What's the difference between a golden retriever and a labrador retriever?

Question

im thinking about getting a puppy and the father is a lab. retriever, while the mom is a golden retriever.

ok, stupid people. it IS possible for a lab to be yellow. not ALL are black.

ok. im NOT getting it from a breeder. i DON'T care if you people think i shouldn't get it from the person i am. thanks for caring, but that's not what i asked for. i just want to know the difference. im getting it from my dad's friend.

Answer 1

Golden has longer hair. Lab has short hair and webbed feet for swimming. Also, lab's can come in three different colors - yellow, brown and black. The golden comes in one color...a reddish brown.

Answer 2

Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers are two completely different breeds.

Goldens are long haired and only gold.

Labs are short haired and come in chocolate, yellow and black.

GO here:

http://www.grca.org/

In the health department for hereditary conditions, Goldens were invented so vets can earn a living - and I had the breed for 28 years and gave up - I bought my vet's new house I think. Hip dysplasia (Labs too), elbow dysplasia (labs too), osteochondrosis (ditto), eye conditions that lead to blindeness like PRA and several others (both), thryroid disfunction (both) but Goldens get the class prize for having every allergy know to vets particuarly contact dermatitis.

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/ Things on the main page and in the link "Library"

(On the Lab website, you will see a big mention of something called PRA and the testing for it. That is a hereditary condition where the dog loses it sight as it reaches a certain age. HUGE issue in Labs and very common. They have the test now for the gene and can screen dogs that carry it so that a cute puppy won't turn out to be a special needs dog in 2 , 4 or 6 years. Before the test, breeders kept careful track of which bloodlines this condition appeared in order to avoid it. Only breed club I have ever seen that has a link to a website about owning a blind dog. Also hip dysplasia is a big problem and it can not be determined whether or not a dog has it unless Xrayed as many don't show signs of the pain until the arthritis due to the badly made joint has set in.)

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What's the difference between a golden retriever and a labrador retriever?
im thinking about getting a puppy and the father is a lab. retriever, while the mom is a golden retriever.

Answer 4

Labrador Retrievers have shorter fur then their cousins, the Golden Retriever. Other than that, there really isn't much of a difference.

I have a black Lab. & i've had him since he was around 8 weeks.
He's now almost 3 years old. They're awesome. =]

Answer 5

good question. there are many differences between them though. Even if you don't pick mine for best answe take this into considerarion! they both originated from the same place... Great Brittain and at the same time 1800's But back then they used them for different things...GR for game reatriving, and labs were gun dogs! they are about the same size...Gr. 55-75, labs 55-80 (but bith can get bigger!) the biggest dofference is that a golden way way way back in the 1800's was a mix betwiin the flat-coated retreiver and the exttinct tweed water spaiel. all and all they are two very different and very simmalar breeds!!! good luck finding the right dog for you, you will have a hard choice between the two!

Answer 6

I've had both, and I have one lab right now. They are both excellent breeds, I love the lab more, but Goldens are known for there great temper around kids.
General Appearance for the Golden
A symmetrical, powerful, active dog, sound and well put together, not clumsy nor long in the leg, displaying a kindly expression and possessing a personality that is eager, alert and self-confident.

Owning
Renowned for its reliable temperament, the Golden Retriever makes a great hunter, family pet or show dog. Although they can adapt to living in a small apartment they need to be given plenty of exercise daily. The Golden Retriever's dense water repellent coat ranges in color from light to dark shades of gold.

Temperament
Friendly, reliable, and trustworthy. Quarrelsomeness or hostility towards other dogs or people in normal situations, or an unwarranted show of timidity or nervousness, is not in keeping with Golden Retriever character.

Labrador Retreiver

General Appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions; the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family companion. Physical features and mental characteristics should denote a dog bred to perform as an efficient Retriever of game with a stable temperament suitable for a variety of pursuits beyond the hunting environment. The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an ''otter'' tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its ''kind,'' friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament. The typical Labrador possesses style and quality without over refinement, and substance without lumber or cloddiness. The Labrador is bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance.

Owning
The Labrador Retriever is gentle with children and the elderly. If it is intended as a pet, keep in mind that Labrador puppies are full of energy. The Labrador Retriever has a stable temperament and adapts to new surroundings easily. The Labrador Retriever is not an aggresive dog, but it will bark to ward off strangers.

Temperament
True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the ''otter'' tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog.

I hoped this helped!!!!

Answer 7

I have a half black lab, half golden retriever (kind of a black golden retriever) and she is the sweetest, best behaved dog. Good luck!

Answer 8

golden retrievers have long hair and labs don't really at lest not as long as the golden retrievers hair

Answer 9

That would be a good combination - both have good temperaments.

To answer your question, though, labs have shorter hair and a slightly different conformation than goldens. A lab is more of a water dog.

Answer 10

It's all merely a matter of personal preference. We have short hair and guys just like it. And i prefer a person with short hair over a guy with long hair because long hair tends to make guys look also girly.