retrievers and Goldens are also top choices for service dogs, search and rescue dogs, detection dogs, hunting dogs, and field work dogs.
Beyond this, however, there are some important temperament differences that can indicate which dog breed might be the better choice for your household.
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Socialization Is Proven To Help
Studies into dog behavior have shown that socialization from a young age helps to prevent behavioral issues in older dogs. This includes aggression and fearfulness. So, you should train and socialize your black Goldador mix well from a young age to get the best of their temperament. You should also meet the parent dogs to see what traits your puppy may inherit. If its parents are friendly and keen to meet you, your puppy will often be similar!
How Big Do Goldadors Get
As mentioned above Goldadors can stand between 22 and 24 inches at the shoulder. With their average build, they weigh in between 60 and 80 pounds . Males are typically on the bigger end of that scale with females on the smaller end.
To get these numbers, we have to look at the parent breeds to see what they average:
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Labrador Retriever Vs Golden Retriever Coat
The Goldens coat is water repellant with a thick, wavy outer coat and a soft, insulating under-coat.
The Labradors coat is also water repellant has two layers. Bu they have a short but dense outer layer and a soft, insulating inner layer.
This type of coat functions a lot like a divers wetsuit to trap body heat for self-warming.
But what does this mean in terms of shedding?
Fun Facts About Golden Retriever Lab Mix Dogs
The Goldador is a mix, and it probably comes from a history of mixes!
Golden Retrievers are thought to have been created by mixing a yellow Flat Coated Retriever with a Tweed Spaniel.
This latter breed of dog is now, sadly, extinct.
But its legacy lives on through the incredibly popular Goldens, and the increasingly popular Goldador.
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How Long Can The Goldador Live
Source: Instagram user: @ronnieexplores
Despite their risk of developing the aforementioned health conditions, as mentioned also in the first paragraph the Golden Lab can live between 10 and 12 years.
To give your best friend the best chance at living for as long as possible, make sure youre providing them with high-quality dog food and regularly taking them to the vet.
Your vet can help monitor your dogs health and start treating conditions when they are still minor problems. Early treatment gives the best outlook for your Golden Retriever Lab Mix.
Golden Retriever Lab Mix Health And Care
Lab and Golden Retriever mix puppies are likely to inherit known genetic health issues from either dog parent.
This is what makes your choice of Goldador breeder so important.
A reputable and responsible breeder will make sure that their breeding dogs are tested for all known health issues to avoid passing those conditions to future litters of Golden Lab mix puppies.
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The Golden Retriever Lab mix lifespan is likely to be between 10 and 12 years because both the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever share that life expectancy range.
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What Health Problems Do Golden Retriever & Lab Mix Have
Despite the many benefits of owning a Goldador, there are some drawbacks. Both Labs and Golden Retrievers have several health problems that can potentially be passed to their Golden Lab puppies.
Here are some of the common health problems Goldadors may have:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia. As previously mentioned, this is a malformation of these joints that results in the bone not being in the joint properly.
- Cruciate ligament injury. Another health problem that Goldadors can run into is cruciate ligament injury which involves the knee joint on the hind leg.
- Eye problems. This mixed dog is prone to several eye problems, including progressive retinal atrophy which can lead to blindness.
- Diabetes. In dogs, this disease requires regular blood sugar level checks and may need insulin injections as well.
- Hypothyroidism. This condition is hereditary and causes the thyroid to slow down which leads to low energy, weight gain, and hair loss.
- Skin conditions. Ear infections and skin allergies are among two of the most common skin conditions that your Goldador may experience. In the case of allergies, you should always have them tested to be sure its not a preventable food allergy.
- Obesity. If you feed these dogs too much and exercise them too little, then theres a good chance that they will become obese. In dogs, obesity can lead to a higher incidence of elbow and hip dysplasia, and cruciate ligament injuries, which makes it even more necessary to control your Goldadors weight.
My Experience With Labrador Retriever Temperament
Nearly every obedience class I’ve ever taught has included at least one Lab. That’s not because the breed has a lot of behavior problems they don’t but simply because it’s the most popular breed in the United States.
And rightfully so. The Labrador Retriever is one terrific family dog that is, when given enough vigorous exercise .
You can’t just leave this breed in the back yard every day with one walk around the block. Too much confinement and not enough exercise can lead to rambunctiousness and destructive chewing.
One of the best dogs for children of all ages, Labrador Retrievers are kindly, good-natured, and take most things in stride.
Most Labs are friendly with everyone, though compared to Golden Retrievers, many Labs are just a bit more conservative with their affections.
Also more independent though quite biddable and responsive to obedience training, some Labs have a noticeable stubborn streak. Some have necks like bulls and barely notice tugs on the leash.
You must control this breed’s tendency to chew on objects and to mouth your hands provide a box filled with toys that he can carry around in his mouth.
The Labrador Retriever matures slowly, remaining a spirited teenager for several years. It sounds fun…. but does require patience and training to manage.
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Are Black Lab Golden Retriever Mixes Healthy
A black Lab Golden Retriever mix will usually be as healthy as its parents. So, its important that you choose your breeder carefully. Mixed breed puppies like this are vulnerable to the same health issues as their parent breeds. Common problems to look out for include:
- Eye issues, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts
- Centronuclear Myopathy
- Exercise Induced Collapse
Health tests are available for a large number of these issues. So, make sure your breeder is able to show you clear health certificates for both the Golden Retriever and the black Lab parent.
Goldador Shedding And Grooming
Your new friend is going to shed, sometimes a lot. Both parent breeds heavily shed their coats with the change of seasons twice a year. For the rest of the year, expect a moderate level of shedding.
Increased brushing during transitional times can help catch the loose hairs and stop them from spreading everywhere.
Golden Retriever Labrador mixes will need weekly brushing, likely more during shedding season. In addition to weekly brushing, you will need to regularly brush your dogs teeth to help prevent dental problems and gum disease. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well.
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Find A Quiet Place To Train Them
While puppy classes might be a fun way to socialize your Goldador with other dogs, its probably not the best learning environment for them. These dogs are easily distracted, so they need a quiet place to learn.
This video features a Golden Retriever, but it proves our point that these dogs are VERY easily distracted. Its one of my favorite videos on the internet. Enjoy!
Golden Retriever Lab Mix Grooming & Care
Although they have thick double coats, Golden Lab mixes are only moderate shedders, so they wont completely fill your house with loose hair. However, regular grooming is still necessary, and you should brush your mix three times a week with a curry brush. Your mix will shed more during the shedding season, during which time youll have to brush them every day.
When it comes to bathing, do it once every two months or as needed to keep your Goldadors coat clean and shiny. For bathing, use only dog-approved shampoos that wont dry up or irritate your dogs skin. Furthermore, be sure to rinse your dog any time he goes swimming to prevent skin infections.
The rest of a Goldadors grooming needs consist of fairly basic care and include regularly brushing their teeth, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections due to its large, floppy ears, so make sure to check and clean its ears weekly. If youre ever in doubt, take your dog to a vet who can show you how to safely clean your dogs ears at home using a good dog ear cleaner.
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Golden Retriever Crossed With Labrador Exercise Requirements
The Lab Golden Retriever Mix has an active temperament so they might get destructive if they get bored. It is recommended to exercise them at least 2 hours daily. Getting them to do physical activities every day will help keep him happy and healthy.
However, if you dont have the time to do at least 2 hours of exercise daily with them, then hiring a dog walker might be convenient.
If you arent the walking type, there are other outdoor activities you can enjoy with your dog. Here are some outdoor activities that you can try with your Golden Retriever Lab Mix:
Golden Retriever Mixed With Labrador Puppies For Sale
When buying your Golden Lab Retriever Mix puppy, its crucial that you talk to a trusted dog breeder before purchasing one. You can try consulting at the Pet Professional Guild online on how you can find a trustworthy dog breeder in your area.
A responsible breeder will show you with proofs of health clearances for both parents of the Goldador. The puppy should be screened for any possible conditions it might have. Make sure you also ask the breeder if he used purebred dogs, to ensure that youre adopting a Golden Retriever crossed with a Labrador Retriever.
Here are some online sites where you can browse for hundreds of dog breeds and look for places to buy an adorable Golden Retriever Lab Mix puppies:
- American Kennel Club
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals strongly discourages buying puppies online. Its best to visit the pet shop and meet the puppies in person.
Moreover, doing a little research ahead before you adopt a Golden Retriever Lab Mix puppy is essential. This is to make sure you know their basic needs, and youll be able to provide adequate care to your new pet companion.
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Black Golden Retrievers: What You Absolutely Must Know
Ever seen a black Golden Retriever and wondered how on earth a Golden could be black? The truth is, they cant. If you see a Golden that is all black, its likely another similar breed like a Flat-Coated Retriever.
A Black Flat-Coated Retriever in the spring garden
But that doesnt mean Golden Retrievers cant have black markings. It all comes down to their genes, and well explain everything you need to know. Ready to get into the science?
Do You Have An Active Lifestyle
Goldadors have lots of energy and need lots of exercise, or a minimum of an hour of physical activity each day. On top of that, these dogs will thrive when they have an active lifestyle that involves things such as hiking and swimming on the weekends.
Does that align with your lifestyle? Do you like to keep active in your free time, or are you more of a couch potato?
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How Much Does A Goldador Cost
Golden Retriever Lab mix Puppy
On average, getting a Goldador should cost you from $800 upwards. However, I highly recommend you carefully select the breeder you choose to patronize. Why is this important? Well, the kind of breeder you choose decides the kind of puppy you get.
A reputable breeder cares about the health and well-being of the breed, they carefully select and breed dogs after much testing and screening have been done, thereby reducing the risks of the puppies inheriting such health disorders.
In addition to that, a reputable breeder deeply showers the pup with much love and care, thereby ensuring that each dog grows with a decent temperament.
In all you do, please try as much as possible to avoid puppy mills as they really dont care about the health and well-being of the dog breeds. What they do is pump put as many dogs as possible from the mum without any care for her well-being.
Then trick customers into purchasing a pup at a really low price. And most of the time, these dogs arent worth it.
One Last Thing That You Will Want To Think About Is If You Want A Labrador That Will Only Tolerate Certain Types Of Food
While both of these dogs are pretty loyal to their owners and very well-trained, it is recommended that you do not feed your Labrador dog table scraps every single meal. There are also some things that you should never feed your Labrador dog. Most people find that giving the dog an onion now and then is very helpful. You should also never feed your Labrador dog canned food since they are not as susceptible to high levels of fats and oils.
If you plan on breeding your Labrador with other types of dogs then you will need to be a little more careful when it comes to deciding what type of Labrador and golden retriever mix you want to get. You must find a dog that both of your dogs are compatible with. For example, if you plan on breeding black Labradors with golden retrievers you should ensure that both dogs have black markings because these colors are a lot more common in labs.
If you are ready to get a puppy or have a large breed dog that you would like to have a part in their lives, then go ahead and take the time to research the different types of dogs out there. With these tips, you should be able to make the best possible decision when it comes to finding a dog to adopt and love.
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Should You Get A Black Golden Retriever Puppy
If you want a Golden Retriever but with an exciting and different coloured coating, then look no further as the Black Golden retriever is the dog you want. The share all those wonderful characteristics that the traditional golden retrievers have. This is the perfect family dog.
The Black Golden retriever is also very sociable, that means you won’t have a hard time to teach your dog to be social and well-mannered. The Black Golden retrievers are very patient, friendly and gentle. They play well with small children and are very excited to join their little adventures.
So now you have discovered that the black golden retrievers are not much different than the traditional Golden retrievers and maybe you want this breed for your new pet. If you are interested and excited to get a Black Golden Retriever, you have to go to a dog breeder and the black golden retriever specialist to learn more about the breed and the guidelines to have better care.
While this specific breed can be expensive and can cost you around 1$1200 to $16000 bucks, but all the money is absolutely worth it in the end. You will get a best friend for 12 years if your dog is guaranteed by the breeder to be healthy and you keep him or her healthy too.
Main Pic Credit: Breann Graham