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Have you ever noticed that it seems like every other dog you meet is either a Lab or a Golden Retriever? There’s a good reason these two breeds are so popular. Both are renowned for making fantastic family dogs and being relatively low maintenance. It will be no surprise then that people have begun breeding these dogs together, resulting in a lively Labrador-Golden Retriever mix known as the Goldador.
The Goldador incorporates the sweetness of the Golden Retriever with the energy of the typical Labrador Retriever. This crossbreed is especially popular with dog owners who are active as well as families with children who have plenty of energy to burn! However, before you welcome a Golden Retriever-Lab mix into your home, it’s important to know that despite their easy-going attitudes, these dogs have certain grooming, eating, and medical needs that should be carefully considered.
The Impressive Origin and History of the Goldador
The Lab-Golden Retriever mix has been many years in the making. Both Labs and Golden Retrievers have their origins in working alongside humans. As the “Retriever” part of their names suggests, these two breeds were famed for their ability to retrieve prey for their owners. Labs were water-loving dogs who retrieved fish, while Goldens retrieved birds.
In recent years, the Goldador was created in part to assist people with vision impairments. Today, Goldadors are one of the most common types of guide dogs and have become increasingly popular over the past decade thanks to their hardworking nature and high trainability. Of course, many pet owners simply love the nature of the Goldador and view them as a traditional pet rather than a working dog.
Physical Characteristics of the Goldador
One look at the stereotypical Goldador and you’re sure to experience insta-love! These dogs have an extreme case of expressive “puppy dog” eyes and there’s no mistaking their emotions, especially when they’re telling you you’re their favorite human of all time—at least at that moment.
As with other crossbreeds, it’s not possible to predict a Goldador’s appearance simply by looking at the parents. Yet there are many generalizations that you can take into account when planning for your pup. Usually, a Goldador will be somewhere between 55 and 80 pounds, with most falling somewhere in the middle of this range. In terms of height, most will be just under or right at two feet tall at the shoulders.
When discussing a Goldador’s coat, it’s necessary to understand the parent breeds’ coloring. Golden Retrievers, not surprisingly, are always some form of gold color, whether it’s a light, cream-colored hue or more of a reddish one. On the other hand, when people talk about Labs, they often use terms like “Yellow Lab” or “Chocolate Lab.” These are all the same breed simply with different colored coats.
That means that, minus coat color, a Black Lab-Golden Retriever mix will look similar to a Chocolate Lab-Golden Retriever mix or Yellow Lab-Golden Retriever mix. All Goldadors can inherit one or both colors from their parents.
No matter what color they are, Goldadors almost always have double coats that shed heavily, particularly during weather changes. Get ready to pull out that vacuum on a regular basis!
Temperament and Personality Traits
By far, one of the most renowned traits of the Goldador is its sociable personality. Both Goldens and Labs regularly pop up on lists of the gentlest dog breeds. These guys are often great around children since it’s not uncommon for them to inherently know young humans are fragile.
While Goldadors are active and social, they’re not the type of dog whose energy levels overwhelm other dogs, either. Instead, they’re good for picking up on the energy of other canines and adjusting their behavior accordingly. This innate sociability means they make friends wherever they go and are often loved by other pets in the home.
The Lab and Golden Retriever mix is also known for being incredibly eager to please their owners, which means they aren’t as stubborn as certain other breeds and are easily trained.
An Intelligent Breed That’s Easy to Train
One of the main reasons Goldadors are so trainable is their intelligence. They get their smarts from the Golden Retriever, a breed that is often cited as one of the smartest dogs out there. Labrador Retrievers have wits to match, though! While some owners swear their Yellow or Chocolate Lab is the smartest of the bunch, the truth is, Labs of all colors have similarly above-average intelligence levels.
Like all dogs, your Golden Retriever and Lab mix will be easiest to train when they’re young. Starting training as early as possible is always a good idea, although you should always keep your expectations in line with their age. Positive reinforcement is the way to go when training Goldadors! They’ll go the extra mile for a treat or your praise. Don’t be surprised if you ask your Goldador to fetch the tiny stick you threw, and they come back with an entire branch for you! These pups live to please!
The Average Goldador’s Lifespan
How long does a Goldador live? On average, you can expect the breed to live about 10 to 12 years. As with humans, a dog’s lifespan depends on many factors. To extend your dog’s life, a good place to start is with exercise. You may be surprised to know that nearly 60% of dogs in the United States are overweight. This extra weight increases stress on the joints and can make it harder for a dog to maintain the activity levels needed to keep their bones and muscles healthy.
Ensuring your Goldador eats quality food is another must. Check the packaging on the dog food bag or can to make sure the formula is complete and balanced. This way, you’ll be sure your Goldador is consuming all the necessary vitamins and minerals they need. Follow the veterinarian’s instructions regarding how much and how often to feed your dog. And, of course, keep those treats to a minimum!
Even when owners follow these recommendations, Goldadors can still be affected by health problems. All breeds are genetically prone to developing certain medical issues, and the Goldador is at risk for inheriting diseases from both the Golden Retriever side and the Lab side.
One such problem is exercise-induced collapse, or EIC, which can affect Labs. While playing is great for a dog, it can become a problem when they simply don’t know when to stop. A Goldador that overexerts itself can collapse suddenly, resulting in a medical emergency. If this happens, the vet will likely need to run several tests to determine if EIC is the cause.
Another problem that can occur is cancer, and this is due to the Goldador’s Golden Retriever genetics. Goldens are at high risk for developing cancers such as Lymphoma and Mast Cell tumors. Attending regular checkups at the veterinary clinic can help catch signs of cancer before the disease spreads, which can make recovery more likely in some cases.
Why the Goldador is the Ideal Family Pet
If your family wants to bring a new pet into the home, the Retriever-Lab mix is the perfect way to go. The breed is great for first-time pet owners thanks to its minimal needs and exceptionally pleasant temperament.
Goldadors are known for being able to adapt to a variety of living environments, often doing just as well in a home with several children as well as one with a single individual. While some dogs aren’t the biggest fans of visitors, most Goldadors will welcome other humans and pets with nothing but friendliness and curiosity.
Children make wonderful companions for Goldadors because they can play together in the backyard all day. Of course, playtime should always be monitored between children and dogs, just in case things get a little too unruly!
Current Use as Working Dogs
It's not just families that think the Golden Retriever-Labrador mix is a suitable choice in their lives. Goldadors are renowned working dogs. Not only are their personalities well-suited for guide dog work, but their robust size can help them assist with pushing wheelchairs if necessary. They can also perform deep pressure therapy, which provides psychiatric support for people with certain conditions.
Goldadors also have the potential to be used as search and rescue dogs thanks to their Golden Retriever lineage. For many years, Goldens have used their impressive sense of smell and desire to retrieve items to locate missing people after a disaster. These dogs aren’t just an extra set of paws in the field, however. In just 30 minutes, they can search an area that would take nearly two dozen people several hours to cover!
What to Know About Grooming Needs
Whether you bring home a Golden Retriever-Black Lab mix or a Goldador with Yellow or Chocolate Lab heritage, you can be sure of one thing: that sweet dog is going to shed! Both Labradors and Golden Retrievers are cited as some of the heaviest shedding canines you can find. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of fur that clings to your clothes, couch, bed, and, well, everywhere else in your home!
A Goldador dog needs frequent brushing to keep its coat maintained. Not only does a daily or weekly brushing cut down on loose fur falling to the floor, but it also distributes the oils in your pup’s coat to keep it hydrated and healthy. Don’t think of brushing as a chore. Instead, think of it as a way to bond with your furry friend. Many Goldadors love being doted on, and brushing is a fantastic way to give them the attention they crave. Bathing your Goldador every now and then can also reduce problematic shedding. Just be sure not to bathe them too much since doing so can dry out their skin.
You’ll also need to keep your dog’s nails trimmed and their ears cleaned which you can do every few weeks with special canine-friendly products. Additionally, factor toothbrushing into your weekly bonding time as well. Dental hygiene is just as important for dogs as it is for humans!
Should You Adopt or Buy a Goldador?
Before adding a Lab-Golden mix to your family, make sure you’re financially prepared. You’ll need to know the answers to questions like, “How much do puppy shots cost?” and “How much does feeding a dog cost each month?” If you don’t do your financial research, you could find yourself in for an unpleasant surprise.
Don’t overlook the initial cost, either. Even if you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue, you’ll likely need to pay a small amount in adoption fees and possibly neutering/spaying costs. Some shelters require you to pay for vaccinations up front to ensure your Goldador is protected right away.
If you decide to buy a Goldador, you can expect to pay a hefty price. There’s another downside as well. While many breeders use ethical practices, there are perhaps even more who don’t. Puppy mills are a persistent issue that perpetuates animal abuse and neglect. To make a safe choice when selecting a breeder, do your homework. Read through plenty of reviews and ask around to see what other people’s experiences have been with the breeder’s animals. Check out the facility for yourself to see whether the Goldadors are in a suitable living environment.
How Pet Insurance Can Help Your Goldador
Once you've found the right dog, there’s another step you’ll want to take: investing in pet health insurance. Pet insurance can take the financial pressure off medical care for your Goldador. A policy with an optional wellness plan added can prepare you for both the expected and unexpected trips to the vet.
A Goldador may be the perfect dog for you, but that cancer risk from their Golden Retriever lineage is scary. Did you know that treating canine cancer can often cost $3,000 to well over $10,000 for chemotherapy alone, with radiation adding even more? Thankfully, a good pet insurance plan can help mitigate these staggering costs.
Before selecting a policy, consider the potential needs of your pet. For a goldador, you might need to know, “Does pet insurance cover physical therapy?”, for instance, or “Will this policy cover medications?” Choosing the right plan can make a world of difference to your wallet over the years, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your insurance provider with any questions.
A Gentle Breed That’s Great for Families
The Labrador and Golden Retriever mix is beloved for many reasons. From its cheerful disposition to its high intelligence, the Goldador is a well-rounded dog that can make an ideal family pet just as easily as it can be trained as a guide dog or search and rescue canine. Invest in your Goldador’s health and the two of you will enjoy many happy years together!