Breed comparison
Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever
Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever? It is the classic family-dog showdown, and you can go a long way with either. Both are friendly, eager-to-learn sporting dogs that do well with kids and other dogs. The difference you will notice every day is the coat and the upkeep. The Golden Retriever has a longer, feathered coat that sheds heavily and needs far more brushing. The Labrador Retriever has a short, easy coat but a bigger appetite and a tendency to gain weight. Health worries differ too, with cancers a bigger concern in Goldens.
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Photo: IDS.photos from Tiverton, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Golden Retriever | Labrador Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Large |
| Height | 21.5–24 in (55–61 cm) | 21.5–24.5 in (55–62 cm) |
| Weight | 55–75 lb (25–34 kg) | 55–80 lb (25–36 kg) |
| Life span | 10–12 years | 11–13 years |
| Group | Sporting | Sporting |
| Coat | Medium-long, dense, water-repellent double coat with feathering | Short, dense, water-resistant double coat |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The two are nearly the same size. Goldens stand 21.5 to 24 in (55 to 61 cm) and weigh 55 to 75 lb (25 to 34 kg), while Labs run 21.5 to 24.5 in (55 to 62 cm) and 55 to 80 lb (25 to 36 kg). Males of both breeds are larger than females. Field-bred Labs tend to be leaner than show-bred ones, so two Labs can look quite different.
Energy and exercise
Both land at the top of our exercise meter (5 out of 5) and at 4 out of 5 for energy. Expect a solid daily workout of walks, fetch or swimming from either one, plus some mental games. VCA notes that field-bred Labs need more activity than show-bred Labs. With enough exercise, either breed settles into a calm, affectionate housemate, but without it both can turn restless or destructive.
Coat and grooming
This is the biggest everyday difference. The Golden's dense, water-repellent double coat has feathering on the legs, chest and tail, and it scores 5 out of 5 for shedding and 4 out of 5 for grooming. Plan on brushing a few times a week, and daily during heavy sheds. The Lab's short double coat also sheds a lot (4 out of 5), but grooming sits at 2 out of 5, and a weekly brush is usually enough outside shedding season, according to VCA.
Temperament and training
Both score 5 out of 5 for trainability, kids, other dogs and strangers, and both make poor guard dogs. Goldens often shadow you around the house and can be sensitive to harsh voices. Labs are more likely to be bouncy and mouthy, and many stay puppyish for a few years. Neither is known as a barker, though Labs score a little higher (3 versus 2), and neither enjoys long days alone.
Health and life span
Goldens typically live 10 to 12 years and Labs 11 to 13 years, and both can develop hip and elbow dysplasia. PetMD lists cancers such as lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma, hypothyroidism, eye disease and a heart condition called subaortic stenosis among the Golden's concerns. VCA flags obesity as the Lab's common problem, and extra weight makes joint trouble worse. Labs handle heat slightly better (3 versus 2 out of 5), while Goldens cope a little better with cold.
Cost and care
Neither is a budget dog. Both are big eaters, so food, vet visits and sturdy gear add up. The Golden adds grooming time and a lot of vacuuming, and the Lab adds a lifelong job of portion control. Measure meals and learn to check body condition with our guide on how to tell if your dog is overweight.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Golden Retriever if you want a gentle dog that follows you from room to room, and you are happy to brush several times a week and live with fur on everything. Go in knowing that cancers are a bigger worry in the breed, so look for a breeder who health tests both parents. Choose the Labrador Retriever if you want a lower-maintenance coat, slightly better heat tolerance and a sturdy, athletic family dog, and you are ready to be strict about portions and treats. Both breeds score 5 out of 5 for first-time owners who will train and exercise them daily, so let your tolerance for grooming and hair break the tie.
Golden Retriever profile Labrador Retriever profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is better with kids, a Golden Retriever or a Lab?
Both score 5 out of 5 for kids on our meters, so it is close to a tie. Young dogs of either breed are big and bouncy, so supervise play with toddlers.
Do Golden Retrievers shed more than Labs?
Yes. Goldens score 5 out of 5 for shedding and Labs 4, and the Golden's longer coat holds more hair and tangles more easily. Both shed year-round and heavily in seasonal blows.
Which lives longer, a Golden or a Lab?
Our profiles list 11 to 13 years for Labs and 10 to 12 for Goldens. Individual dogs vary, and keeping either breed lean and up to date on vet checkups is the part you control.