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Should I Get A Lab Or A Golden Retriever

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Health Issues Specific To Labrador Retrievers

Should I get a Labrador Retriever?

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.

Difference Between Labrador And Golden Retriever Temperament

The words commonly used to describe the temperaments of both Goldens and Labs are the words we use to describe very good dogs! Both breeds are friendly, reliable, affectionate, gentle, trusting, and kind. But many potential owners wonder about the differences between Lab and Golden Retriever personalities.

Before talking about temperament, its always a good idea to remind new dog owners that all dogs are individuals, and breed alone does not guarantee any specific personality traits or behaviors. Meeting the parents, good training and socialization practices from puppyhood into adulthood are the best ways to ensure that you get the kind of dog you want.

Labs and Goldens are both very trainable and obedient, which is good news for novice owners. Canine behavior experts explain the minor temperament differences between Goldens and Labs in terms of degrees. Generally, Goldens are said to be a bit softer, gentler, and more sensitive than Labs.

While both do well in families with children, Labs tend to have the advantage in adapting to households with boisterous, lively, and loud young children. Many Goldens prefer a slightly more calm and tranquil home environment.

Its always important to take your lifestyle into account when choosing a dogboth the breed and the individual animal. An active family with young children may prefer an energetic Lab, while a retired couple may welcome a gentle Golden instead.

It Is Important To Spend Time Searching For The Right Breeder

Backyard or unethical breeders might sell their puppies at a low price.;

Reputable breeders might ask for a higher price as they put more effort into their puppies care. Quality food, accessories, training classes, and regular checkups all add up.

You can find Goldens at:;

You can find Labradors at:

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Why People Buy Golden Retriever Puppies

If one talks about puppies all blonds, I think More votes will go to Golden Retrievers. Seriously, just leave them in a place full of tennis balls and bacon and see how cutely these Uber-Popular Blonde dog breed will win your hearts. However, like other things having a particular kind of dog as your pet have its pros and cons.

So just read the following pros and cons before purchasing one of Golden Retriever:

What Is Bad About Golden Retrievers

Should I get a Labrador or Golden Retriever ...

Bad is in the eye of the beholder. There really isnt much bad about them other than the fact that they are energetic and playful. For some people who want a dog that doesnt need a lot of maintenance and doesnt need a lot of attention, this could be considered bad but for others, it would be considered just right.

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The History Of The Labrador Retriever

The labrador retriever is believed to have originated in Newfoundland and Labrador. They are a descendant from St. Johns Water Dog which was brought to these two islands by settlers during the 16th-century. Many characteristics of the St. Johns Water Dog can still be seen today in labs, such as their love for being in the water and retrieving things.

It wasnt until the early 1800s that the name Labrador was first used with this breed of dog. The original colors were black and yellow, although the chocolate lab came around in the late 1800s.

How Much Are Goldador Puppies

The price of Golden Lab puppies varies greatly depending on the parents and the puppy.

On the higher end are puppies intentionally bred to be high-quality dogs fit for breeding. These will likely have parents registered with the American Kennel Club .

Top-quality Goldador puppies may sell for up to $4,500.

If you cant spend that much, look for ones considered to be pet quality puppies. These dogs may not have the physical or personality traits that the breeder wants for future generations. Or, they may be the result of an accidental breeding between two purebreds, but unregistered, dogs.

These will cost around $400.

Overall, the average amount that you can expect to pay for a Goldador puppy is $600.

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Labrador Retriever Vs Golden Retriever Size

When comparing Golden Retriever vs Lab size, it wont take you long to notice that both breeds are quite similar in this respect!

However, there is one important caveat to make here: there are actually two different breeds of Labrador Retriever: the American and the English.

While both are medium to large breed dogs, their builds can differ more than a little.

English Labs tend to be from show stock. They are stockier, with broader heads and chests. American Labs are slimmer, from working stock, and can be less barrel-chested.

There are similar differences between working and show bred Golden Retrievers, although they arent as distinct.

What Are The Differences Between Golden Retrievers And Labrador Retrievers

GOLDEN RETRIEVER! 5 Reasons Why YOU SHOULD Get A Golden Retriever!

Although they’re retriever cousins, Labs and goldens are from separate parts of the world. Labrador retrievers originated on the island of Newfoundland in the most eastern province of Canada, Labrador. Interestingly, there are actually three different types of golden retrievers, hailing from Britain, the United States, and Canada, respectively.;

When you see these dogs cozied up by one other, especially a yellow or golden Lab and a golden retriever, there’s a slight sporting dog family resemblance, but also key points to help tell them apart.

One difference between golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers is their muzzle shape: goldens’ are more narrow with a lean jaw, while Labs’ are broader and a bit more jowly. Noses are still boopable on both!

Both retrievers are double-coated breeds, so they’ll ‘blow coat’ at least twice a year. But if there was a medal given for shedding, Myers says there’s a clear winner. “A golden is for humans who love to vacuum…and whose favorite fashion accessory is dog hair!” Labs’ smoother coats help them glide through the water more easily.

Is a golden retriever the same as yellow Lab? Nope! But if you’ve read this far, you already know that. However, there is a mixed breed known as a Goldador that has golden and Labrador retriever parents, so a pretty yellow color might come from both of them.

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Health Factors That Influence Potty Break Frequency

There are some health conditions that will shake up your dogs potty routine. For example, your retriever might have:

  • urinary tract infection
  • matted hair around their anus
  • stress
  • enlarged prostate
  • dehydration

In addition to these more serious issues, if your dog gets a little sick and loses her appetite, you will notice a decrease in bathroom breaksbut that should be expected.

The opposite of constipation

You might notice that your dog is making a run for the backyard potty more often than usual.

If your dog has diarrhea, there are some things that you might check.

First, if your dog is typically healthy, then the things that might cause a sudden occurrence of diarrhea.

  • scavenging and eating something gross
  • a drastic change in diet
  • stress or anxiety
  • parasite

If your dog experiences chronic diarrhea, she might be dealing with something much more serious. Cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, and other things can cause this problem.

If you need more information on how to treat doggy diarrhea, .

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Golden Retrievers Vs Labradors: Which Dog Is The Best

The same words are used to describe the Golden Retriever and Labrador. Obedient, friendly, fun, and loving.;

A beautiful Golden Retriever

It is easy to mistake the two because they are similar in size and share the same features. Both are known for having soft mouths and webbed feet yep, they love water! They even share an ancestor.

Labs have been Americas top dog breed since 1991. Goldens have always been top five.;

A young Labrador running through a river

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Labrador Vs Golden Retriever Protection: Do They Make For Guard Dogs

While Goldens and Labs both make for wonderful companions and will serve you well, you shouldnt rely upon them as guard dogs. They are simply too friendly.

Both breeds will certainly alert you to when someone shows up at the house but they wont do well as the protective gatekeeper; all it takes is one dog treat or a playful game of fetch for them to befriend the mailman or the best friend walking up your driveway.

Do You Have Time For A Dog

Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever

It is always sad to hear from new puppy owners that are struggling to juggle the needs of a puppy with their need to work. These articles will help you to deal with this common issue.

It may seem obvious to many of you,; but a lot of people dont realize that you cannot bring a small puppy into your life and leave it alone in the house all day.; Even with a visit at lunch time. An older dog may cope with being left for up to four hours in row on a regular basis,; but puppies need more attention than this. The truth is, you cant leave a young dog alone for hours on end and expect him to remain quiet and well behaved.

Contented Labradors are fairly quiet dogs and unlikely to disturb your neighbors. Nor are they very good guard dogs. However, lonely dogs bark and wreck things. If you work all day,; can you afford to pay someone to come in and let him out to stretch his legs and empty himself?

Or do you have a relative or friend that would be prepared to do this on a regular basis.; Bear in mind that this is quite a lot to ask of anyone in the long term. The biggest long term time commitment in owning a dog is in the form of training and exercise.

Training Time

All dogs need training in order that they can rub along in human society without being a complete nuisance. ;This means a regular daily commitment; of ten to twenty minutes from you, in addition; to your regular interaction with the dog.

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Golden Retriever Vs Labrador The Breed Best For You

If you are considering a Lab or Golden Retriever, both are amazing pets for you if you are looking for a companion that is:;

  • Loyal;
  • Large;
  • Fun;

At the end of the day, both breeds have a lot of similarities, such as size, diet, personality traits.

Both breeds have high energy, love to play, are friendly, easy to train, and great around kids and large families. They are protective and make for good house dogs, as well as partners for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing what they were bred for.;

Overall, the main differences between a Golden Retriever vs Labrador are:

  • Labs tend to have more energy;
  • Goldens shed more frequently
  • Labs can be more stubborn;
  • Golden Retrievers can have more sensitive skin
  • Labs deal better with being left alone;
  • Golden Retrievers tend to be more forgiving;

Labs are probably best for you if you are looking for a high energy dog that can deal with being home for brief periods of time while you are out. They tend to be a bit more protective, and love the water. They are great with kids and families, but definitely need a lot of playtime.;

Golden Retrievers shed a lot. There is no getting around it. This is probably the biggest downfall to the breed, but if you can maintain a regular brushing and washing schedule, you can make it a bit better, but you will still see golden hairs everywhere in your home.

Try Warming Their Food

Some dogs do not like their food cold. If you are feeding your dog canned food and put the leftovers in the fridge, they may not like the food directly out of the fridge.

You can try warming their food up just a little to help entice them to eat. Even if your dog is picky, adding a little warm water to their food or microwaving their dry kibble for just a few seconds will help them want to eat more.

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Golden Retriever Lab Mix Temperament

The Goldador is overall a friendly, sociable, people-loving dog that is beloved by families worldwide.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers have very similar personalities.

You can therefore be fairly sure of a friendly dog. One that is fairly lively, and loves to be in human company.

Labs can be a little more playful and Goldies a little calmer, but these characteristics range within the breeds themselves too.

You can be confident that a mix will be intelligent, trainable and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

Do Labradors Shed Much

Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever // Which dog should you get

Labradors are another big dog with a double coat, which means they shed large amounts of fur regularly. Its undercoat is designed to keep a Labrador warm when in water and grows regularly.

There are rumors that yellow labs may shed more than other labs; however, as of yet, there is no sufficient scientific evidence out there to prove this. Labradors shed the most during summer and fall and during heat .

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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.

Food & Diet: What Should You Know

Golden Retrievers are more susceptible to skin conditions and food allergies, so over the course of their life, you might have to invest more money in high-quality hypoallergenic dog food.

By comparison, Labradors can have a genetic mutation that severely impacts their predisposition to obesity, so youll have to pay more attention to providing a healthier and limited diet to prevent overeating and regulate their appetite for them.

Both dogs will eat between 2-3 times per day and can eat between 2-4 cups of food, depending on their size, diet, and exercise levels. You should ask your vet for more information on feeding, as they will know what health your dog is in and what will work best for their body.;

Read Also: How Many Cups Of Food Should A Golden Retriever Eat

Golden Retriever & Labrador Health Problems

Golden retrievers:

According to PetMD, some common golden retriever health problems include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia

No matter which breed you choose, each comes with several common potential illnesses.

However, according to this study done at Cambridge on cancer in dogs, 38% of Golden Retrievers will die from cancer, while only 31% of Labradors will die from cancer.

So Golden Retrievers are more likely to die from cancer, but as long as you find a good breeder, have a good relationship with your vet, feed them the right food, and take care of your pup, youll give your dog the best chance at a long happy life.

Is A Crossbreed Between Golden Retriever And Labrador Good

Goldador a Golden Retriever Labrador Mix

J E D: Is it okay to buy a crossbreed between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador dog? Is it a good breed?I’m planning to buy a puppy. Someone offered me a crossbreed between a Labrador and a Golden Retriever. Is it ok or should I refuse his offer? Thanks for the help guyz.

Photo Credit: johnlemon/Flickr

Answers and Views:

Answer by MorcabayaBoth labradors and Goldens are great dogs, I’d think that a cross would be AMAZING! Make sure you spend time with the dog be for you buy. Check its teperment. Find out if the dog has been to the vet at all, and get the papers if it has.

Answer by PamelaA Labrador retriever is a breed, and a Golden retriever is a breed, but a cross between the two is a mutt. Take the cross it will b a great dog, as long as they don’t want you to pay a arm and a leg for it.

Answer by HorizonHi! I have lab/golden retriever crossbreed, He was given to me as a gift when he was 8 weeks old. I was the first person to touched and hugged him the day he was born, Believe me guys He is so intelligent, I mean his memory is unbelievable and sorry I do not agree about they are mutts or greedy.

Answer by ShanaIt’s ok to ADOPT one… as in from a shelter, or if one is homeless.

Answer by BYBs Care For MoneyIt’s not a breed. It’s a MUTT. Both breeds going into it are good natured, sweet dogs, so the cross should be as well.

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