When people consider adding a dog into their family, the first breed that pops into mind is the golden retriever. Apart from falling in love with their thick golden coat, these dogs are the epitome of care and fun. Although the golden retriever is the OG dog of its breed, there are other breeds that are often bred with it. A popular mix would be the golden retriever lab mix, also known as a Goldador.
A Goldador is known as the ultimate family dog. Apart from providing endless fun to your family, this dog is known for its excellent hunting skills, and it is often used for service works and therapy.
Therefore, if you are considering purchasing this unique breed, you have landed in the right place. We are going to enlighten you about a Golden Retriever Lab mix so you can know everything about this particular breed of dog.
Origins of the Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers originate from England and Scotland. History dates these dogs back to the 1800s in Scotland. At the time, there was a need for medium-sized dogs that could perform tasks of retrieving and hunting birds that could have been done in the waters or on the land.
Golden Retrievers were recognized by The American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1925 as members of the sporting group. Even though they are known to be an excellent hunting companion, these dogs also excel in field trials, obedience classes, and are used as guide dogs. All in all, Golden Retrievers are extreme family dogs, and by extreme we mean, everyone loves them. Whether they are old or young, these dogs are hard not to love.
Origins of the Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers originate from Newfoundland, Canada. That is where small-sized water-fowl hunting dogs were bred with Newfoundlands to produce a new breed, the Labrador Retriever.
Labrador Retrievers were recognized by the AKC in 1917 as a sporting breed. Similar to the Golden Retrievers, these dogs are used for hunting and services. They are considered to be rescue and search dogs and therapy dogs. More importantly, these dogs are also loved by families and people of all ages. That is why Labrador Retrievers are known to be one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.
Origins of the Goldador
There is no set record of when the Goldador originated or from where, but these dogs have been bred for a long time now, under the covers. People involved in field sports, breeding workers, and game keeps have been known to do the mixing of these two dogs for decades! It is safe to say that Goldadors are one of the most popular crosses amongst Guide Dog societies and homeowners.
Personality
Since they are known as social dogs, both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers cannot survive in isolated environments, which is why the Goldador cannot either. Because of this characteristic, these dogs tend to damage your property because they like to chew everything out of boredom. They are at their best when they are in environments where they are getting unconditional love from their owners and a comfortable resting spot. Goldadors love to familiarize themselves with new smells; they enjoy playing Frisbee, fetch, and tug of war. These family-oriented dogs are not for owners that cannot give them the life and attention they need.
Keep in mind; Goldadors inherit a Labrador’s level of excitement. This means that for this dog, there is no concept of strangers. When a Lab sees a new face, the automatic reaction is excessive excitement, which is what a Goldador does as well. This characteristic is why it is highly recommended to give Goldadors obedience training so the dog knows when and when not to jump. Plus, it keeps your guests protected. The reason why this kind of training works well with this breed is because Goldadors are intelligent and they possess a “we aim to please” attitude.
It is important to remember that the breeders (the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever) of the Goldador are both retrievers. Their highly activated noses and their urge to catch any fleeting thing can lead to mischief if you are keeping them in small spaces. Goldador owners should have a designated place for their dog so it can roam around freely and explore.
Temperament
Since it is a hybrid, it is not possible to distinguish the exact temperament of the Goldador dog or its puppy. When dealing with designer breeds (such as the Goldador), the only way to determine its temperament would be by making educated guesses. Make a guess based on the temperament of its parents and the temperaments of both the parenting breeds. However, this could also mean that one Goldador puppy has the temperament of the Lab, whereas the other has equal personality traits of both its parents.
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have parallel personalities, which is why their off-springs are similar. Goldador puppies will become energy-filled, fun-loving adults that have an innate passion for retrieving and playing. Therefore, if you do not enjoy playing a traditional game of fetch, this dog breed is not for you.
Coat Colors
Similar to other mixed breed off-springs, a Goldador can come out looking like a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever. Puppies can either be born with a light or dark golden coat like a Golden Retriever, or a yellow, chocolate brown, or black coat like a Labrador Retriever. However, sometimes the puppies are a mix of both the parents.
If the Goldador is born looking like a Golden Retriever, then it could be born as a:
- Golden Goldador
- Light Golden Goldador
- Dark Golden Goldador
If the Goldador is born looking like a Labrador Retriever, then it could be born as a:
- Yellow Goldador
- Chocolate Brown Goldador
- Black Goldador
Height and Weight
If you are looking for a dog that is small in size, then a medium or large sized Goldador is not the right choice for you. Based on the height and weight of its parents, the male Goldador can almost weigh up to 80 pounds or more, and a female Goldador can weigh up to 65 to 70 pounds.
A male Goldador can grow up to be 24.5 to 25 inches tall at its shoulder, and the female Goldador can grow up to being 23 or fewer inches tall. It is important for homeowners not to get intimidated by their big size because these dogs are one of the best family dogs. To make sure they stay in control, just take them to obedience classes.
Grooming and Shedding
Golden Retrievers tend to have longer, feathered coats, but Goldadors always get the Labrador Retriever’s bulky double coat. A double coat is when there is a rough coat on top with a soft one underneath. Although, Goldadors have small coats like Labrador Retrievers, sometimes, their coat may resemble a Golden Retrievers if it is a little wavier and longer. However, the coat of a Goldador can never have the same amount of feathering as a purebred Golden Retriever.
It is important to brush a Goldador at least once and week, but increase that to 3 times a week during shedding season.
Health
Mix breed dogs are often exposed to inherited health conditions. Which is why Goldadors have predispositions to the health issues that are common in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers along with the health issues that are common in other dog breeds. These would commonly include eye issues, skin irritations, hip dysplasia, and allergies.
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are inclined towards elbow dysplasia, retinal atrophy (losing their vision gradually), and hip dysplasia. Health issues are a reason why it is recommended for owners to research about their dog breed’s health issues so preventive measures can be taken.
Golden Retrievers are prone to getting cancer. Almost 40% of Golden Retrievers pass away because of cancer. A study conducted in 2015 states that almost 28% of the cancer cases amongst this breed were related to the hemangiosarcoma kind and the other 13% were related to the lymphoma kind.
If a breeder is selling a Goldador puppy that you want to purchase, make sure you get it tested for any inherited health issues that could have been passed down from its parents. Make sure to check for cancer-causing genes. Also, make sure the parents have high elbow and hip scores, they must have a recent eye test, and they must clear the PRA test.
Life Expectancy
Mix breed dogs tend to live as long as their parent breeds do. So, the expected life of a Goldador would be 10 to 12 years.
Exercise
Both Gold Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are prone to getting hip and elbow dysplasia, which is why you must keep their weight in check. Keeping the weight in check is very important for mixed breeds that enjoy eating, which contributes to gaining weight. If the weight keeps increasing, the health of the joints will be in danger.
It is important for you to take your Goldador on regular walks and do exercise with them so their musculoskeletal system is healthy and the weight stays down. Make sure you are not free-feeding your Goldador too much. It will eat everything you put in front of it because they are happy eaters, and this will cause them to gain weight.
Goldadors love spending time in nature with the people that love them, which is why you should take your dog outside every single day. Moreover, take them with you on family trips because they love swimming, running, and hiking.
Buying a Goldador
Since Goldadors are a popular mix breed, it will not be too hard for you to find a breeder that already has the puppies ready. The price of a Goldador puppy varies from breed to breeder, and the value the breeder has on each dog. The prices can be higher if the dog is competitive and if they are not exclusively used for breeding. Goldador puppies are often sold for $500 to $1,000.
It is important to choose a breeder that is experienced and has gotten health tests done for both the breeds before breeding them together. Make sure the breeder has checked the Golden Retriever for any cancer-causing genes.
Is a Golden Retriever Lab Mix the Right Dog for You?
Before buying a puppy or a dog, you need to make sure you are considering everything about the breed along with performing thorough research about it.
Since a Goldador is a product of two large dogs, it will not be able to live happily in a small home or apartment because of confined spaces. Goldadors are not a lap dog. In addition, as mentioned before, it is an extremely excitable dog, which can tend to overwhelm people, but with the right training, that excitability can be lessened.
If you go on business trips often or do not spend much time at home, then a Goldador is not an ideal choice for you. These dogs love human interaction and hate being alone. A reason why you should never even think about leaving your Goldador alone is that it will destroy your home if it gets bored. Labrador Retrievers have a love for chewing which gets inherited in Goldadors.
If you have enough space in your house and the intentions to properly take care of a demanding dog like a Goldador, then it is the best choice for you. However, make sure there is a fence protecting the outside of your house, so the dog does not wander off.
Goldador: A New Member of Your Family
Your Goldador will love all the attention it is getting from you, your family, your friends, and your guests. Apart from providing you with endless entertainment and fun, these dogs will serve as a guide to you when need be and be therapeutic for when you need an escape. All you have to do is brush its magnificent double coat at least once a week so it does not make a mess with its hair. You will have no regrets with this dog!
