Pros and Cons of getting a Labrador Retriever? Pros and Cons of getting a Golden Retriever? Help me decide...!

Question

I've been researching both beautiful breeds for over 6 months now and I know all there is to know about the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. I know about health, temperament, exercise and grooming requirments etc.
The problem is, I can only get ONE dog, and that's fine. I just can't pick between a Lab or a Golden.
I'd like to know from owners of Labs and/or Goldens, what is good about them and what is bad about them?

I've found some very good breeders of these wonderful breeds, I just need to pick what one I want more :P
How likely is it (if I get a Golden) she will develop CANCER? This is a worry to me as I have found out Goldens are more prone to die of Cancer than anything else. Mainly when they are around 5-7 years old.
Thanks for any answers I get :)

Thanks for suggesting a rescue dog but there are many reasons why I want a puppy from a breeder. Some may sound dumb but they are: I want to be able to watch her grow up, I want to know that I can take on the responsibility of owning a puppy, I want to have the connection with the dog ALL throughout her life, I want to be able to teach her to sit.
I have not over-lookes rescue dogs (have fallen inlove with a 10 month old choc Lab, 5 yr old Dal, etc.

By what I've heard, owners of both breeds seem to be so happy with their decision. I don't want to get a dog and then 2 years down the track I decide it's not the right dog for me.
Owners of GOLDENS:
Exactly how much do I groom them?
How much exercise per day?
What is the best food (in AUS) to feed?
How good are they with cats?

Owners of LABS:
How much do they shed exactly?
How good are they with CATS (we have 3)?

Answer 1

I have a Black Labrador Retriever. I would whole heartedly recommend getting one. (truth be known, I'd recommend either, but I have to stick with what I know).
My baby is the sweetest most lovable dog. She's always happy to see me. She is frisky and loves to play. She is highly affectionate and so funny sometimes. Lab's are loyal to a fault and so great with kids too.
Getting Ana has been one of the best things I've ever done. I would own more labs if I could afford to.
But.... no matter what, I believe that breed not withstanding, you truly have to make a connection with a dog. I don't believe you pick the dog, they have to pick you.

Answer 2

WoW! Tough one!
I would personally say that if you are kinda set on getting a Golden, be VERY sure of the breeders and the bloodline of the pups. Cancer is not the only problem with a lot of Goldens, unfortunately.

Goldens have been in-bred so much that the bloodline has been highly corrupted. However, if you do have a very good source, you will be lucky, because they are really excellent dogs. Aside from common answers to this question, you need to look for the intelligence of the parents and as far back as you can go. Because of improper breeding, a lot of Goldens can walk to the end of the driveway and all of a sudden go, 'I'm Lost!' Seriously. They are wanders, too. But, any breed of dog is capable of such a natural instinct. They can be very large and rambunctious, which can cause major problems if they live in a small environment like an apartment. They need LOTS of room to grow and run. They are not a lap dog pup, which I am sure you already know! As far as the inbreeding goes, just look at a Dalmation. Very many of them are similar to a Golden in that they don't have a lot of common sense. Wonderful dogs, but if you get one that isn't bred well, you may end up with a disaster. I have seen people get them and within 6 months be trying to get rid of them. And that is very sad.

That is about all I have to say about the two breeds because they are both Fantastic animals and I am sure that whichever one you decide on will be great. Try to meet the brothers and sisters from other previous litters of either parents. That will give you a general idea as to their intelligence. I aint dissin' either dog breed, they are great and I have had both. I lucked out with the Golden, Laddie, because I was a lot younger and never investigated the bloodline (not very much, anyhow). I have had two black Labs and one Brown Lab. They were all wonderful friends. I have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever now, he's 113/4. I am stuck on Chessies now and will probably never get any other type of breed.

Good Luck! I hope you make a great choice and have a best friend for many years!

Answer 3

First, why a breeder?! There are so many animals waiting for forever homes living in shelters or rescue groups. And the great thing about that is that the temperament/personality of the individual dog is known. Second, rescue groups are the perfect resource to discuss certain breeds with. A lot of the groups have dealt with many, sometimes hundreds, of a certain breed, so their knowledge will be far more extensive than an owner of 1 or 2 dogs. Third, a lot of groups will allow you to return the animal should it turn out to not be the right one for you. Not that I am advocating that, pet ownership is a lifelong commitment and shouldn't be considered as anything less than that. It's just sometimes an option. I wish you luck.

Answer 4

Okay, I am the owner of a 2 y/o Golden so here is an answer for you:

1. I feed my Golden Eukaneuba and I only brush her occasionally, such as after a bath and once in a while just because she likes it. Her fur is so healthy and shiny, she rarely actually REQUIRES brushing. I believe this is because the quality of food I feed her.

2. I have 2 cats, one we had before we got our Golden and the other is a kitten we got in thelast couple of months. My dog LOVES both. But the kitten thinks the dog is her mother and the dog treats the kitten like her puppy. They sleep together and play together all day long. They get along perfectly. She is also fantastically patient and tolerant.

Overall, I really have to strain to think of a con to getting a Golden, but here is one: they to be chewers and scavangers, so train early on to keep them away from trash cans in your home and to let her know where her toys are, so she doesn't think she can chew whatever she wants. Great breed, good choice.

Answer 5

That is great that you have done your research and have narrowed it down to two awesome breeds. I grew up w/great labs and have an 8'ish y/o black lab which I got as a rescue 4 yrs ago - he is the BEST dog ever. He is well mannered (even though he had no training when I got him - he was bit crazy), loves people, kids and other dogs (except cats & squirrels), listens most of the time, thinks he's a lap dog, doesn't bark a lot, doesn't dig, doesn't try to get out of the yard. I think he knows he's got a good thing going. Really, the only downside to the breed is that they shed like crazy. Also, they are prone to hip dysplasia.
As for Goldens, a few of my friends have them and think they have the best dogs ever and they really are great pets. Downside to them is the cancer thing (one of my friend's 8 y/o is going through chemo now - has a good chance cuz they caught it early - yeah!)
Have fun with whichever one you choose!

Answer 6

I have a yellow Lab.He is the sweetest tempered dog I have ever owned. Got him as a pup and he was easy to house train. He is 7 now and never once had an accident in the house. There isn't enough time or space to say all the wonderful things about this dog.If there are any "cons" at all it might matter to some people that these dogs are strictly non-aggressive.They don't make good guard dogs. And they are big and take up a lot of room. But will love u forever....I regret not getting his litter-mate when I got him.

Answer 7

I have 6 labrador retrievers and have had many others in the past. They are great dogs...they are loyal, energetic, very athletic, not brilliant, but sometimes a little dumbed down is easier. They are truly wonderful dogs, especially the German types.
I do not know as much about retrievers, but they do have long hair and that for me is a drawback on them. I have a friend that has a cross between a lab and a retriever...maybe that is the dog for you if you cant decide.
Good luck

Answer 8

I have a 8 month old Lab/English Bulldog mix. She is VERY playful and loving. Every lab that I have known has always been very friendly and fun to be with. My dog does shed some and she does love to chew up stuff. To solve, I try my best to give her rawhides, etc. I would pick a Lab over a Golden Retriever just because I have one and I love her! She doesn't usually mess with the neighborhood cats but she does try to eat their food and play with them. If your cats still have their claws then they will just scratch their nose if they come to close!

Answer 9

Well, I can give you information on the dog I own. His name is Randy and he is a Golden Retriever. He is the most gentle, loving animal I have ever know. He is wonderful with small children, a good watch dog, loves to run and play and has unconditional love for me. I would never have any other dog. To keep the hair control in check, I have him shaved. He loves it and it cuts down on the shedding. I don't know about Labs personality, but I can't imagine them being any different. You don't have the fur to contend with though. Either way you go, you won't regret it. Good luck.

Answer 10

I have a Black Labrador retriever/Border Collie mix. She has been with me since she was five - she is now eight. She is loyal, friendly, good with cats(!), kids, men, and women. She is not hyper - but her friend Chewbacca (a Golden) is. She loves to play, even at age eight - but is not incessant like the Golden. She does not chew - when Labs are little, they do that A LOT!! (I raised a former one from puppyhood and he chewed up ALL my work shoes except one pair. . .) She loves daily walks - Labs are Great!!! Delilah is the BOMB! Labs Rule!