What To Expect From A Goldador
As we know, a Goldador is a mix between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Labrador Retriever.
Both parent breeds are gentle, friendly, loyal, and highly trainable. So, a Golden Retriever Lab mix is likely to be the same.
Youre also not likely to find a better working dog, for many roles. Both Goldens and Labs are known for their excellence in hunting, therapy, and service work.
With mixed breeds, you can never be certain what physical traits or temperament characteristics your dog will inherit from which parent.
There are no guarantees as to how your dog will turn out.
But, in the case of the Golden Retriever Lab mix, both parent breeds are quite similar in size, appearance, and personality. So there may be fewer variations for this particular mix.
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.
Is It Easy To Train A Pitbull Lab Mix
Training should begin at a young age for Lab-Pitbull puppies. It can prove to be an enriching experience for both dogs and owners.
These dogs are incredibly smart and obedient, and you will be pleased with the results.
Pit-Lab mixes are naturally eager to learn, so they take well to training.
These crossbreeds responds best to positive reinforcement. This involves reward and praise for good behavior, but never punishment for bad behavior.
Keep in mind that punishment can lead to aggressive behavior in the future.
Biting is more likely under these circumstances because they feel threatened and are unsure of how to express their discomfort.
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Training Labrador Cross Golden Retrievers
Training Labrador cross golden retrievers is interesting but can be challenging. Thats because separately, a pure Labrador and a pure golden retriever will train quite differently.
Trainer Leanne says: You never know what you are going to get with this cross breed because it all depends on whether the individual dog is more like a Labrador or more like a golden retriever.
If you want a fun, playful dog with a cheeky personality and you get satisfaction from and love training and interacting with your dog, then this breed may be for you!
Golden retrievers tend to be a bit more sensitive and cuddly whereas the Labrador tends to be more motivated and keen to learn. If you get a good mix then you get a cuddly dog that loves you as much as it loves working. If not, you may find you have a super clever, intelligent dog that will out-smart you to get food!
As a trainer, I love it if I get a cheeky, clever one. I always have to be one step ahead of them though, as its really easy to teach them bad habits. That said, its really nice if you get a cuddly one. Who doesnt love a cuddly dog?
Weve written abouthow we train our assistance dogs, including Labradors cross golden retrievers, if youre interested to find out more.
How Long Do Silver Labradors Live
The typical lifespan of a Labrador Retriever is between 10-14 years, but recent data indicates that chocolate Labs may be more likely to have a shorter lifespan of around 10.7 years.
Because silver Labs are considered a diluted version of chocolate, its possible your silver Lab may have a lifespan similar to chocolates .
Since the lifespan of your dog depends so much on excellent health, your choice of a breeder is critical to selecting a dog that may be less likely to suffer from health problems and have a shorter lifespan.
If youre trying to maximize your Labs lifespan, make sure you do thorough research on your breeder and select a Lab breeder carefully.
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What Makes A Goldador Different
Because it is a hybrid breed, your dog will lean toward one parent breed or the other. This depends largely on genetics and how much Labrador or Golden DNA the dog has. However, there are a few things that are safe to assume about this breed.
First, you can expect your Goldador to be outgoing and extroverted. Both Goldens and Labradors love people and will quickly make friends with anyone they come into contact with. If you are out at a park or a sidewalk cafe, dont be surprised if your dog befriends total strangers.
You can also expect your Labrador-Golden Retriever mix to be fairly obedient once trained. Both Goldens and Labradors have high levels of intelligence, making them perfect working dogs. This is why you will see many disability assistance dogs of both breeds.
You can also guarantee that your dog will be active. As hunting dogs, both Goldens and Labradors love to be outside. You will need to spend at least 60 minutes a day with them. Their favorite game of all time is fetch and a tennis ball will become their new best friend. If you live near a lake or an ocean, take them down to the beach and toss the ball into the water.
You should be careful, though. When it comes to retrieving, both Goldens and Labradors can be overly enthusiastic. They will play fetch until they can barely walk home. Youll need to take care to make sure you dont work them too hard.
What Does The Silver Labrador Retriever Look Like
While researching, Ive only read the Silver Lab historically described as a diluted chocolate color, an example of which is in the photograph at the top of this page.
However, its natural to assume that the gene must have appeared in the black and yellow colored Labradors, but strangely Ive not seen this mentioned until more recent times.
Certainly today there are many breeders that have actively introduced the dilute recessive d gene into the blacks and yellows, resulting in three distinct colors of Labrador carrying the dilute recessive d gene:
- A diluted chocolate is known as a Silver Labrador Retriever.
- A diluted black is known as a Charcoal Labrador Retriever.
- A diluted yellow is known as a Champagne Labrador Retriever.
However, these colors must be registered as either chocolate, in the case of the Silver Labrador, or non-recognized in the case of the other two.
They are not a recognized color, but if they come from registered parents, you can also register the puppy.
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Rescuing A Lab Collie Mix
There are many positives to rescuing a dog. First of all, rescuing a dog from a shelter is a great way of giving an older dog a new lease on life. Not only that but there are other benefits. Good shelters will provide health testing so you will know all about the health of a rescue dog before deciding to take her home.
Another great benefit of rescuing a dog is that each dog rescued is one less dog bought from a pet store or highly problematic puppy mill.
Are Labrador Retrievers Easy To Train
Yes, training most Labrador Retrievers is easy. They housebreak quickly and are usually willing to please.
But this breed is strong and energetic, especially adolescents. Many Labradors between one and three years old are dropped off at animal shelters or rescue groups because of dog behavior problems such as pulling vigorously on the leash and jumping on people.
Focus on teaching loose-leash walking, indoor calmness, and no jumping. All of these are taught in my puppy training book, Respect Training For Puppies.
Or see my advice on dog training
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Grooming And General Care
Neither of the parent breeds have long coats. So the Labmaraner mix will not require high-maintenance grooming care.
Labradors have a double coat that will shed seasonally, so they do need regular grooming.
Weimaraners have a short coat that doesnt need much grooming, other than a weekly soft brushing and perhaps the occasional bath.
Both breeds do need their nails trimmed and ears checked to avoid infection. Their teeth should also be brushed.
Labrador nails, especially, can grow quickly.
Silver Lab At A Glance
The Silver Lab is a lovable and active breed with a heart of gold.
The Silver Lab is a color variation of the Chocolate Lab. They have the exact same playful personality of standard Labs and make fantastic family dogs. This breed will love being the center of attention and even first time owners will be delighted with a lovable pooch that is quite easy to train and care for.
- Popularity: #1.
- Personality: Outgoing, playful and happy.
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Exercising Your Silver Labs
Most guides will tell you an hour of exercise a day is enough but this doesnt mean that a 60-minute walk is enough to burn off all their energy.
You have to understand that these dogs have retrieving bred into them, hence the name Labrador Retrievers.
They need interactive stimulation. Fetching, swimming, and jogging are all examples of what you can do with this hunting dog breed.
If you are training your Silver Lab puppy to become a hunter, youll want to pay attention to the type of exercise hes doing.
We suggest that puppies be given age-appropriate exercises to ensure the development of healthy joints.
These high intelligence dogs cannot stand being bored. Without proper stimulation, a Labrador might grow to be quite uncontrollable and destructive.
Some owners find that upon adopting a Labrador, they also have to adopt repairman skills. Prevent this by enrolling your dog in obedience class the first chance you get.
You can also watch Youtube videos on how to train your Labrador. Watch how Molly, a 7 week old Labrador, learns how to sit in under 5 minutes:
What Are Silver Labs
Traditionally the colors established by the breed standard set by the Labrador Retriever Club are black, yellow, and chocolate.
As Labradors have maintained the top position on the dog breed popularity chart for the last 30 years, colors and varieties that were once very rare are now being seen more frequently.
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Are Golden Labs Hypoallergenic
No, Golden Labs are not hypoallergenic. In fact, they tend to shed a lot, which means having one around is bad for anyone with dog hair allergies, and they can also be problematic for anyone who suffers from serious asthma.
If you are looking for a hypoallergenic breed, it is better to consider a Labrador mixed with a poodle, a Labradoodle, or a golden retriever mixed with a poodle, a Goldendoodle. This is because poodles have a wiry low-shedding coat that they often pass along to their children.
Poodles are just as intelligent and companionable as Labradors and Goldens, so when you mix them together, you tend to end up with a similarly loyal and intelligent pup.
Reasons Why You Shouldnt Get A Golden Retriever Lab Mix
Their Large Size Makes Living in an Apartment DifficultThe Labrador Retriever Golden Retriever Mix is considered a large breed, so living with them in a small apartment or condominium might be quite a challenge. This breed is energetic and hence having a fenced yard where he can do daily outdoor activities is convenient. You may also need a bigger bed in your house if you let them share your bed at night. Because of their affectionate nature, they might want to sleep beside you, and theyre more likely to take over your bed.
Needs Regular ExerciseBecause theyre intelligent and active dogs, the Golden Retriever Lab Mix needs to exercise on a regular basis. They have a tendency to have a destructive behavior and be aggressive when they get bored or when left in solitude.
Not a Good Guard Dog
If youre looking for a guard dog, the Lab Golden Retriever Mix is certainly not the choice for you. The Goldador is generally the loving type, not under the fighting category. It is the type of dog that loves every person he meets, and he would gladly show where his owners stuff is, especially if theres a treat in exchange. This hybrid dog is so friendly that he might likely go home with anybody he meets. However, he can also do some work as hunting companions, guide and therapy dogs, and participate in bomb detection.
Note sure the Golden Lab is the perfect pup for you? Check out our full list of 30+ Golden Retriever mix breeds types.
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Origins Of The Pitbull Lab Mix
Lets learn a few details about the Labrador Retriever and the American Pit Bull Terrier before getting into the nitty-gritty of having a Labrador and Pitbull mix.
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most commonly popular breeds in the US, and even in the UK. Their ancestors were initially from Canada, where they were bred in the 18th century as trusted and reliable helpers for fishermen.
Labs were originally bred as hunting dogs, but theyre ideal family pets. Labs are known today as loyal, intelligent, friendly, and eager to please. They get along well with people of various age groups as well as other animals.
We can trace back the origin of the American Pit Bull Terrier from the lineage of the English Pitbull Terrier, who was bred in the 19th century. They have a history of being used in extreme sports such as dogfighting.
The tenacious and strong Pit Bull Terriers were bred along with larger canines. They had a history of being farm guard dogs who were also tasked with aiding in hunting massive game.
Sadly, these lovable purebreds have retained a reputation for having a naturally aggressive temperament up to this day.
However, Pit Bulls are very loyal and protective, so you can always trust them around kids. Pit Bulls tend to be a dominant pet, but this breed can respond well to the training done the right way.
Dogs Similar To Silver Labradors
Other similar dog breeds to the Silver Labrador include: the Labmaraner, the Golden Retriever, and the German Sheprador.
- Labmaraner: This European crossbreed between a Labrador Retriever and a Weimaraner is a large-sized dog, that shares many qualities with its Labrador parent breed.
- Golden Retriever: This popular canine shares many qualities with its similarly sized relatives, is also easy to train, and happens to shed a lot, as well.
- German Sheprador: This North American breed is athletic, easy to train, and almost the same exact size as a Silver Labrador!
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Taking Care Of A Border Collie And Labrador Mix
This crossbreed required little grooming that you can give it a regular bath every week or two, or when hes dirty. Afterward, brush him off in order to remove as much fur as you can. This will help with its hair taking over your furniture.
Labs tend to have waxy ears and are predisposed to getting ear, so if your Borador is the same, regular cleaning is needed by gently wiping it with a damp cloth. Brush your dogs teeth at least three times a week and clip his nails occasionally.
All this can be done by bringing your dog to the grooming salon 3 to 4 times a year, but doing it yourself will make way for you to bond with your pet and save some moolah.
Another bonding session is exercise. Since this mix is highly energetic like their Border Collie parent, youd have to set aside a part of your day to satisfy the Boradors need to be active.
Labracollies require at least 60-minutes of vigorous activities on a daily basis. By exercising, it would be like hitting two birds with one stone keeping their temperament and health in check!
Weimaraner Lab Mix Health And Care
A Labmaraner dog may be a mix, but that doesnt necessarily mean it will avoid the health issues the parent breeds may experience.
Some research shows that mixed breeds can be healthier, but this is a general finding.
If you get a mixed breed dog, you should make sure you know the health history of both the pups parents.
You should also make sure the dog is tested for health issues seen in Labradors and Weimaraners. Here are some things you should watch for.
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Silver Labrador Vs Weimaraner
As you can see, Weimaraners are not the well-built dogs that Labradors are. They have distinctive hound-like features and rounded floppy ears.
Labradors are slightly smaller than the Weimaraner. The hound dogs can grow up to 27 inches tall and weigh 88 lbs .
Despite that, Weimaraners look smaller than Labradors due to their athletic build. They also have what is known as a tuck-up. These pronounced waistlines give Weimaraners their svelte figure.
The characteristics that the two breeds do share are that they are both kind and loving. Both are hunting breeds that love to please.
Due to their need for attention, they can also suffer from separation anxiety. These high-energy dogs often only settle down when they are a couple of years old.
Weims dont shed as much as Labs do, thanks to their short coats. If you prefer a low-shedding dog, a Weimaraner might be better suited for you, although theres also a long-haired variation.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two breeds is their tails. Weimaraners have a whippet sort of tail that is long and slender and is often docked.