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If you’ve heard about the mixed breed “Goldador,” you’re probably wondering whether or not it’s a real dog breed.
Both Golden Retrievers and Labradors are loved all over the world. They have great temperaments, but what happens when you breed the two together?
Today, we’re discussing just that! We’re taking a closer look at the Goldador dog (also known as a Golden Lab or Glab) to help you understand if this dog is right for you!
What is a Goldador?
To answer your burning question: yes! A Goldador is a real dog (although they’re very rare).
A Goldador is a mixed breed between two dogs: a Labrador Retriever and a Golden Retriever, hence the name Goldador!
But to fully understand the Goldador, let’s take a look into the parent breeds.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever’s silky coats make them hard to miss. A popular dog for both TVs and movies, Golden Retrievers are loved around the world.
Golden Retrievers are sporting dogs bred to retrieve ducks, game, and other birds while hunting. They have a very soft mouth that allows them to retrieve without damaging the hunter’s game.
While people still use Goldens for hunting, people also use them as service/therapy dogs, sniffer dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
They are intelligent, easy to train, eager to please, energetic, and incredibly sweet.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the world (closely followed by our friend, the Golden Retriever).
Labrador Retrievers are active dogs, and like the Golden Retriever, they were initially bred as hunting dogs to retrieve ducks and assist fisherman. Their shorter coats made them ideal in the cold Canadian winters as they could swim in the water without too much of their fur turning to ice.
The Labrador Retriever is eager to please, outgoing, and needs lots of structure, training, and physical activity!
Like the Golden Retriever, people also use the Labrador Retrievers as service dogs and working dogs.
Goldador Size and Weight
Because the parent breeds of the Goldador are medium-to-large sized dogs, you can expect the Golden Retriever Lab mix to be the same. Goldadors can stand between 22-25 inches tall and weigh between 55-80+ pounds.
Goldador Temperament
Both parent breeds share similar temperaments:
- Eager to please
- Easy to train
- Devoted to their families
- Hard-working
- Gentle
- Affectionate
Goldadors inherit these traits as well. They make excellent service dogs, therapy dogs, watchdogs, search and rescue dogs, and sniffing dogs.
Energy Levels
A Golden Retriever Labrador mix is a high-energy working dog with a need to stay busy and mentally stimulated. Remember: both parent breeds are working dogs, so the Goldador requires lots of walks and mental stimulation!
We recommend about 2 hours of exercise per day, including walks, runs, training, and mental stimulation to keep your Goldador happy and healthy.
Neither a Golden Retriever nor a Labrador enjoys being left alone for too long. They can become destructive and chew, so it’s essential to make sure they are well-exercised!
Trainability
A Golden Retriever Lab mix comes from two very smart dog breeds. A Goldador is an easy dog breed to train since both the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever are highly intelligent.
But because of the Goldador’s high level of intelligence and mid-to-high energy levels, training and mental stimulation are non-negotiable for this dog breed and must be done every day. You will need to train and exercise your Goldador dog every day. Make sure to switch up the training, so it’s exciting and challenging for your Goldador!
You should begin training your Goldador when it’s just a puppy. You can take your Goldador out for socialization to meet other animals, people and experience new sights and sounds. Before introducing your Goldador to other animals, be sure they are up to date on their shots.
Coloring of a Golden Retriever Lab Mix
A Goldador puppy can be various colors, depending on the color of the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever parents.
First, let’s talk about the colors that a Labrador Retriever can be. Labrador Retrievers can be yellow, black, red, brown (commonly known as Chocolate labs), white or silver.
Golden Retrievers have fur that can be a dark golden (almost red) color to a creamy white.
So, a Goldador puppy can be any of the above colors. Many “black Golden Retrievers” you may see online are just Black Goldadors. Genetics do not allow for purebred Golden Retrievers to have black fur.
On the other hand, your Goldador might look exactly like a Golden Lab! There are many possibilities as to what a Golden Retriever mix will look like. If there is a specific color of Goldador you’d like, you should reach out to breeders in your area. While breeders may not be able to guarantee colors of their Goldador puppies before they are born, they might be able to provide you with some more insight.
Goldador Health Issues
A Goldador dog can inherit any of the health issues associated with Labrador or Golden Retriever dog breeds.
- Cancer: Golden Retrievers have one of the highest rates of cancer of all dog breeds. Being part Golden, a Golden Retriever Lab mix is more susceptible to cancer than other dogs who aren’t part Golden Retriever.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia often affect medium and large dog breeds. It can cause painful joint pain (arthritis) and even cause your dog to be unable to move their affected legs. Signs of Elbow and Hip dysplasia include lameness, decreased activity, and inability to use the stairs. Dogs that have Hip Dysplasia will often have a “bunny hopping” gait.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Progressive Retinal Atrophy can cause vision loss and blindness.
- Exercise-Induced Collapse: Primarily found in Labrador Retrievers, Exercise-Induced Collapse is a nervous system disorder that can cause your dog to collapse suddenly after/during exercise.
- Allergies: Allergies are quite common, and your Goldador may become allergic to the dog food you are feeding it. Your vet will help you determine what is causing your dog’s allergies.
You can avoid health issues in your Goldador by feeding them high-quality dog food, taking them to the vet for regular checkups and making a note of any changes in their behavior.
Grooming a Goldador
Because both parent breeds have double coats, your Golden Retriever Lab mix will also have a double coat. Grooming double coat dog breeds requires special attention. First, never shave your Golden Lab mix. The double coat of a Goldador keeps them warm during cold months and cool during hotter months. Shaving their double coats can permanently damage their coats and be very uncomfortable for your Goldador when it grows back.
Shaving will not prevent shedding (and the Goldador will shed!). There are many large non-shedding dogs if you’d prefer a dog that doesn’t shed.
Other ways to care for a double coat dog include:
- Weekly brushing, especially during times of the year when they lose their undercoats (shedding season, known as spring and fall, is when double-coated dogs lose their undercoats)
- regular bathing (check with your vet; you can bathe a Golden Retriever every 6 weeks whereas Labrador Retrievers don’t need frequent bathing. Your Golden Retriever Labrador mix may fall somewhere in the middle)
To get your Goldador used to being brushed, you should begin brushing them as a puppy. Make sure you offer lots of healthy and yummy treats, so your Goldador puppy begins to associate the brush with happy memories!
Goldador Lifespan
A Golden Retriever Lab mix can live between 10-12 years. To make sure your Goldador lives a long and healthy life, regular vet visits, a healthy diet, and the right amount of exercise are a must.
Price of a Goldador
Goldador puppies are generally anywhere from $600-$1,000. The price depends on many factors, including the parent dog and the location of the breeder.
You should also consider adopting a Goldador before buying a puppy. You can search through Golden Retriever rescue agencies (where you can also find other Golden Retriever mix dogs), Labrador Retriever rescue agencies and your local dog shelter to see if there are any Golden Retriever Lab mixes available to adopt!
Goldador FAQs
A Goldador is a Golden Retriever Lab mix.
Goldador puppies are eager to please and brilliant dogs. They are easy to train and respond well to positive reinforcement methods of training. You should start training your Goldador as soon as they come home to you so they grow into well-behaved dogs.
If you are a first-time dog owner, the Goldador is the perfect dog for you. Golden Retriever Labrador mixes are easy-to-train and love to be with their families. You should aim to exercise your Goldador for roughly 2 hours per day.
No. A Goldador is a Golden Retriever Lab mix. The American Kennel Club does not recognize Goldador dogs as they are not pure breeds.
Yes! Goldador dogs make excellent dogs for families with children and get along well with other pets. They love to be around their pack and are playful and energetic. A Goldador will make an excellent best friend for your child (with proper training and supervision).
Labrador Retrievers do not like to be left alone for long periods. We do not recommend a Goldador if you are not home often and cannot keep your dog company.
Generally, a Golden Retriever Lab mix needs lots of room to roam. If you live in an apartment but would like a Goldador, you will need to be sure to take your dog for lots of walks and runs. While a large backyard is best for active dogs, if you live an active lifestyle and can commit to taking your Goldador on lots of walks, you can have a happy and healthy dog in an apartment.
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Veterinary Disclaimer: travellingwithadog.com is not a substitute for veterinary advice and does not intend to provide any type of veterinary advice for your animals. Please consult your vet for any questions you have regarding your pets health.
About the Author:
Dana owns a Sheepadoodle and a rescue merle Labradoodle. Her first dog growing up was a white Toy Poodle and she’s loved dogs ever since. She has years of experience fostering dogs and has helped find homes for a variety of different breeds, both large and small! After seeing so many dogs end up unwanted and in shelters, she began blogging about different dog breeds (specifically Doodle dogs, since that’s what she knows best) to help people make informed choices when adding a new member to their family.
When Dana’s not brushing her Doodles’ hair (it takes a lot of time for two!) you can find her playing nose work games and fetch with her two amazing pups.
Learn more about her here.
I read amazing information about this breed in your article which I don’t know before. I have this breed also and I need your expert suggestion regarding its eye issues. My hybrid Golden Retriever is often prone to eye issues, and which medication is perfect for this?