Goldador – Golden Retriever Lab Mix Traits and Facts

What is a Goldador?

The Goldador is a hybrid dog with one Labrador Retriever parent and one Golden Retriever parent. Or bred from a longer line of second or third generation Goldador dogs. Common Goldador names include the Goldador Retriever, the Golden Lab mix, the Golden Retriever mix, and the Labrador Golden Retriever mix.

• Popularity: Rising
• Purpose: Companion.
• Weight: 55-80 pounds
• Temperament: Friendly, smart, active

Where Do Goldadors Come From?

Both of the Goldador dog’s parents, the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, have a long lineage and history as beloved pet dogs as well as show ring and working dog champions.

The Golden Retriever is from the highlands of Scotland. For this breed’s first 50 years in existence, the Golden Retriever was bred with care by a single breeder intent on creating the perfect sporting dog.

Then many years later they began popping up in the United Kingdom and in the United States in the show ring and in hunting dog circles.

The Labrador Retriever hail from Newfoundland in what is now Canada. This dog comes from a long line of water dogs, which explains the Lab’s water-resistant, thick, double layer insulating coat, thick otter tail and wide paws. Labs are excellent swimmers and have a reputation for loving the water.

It isn’t quite known exactly who first came up with the Golden Retriever Labrador mix. But one thing is sure: with Retrievers for both parents, the Goldador is likely to follow closely in their active, friendly footsteps.

Fun Fact!

The Goldador is a mix, and it probably comes from a history of mixes! Golden Retrievers are thought to have been created by mixing a yellow Flat Coated Retriever with a Tweed Spaniel. This breed of dog is now, sadly, extinct. But its legacy lives on through the incredibly popular Goldens, and the increasingly popular Goldador.

Goldador Size

As a puppy, the Goldador may look deceptively petite. But adult Goldador dogs are likely to be sizable and strong. We can predict that any Golden Retriever and Golden Lab mix puppy will grow up to weigh between 55 and 80 pounds and stand anywhere from 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall.

Golden Retrievers and Labradors are fairly similarly sized dogs. The Golden Retriever typically weighs 55 to 75 pounds in adulthood, with males outweighing females. Labrador Retriever typically weighs 55 to 80 pounds, with males outweighing females.

The Golden stands 21.5 to 24 inches, with males standing taller than females. The Labrador stands 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall, with males being taller than females.

Golden Retriever Lab Mix Grooming

Goldador shedding is likely to be a predictable constant in your life. They have a thick, double layer, water-repellent insulating coat that sheds out seasonally and year-round.

You will find it easier to control your Golden Retriever Lab mix shedding with regular brushing and grooming sessions. This will help you catch the shed hair before it has the chance to decorate everything you own! But you’ll still need a strict vacuuming routine.

Are Goldadors Hypoallergenic?

The Goldador has a high shedding, double coat that is straight to wavy. They will shed dander freely around your home, and are not recommended for people with a dog allergy.

Goldador Temperament

The Goldador is overall a friendly, sociable, people-loving dog that is beloved by families worldwide. Labradors and Golden Retrievers have very similar personalities. You can therefore be fairly sure of a friendly dog. One that is fairly lively, and loves to be in human company.

Labs can be a little more playful and Goldies a little calmer, but these characteristics range within the breeds themselves too. You can be confident that a mix will be intelligent, trainable and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

Are Goldadors Good With Kids?

The Goldador will be very bouncy as a young puppy, until around eighteen months old when they calm down a little. Usually! This is the age at which they are the biggest risk to small children, purely through accidents.

Although dog aggression can happen in any breed, the Goldador is a pretty safe bet as a family pet. Provided your dog is treated nicely, socialized and bred from friendly parents.

Goldador Training And Exercise

Both the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever come from strong working dog backgrounds. As Retriever group dogs, the Lab and the Golden are both accustomed to a high level of daily activity and exercise and a high level of interaction with people.

This means that regardless of which parent dog your Goldador puppy may take after, you can count on bringing home a smart, eager, active and social pup who will need plenty of ongoing socialization and training from day one.

Your Goldador training regimen should include lots of exposure to new people, new places and new situations so your dog grows up to be a poised and calm member of the greater community.

Also, a word of caution: Goldadors will likely possess a strong prey drive because of their hunting and retrieving background, so you should be sure to keep other vulnerable family pets far out of harm’s way.

Health And Care

Lab and Golden Retriever mix puppies are likely to inherit known genetic health issues from either dog parent. This is what makes your choice of Goldador breeder so important. A reputable and responsible breeder will make sure that their breeding dogs are tested for all known health issues to avoid passing those conditions to future litters of Golden Lab mix puppies.

Both parents should have good hip scores and elbow scores. They should have a recent clear eye check and be PRA clear. The Golden Retriever parent should also not have a family history of cancer, a common problem in this breed.

How Long Do Goldadors Live?

The Golden Retriever Lab mix lifespan is likely to be between 10 and 12 years because both the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever share that life expectancy range.

Do Goldadors Make Good Family Pets?

The average Goldador is likely to be an excellent family dog, seeing as how this hybrid dog is a mix of two of the friendliest, most social and people-oriented purebred dog breeds on the planet. The Goldador can make an excellent choice for a service or therapy dog for this same reason. Just be sure that you have plenty of time to exercise and play with your Goldador.

Goldador Pros And Cons

Cons:

• Needs lots of time and attention
• Needs a great deal of exercise
• Thick coat needs grooming and care

Pros:

• Friendly and affectionate
• Playful and smart
  
• A perfect companion for an active lifestyle

Rescuing A Golden Retriever Lab Mix

If you don’t have your heart set on bringing home a brand new puppy, it’s definitely worthwhile to look into adopting an adult or senior Goldador.

These dogs have incredible appeal at any age, but at times they may be given up for adoption due to their owner not being able to care for them as they need.

If you can give a home to a dog in need, you’ll find that the love of your new family member is its own reward! On top of that, it’s often cheaper to go through a shelter or rescue than it is to buy a puppy from a Goldador breeder.

Goldador Puppies and Breeders

Golden Retriever Yellow Lab mix puppies are very cute. You can count on that. So before you head out to see a litter of Golden Retriever Lab mix puppies, you should be sure to research the breeder’s reputation and verify that all required and recommended health tests have been done on the parent dogs.

From here, you can look for a Goldador puppy who is bright-eyed, clear in the ears/nose/tail areas, eager for interaction and play, willing to be held, with a clean coat and a friendly disposition.

Please take care to avoid buying a dog or a puppy from a pet store or puppy mill. Often, the interests of making money are put over the interests and welfare of the animals involved.

For assistance in looking for a puppy, take a look at our puppy search guide.

As far as finding the mix you want goes, there’s a little more underlying the subject than may be expected.

The Controversy And Popularity Of Mixed Breed Dogs

While hybrid or “designer” dogs are very popular today among pet owners, not everyone is a fan, most notably purebred dog breeders.

To a purebred breeder, the Labrador mix Golden dilutes the purity of each breed’s genes. This is a controversial topic and not one that is likely to be resolved anytime soon. However, pet dog owners mostly just want their canine besties to be happy and healthy so the popularity of the Goldador continues to increase.

Among canine biologists, there are benefits to the new trend toward hybrid dog breeds. The most notable benefit is called “hybrid vigor,” a term that describes how the gene pool can be strengthened by adding genetic diversity.

Crossing two purebred dog lines adds diversity to both gene pools, which may be behind the long-standing reputation that mixed breed or “mutt” dogs have for being healthier than their purebred counterparts. Since “designer dogs” are increasing in popularity, and the parent breeds of the Goldador are both incredibly popular to begin with, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to locate a puppy or adopt a dog of your own.

Raising A Golden Retriever Lab Mix Puppy

Caring for a vulnerable Golden Retriever Labrador mix puppy is a big responsibility. There are some great guides to help you with all aspects of puppy care and training.

You’ll find them listed on our Golden Retriever Labrador mix puppy page.

Golden Retriever Lab Mix Products And Accessories

• The Best Harnesses For Goldens
• Best Dog Leashes
• The Best Brushes For Labs
  
• Choosing A Crate For A Golden Retriever Labrador Mix

Comparing The Golden Retriever Lab Mix With Other Breeds

If you’re intrigued by the Goldador pairing, but not quite sold, you may be interested in comparing it to some other mixed breeds that have some similarities—and some differences.

• Pitbull Golden Retriever mix
• Miniature Golden Retriever

Similar Breeds

On the other hand, you might be almost certain that a Golden Retriever Labrador mix is right for you—but you still want to shop around just a little.

Take a look at these similar crosses.

• Goldendoodle
• Labradoodle
  
• Cocker Spaniel Golden Retriver mix
• Pitbull Lab Mix

Golden Retriever Lab Mix Breed Rescues

Here, we’ve compiled some rescue operations around the world to help with your search for your own Goldador. Take a look and see what there is in your local area.

Golden Rescue
Golden Retriever Rescue
Lab Rescue Australia
Labrador Rescue UK
Almost Heaven

If you know of any other rescues which are not on the list, please leave us a comment!

Related Articles

• Labrador Retriever Vs Golden Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever

References And Resources

• Gough A, Thomas A, O’Neill D. 2018 Breed Predispositions to Disease In Dogs and Cats. Wiley Blackwell
• O’Neill et al. 2013. Longevity and Mortality of Dogs Owned In England. The Veterinary Journal
• Schalamon et al. 2006. Analysis of Dog Bites In Children Who Are Younger Than 17 Years. Pediatrics
• Duffy D et al. Breed differences in canine aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science 2008
• Strain G. Deafness prevalence and pigmentation and gender associations in dog breeds at risk. The Veterinary Journal 2004
• Packer et al. 2015. Impact of Facial Conformation On Canine Health. PlosOne
• Golden Retriever Lifetime Health Study,” Morris Animal Foundation
• “Health Issues/Training,” Labrador Retriever Club of America
• “Health & Research,” Golden Retriever Club of America
• Raffan E., 2016, “Genetic Variant May Help Explain Why Labradors Are Prone to Obesity,” University of Cambridge