-
Activity Level:
high
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Shedding Level:
moderate
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Grooming Level:
moderate
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Trainability:
high
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Good for Novice Owners:
high
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Adaptability:
moderate
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Kid/Pet Friendly:
often
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Prey Drive:
moderate
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Watchdog:
aware
- Average Size: Medium
- Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Registered?: other
Golden Labrador Dog Breed Information
Overview
Temperament
Adaptability
Health
Owner Experience
Grooming
Activity Level
Size
Life Span
Did You Know?
The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them.
A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more.
This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets.
They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends.
The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic.
Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.
As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. They can sometimes also “win the genetic lottery” and inherit none of them. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of.
These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life.
Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. So, don’t be afraid to ask the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and to see any relevant health clearances. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases.
Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward.
This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. Not only will you walk away with the best current training methods, but you’ll also get some great opportunities to socialize your puppy.
This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change.
Brushing a few times a week and bathing as needed is usually sufficient to keep a Golden Labrador’s coat healthy. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. After all, it can’t end up everywhere else if it’s contained to a brush.
In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Cutting your dog’s nails monthly is usually sufficient to keep them from growing too long. Checking your dog’s ears weekly and carefully cleaning them can help prevent ear infections.
Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Knowing how to clean your dog’s ears can be a big help in overall care and maintenance.
It’s also important to take care of your dog’s teeth and gums. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Implementing a plan for proper dental care for dogs can help you make sure your dog isn’t one of them.
Brushing your dog’s teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is ideal. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts.
It’s also a good idea to get your Golden Labrador used to having their paws, mouth, and ears handled as a puppy. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to.
Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! So, don’t be afraid to try a bunch of different activities to find a few that you and your dog can enjoy regularly together.
Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. It’s also likely that they will like water and enjoy swimming. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. They may not be able to compete in official AKC events, but they’ll probably enjoy doing the activity and learning something new.
A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands 22-24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 60-80 pounds.
A Golden Labrador generally lives 10-15 years.
Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever.