Labrador and Golden retriever — The Goldador: Golden Retriever and Labrador mix.
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The Goldador: The Golden Retriever and Labrador crossbreed

By Ashley Murphy Content Writer

Updated on the 03/05/2022

The Goldador is a hybrid breed made up of half a Golden retriever and half a Labrador. This Golden Retriever cross Labrador was first bred to be a working dog but soon caught the attention of the public.

Let's take a more detailed look at this popular crossbreed parents breeds:

The Goldador: Golden retriever cross Labrador

The Golden retriever and Labrador retriever were bred for the same purpose - to fetch game and fish for hunters. The Labrador did its work in Newfoundland, Canada, while the Golden retriever was first developed in Scotland during the beginning of the 19cth century.

The Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is known for being very affectionate, intelligent and gentle. This breed would be a perfect family dog and is a real teddy bear with children. The Golden Retriever loves to please and therefore loves obedience training. They were bred to hunt birds, therefore they will need to be active. If they have enough exercise during the day, the Golden Retriever can be fulfilled in any type of home.

The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever's personality is very similar to the Golden retriever's one. This breed is also a great family dog and loves being surrounded by children. They make the perfect Nanny. It is important the Labrador has the right amount of exercise in the day otherwise it can become destructive and will definitely chew on that new pair of shoes you just bought. One of the most intelligent dog breed, they will need to be stimulated mentally and will love to learn new tricks.

Both breeds are popular family pets. But that doesn't mean they're work-shy - the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are still used as police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs.

The Goldador's physical characteristics

Like any mixed breed, Goldador puppies will be born looking like either of the parent breeds, or a mixture of both. Given the similar builds of both parents, it's fairly easy to predict a Goldadors size and weight.

Females will mature to about 65 pounds in weight and 23 inches in height.

As always, the boys tend to get a bit bigger - a full-grown male Goldador will weigh up to 80 pounds and stand at 25 inches tall. These medium-to-big sized dogs always inherit the Labrador's thick double coat, which can one of a few different colours. These include:

Black
Chocolate
Yellow
Dark golden
Golden
Light golden

Personality and temperament of the Goldador

Predicting a crossbreeds temperament can be quite difficult. Many are the product of two very different parents, and they can inherit any of their traits in any combination. This isn't really the case with the Goldador, as both parent breeds share many of the same qualities. The Labrador and the Golden retriever are highly social animals who thrive off human company. They're extremely friendly, very playful, highly intelligent and easy to train.

The Goldador was born with a natural urge to work and please their masters. This can be very rewarding for an owner, but a Goldador also needs a lot of attention and stimulation. If not, the Goldaodr is likely to display symptoms of separation anxiety and may soon start venting their frustration through destructive behaviour.

Health problems of the Golden Retriever cross Labrador

Labradors and Golden retrievers are both prone to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (a degenerative condition which causes blindness.) Other common issues in the parent breeds include allergies, obesity, and skin infections. It's important to know that one of the health issues that Golden retrievers carry a high risk of developing cancer. In fact, approximately 40% of all Golden retriever deaths are caused by the disease.

Unfortunately, Goldadors will always be at risk. Speak to a vet about improving their chances of staying cancer-free. They can advise you on things diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. The life expectancy for a Goldador is between 10-12 years.

How much exercise does a Goldador need?

A Goldador will need plenty of exercise. These working dogs are full of energy and they love to run, play, and even swim. It also helps to maintain their long-term health, reducing the risk of common health problems like obesity and joint problems. But regular exercise isn't just about the body; it helps with mental health too. A well-exercised dog will be a lot happier, and much less likely to develop behavioural problems.

Is a Goldador the right dog for me?

As always, the answer depends on your circumstances. Because of their social natures, Goldadors love being around people. This makes them great family pets, but it also means they can't be left alone for long periods of time. Another thing to consider is how much space you have: Goldadors are not the biggest dogs in the world, but they certainly aren't small.

A young puppy will feel comfortable in a small apartment, but they will soon outgrow such a restricting environment. Ideally, Goldadors need to live in a much bigger house with an outdoor garden. This is the best thing for both you and the dog.

The Goldador is an ideal family pet. They’re loyal, gentle, and form exceptionally strong bonds with the entire family. But they might not be the best choice for first-time owners. The Goldadors boisterous nature could overwhelm nervous owners and, without the right training, this sensitive breed can develop behavioural problems. But if you're still keen on owning a Goldador, start by doing more research.

Then ask yourself the following questions: Can I make a strong commitment to the dog? Can I provide them with the space they need? Will they get enough exercise and company? If you can answer yes to all those questions, then the Goldador might be the dog for you.

Find out more about these different mixed-breeds: