Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever

The physical difference is probably the most obvious one between Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever. The shape of the head and the coat the most noticeable. Labrador Retriever has a broader head and fuller jowls, whereas the Golden Retriever has a slimmer jaw line and finer head. Both breeds have a double coat, therefore, will shed especially at the change of season. A good vacuum cleaner is a must! Another alternative is to keep the coat short. Golden Retriever has a longer, finer coat, therefore has more to shed as it gets warmer. There is a great deal of information articles regarding both breeds, temperaments are similar in that they both love their humans and being around you all the time. Both are intelligent and require training to manage their unique characteristics. Golden Retriever is a lighter frame with less weight to throw around, leading to them being a little more gentle in their actions. From my experience they are both intelligent, eager to please, loving, very affectionate, cheeky and mischievous.

I don’t believe you can go wrong in choosing either breed. If it is too difficult to choose, maybe you need one of each breed! Too much? There is also the option of a ‘Goldador’, a mix of the two breeds, potentially joining the best of both worlds.

Characteristics Comparison

Comparing Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever characteristics , from my personal experience.

In recent years I have only had Labrador Retrievers, with the odd ring in of a different breed. Since I began breeding I have collected seven Labradors, all colours of the Lab Rainbow! Each one of them have their own unique personality, however, they are all very confident bulldozers, especially when excited. I have had my legs taken out from under me a few times!! All are lovable and love to stay close, loving nothing more than sitting on the couch for cuddles, some more than others but they all look for their turn. All of them love their food and will do anything if food is on offer. Making training very easy, so long as food is used wisely, otherwise the food becomes the focus and the training secondary.. fine line to negotiate. Overall, I consider Labrador Retrievers to be smart; extremely trainable, lovable, confident and mischievous. I have also noticed a different disposition for the different colours, which a number of others have confirmed as well.

It is only recently that I have added a Golden Retriever, Rosie, to the Palmira Team. Mahlee, my first Therapy Dog is a Golden Retriever cross Kelpie. She is Black with a slightly longer coat and smart doesn’t come close! She has been my experience of a Golden Retriever, she is all the character of a Labrador Retriever but gentle. Everyone that meets Mahlee, loves Mahlee, no matter whether child or adult she loves people.

Rosie is all of the above as well, smart; happy; confident and gentle. As a puppy she is more vocal than the others have been and also less happy to share her food. She is still very young, so giving any opinion on having an adult Golden Retriever is unfair at present. I am looking forward to seeing how close her disposition is to Mahlee’s, time will tell.