The Golden Retriever Lab Mix, the Goldador, is a mix of two of the best-loved and most popular dog breeds in the world; the purebred Labrador Retriever is No 1, and the purebred Golden Retriever ranks the No 3 most popular dog in the world.
Sometimes it’s also called a:
- Golden,
- Golden Labrador,
- Golden Lab,
- Golden Lab Mix,
- Golden Retriever Labrador Mix,
- Labrador Golden Retriever Mix,
- Labrador Retriever Mix,
- or a Goldador Dog.
The Goldador dog is a playful and good-natured, large dog. It’s gentle and loyal making it a perfect family dog and companion for any dog owner. When you cross a purebred Labrador Retriever with a purebred Golden Retriever, even though both parents are recognized purebred dog breeds, the result – the Goldador – is a hybrid dog; recently known as a designer dog.
As a mixed-breed dog, the Goldador Dog is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Designer breeds come in a variety of coat colors and types, depending on the genes and appearance of the parent breeds. This cross-breed dog has parents with hunting and retrieving skills. They are often used as therapy dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and other types of service dogs, even bomb detection: but not as a guard dog or watchdog!.
This hybrid dog breed has the classic appearance of the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever dogs; inheriting their friendly, smiley face and their big brown eyes. The Labrador Golden Retriever mix is soft, loving, and intelligent.
This is a large, bouncy, and easy-going dog that loves to be active. It will want to be wherever you are; in your bed, on your sofa or in the bathroom with you!
A Goldador puppy is simply adorable. But remember, nowhere is private with a Goldador around!
A brief history of this mixed-breed dog
The Golden Retriever Lab Mix is not a purebred dog breed.
Fact: When two different dog breeds are intentionally mixed it called a designer dog; any hybrid dog will inherit its characteristics and health problems from both parent breeds but the result will not be seen until the puppy is born and observed as it grows up.
A Goldador is friendly and will always want to be close to you.
Meet the parents: The parents’ breed history:
Parent 1: A brief history of the Golden Retriever parent – a purebred dog
The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland, at the end of the 18th Century.
In 1868, Lord Tweedmouth, a British Aristocrat, wanted a loyal and hard-working gundog to retrieve waterfowl while hunting on his estate in Scotland. So he crossed a wavy-coated yellow retriever (sire) with a Tweed Water Spaniel (dam) and produced 3 Golden-colored Retriever puppies.
Fact: the Tweed Water Spaniel is now an extinct dog breed.
Lord Tweedmouth mixed this new breed Retriever with an Irish Setter dog to breed the recognized Golden Retriever dog breed.
In 1903, the Golden Retriever dog breed was registered by the UK Kennel Club, and they quickly became popular as family pets and show dogs.
The Golden Retriever breed was registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1925 and now ranks as the 3rd most popular dog breed in the United States.
Parent 2: A brief history of the Labrador Retriever parent – a purebred dog
The Labrador Retriever is the best-loved and most popular dog breed in the world!
It has a solid- color double coat in one of 3 colors; pure black, chocolate brown, or yellow. Whatever the coat color this is just a good looking dog breed for any level of dog owner or family member.
The Labrador Retriever dog is from Newfoundland, Canada, and was used by fishermen to retrieve fish from nets and catch those that escaped back into the sea. They are good swimmers and have a gentle mouth grip that will not further destroy any prey they are ordered to retrieve.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Province, in Canada, provided this hunting and retrieving dog with its name – the Labrador Retriever (or Lab to its friends!).
The Newfoundland Labrador Retriever dog breed came to Great Britain around 1830, to be used as gun dogs for retrieving waterfowl from land and water, during the shooting season, in Scotland and England.
Ongoing breeding is believed to have continued the pure Newfoundland lab bloodline in our Labrador Retriever breed today.
The Labrador Retriever is ranked the No1 most popular purebred dog in the United States by the American Kennel Club (AKC). In fact, it is considered the world’s most popular purebred dog and it’s easy to see why.
The lab is fun-loving and loyal with an easy-going temperament, making it an ideal family pet that’s suitable for any age of dog owner. A Labrador Puppy, when it’s trained and socialized it can be trusted and protective around young children and other dogs.
Meet the offspring:
The hybrid offspring of these two purebred dogs is the Golden Retriever Lab mix – the Goldador puppy. This mixed breed puppy will be happy, affectionate, and will easily become a family member for sure.
Fact: Designer dogs are increasing in popularity and so is the trend to give them a cute combo name that reflects a bit of both parent names. These new affectionate names are what is known as ‘Portmanteau’ names, such as ‘Goldador’ or ‘Sheprador’ (if mixed with a German Shepherd).
The Goldador puppy will inherit characteristics from both parents. As both parents are similar, purebred affectionate, trusting, and sociable dogs it’s expected that their mixed-breed puppies will be too.
What are the main characteristics of a Golden Retriever Lab Mix?
Like any other crossbreed, a Labrador Golden Retriever Labrador mix can inherit the characteristics of either parent or both.
Crossbreed dogs, like The Goldador, are no more likely to inherit health issues than purebred dogs; in fact, it is believed they may actually be stronger. Any mixed puppy can inherit all, some, or none of the health issues its parent breeds have.
Fact: Not all mixed-breed dogs inherit exactly 50% of their characteristics from one parent and 50% from the other. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other.
The characteristics of The Goldador are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment, and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. Any mix-breed dog’s personality and appearance will vary from one dog to another.
The Goldador – possible coat colors
Both Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever parents have a thick, double coat: a water-resistant topcoat and a warm undercoat. Therefore the Goldador will inherit the same double coat but is likely to be short-haired like the Labrador.
Any Golden Labrador Mix will have a solid, single coat color:
– If it resembles the Golden Retriever parent, it will be one of the following:
A Dark Golden Goldador, a Golden Goldador or a Light Golden Goldador
– If it resembles the Labrador Retriever parent, it will be one of the following:
A Black Goldador, a Chocolate Brown Goldador or a Yellow Goldador
Loyalty and companionship
This mixed Golden Labrador, a designer dog, is a relatively new breed. With its impressive and popular parent breed mix it will be loyal with a loving temperament and good around children and other dogs. It will be caring and become and active companion, that just wants to be by your side all the time.
Reputation:
This large Golden Labrador mix breed dog comes from two of the best-loved and most popular dog breeds. It’s lovable and soft-natured, yet with working dog parents, this mix puppy will want to keep active and do something useful too.
This is why they can make such good service and guide dogs, therapy dogs or even search and rescue dogs. They will still need to be trained and socialized early to teach them how to use that energy positively and learn how to behave in public.
They are people-friendly and need exercise. They would not make a good guard dog, or watchdogs as they are approachable with strangers and make friends easily.
If it’s not getting enough exercise and stimulation it can chew things, bark and be destructive. So watch your slippers!
Popularity:
When both of your parents rank as two of the world’s most popular and best-loved dogs how can this Golden Lab hybrid dog breed not be equally loveable and a very popular dog?
Trainability:
The trainability of this intelligent Golden Labrador mixed breed should be easy. The Goldador needs to be trained and socialized early as it will inherit a herding instinct and be highly active. They may attempt to take over and herd small children and smaller pets so they need to be controlled.
Positive reinforcement and small treats will work well but not harsh discipline, or any form of negative punishment or physical restraint.
Power and intelligence:
This mixed breed dog is very intelligent, strong, and active with a herding and working drive.
It will enjoy and need working challenges incorporating mental and physical stimulation, but it will be curious and want to investigate the other side of the fence.
Socialization:
Early socialization and discipline are strongly recommended for any crossbred dog especially those with herding and service dog parents.
The Labrador Golden Retriever Mix wants to be active and occupied; if bored it may become destructive and bark. They’re not suited to a sedentary lifestyle and will enjoy as much exercise and action as the owner can provide.
When trained and socialized this mixed breed dog will be approachable and friendly around all types of people, children, and other animals.
Purpose:
Any herding or working dog will want to be useful and please its owner. It will be happy when busy and when it understands what’s expected of it in its surroundings and given tasks to complete.
Behavior:
The Goldador Puppy is energetic, easily trained, and wants to please, so don’t be surprised if it brings you some unwanted presents it finds in the garden!
It’s large and active with lots of stamina, so it’s not the dog for you if you cannot handle lots of activity, walks, or play with a bouncy dog, for several hours a day. It will need to be trained and socialized early as it will help with control its excitement in public and develop obedience norms. It will form an early bond and lasting companionship with its owner.
Physical Characteristics of the Golden Retriever Lab Mix
This Golden Labrador mix is a gorgeous dog. Either parent will still give it an athletic, well-balanced build and a strong working ethic.
Male | Female | |
---|---|---|
Size | Large-sized | Large-sized |
Height | 22-24” (56-61cm) | 22-24” (56-61cm) |
Weight | 59-84lb (27-38kg) | 55-70lb (25-32g) |
Lifespan | 10-12 years | 10-12 years |
Eyes: Brown
Ears: Medium to large, very soft dangling ears,
Coat: A short length, dense double coat. It will be a medium shedder
Color: The coat color is influenced by both parents and will be a single, solid color that will depend if it takes after the Lab or the Golden parent; it can be Black, Chocolate Brown, Yellow, Dark Golden, Golden or light Golden.
Temperament:
This breed is not known to be aggressive. It is considered loving and affectionate with anyone around it. When trained properly it will be loyal, obedient and quickly form a strong and lasting bond with its family.
It needs to be kept busy as it inherits a working and hunting instinct so it can become adventurous if bored. It may even sulk and sigh if feeling ignored or abandoned.
How should you train a Goldador?
This dog needs lots of exercise with challenging tasks to perform to keep it stimulated.
A Golden Retriever Mix puppy needs to be trained and socialized early, with strict boundaries set, if it is to be well-mannered, not just cute!
This mixed breed dog is active and curious any may want to investigate what’s in the cupboards or on the dining table. Positive reinforcement and reward based training works best.
Teach leash training early for the Goldador puppy’s safety and discipline in public and with road traffic.
Types of training required: obedience, discipline, agility and socialization.
So, if you are not going to use a professional dog trainer:
1) Develop your basic command words: Find keywords such as Stop, Sit, Down etc. and be consistent each time you use them, always using positive reinforcement and small food-based treats as a reward.
2) Crate – Buy a crate and practice going into it and sleeping in it. You will have to lock the cage in the early days so it knows can sleep there and be transported in it.
3) Potty training – Can be hit and miss for any new puppy that gets easily excited and lacks control, however products are available, such as mats and odor sprays to attract puppy go to the same spot each time. Eventually, the puppy with your help will learn where and where not to go.
4) Walking on a leash – this Puppy will be highly active and bounce all over the place. So practice voice commands and road awareness firmly but not aggressively.
Health problems and health issues
What health issues can a Golden Retriever Labrador mix suffer from?
Hip Dysplasia – This growth abnormality is common in both parent breeds. Hip Dysplasia is a malformation of the joint, where the ball at the top of the limb does not fit properly into the socket and the ligaments attaching it are weak. This allows excess movement of the fitting causing eventual stiffness and pain.
Elbow Dysplasia– where the three bones in the dog’s elbow grow at a different rate or a piece breaks off. Elbow Dysplasia can cause a lot of pain.
With active dogs, continuous use can lead to limb degeneration in one or sometimes each limb causing pain and limited mobility and cause further issues such as arthritis, extreme pain, and even osteoarthritis.
Early warning signs are visual stiffness when walking, a reluctance to get up when prompted, and a difference in walking style; limp, or with caution. It can occur at any age.
There is no cure; pain management and anti-inflammatories may be prescribed by the Vet.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – this is a genetic condition where the retina in the eye degenerates and it can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.
Bloat – eating quickly, too much or drinking a lot before exercising can cause this dangerous, excessive gas build-up, causing the stomach to extend, twist putting pressure on organs. This can cause extreme pain and be fatal.
Other health issues include inherited eye problems such as Cataracts, and ear infections and Cancer.
How do you care for a Goldador?
Exercise needs
The Goldador is both energetic and intelligent, and bores easily. It will need at least one hour of daily exercise building up 2 hours a day in adulthood, therefore not suited to any dog owner who cannot provide the space or opportunity to have this level of activity. They will love to play chase, fetch, with Frisbees and throwing toys, in dog parks chasing other dogs and swimming.
Feeding
They have a big appetite, and can be greedy; this must be controlled. Feed as a medium to large-sized dog depending on activity level. Split portions, average 3-4 cups of kibble, dry formulated food per day, to prevent bloat and encourage to eat slowly, possibly using a slow feeding bowl.
Grooming
This mixed-breed dog has a dense double coat that sheds moderately, but twice a year it will shed more as the season changes. It requires regular brushing, at least 2-3 times a week is recommended.
Bathing
This dog loves water and is a good swimmer when allowed, but should only be bathed when required as their coat has a water-resistant texture and its natural oils would be stripped through excessive washing. Certain dog formulated shampoos have a double effect of cleaning while protecting its coat against fleas and insect bites.
Cleaning teeth, nails and ears
Teeth need to be cleaned regularly to prevent plaque build-up. Chewing breaks down plaque, so use doggie chew-toys, bare-bones and soft toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Nails grow quickly and need to be trimmed regularly, say once a month. Ears can get dusty and need to be checked for debris that could cause ear infections.
What’s life like for a Goldador?
Lifestyle
This hybrid dog is affectionate and very energetic. It is intelligent and will therefore like purpose in its activities and to keep busy.
This busy and bouncy puppy to be socialized and obedience trained so it can behave well in public places, like dog parks, dog beaches and around strangers, young children and other small pets. Otherwise it may want to herd them through instinct, or knock them over in excitement!
Positives and Negatives of ownership
Positives
- A Loyal companion
- Intelligent and affectionate
- A loving and gentle family dog
- Easily trained
- Child and small animal friendly
- Not aggressive
Negatives
- Likes company, destructive if left alone
- Not a good guard dog, likes strangers!
- Wouldn’t suit sedentary owners or small living space
- Needs exercise, long walks and stimulation
- A moderate shedder
Commonly Asked Questions:
Q: What’s the proper name of this mixed Labrador Retriever mix?
A. It’s a Golden Retriever Lab Mix, shortened to ‘Goldador’ or ‘Golden Lab’.
Q. How much does a Golden Retriever Lab Mix puppy cost?
A. Buying from a reputable dealer costs around $600 (can be over $1200 of for breeding purposes)
An alternative is to adopt from a rescue centre – puppy or adult. The cost of adopting a rescue dog is much less than from a breeder, average $150. If adopting do your research carefully; history, circumstances etc.
Food costs around $40-$50 per month but factor in Vets fees, accessories and toys from retailers like Amazon.