Appearance Around The World
In the United States, the breed gained wider recognition following a 1928 American Kennel Gazette article, “Meet the Labrador Retriever”. Before this time, the AKC had only registered 23 Labradors in the country, in part because US and UK hunting styles had different requirements. Labradors acquired popularity as hunting dogs during the 1920s and especially after World War II, as they gained recognition as combining some of the best traits of the two favourite United States breeds as both game finders and water dogs.
Outside North America and Western Europe, the Labrador arrived later. For example, the Russian Retriever Club traces the arrival of Labradors to the late 1960s, as household pets of diplomats and others in the foreign ministry. The establishment of the breed in the Commonwealth of Independent States was initially hindered by the relatively small numbers of Labradors and great distances involved, leading to difficulty establishing breedings and bloodlines; at the start of the 1980s, home-born dogs were still regularly supplemented by further imports from overseas. Difficulties such as these initially led to Labradors being tacitly cross-bred to other types of retriever. In the 1990s, improved access to overseas shows and bloodlines is said to have helped regularise this situation.
The Labrador is an exceptionally popular dog. For example, as of 2006:
Note: The number of registrations is not necessarily the same as the number of living dogs at any given time.
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?
Golden Retriever Lab Mix Appearance
As a puppy, the Goldador may look deceptively petite. But adult Goldador dogs are likely to be sizable and strong.
The Golden Retriever typically weighs 55 to 75 pounds in adulthood, with males outweighing females.
The Golden stands 21.5 to 24 inches, with males standing taller than females.
The Labrador Retriever typically weighs 55 to 80 pounds, with males outweighing females.
The Labrador stands 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall, with males being taller than females.
So we can predict that any Golden Retriever and Golden Lab mix puppy will grow up to weigh between 55 and 80 pounds and stand anywhere from 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall.
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Golden Retriever Lab Mix Grooming & Care
Although they have thick double coats, Golden Lab mixes are moderate shedders and wont 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 at which time youll have to brush him 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 is basic care and includes regular teeth brushing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections due to its floppy ears so make sure to check and clean the ears weekly. And whenever in doubt, take your dog to the vet who can show you how to clean your dogs ears at home.
The Appearance Of Labs And Goldens
Other similarities are the long tails, folding ears, and of course the webbed feet and double-layered coats, with an outer water repellant layer and a soft insulating inner layer. These breeds love water and their bodies are made for swimming.
Some features that distinguish Golden Retrievers from Labradors are their longer and wavy coats, which come in colors from creamy gold to reddish gold. Another difference is their longer snouts that give them a smiling expression.
Labradors can be distinguished by their shorter denser coat that comes in three colors: Yellow, black, and chocolate. Labs also have shorter snouts and a broader head with pronounced eyebrows. Labs also have a more muscular build that makes them look more rugged than Golden Retrievers.
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Do You Have Enough Time For A Goldador
Goldadors need to be around people often. They can develop anxiety issues if left alone for extended periods of time. Are there people around the house most of the time to keep your dog company?
Also, will you be able to commit at least 30 to 60 minutes each day to providing your Goldador with exercise?
Be sure you have plenty of time to spend with your Goldador, as they can be fairly emotionally needy dogs.
What Are The Main Characteristics Of A Golden Retriever Lab Mix
Like any other crossbreed, a Labrador Golden Retriever Labrador mix can inherit the characteristics of either parent or both.
Crossbreed dogs, like The Goldador, are no more likely to inherit health issues than purebred dogs; in fact, it is believed they may actually be stronger. Any mixed puppy can inherit all, some, or none of the health issues its parent breeds have.
Fact: Not all mixed-breed dogs inherit exactly 50% of their characteristics from one parent and 50% from the other. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other.
The characteristics of The Goldador are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment, and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. Any mix-breed dogs personality and appearance will vary from one dog to another.
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Health Traits And Common Health Problems
Labradors and Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years on average, some Retrievers can live up to 14 years, although this is uncommon. Labs and Goldens have similar health issues and are susceptible to many of the same illnesses.
One common health problem in these breeds is Hip and elbow dysplasia. This problem is caused by malformed joints, this is due to genetic and environmental factors. Older Retrievers are also known to suffer from osteoarthritis.
Golden Retrievers and Labradors are prone to develop eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy , Glaucoma, and Cataracts. Golden Retrievers are also prone to suffer Pigmentary Uveitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the uvea.
Both breeds are prone to develop cancer, although this disease is more common in Golden Retrievers than Labradors. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Healthâs National Library of Medicine, 38% of Golden Retrievers die from cancer.
These Retrievers are also known to suffer from allergies, especially skin allergies, heart conditions, and obesity . These dogs are also susceptible to bloat, which affects deep-chested breeds and is a very deadly condition. More information about Labradors Health and Care available here.
Us Military Working Dogs : Labrador Retrievers In The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War is the only war in American history in which US war dogs, which were officially classified by the military as “military working dogs,” were not allowed to officially return home after the war. Classified as expendableequipment, of the approximate 4,000 US K-9s deployed to the Vietnam War, it is estimated that only about 200 US war dogs survived Vietnam to be put into service at other outposts stationed overseas. Aside from these 200 or so, the remaining canines who were not killed in action were either euthanised or left behind.
The predominate canine selected by the US military during the Vietnam War was the German Shepherd Dog, which was used in the roles of guide Dogs, Sentry Dogs, Mine Detection Dogs, and the US Navy used Water Dogs to detect enemy under water divers in South Vietnam. The Labrador Retriever was the military’s choice for their Combat Tracker Teams . Combat Tracker Teams consisted of one Labrador and four or five men: the handler, an observer, one or two cover men, and the team leader. Labradors were selected by the military for tracking because of their distinct smelling qualities, and were used to locate wounded US servicemen, enemy patrols, and downed allied airmen in Vietnam. The US Army Labrador Retrievers received their combat training at the British Army‘s in Malaysia.
A selection of a few of the most famous labradors within various categories includes:
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Health Testing For Lab Retriever Golden Retriever Mix
Before you work with a breeder to select your pup from a litter of Golden Retriever Labrador mix puppies, be sure that the breeder is able to show proof that all required and all recommended health tests have been done on the parent dogs.
The Canine Health Information Center database recommends testing purebred Labrador Retriever dogs for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye issues, exercise-induced collapse and D locus DNA .
Optional but recommended Labrador health tests include centronuclear myelopathy, cardiac issues and progressive retinal atrophy .
The Canine Health Information Center database recommends testing purebred Golden Retriever dogs for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye issues and cardiac issues.
As well, you should be aware that Labradors are more prone to overeating and obesity than most other dog breeds. Researchers now believe there is a genetic basis for this trait.
Shedding And Grooming Needs
Labradors are known for shedding and Golden Retrievers are no different. Both Retriever breeds have double coats that shed constantly and go through a molting period twice a year. This means that they need to be groomed frequently.
Labradors will require a grooming session once a week to deal with shedding. Because of their long hair, Golden Retrievers will require more frequent grooming to keep their coats shiny and tangle-free, as well as dealing with shedding. Find more tips on how to deal with Labradors shedding here.
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Finding A Goldador Puppy
Since the Goldador is a popular designer breed, you probably wont have to work very hard to find a breeder near you with Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers ready to cross for puppies.
Goldador prices vary from breeder to breeder based on how much value they place on their dogs. Especially if their dogs are competitive and not exclusively bred as family pets.
Make sure you pick an experienced and ethical breeder that has carried out all the health tests relevant to both breeds and has looked for Golden Retriever lines that lived longer with lower than average rates of cancer.
An older Golden Retriever stud dog may be ideal as he is more likely to have avoided the cancer gene.
Goldador Mixed Dog Breed Pictures
- Goldadors like to eat and can easily become overweight if they don’t get enough exercise.
- Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages.
- The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing.
- Goldadors usually get along well with other dogs and pets, especially when they’re raised with them or socialized to them at an early age.
- Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions.
- Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise.
- Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners.
- To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from a puppy mill, a pet store, or a breeder who doesn’t provide health clearances or guarantees. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they’re free of genetic diseases that they might pass onto the puppies and who breeds for sound temperaments.
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Health Problems And Health Issues
What health issues can a Golden Retriever Labrador mix suffer from?
Hip Dysplasia This growth abnormality is common in both parent breeds. Hip Dysplasia is a malformation of the joint, where the ball at the top of the limb does not fit properly into the socket and the ligaments attaching it are weak. This allows excess movement of the fitting causing eventual stiffness and pain.
Elbow Dysplasia where the three bones in the dogs elbow grow at a different rate or a piece breaks off. Elbow Dysplasia can cause a lot of pain.
With active dogs, continuous use can lead to limb degeneration in one or sometimes each limb causing pain and limited mobility and cause further issues such as arthritis, extreme pain, and even osteoarthritis.
Early warning signs are visual stiffness when walking, a reluctance to get up when prompted, and a difference in walking style; limp, or with caution. It can occur at any age.
There is no cure; pain management and anti-inflammatories may be prescribed by the Vet.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy this is a genetic condition where the retina in the eye degenerates and it can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.
Bloat eating quickly, too much or drinking a lot before exercising can cause this dangerous, excessive gas build-up, causing the stomach to extend, twist putting pressure on organs. This can cause extreme pain and be fatal.
Other health issues include inherited eye problems such as Cataracts, and ear infections and Cancer.
Origins Of The Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is currently the American Kennel Clubs third most popular pet dog in the nation.
Originally from the highlands of Scotland, for this breeds first 50 years in existence, the Golden Retriever was bred with care by a single breeder intent on creating the perfect gundog.
The Golden Retriever did not become known to enthusiasts outside of Scotland until the early 20th century, when they began popping up in the United Kingdom and in the United States in the show ring and in hunting dog circles.
President Gerald Ford had a Golden Retriever named Liberty, and this propelled the breed into the international limelight from that point forward.
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Golden Retriever Vs Labrador Retriever Health Tests
Both Labrador and Golden Retriever parents should have good hip and elbow scores, be PRA clear and have eye tests of less than a year old.
But Golden Retrievers can also suffer from higher rates of cancer, for which there are no health tests.
However when considering Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever puppies, you can search for older Golden Retriever parents, and find a breeder who can provide veterinary proof of a lack of family history of cancer.
You will also want to check for family history of heart problems with the Golden Retriever parents.
Differences Between Golden Retrievers And Labrador Retrievers
To many people, Golden Retrievers and Labradors look the same.
When theyre young, the differences between the two breeds arent too noticeable. Both the breeds are affectionate, sweet, and friendly. They both thrive on attention. However, as the puppies grow old, you start observing certain differences.
But what are they!?
In this blog post, we will help you determine the differences between Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers.
Lets get started.
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Golden Retrievers Are From Scotland Vs Labs From Canada
Golden Retrievers were bred from wavy coated Retrievers and Tweed Water Spaniels. Labradors were selectively bred from St. Johns Water Dogs.
The Golden Retriever originated in Glen Affric, Scotland in the 1800s. Lord Tweedmouth mated a wavy coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel.
The Labrador Retriever originated 4,000 miles away from Scotland in Newfoundland, Canada.
Canadians selectively bred the Newfoundland breed with smaller water dogs to create a St. Johns Water Dogs. The St. Johns Water Dog was then imported to England and used as retrievers in shooting sports. After arriving in England the breed 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.
Grooming Your Labrador Crossed With Golden Retriever
The Golden Lab Retriever Mix has a double-coat so it should be groomed regularly, especially during their shedding season.
The hybrid dog sheds moderately, so you dont have to worry about it taking much of your time. You might need to brush them once or twice a week if they inherited the short coat of a Lab. However, if they got some of that long, waxy Golden Retriever fur, brushing them 3-4 times a week throughout the year is recommended.
During their shedding season, daily brushing must be done regardless of the hair length. You dont have to worry about regular trimming as their hair wont grow as long or be feathered like their Golden Retriever parent.
When it comes to bathing, your Golden Lab Mix should only be given a bath when needed, such as when its coat becomes too soiled or when hes going to spend a heavy activity on a hot summer day. You can also try to do a swimming activity since this hybrid dog loves to a swim a lot.
More attention should be given to the ears when grooming because the Golden Lab Mix is much more prone to suffer from ear infections than other dogs. Their ears should be cleaned regularly and taken care of by a professional groomer.
Long nails should be trimmed to avoid problems concerning tearing or splitting if they are not worn down naturally.
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