Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever - Difference and Comparison

Golden Retrievers and Labradors Retrievers are both breeds of lovable, family dogs. Their trainability and willingness to please have made retrievers popular as assistance dogs. A retriever is a type of gun dog that retrieves game for a hunter.

Comparison chart

Golden Retriever versus Labrador Retriever comparison chart
Golden RetrieverLabrador Retriever
Golden RetrieverLabrador Retriever
NicknamesGoldensLabs
ColorOnly golden and yellowish gold in color with a strong variation in shade, and black noses.With black eyesLabrador Retrievers can come in black, chocolate golden-yellow or fawn with black noses. The nose of Some fawn Labradors that lack pigmentation can turn pink as they grow older, giving them the name 'Dudley.'
Origin of breedBritish IslesA breed of dog originally bred in Canada.
Introduction (from Wikipedia)The Golden Retriever is a large-sized breed of dog bred as gun dogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties,[1] and were named 'retriever' because of their ability to retrieve shot game undamThe Labrador Retriever (also Labrador, or Lab for short) is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. Known for its kindness,intelligence and loyalty.
TemperamentMore calm, Golden Retrievers tend to want to be with people all the time, and desire a lot of attention.The Golden wants to please its owner. This trait makes the golden very easy to train.Labradors are more independent by nature. They are also very curious about everything, making them better explorers.the lab can be independent which can make them harder to train
Physical characteristicsBushy, shaggy tails with webbed feet and an oily coat make the Golden incredibly fast swimmerStrong broad tails and webbed feet make Labradors excellent swimmers. Their interwoven coat is relatively waterproof allowing them to swim
GroomingLonger, bushier coats with moderate feathering and therefore need more grooming.Short straight hair that is easier to maintain. They shed hair twice annually or regularly throughout the year in temperate climates. Their hair is coarse.
Litter size5-10 puppies5-13
Country of originScotlandCanada

Origin of Breed

Golden Retrievers were originally bred as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl, duck, and game birds during hunting and shooting activities. They are probably a cross between between a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland and possibly the Bloodhound.

Labrador Retrievers are believed to have originated on the island of Newfoundland, now part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. They are thought to have descended from the St. John's Water Dog (no longer in existence), a crossbreed of native water dogs and the Newfoundland to which the Labrador is closely related.

Golden Retriever magnifyGolden RetrieverLabrador Retriever magnifyLabrador Retriever

Description

Golden Retrievers are always golden with slight variation in shade. They have longer bushier tails than labs, and long shaggy hair with a water repellent coat. They do require grooming, but do not shed much.

Labradors have strong broad tails, webbed feet, and a relatively waterproof interwoven coat. They can be black, chocolate, golden-yellow or fawn with black noses, but some fawn Labradors develop pink noses as they grow older. This pigmentation is called 'Dudley'. Labradors have strong, broad shorter tails while Labradors have short straight hair and shed twice annually and more in temperate climates.

Temperament

Both Labradors and Golden Retrievers are the most popular family dogs. However, Labradors can be more energetic, curious and independent in nature. Golden Retrievers are calmer family dogs. Both are water dogs with webbed feet and water repellent coat.

References

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