Golden Retriever Mix With Labrador

The Goldador Is A Therapy Or Service Dog

The Goldador also serves as a perfect therapy dog. As I stated earlier, the Goldador is an affectionate breed that is also quite sensitive to various emotions, this is mainly why it fits as a therapy dog.

Its high level of intelligence means it could easily pick up whatever skill required to be an awesome service and working dog like its Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever parents.

Generally, spend as much time as possible with your Goldador as they are quite clingy and hate to spend any time alone. Shower it with lots of love and it would shower you with a lot more in return.

Goldador Puppies And Breeders

Golden Retriever Yellow Lab mix puppies are very cute. You can count on that. So before you head out to see a litter of Golden Retriever Lab mix puppies, you should be sure to research the breeders reputation and verify that all required and recommended health tests have been done on the parent dogs.

From here, you can look for a Goldador puppy who is bright-eyed, clear in the ears/nose/tail areas, eager for interaction and play, willing to be held, with a clean coat and a friendly disposition.

Please take care to avoid buying a dog or a puppy from a pet store or puppy mill. Often, the interests of making money are put over the interests and welfare of the animals involved.

For assistance in looking for a puppy, take a look at our puppy search guide.

As far as finding the mix you want goes, theres a little more underlying the subject than may be expected.

Feeding Requirements For The Goldador

The Golden Retriever and Lab mix has a very large appetite and can be quite greedy with its kibble so do ensure you control this appetite. Make sure you feed your kibble with only 3 to 4 cups of good quality kibble a day. Feed your Goldador with a small feeding bowl to encourage the eating slowly. Also, add a bowl of water to the side, so your Goldador stays hydrated and fresh.

Ensure that only the best kibble is gotten for your Goldador , as this would provide it with just the right amount of nutrients it would require to be a healthy and equally happy dog.

When picking the right kibble, ensure its the one suited for large breeds as it would be beneficial in controlling the phosphorus and calcium levels that help in managing the rapid growth of bones. This is quite important for a large breed dog like the Goldador as they could grow quickly in a short time frame.

According to research, feeding your Goldador such high-quality kibble can help reduce the chance of getting any joint-related condition like elbow and hips dysplasia which is quite common in the Goldador breed. Also, the Goldador could eat any dog feed made specifically for the Golden Retriever or the Labrador Retriever.

You May Like: Are Golden Retrievers Good Dogs

Rescuing A Golden Retriever Lab Mix

If you dont have your heart set on bringing home a brand new puppy, its definitely worthwhile to look into adopting an adult or senior Goldador.

These dogs have incredible appeal at any age, but at times they may be given up for adoption due to their owner not being able to care for them as they need.

If you can give a home to a dog in need, youll find that the love of your new family member is its own reward! On top of that, its often cheaper to go through a shelter or rescue than it is to buy a puppy from a Goldador breeder.

How Do You Care For A Goldador

Exercise needs

The Goldador is both energetic and intelligent, and bores easily. It will need at least one hour of daily exercise building up 2 hours a day in adulthood, therefore not suited to any dog owner who cannot provide the space or opportunity to have this level of activity. They will love to play chase, fetch, with Frisbees and throwing toys, in dog parks chasing other dogs and swimming.

Feeding

They have a big appetite, and can be greedy this must be controlled. Feed as a medium to large-sized dog depending on activity level. Split portions, average 3-4 cups of kibble, dry formulated food per day, to prevent bloat and encourage to eat slowly, possibly using a slow feeding bowl.

Grooming

This mixed-breed dog has a dense double coat that sheds moderately, but twice a year it will shed more as the season changes. It requires regular brushing, at least 2-3 times a week is recommended.

Bathing

This dog loves water and is a good swimmer when allowed, but should only be bathed when required as their coat has a water-resistant texture and its natural oils would be stripped through excessive washing. Certain dog formulated shampoos have a double effect of cleaning while protecting its coat against fleas and insect bites.

Cleaning teeth, nails and ears

Read Also: Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix Puppies For Sale

Black Golden Retrievers Are Fun

Black golden retrievers don’t just boast beautiful black coats. They also have the stellar personalities of both the beloved parent breeds.

These dogs are fun-loving and active. They are also super sociable extroverts ready to bond with both kids and other animals.

Anyone looking to bring one of these crossbreeds home should make sure they ask about the dog’s parents. That’s because sometimes people use the term black golden retriever to describe pups with one golden retriever parent and another that is either a German shepherd or a Newfoundland. Though these mixes can also result in doggos that look a lot like black-coated goldens, they tend to have more varied markings.

To make matters more confusing, the purebred popular in the UK called a flat-coated retriever looks similar to a black golden retriever and comes in black, brown, and gold.

A little research is all it takes to find the golden retriever and black lab mix you are dying to call your own.

Cover photo: Collage: 123RF/tommeaker/123RF/lightfieldstudios

What Diseases Can Occur In Golden Retriever And Labrador Retriever Mix

A Golden Retriever-Labrador Retriever mix is a cross between two of the most popular dog breeds in the world. These two breeds are popular for their affectionate nature and trainability, making them ideal pets for families. However, like all breeds, the Golden Retriever-Labrador Retriever mix is prone to certain health problems.

The most common health problem in Golden Retrievers is hip dysplasia. This condition is caused by a malformation of the hip joint that can lead to pain and lameness. Other common health problems in Golden Retrievers include elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and cancer.

Although Labrador Retrievers are generally healthy dogs, they are prone to certain health problems. The most common health problem in Labrador Retrievers is hip dysplasia. This condition is caused by a malformation of the hip joint that can lead to pain and lameness. Other common health problems in Labrador Retrievers include elbow dysplasia, cancer, and obesity.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever mix healthy. First, you should take your dog to the vet on a regular basis. This will allow the vet to catch any health problems early. Second, you should make sure to feed your dog a healthy diet and give him plenty of exercise. This will help keep him from weighing too much and keep his muscles strong. Finally, you should make sure that the dog is socialized from a young age. This will help him avoid behavioral problems later on.

Also Check: Do Golden Retrievers Like Cold Weather

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.

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.

Read Also: How To Train A Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever Lab Mix Care

Golden retriever lab mixes are moderately difficult to look after. While trainable and rarely aggressive, these dogs are energetic, have high-maintenance coats, and need lots of attention.

The mixed-breed also requires plenty of mental stimulation throughout the day to prevent them from boredom and destructive behaviors.

Are Goldadors Good With Kids

The Goldador will be very bouncy as a young puppy, until around eighteen months old when they calm down a little. Usually! This is the age at which they are the biggest risk to small children, purely through accidents.

Although dog aggression can happen in any breed, the Goldador is a pretty safe bet as a family pet. Provided your dog is treated nicely, socialized and bred from friendly parents.

Don’t Miss: Golden Retriever Puppies Scranton Pa

The Cons Of Owning A Goldador

• The Goldador is a moderate shedder
• Not a great dog for people living in small spaces ,
• Would need long walks, stimulation, and basically lots of exercises.
• The Goldador is a terrible great guard dog, this is because it likes strangers.
• Could be destructive if you leave it alone, and might be too clingy.

Do You Have Enough Energy To Keep Up With A Goldador

Goldadors not only need quite a bit of physical exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, but also quite a bit of mental stimulation. Their intelligence and work ethic mean they need someone to take the time to train them and keep them occupied.

If you donât have enough energy to play with and entertain your Goldador, they can become bored and destructive.

Recommended Reading: Golden Retriever Puppies For Sale Cape Cod

What Is A Goldador Dog

A Goldador Dog is a mixture between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. They are also known as a Golden Lab or referred to as a Golden Retriever / Lab Mix.

These dogs have the typical sturdy and well-proportioned body of a retriever as well as their personality traits.

The Goldador is extremely friendly and affectionate. Theyre also excellent watchdogs as they like to keep an eye on everything going on around them, but theyre far more likely to greet any strangers with a tail wag and a kiss than any aggression.

Despite their large size, Goldadors are among the best family dogs because of their easy-going personalities.

Lab Golden Retriever Mix: Weight And Size

The Goldador is a medium to large dog breed because its parent breeds are the same. This designer breed has a height of about 22 to 25 inches. On the other hand, the weight of a fully grown Goldador is usually between 55 pounds to sometimes more than 80 pounds.

As you would expect with most dog breeds, male Goldadors weigh more than females and occupy the higher end of the height spectrum, while females tend to be on the lower side.

Recommended Reading: Golden Retriever Puppies For Sale In Mass

When Does A Goldador Stop Growing

Large breeds of dog grow more slowly than their smaller cousins, and thats not a bad thing. Goldadors tend to stop growing around 18 months.

The reason its a good thing that they grow slowly is that Golden Labs are prone to hip dysplasia. This condition causes the hip to not remain in the hip socket as its supposed to.

When a puppy grows too quickly, this joint isnt able to form correctly, putting the dog at a higher risk of developing it as they get older.

One of the most important things you can do for your Goldador puppy is making sure theyre being fed a proper diet as a puppy. They need to have foods that are low in calcium and high in glucosamine.

Appearance Personality And Traits Of A Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever Mix

Hybrid dogs vary typically more in size than purebreds, but the Golden Retriever Lab Mix often reaches 22-24 inches when measured from the front paws to the top shoulders while it is standing on its all four legs. A Goldador puppy will take after its parents in size, so once you adopt a puppy, youll get to estimate how big your Goldador will be by looking at its parents. A Golden Retriever crossed with a Labrador will have the typical sturdy and well-proportioned build of a Retriever. An adult Goldador will weigh between 60-80 pounds. Generally, females are smaller than males.

They also have short and thick double coats. They come in shades of yellow or gold with hints of red, but they can also inherit a black or brown coat color originating from their Labrador Retriever parent. They will shed moderately throughout the year and will require weekly brushing.

The Lab Golden Retriever Mix is a well-balanced dog, with well-proportioned head, medium length floppy ears, black nose, and a long tail.

The following dog organizations and dog breed registries recognize the Golden Retriever mixed with Labrador Retriever as a dog breed:

• American Canine Hybrid Club
• Designer Dogs Kennel Club
• International Designer Canine Registry
• Designer Breed Registry

Read Also: Toy Golden Retriever For Sale

Golden Retriever Lab Mix

Also known as Goldador or Golden Labrador, the Golden Retriever Lab Mix is the product of breeding a purebred Golden Retriever with a purebred Labrador Retriever. Both parent dogs are widely popular around the world and are known for their excellence in service work, therapy, and hunting.

These dogs are prime choices for families. They were bred to keep the tolerance and physical strength of a Labrador while also keeping them happy and affectionate nature of the Golden Retriever. Some Goldadors serve as assistance or therapy dogs, some hunt or detect bombs, while some are solely loyal family companions. The hybrid dog is people-friendly and is for everyone belonging to any age, as long as they get regular outdoor activities and are given much attention.

Goldador Size And Weight

Because the parent breeds of the Goldador are medium-to-large sized dogs, you can expect the Golden Retriever Lab mix to be the same. Goldadors can stand between 22-25 inches tall and weigh between 55-80+ pounds.

Goldadors inherit these traits as well. They make excellent service dogs, therapy dogs, watchdogs, search and rescue dogs, and sniffing dogs.

Recommended Reading: Best Nail Grinder For Golden Retrievers

Golden Retriever Lab Mix Breeders

Golden Labs are increasingly popular designer dogs, so you shouldnt have trouble locating a reputable breeder in your area. Make sure to research the breeder to ensure they are ethical and have the dogs best interest at heart.

When purchasing Goldador puppies, check to see if both parents have all the necessary health clearances. The breeder should possess health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips and elbows, and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation verifying that the eyes are healthy.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets

As with any puppy, early socialization is important to the Goldador breed. This helps ensure that the dog is accustomed to people and animals of all ages and types. It also introduces them to new situations. Socialization can take part in your own home, at puppy classes, at the local dog park, and more. A dog park is a great place for you to test your puppy with other dogs. At home, you will find that they display similarly canine-friendly attributes.

You May Like: Golden Retriever Service Dog Breeder

Should I Get A Goldador

Having read all of this, you might still be wondering whether a Goldador is the right dog for you.

You should start by asking yourself whether you are in a position to make the commitment to adopting any dog. Remember, by adopting a dog, you are committing to care for, love, and support your pup for the next 10 to 15 years.

Keep these things in mind when adopting a dog, regardless of the breed:

• You should expect to spend at least $1,500 on your pup in the first year, including food, equipment, and veterinary bills.
• You should budget at least $1,000 a year to care for your dog following that.
• Do you have plans to move in the coming years? If so, will you be able to take your dog with you?
• Do you have someone who can look after your dog when you travel? This could be a friend, a family member, or a reputable kennel that is able to care for your dog for a certain period of time.

Once you have answered those questions, it is time to think about adopting a Goldador specifically. Be sure to ask yourself the following questions moving forward.