Do you know what a Goldador is? It is a Lab and Golden retriever mix and it is probably the most loving and devoted dog you will ever come across!
The labrador retriever and the Golden retriever are the two most popular dog breeds in the US, of course, there are several differences between these breeds. However, they do also have many things in common. But their unique characteristics combined make an amazingly smart and beautiful designer dog! It’s no secret, that these dogs really are highly sought after, and that is for a good reason!
Lab and Golden retriever mix
Let’s start with the basics. What is a Goldador? Well, it’s a Golden retriever Labrador retriever designer dog. Now I know that many people have a negative view of crossbreeding and designer dogs. However, hear me out, if you are one of those people, you might change your mind.
So basically, the Goldador is a sensitive dog and was created to have a strong work ethic! Goldadors are also amazing guide dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and bomb detection dogs!
For many roles, you’re unlikely to find a better working dog. Both Goldens and Labs are well-known for their hunting, therapy, and service abilities. When it comes to mixed breeds, you never know which parent will pass on physical or temperamental features to your dog.
There are no assurances about your dog’s outcome. However, both parent breeds are fairly similar in size, look, and disposition in the Golden Retriever Lab mix. As a result, this particular combination may have fewer variations.
History of the Goldador
The Golden Retriever Lab Mix is a popular mix of two wonderful breeds: the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. This blend is popular not only among pet owners, but also among Guide Dog organizations. In fact, according to the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association, they are the most successful guide dog of all time! It doesn’t get much better than that in terms of compliments.
There is no information about the Golden Retriever Labrador’s ancestors. However, we know that, at least informally, breeders have been combining Labradors and Goldens for a long time. These two breeds are very much alike as it is, aren’t they? The Labrador is the most popular dog breed in the US for over a decade, while the Golden Retriever often is in the top three as well. So it was more than reasonable to combine these two dream canines, wasn’t it?
For years, gamekeepers and field sports enthusiasts have blended the two working canines. Plus, for a few years now, there has been a conscious breeding program, at least among service dogs. The Labrador Golden Retriever combination is becoming increasingly popular as time goes by! And it’s not hard to see why. We would say that you get the best of both worlds, but let’s be honest, even that would be an understatement for such two parent breeds.
Appearance
Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers are pretty similar in appearance, so you already know how big and heavy the mix will be. On average they weigh between 55 to 70 pounds for females, and 65 to 80 pounds for males. When it comes to their height, the Lab and Golden retriever mix can measure up to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder. Females will of course be a little smaller with 23 inches or sometimes even less.
If you want a smaller dog, look for a breeder who specializes in Labs and Goldens that are on the smaller half of the height and weight spectrum. However, you should be aware that you won’t know what size he will be until he is fully grown.
Because of his shorter coat, he will be stockier than his Golden parent, and his muscles and athletic body will be more visible. His face will be less square than that of his Lab parent. His tail will be broad and straight, like the Labs’, or long and slender, like his Golden parent’s.
The eyes, nose, and other features of the Goldador will be brown or black in hue. His eyes will be big and round, and he’ll be making puppy eyes all the time to get his way. In general, this mixed breed is a wonderful synthesis of both of his parents’ looks. So much so that one day you might believe he looks like a Golden, while the next day you might think he looks like a Lab.
Coat and color
Just like the Golden retriever, the Goldador too has a double coat with a short, thick, straight topcoat and soft dense undercoat! You know how there is no Black Golden retriever. Well if you’re a fan of black dog you’ll be excited about the news that there are black Lab and Golden retriever mixes!
Generally speaking, like it’s with any other mixed-breed dog, the Goldador puppies could actually come out looking more like a Labrador than a Golden Retriever, or vice versa. They could also be different colors.
The most commonly seen colors of Goldadors are:
- Yellow
- Gold
- Black
- Brown
- Red
- Chocolate
Goldador temperament
The Goldador dog is a very special dog because of their obedience. They have a high desire to please and work, which means they are very easy to train! Another plus to this is that they will be an excellent option for first-time owners!
Both of his parents are recognized for being wonderful family dogs, and you can guarantee that this one is as well. He is devoted to his family, and they are always the center of his attention. Goldadors dislike being left alone for long periods of time, thus he should be adopted by a family who can spend the majority of their day with him. He enjoys snuggling on the sofa with his loved ones while watching a movie, so make sure there’s enough for one more!
With strangers, he is also friendly and sociable. This is ideal if you have a friendly family who welcomes visitors with open arms. Not if you’re looking for a security dog to keep attackers at bay. Because this isn’t one of the Goldadors’ characteristics. Instead, he’ll welcome them in with a cup of coffee and a few good boy strokes.
Fun fact: Goldador puppies are very smart, but also very sensitive! So please refrain from harsh corrections! This is a given, but don’t use physical punishment while training your dog either! Focus on positive reinforcement techniques and use treats.
Affectionate family dogs
Besides being super loyal and smart, Goldadors are also very affectionate. They love people and really want to form a strong bond with their owners. Goldadors are unbelievably gentle and loving, so they make the perfect family dog!
Also, they love being cuddled and you can be very sure that they will return all the attention you give them tenfold! Your Goldador will truly always be there for you whenever you’re in need of a friend.
He might be a demanding pooch because he always wants to be at your side. This canine trait is not liked by everyone, and many people prefer dogs who are more independent. That isn’t a trait of the Goldador, so if you’re not looking for a less clingy dog, you should keep looking. He longs for human interaction and considers himself more than just the household pet.
Exercise needs
The Lab and Golden retriever mix might not be for everyone, because they do need a lot of exercises and mental stimulation! Otherwise, they will become bored and destructive. They’ll be chewing and clawing your furniture and belongings. And we’re pretty sure you don’t want that! So if you’re an outdoorsy person who loves hiking and jogging, the Goldador will be the perfect dog for you!
Every day, the Goldador will require at least 60 minutes of vigorous activity. You should either choose another dog breed or employ a dog walker if you are unable to commit to this high level of activity. Traditional working dogs, like both of his parents, require consistent daily activity. And if he doesn’t get it, he’ll become rebellious and troublesome.
Unfortunately, this is one of the main reasons why both of his parents end up in rescue centers, as people discover they are unable to supply them with the necessary exercise. Because you need to preserve his joints from hard impact as he grows, his exercise shouldn’t be too strenuous when he’s a puppy. Stick to long walks and swimming instead. He’ll make a fantastic jogging buddy, frisbee catcher, or agility course participant as he gets stronger.
You must switch up Goldador’s exercise routine because he does not like routine. With everyday walks, he’ll rapidly become bored. Especially if you don’t take him swimming or to the dog park to socialize with his peers. He also needs regular yard time to keep his mind occupied. You can join him in his games and fun, or you can leave him on his own if he has enough toys to play with. He’ll be a lot happier if you participate in the fun, though, because he’s a needy pup.
Training
His parents are both very trainable canines, which is why they’re used as assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs, and law enforcement dogs. And you know how they say – The apple doesn’t land far from the tree. So you can expect the sam behaviour from this designer dog as well. He is reasonably easy to train because he is eager to please and loyal to his master.
The greatest technique to train dogs is to use positive reinforcement. Set guidelines for him, be consistent in your teaching, and praise him with his favorite treat when he gets it correctly. He’ll probably like a combination of treats and verbal praise. Never yell at your dog, even if he doesn’t do something right. These are sensitive puppies and they won’t appreciate that.
To train a Goldador, you don’t need to be an experienced dog owner. Because of his loyal disposition, he responds swiftly to commands. This is why, when it comes to assistance dogs, he is always the first pick. It’s unlikely that he’ll ever have a bad day because he’s not stubborn. If you’re looking for a well-behaved mixed breed, the Goldador is an excellent choice.
Because the Goldador despises being left alone, crate training him as a puppy is recommended. Set up a crate for him to call his own as soon as you welcome him into your home. This space will not only minimize his distress when you have to leave him, but it will also prevent him from destroying your furniture as a kind of retaliation for you leaving him alone.
Grooming
The Goldador has a thick double coat that sheds moderately all year and heavily during shedding season. He will blow his coat when it comes to shedding season. That implies 90 percent of his coat will be gone in a matter of weeks. He needs to be brushed multiple times per week all year and every day during the shedding season.
For his everyday brushing, you’ll need a slicker or a pin brush. During shedding season, you’ll almost certainly require a de-shedding tool. Yes, you will most likely devote a large amount of time to grooming your Goldador. This will help you save even more time vacuuming and cleaning. It will assist to keep his coat healthy and disperse his natural coat oils, as well as provide a bonding opportunity for you both.
Bathe him once every 8 to 12 weeks, but never more often. You risk ruining his natural coat oils if you don’t. Look for lumps, alterations in his body, or changes in his eyes as you groom him. Other grooming procedures, such as nail trimming, tooth brushing, and ear cleaning, are similar to those performed on any other dog. If you aren’t experienced with nail trimming, rather leave that to a professional dog groomer.
Health problems
The Goldador is a relatively robust dog with a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Because he can inherit health issues from either breed, it’s better to be aware of them all so you can be on the lookout for any indications. These hereditary diseases can all be avoided if you buy from a reputable breeder who does health screenings.
Both of his parents have hip and elbow dysplasia, which should be evaluated before having puppies. Joint dysplasia is a condition in which the joints do not form properly, resulting in mobility difficulties later in life. This can be agonizingly painful for our dogs, and it lowers their quality of life tremendously.
Both of his parents have a variety of vision problems. Progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and pigmentary uveitis are the most prevalent. Each illness can result in blindness if left untreated. Make sure your vet checks your canine for dog eye problems at least once a year.
Exercise-induced collapse, or EIC, is a condition that mostly affects his Lab parent. After hard exercise, dogs will collapse in this position, therefore you should learn how to deal with it in case it happens to your dog.
Cancer is more common in the Golden Retriever breed, therefore working with a breeder who knows their dogs have never had cancer is critical. This doesn’t guarantee that he won’t acquire cancer, but it does increase his chances of avoiding it.
Bloat, also known as gastric torsion, is a prevalent health problem in large dog breeds. When a dog’s stomach twists, it is a life-threatening ailment that requires quick veterinarian intervention. Avoid feeding your pup right before or after a workout, and distribute his daily food intake into smaller but more frequent meals.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the ideal dog, a Goldador might be the answer. These puppies are smart, obedient, and easily trained, making them excellent working dogs and loyal pets. They are extremely loyal but also quite sensitive, which means they cannot be left alone for lengthy periods of time. They are friendly to everyone they meet, and that even includes house intruders.
Their strong loyalty and obedience, however, do not imply that they are all work and no play. They are also very affectionate and friendly, making them excellent family dogs. Just don’t expect them to serve as a watchdog. When it comes to strangers, they are more curious and welcoming than fearful and territorial.
Bringing a Goldador into your life requires a significant amount of time and effort. They require not only a lot of activity but also a lot of attention. They are companion dogs who will provide you with affection and loyalty, but they require the same in order to be content. This means you should avoid leaving them at home for long periods of time, as they are prone to separation anxiety.
And, as long as you train and socialize him properly, he will be the perfect family dog that everyone knows. So, if you’re having trouble deciding between the two breeds, this guy makes it a lot easier.