Which puppy should I get? Black Lab or a Golden Retriever? Please help?

Question

I want a large dog (I know there are larger breeds, but I want one of these 2). I know both will get big.

I want a loyal dog, and a friendly dog. I want a dog that is good with people and children.
I want a dog that likes to play and fetch and can learn alot of tricks.

Black lab or Golden Retriever? THANKS!

Answer 1

my sister-in-law has one of each! black labs are beautiful and fun when they are puppies, but if you don't exercise them A LOT they get overweight and look a bit unkempt... they also can develop hip problems... Golden's are beautiful dogs and they love to run as well however her golden seems to be in better condition and not as hyper as her lab. They are both loyal, wonderful dogs but my vote is a golden! Don't forget they both need a lot of exercise and they shed quite a bit... happy hunting!

Answer 2

As a Golden Retriever Breeder for over 20 years I can tell you that they are the most loyal and friendly of dogs. They are easy to train and if you get them from a reputable breeder then they should be very even tempered. golden tend to very active dogs until about 1 1/2 years old when they do calm down. Their sweet nature is always present which makes them easy to train because they do so want the please their masters. They are extremely family friendly,

You only concern is to find a breeder who has been breeding for a good amount of time. No less than 10 years. They are out there you just have to do your homework.
Golden's from a good breeder have not been over bred by any means.

Answer 3

its 50/50.Both these dogs have the quality you are looking for in a dog. It should be your choice anyway.You will be responsible for its care. I have 3 labs. But I would love a golden retriever also. There all smart,easy to train and generally,if brought up with kids are very protective of them.They are loyal and will be your friend for life...Good Luck or buy both .. You want go wrong either way you go.

Answer 4

Both are very good with kids but honestly, goldens seem to be a bit brighter. Labs are sweet and friendly, but I've never met an exceptionally bright one. I have two dogs, a lab/golden retriever mix and a collie/golden retriever mix. They're both very friendly and great with kids. Personally, I prefer mutts, they seem to be healthier than pure breds, and I have a problem with losing them. My son and his wife and 3 kids lost their beloved 1 1/2 year old golden to bone cancer and that kind of thing stays with you. Anyway, you might try finding a mix on petfinder. I know our collie/retriever mix is gorgeous, we think she's more beautiful that either a collie or a golden, that special mix resulted in a unique and beautiful dog with the best dispostion anyone could ask for. Our lab/golden mix is also very sweet, but looks like a black lab, can't even tell she's not pure lab.

Also, labs have a double coat of hair, its what makes them so water repellant, so our short haired lab mix sheds twice as much as our long haired collie/golden mix. The collie/golden mix does need more brushing though, she gets all kinds of sticks and things in her hair. It also makes it tougher giving the lab mix a bath, it takes forever to get her saturated, the water kinda rolls right off.

Answer 5

I've had both. They are both good choices, but there are differences in personality.

Both are friendly. Goldens seem to me to be a bit more outgoing. Both are good with kids and adults and love to play fetch.

Labs tend to be more focused and intense when learning new things. Goldens are more happy-go-lucky in learning environments. And yet, both seem to learn at the same pace. My golden was in puppy class with a black lab. The black lab was a study in focused concentration. My golden was all over the place trying everything on earth to please me. And yet both learned at the same pace. It was interesting to watch them both.

Goldens have longer hair obviously that needs brushing. Yet I find it easier to clean up because it comes out in clumps instead of flying everywhere as short lab hair does.

I don't think you could go wrong with either breed. There's a reason they're so popular.

Answer 6

They are both good dogs both have all the qualities you want. I have a black lab she is 120 pounds of love. She is playful is great with all kids including my handicapped daughter and now 10 month old son. She plays, the fetchs and she will never go more then 10 feet from me even without a leash on. Im biased I'd go for the lab. Do not go to a breeder though, get one from an independant

Answer 7

as a previous owner of both, I know that labradors have a more mild temperment, especially with children. Golden retrievers have the reputation for being more loyal dogs, but I have yet to witness a difference between the two. My labrador was the only dog who was able to understand the point of "fetch," whereas my golden retriever (despite the name) had little interest in playing, or at least in bringing back the correct object.

Answer 8

GOLDEN RETRIEVER with no doubt. They are the absolute best dogs, and they are all of what you're looking for. Get it from a reputable breeder and you won't go wrong. I have one and he is my pride and joy!! I will never get any other breed of dog other than a Golden retriever. Good luck!!

Answer 9

I believe Golden's are generally more reliable around kids. I've never met a grouchy Golden, but I have met a grouchy Lab. I've never flilled out a dog bite form on Goldens, but have with Lab mixes.

Answer 10

Tough decision...I am sure you will be very happy with either breed based upon what you would like in a dog. I am partial to labs myself, but I have known a few Goldens and they are all great dogs too.