The Goldador is a Golden Retriever Lab mix, crossing two of the most popular breeds in the world. Goldadors are friendly, energetic and highly trainable. The Labrador Golden Retriever mix is also a large dog. On average, they weigh from 55 to 85 pounds as an adult. Females tend to be at the lower end of this spectrum, and males at the higher. Today we’ll share the traits, behaviors, personality and characteristics you can expect from this affectionate, loyal designer dog. Being born from two large and bouncy breeds, the Goldador hybrid makes a good pet for active families who will have plenty of time to play. They also make excellent therapy dogs, service animals, search and rescue dogs, hunting companions and even apartment pets due to their calm, cooperative nature. Good with kids and adults alike, this trainable, devoted, easy going pet is one you won’t want to miss.
Contents
- What is a Goldador?
- Goldador appearance
- How big are Goldador adults when fully grown?
- Goldador colors, coats, grooming and shedding
- Are Goldadors friendly dogs?
- Goldador health problems and lifespan
- Is a Goldador a good family pet?
- Goldador puppies, breeders and adoption
The Goldador tends to be relatively healthy provided they come from health screened parents for the conditions common to both breeds. Your Goldador should live around 10 – 12 years, and given the right nurition and exercise they will be an active, enthusiastic companion for most of that time. Goldador puppies are gold, yellow, black or brown in color depending on their parents and which generation they of Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever mixes they come from.
What is a Goldador?
A Goldador is usually a first generation mix between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Labrador Retriever. However they can be a second or third generation cross, or a mix between one purebred parent and one Goldador parent.
- Popularity: On the rise!
- Purpose: Family pet and a variety of working roles
- Weight: 55 – 85 lbs
- Temperament: Friendly, smart, loyal
Goldador History
The Golden Retriever Lab Mix is a popular cross between two amazing breeds – the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. This mix is not just popular with pet owners, but with Guide Dog societies too. In fact, the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association state that they are the most successful guide dog of all! You can’t get much higher in praise than that.
There is no specific record of the Golden Retriever Labrador origins. But, we know that breeders have been mixing Labradors and Goldens for a long time, at least informally.
Gamekeepers and those involved in field sports have mixed the two working dogs for generations. Plus, there has been a deliberate breeding program, at least among service dogs, for a few years now. As time goes on, the Labrador Golden Retriever mix is just growing in popularity!
Goldador Characteristics
As we know, a Goldador is a mix between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Labrador Retriever. Both parent breeds are gentle, friendly, loyal, and highly trainable. So, a Golden Retriever Lab mix is likely to be the same.
You’re also not likely to find a better working dog, for many roles. Both Goldens and Labs are known for their excellence in hunting, therapy, and service work. With mixed breeds, you can never be certain what physical traits or temperament characteristics your dog will inherit from which parent.
There are no guarantees as to how your dog will turn out. But, in the case of the Golden Retriever Lab mix, both parent breeds are quite similar in size, appearance, and personality. So there may be fewer variations for this particular mix.
Goldador Appearance
Based on the expected height and weight of the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, a Golden Lab Mix can weigh up to 85 pounds.
Both breeds are almost identical in size. Females are a bit smaller, weighing 55 to 70 pounds. But, the males tend to range from 65 to 85 pounds.
Golden Retriever Lab males can measure up to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder. Females will most likely mature to 23 inches or less.
So, if you’re not prepared to handle a medium to large-sized dog, then this dog is not for you.
But, don’t let their larger size intimidate you or your family. If you end up with a 24.5 inch tall, 80-pound Goldador, you are getting a lot of love and affection!
Goldador Colors
Like any mixed-breed dog, Golden Retriever Lab puppies may come out looking more like a Labrador than a Golden Retriever, or vice versa. If Golden Retriever Lab puppies closely resemble their Labrador parent, then they may be born as one of the following:
If the puppies closely resemble their Golden Retriever parent, then they may be born as one of the following:
- Dark Golden Goldador
- Golden Goldador
- Light golden Goldador
Golden Retriever Lab Mix Coat Types
Although the Golden Retriever parent has a longer coat with some feathering, a Labrador Golden Retriever mix will often inherit the Lab’s thick double coat. The double coat has a soft undercoat below a rough top coat that is water resistant.
Golden Retriever Labrador mixes may have their Lab parent’s short coat length. Or they may exhibit a slightly longer and wavier version of their Golden parent’s coat, but without as much feathering as a purebred Golden. Either way, their coat will be fairly high maintenance.
Goldador Shedding and Grooming
Your new friend is going to shed, sometimes a lot. Both parent breeds heavily shed their coats with the change of seasons twice a year. For the rest of the year, expect a moderate level of shedding.
Increased brushing during transitional times can help catch the loose hairs and stop them from spreading everywhere.
Golden Retriever Labrador mixes will need weekly brushing, likely more during shedding season. In addition to weekly brushing, you will need to regularly brush your dog’s teeth to help prevent dental problems and gum disease. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well.
Are Goldadors Hypoallergenic?
The Goldador dog will not be hypoallergenic. They are high shedders, spreading dander from skin and saliva liberally around your home!
Goldador Temperament
Since this is a hybrid or mixed-breed dog, it’s almost impossible to predict the exact temperament of every Goldador puppy. With designer breeds like the Golden Retriever Lab, you can only make an educated guess about their temperament based on the general demeanor of their parents as well as the temperament of the parent breeds as a whole.
One puppy may more closely favor the Labrador’s temperament. While another puppy from the same litter may have a happy mix of each parent breed’s personality traits. But, as the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever have very similar temperaments, it’s generally safe to make a few assumptions.
What Is The Typical Goldador Personality?
As highly sociable dogs, a Golden Retriever Lab mix won’t do well in isolated settings.
If they are left alone a lot, they may become very destructive to your home. They will chew out of boredom or anxiety.
Some Golden Retriever Labrador mixes can inherit the Lab’s excitability. As many Lab lovers know, these dogs do not know a stranger. They also aren’t afraid to show how excited they are about meeting new faces!
Finally, let’s not forget that because both Golden Retrievers and Labradors are retrievers. So, their noses (and desire to chase after small and fleeting creatures) could lead them into mischief if they aren’t kept in a confined space when allowed outside.
Generally, this mix will get on well with children and other pets. But, it’s important to socialize them well to ensure your dog is as happy and confident as possible.
Goldador Socialization
Socialization from an early age is important for any breed, including the Golden Retriever Lab. Even though it hails from overly friendly and sociable breeds, there are still no guarantees to the temperament of your dog. Since training and socialization are both best started early on, puppy training classes can be a great way to both train and socialize your puppy at the same time. Take a look at our articles for more information on socialization:
Interested to learn how trainable this mix is? Read on!
Training and Exercising Your Goldador
This breed has an easygoing and eager to please temperament that helps make them highly trainable. Owners should start training early, from the time their puppy comes home. The parent breeds have a long history as service dogs, bomb detection dogs, hunting dogs, and now therapy dogs.
Obedience classes will help create a well-mannered dog but also strengthens the bond between the dog and owner. Since Goldadors grow to be large dogs, obedience is also important to prevent them from jumping up at your guests! For more training tips take a look at these articles:
Goldador Energy and Exercise Needs
Golden Retriever Labrador puppies will grow into high-energy adults with a love for playing and a passion for retrieving! If you don’t love playing fetch with your dog, this breed will not be right for you.
If your Goldador doesn’t get enough exercise, boredom and pent up energy can turn into destructive tendencies.
As a very social breed, they do best as indoor dogs, but with a large, fenced in yard to run around. In addition to self-exercise, they need walks or other forms of daily activity with their owners.
Exercise is especially important for the health of this breed since both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. Weight management is one way of combating these joint problems.
Best Types of Exercise
A Labrador Golden Retriever Mix makes a great companion for jogging, hiking, or cycling. This is a breed that also loves to swim.
Canine sports, like agility, obedience trials, and tracking, are also a great way to keep your dog physically active, mentally stimulated, and out of trouble.
Health and Care
All pedigree dog breeds are inbred to some extent. The measure of this is called the coefficient of inbreeding (COI). The higher the COI, the greater the risks of health issues arising specifically from inbreeding. In general, health problems start to emerge if the COI is much greater the 5%.
In a crossbreed such as the Goldador, the COI is usually much lower than it is in a purebred dog, and this is a good thing. To begin to look at the health and care of a Goldador we first need to consider the inherited health risks from both parent breeds (Labrador and Golden Retriever).
Labrador Health
Labrador Retrievers are prone to a few hereditary health conditions and joint problems, as well as some health issues common to most dogs. To help minimize the likelihood of hereditary health issues in your new pup, check that your breeder has followed the recommended testing for the Labrador Retriever breed:
- Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNKP)
- Centronuclear Myopathy (CN)
- Hip and Elbow Evaluation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)
- Hereditary Cataracts (HC)
Golden Retriever Health
Golden Retrievers have some of the same hereditary health risks that Labradors do. They are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and hereditary cataracts. But there are a few other health conditions that are common to this breed. Recommended testing for Golden Retrievers includes:
- Hip and Elbow evaluation
- Cardiac Exam including an echocardiogram
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Hereditary Cataracts (HC)
- Ophthalmological exams (OFA & ECR)
Goldador Health Problems
Golden Retriever Lab mixes are most likely to inherit health problems that are common to both parent breeds. But, they are at risk of any of the above issues.
Ensure that your breeder has screened for PRA, hip and elbow dysplasia, and hereditary cataracts before you bring your new bestie home with you. These conditions plague both parent breeds and your puppy would be at high risk.
Choose a breeder that has proof of testing for all breed recommended tests for both parents to increase the likelihood of bringing a healthy puppy home.
Unfortunately, some conditions, like cancer and bloat cannot be screened for in the parents. Know the signs of these conditions and watch for them in your dog.
There is some evidence that the risk of bloat decreases with a varied diet and small, more frequent meals, rather than once a day feeding. Note that this was found to decrease, not eliminate the risk altogether.
How Long Do Goldadors Live?
Designer breed dogs generally live about as long as their parent breeds. A Labrador Golden Retriever Mix often lives for around 10 to 12 years. But, chocolate Labradors have been found to have around a 10% shorter lifespan than other Labs and also a higher rate of ear and skin infections. So, a chocolate Lab-Golden Retriever mix may have a slightly shorter life expectancy than other mixes within this breed combination.
Do Goldadors Make Good Family Pets?
Goldadors are popular family pets due to the friendly, loyal, and gentle yet playful nature of these dogs. They are known for getting along well with children and other animals.
Labrador Golden Retriever Mixes respond well to training and can be well mannered enough to work as service dogs and therapy dogs.
This mix makes a great family pet for those families with space and time to meet this dog’s exercise requirements.
But, as a large and excitable dog, this may be a better pet for families with older children, as a rambunctious Goldador may unintentionally knock over smaller children.
Is A Goldador Right For Me?
A Golden Retriever Lab mix is a loveable but bouncy breed that has a few health concerns and breed-specific needs to consider.
Cons
- A few potentially serious health issues
- A sociable dog that doesn’t do well when isolated
- Is prone to destructive behaviors without sufficient exercise and stimulation
- A large and active breed that needs space to run around
- Requires a lot of exercise
- High shedding
Pros
- Friendly, social, and loyal
- Great family pet, service dog, or therapy dog
- Gets along well with other animals
- A good companion for active individuals or families
- Highly trainable
- Lower risk of health issues arising than purebred dogs
Rescuing a Goldador
If you prefer to adopt or rescue your forever friends, then we suggest looking at your local animal shelters as well as various Golden Retriever and/or Labrador specific rescues.
Although some rescues focus on finding homes for animals of a single breed (usually in an effort to find homes for retired show or breeding stock), some rescues do take in mixed breeds related to their primary breed and place them for adoption.
It may be hard to find Golden Retriever Lab Mix breed puppies at a rescue. Many of the designer dogs that end up at rescues are adults or seniors, like a retired breeding stock that has been pulled from puppy mills.
Similar Breeds
Here are some other mixed dog breeds to consider if you are interested in a Golden Retriever Labrador mix.
- Border Collie Lab Mix
- Boxador
- Catahoula Lab Mix
- Black Lab Border Collie Mix
- Lab Mix: A Guide To Labrador Cross Breeds
Finding a Goldador Puppy
Since the Goldador is a popular designer breed, you probably won’t have to work very hard to find a breeder near you with Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers ready to cross for puppies. Goldador prices vary from breeder to breeder based on how much value they place on their dogs. Especially if their dogs are competitive and not exclusively bred as family pets.
Make sure you pick an experienced and ethical breeder that has carried out all the health tests relevant to both breeds and has looked for Golden Retriever lines that lived longer with lower than average rates of cancer. An older Golden Retriever stud dog may be ideal as he is more likely to have avoided the cancer gene.
Goldador Breeders
There are always a number of unethical breeders with bad breeding practices. Especially for designer dogs. These breeders focus on financial gain rather than the health and wellbeing of the dogs they produce.
When you are looking for a breeder, look for someone who cares about the wellbeing of the puppies they are selling. Plus, they should ask you questions to make sure this breed is a good match for you.
Visit the breeder and see the environment your puppy lives in. Ensure that it is clean and well maintained and that the puppies all look active and healthy. Ask to see the parents to ensure they look healthy and to observe their temperament. Well treated dogs should be friendly and not aggressive or anxious.
A responsible breeder should be happy and able to answer all your questions and show you evidence of all the health testing completed on both parents.
Goldador Puppies
Preparing for a puppy is a long process. You’ll want them to have something to chew on that isn’t your favorite pair of shoes. Here’s some helpful information on toys for large breeds and active dogs:
- Indestructible Dog Toys
- Interactive Dog Toys
- Best Indestructible Dog Beds
- Best Dog Toys For Large Breeds
Your Goldador
In conclusion, this breed is a bundle of energy and affection that is ideal for an active family with a yard and lots of time to walk and play with their furry family member. If you don’t mind a little hair, this gentle giant could be the pet for you!
Do you have a Golden Retriever Lab Mix? We’d love to hear all about them in the comments below.
Goldador Breed Rescues
Here are some links to get you started.
US Rescues
UK Rescues
Canada Rescues
Australian Rescues
References And Resources
- Gough, A. (et al), ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease In Dogs and Cats’, Wiley Blackwell (2018)
- O’Neill (et al), ‘Longevity and Mortality of Owned Dogs In England’, The Veterinary Journal (2013)
- Adams, V. J. (et al), ‘Results of a Survey of UK Purebred Dogs’, Journal of Small Animal Practice (2010)
- Duffy, D. (et al), ‘Breed Differences in Canine Aggression’, Applied Animal Behavior Science (2008)
- Adams, V. (et al), ‘Evidence of Longer Life; a Cohort of 39 Labrador Retrievers’, Veterinary Record (2018)
- McCullagh, M. ‘Exercise Induced Collapse Syndrome in Labrador Retrievers’, Animal Medical Center of Southern California (2019)
- Barnette, C. ‘Aortic Stenosis in Dogs’, VCA (2019)
- Beynen, A. ‘Diet and Canine Gastric Dilatation’, Dier-en-Arts (2019)
- Guerra, R. (et al), ‘Cataracts in Labrador Retriever and Jack Russell Terrier From the United Kingdom: A Two-Year Retrospective Study’, Topics in Companion Animal Medicine (2018)
- Kent, M. ‘Association of Cancer-Related Mortality, Age and Gonadectomy in Golden Retriever Dogs at a Veterinary Academic Center (1989-2016)’, Plos One (2018)
- Ontiveros, E. ‘Congenital Cardiac Outflow Tract Abnormalities in Dogs: Prevalence and Pattern of Inheritance From 2008 to 2017’, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2019)
- Ujvari, B. (et al), ‘Genetic diversity, inbreeding and cancer’, Royal Society (2018)
The Labrador Site Founder
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She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program
Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website
Dexter just turned 6 months old and is already 75lbs. His mom is 100% yellow lab and his dad is 100% golden retriever. He’s not overweight, he’s just very large for his age (his height is already 25”). He loves everyone he meets, humans and canines alike. When it comes to training, he’s eager to please and will do anything for a treat/food.
I also got my girl as a rescue. We all thought she was a black lab, but DNA says she was a Goldador. She has no health problems and fetches exactly like your dog! It was fun to read about such a similar trait. Our girl 10 1/2 and super sweet.
I have just brought a female Goldador into my family! She is 4 months old and s beautiful girl She is already connected to me and I love her lots already!! She came from Kentucky to live with me in Georgia!! Don’t think I will ever regret knowing her!!!
My Goldador is Tessie and she is all Black. She was a rescue of a sort. The family that had her just didnt have the time or room necessary to care for her. They rehomed her with me and I thought she was a pure bred Lab when I first saw her. They sort of knew that she was a mix and they thought it was maybe Golden Retriever/Lab. I honestly didn’t believe them. My vet said she was the blackest Black Lab he’d ever seen.
I had a DNA analysis done and sure enough she was a Goldador. She is almost eleven, in good health and not a trace of gray fur. I have never had such a loving and affectionate pet. I had to laugh at the person who said their dog would fetch a ball once but the next time you threw it they’d just stare at them. That’s my dog Tessie. A mind of her own, knows what she wants and how to get it, mostly by nuzzling me and batting her eyes at me. I’m looking for a Goldador puppy now to keep her company and play with her. Anyone who knows a good breeder I would appreciate hearing from you.
8/1/2020
We live in NW Indiana and are looking for a female chocolate or yellow Goldadore puppy. We just had to put our sweet Goldadore, Riley, to sleep this past Tuesday. She was the best, smartest, loving, sweet puppy ever! We had been on a vacation the week before with our entire family (18 of us) of kids and grandkids. Riley was having the time of her life swimming in the lake, riding on the boat, and being loved and spoiled by everyone, per usual. One week after we returned, she began vomiting…..long story and lots of loss of sleep, by Monday evening, she was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma, at 9 1/2 years old. She had been healthy as a horse her entire life. To say it was a shock is an understatement!! She passed peacefully, in our arms, on Tuesday.
Our hearts are shattered and we are looking for another baby to love and spoil. If anyone knows of a reputable breeder in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, or Michigan, we would love to know who and where! We have owned a sweet black lab who was a great dog also. However the Goldadore breed is an awesome pet in every way! Thank you!
Does anybody know of any reputable Goldador breeders in Washington state? If not Washington, would be willing to travel to Oregon. Most important is that its a reputable breeder
Would you recommend a breeder in California, thank you
Recently put down my Chesapeake Bay retriever 16 years old looking for a new puppy about two years old similar breed
We live in Indiana in the country – ex farmers. We just had 6 beautiful Golden/Black Lab mix puppies 5 weeks ago – 3 black & 3 chocolate. It was a total surprise ! The Golden is a stray which we spent months on getting to trust us enough to even let us pet her. She has now ”adopted” us as her family. She spent close to a year traveling our country roads and hiding from everyone. We have no idea what her story is other than she is the sweetest girl. We didn’t even if she was a girl or boy until just a few months ago.
Two days before she had her babies I noticed her teats were kinda hanging down so told my husband – he looked and thought the same. To our surprise she had 6 babies. There were never any male dogs in our area – apparently her ”boyfriend” lives about a 1/2 mile from us and is a registered Black Lab.
Goldie made her ”nest” in our big barn and her babies are the fattest, cutest puppies. She is a great mom.
Where in Indiana? We are looking for a golden/lab puppy.
are there any puppies still available? I had two Golden Labs and one passed from sinus cancer 2 yrs ago I still have Bootz who just turned 10
I am looking for a male Goldador puppy. I love in Florida and would be willing to make a trip to AL, MS, GA, TN, NC, or SC. Does anyone know of any reputable breeders?
Anyone know of a New England area breeder??
I got a goldador puppy 4 weeks ago from a breeder near Albany. There are several breeders in upstate NY. He looks and acts like a black lab, is learning basic commands very quickly, and loves to mix it up with the big dogs at the dog park.
As a volunteer for Atlanta Lab Rescue, I was told by the director I could have my pick of dogs. At the time I had a lab mix (kill shelter) that did not do well with other dogs. On a rescue day in Atlanta I brought my lab mix to see if he would do well with any of the rescues up for adoption. We met Theo that day, who was a 4 month old surrender due to a farm foreclosure. When the two dogs met, both tails were wagging vigorously and I told the rescue director I would like to take Theo home. Surprisingly she said “no…” because 6 other people that day listed Theo as their first choice. I used my trump card that day and it’s been a wonderful 10 years since. The best temperament, friendly to all, boundless enthusiasm for life. Field trained for upland birds and waterfowl. My best friend. Sadly, he was diagnosed with lymphoma this past week. He will see a canine oncologist for a definitive prognosis. In closing I will say that this dog couldn’t have been a better representative of the cross between lab and golden. I will without a doubt look for a “goldador” once again, perhaps black, so as not to ever compare with the best dog I’ve ever had.
We have a wonderful boy named Ike, who just turned 2. The product of a golden mom and lab dad, he turned out black, with a beautiful coat that is medium length. He has a mane like a golden (but it’s white/brown/black), brown “feathered” hair beneath is ear area, white on his two back feet and brown tufts of hair between his toes. He’s very smart, was easy to train, affectionate, a great companion, gets along just great with kids of any age, loves to ride in the car, very active, loves to swim, fetch, and play soccer! He is very sociable and always gets along well with other dogs. He’s no pushover however. If another dog tries to bully him, he has no problem whatsoever in sticking up for himself (and at 85lbs, he definitely has a presence). He’s also a very good watch dog and will bark anytime a stranger enters the yard (and he’s so alert that he always knows when this happens). He’s a very “talkative” dog, in that he will voice one bark whenever he wants to go out or come back in. That doesn’t imply that he’s noisy however. He never responds by barking or howling in response to loud noises outside of the yard (like fire trucks, etc). We’ve always provided him with a variety of toys and other things (his favorite is a rope, as he would play tug-of-war all day long if he could), and he’s never chewed up any of our own things. Overall, this guy is just a fine dog and a very precious member of the family!
My family has had the pleasure of owning 2 female Lab/Golden mixes. They were both rescues & appeared to be from crosses of yellow lab & golden retriever. We got our first one many years ago in 1992. Zelda was a light cream color (as both of these breeds can be )with a short coat but unusually soft. She was quite fine-boned and only weighed 43 lbs. as an adult. Zelda was very athletic, extremely intelligent and loved human approval. She was very easy to train and we competed in obedience, agility, and rally with much success. Everywhere we went she received a lot of attention. People came over to us often to meet Zelda and ask how they could get a dog like her. Since this was long before the designer breed era, I just told people to use PetFinder, like I did. Zelda died at age 15 of liver cancer & never lost her playful energy and love for everyone in our family.
Since our family has only rescued our dogs, our second Lab/Golden mix came to us through rescue in 2007 from the website, kijiji.com. She was also short-coated but was the color of a Golden, and again her fur was softer than a Lab’s. She was also more fine-boned than a lab & weighed 52 lbs as an adult. I got Miley for my eleven-year-old daughter who was having a lot of trouble with having been adopted and needed a dog to bond with. I did not train this dog at all. Miley learned everything just from living with us. The first time I needed her to stay, I said the word, held up my hand like “stop”, and she stayed until I gave a come command. Surprisingly, she learned all by herself to ring holiday bells that I put on both sides of the door knobs on our front & back doors when she wanted to come in or go outside. Although Miley was very loving to everyone, Miley was my daughter’s constant companion and I believe she taught my daughter to experience empathy. Miley died just last 7/2/2018 at the age of 11 from dilated cardiomyopathy. Had she not been fed grain-free food, I believe she would have lived longer.
Because we currently only have one American cocker spaniel, I am trying to find us another Lab/Golden This time finding a dog to rescue is proving much, much more difficult. Like Gary Bruner below, I live in Spokane, WA, and we now apparently have an over-breeding problem with pit bulls & pit mixes in our region. I can’t find hardly any other types of medium to large dogs to adopt both online and from visits to shelters. I went to 2 shelters & found that pit bulls + related mixes were as high as 21 of 25 adoptable dogs at one shelter and 18 of 22 dogs at the other. When I go to the websites, I find pits and their crosses are the vast majority of dogs that come up no matter what breed I search. I know this sounds unbelievable! We once submitted a shelter application about 4 months ago for a dog I suspected was a Lab/Golden. However, I was told that there had been 22 applications for that single dog and we were not chosen. So, I regret to report that Lab/Goldens are very hard to find in the Pacific Northwest at this time. I would encourage everyone out there who runs across one of these dogs to snap them up if they can. You can hardly make a better choice for your fur-friend.
We were recently given (from a friend who responded to an ad on Facebook but the mom said no, so either we took the dog or it was going to the pound) a 4 month old puppy that I was told was a yellow lab and black lab mix, however after looking online at pictures I see that she looks exactly like a black/chocolate “Goldador”. On Tuesday I will take her to the vet to get a checkup and shots, this is our first family dog (we have 4 kids ages 13, 10, 8, 6) and I’m having a harder time getting used to this then everyone else. Trying to train the dog, keep the apartment from smelling like dog/dog food, and yet knowing that this can be great therapy for my kids who have different physical, emotional, and mental issues. Any advice????
Just be patient. She is learning just like a baby. I got my beautiful goldador pup in June at 9 weeks, and she is my first dog. After she got comfortable in my home she was biting me, chewing things, and not listening; typical puppy things. At first I would yell or tap her nose, I tried spraying water but that just seemed to make it worse. I stared to read that it’s not about dominance it’s about mutual trust. I stoped yelling and switched to high prays/reward system with lots of treats and ignoring bad behaviors with little to no yelling and no more tapping or spraying and we’re doing so much better. I also got a bunch of toys to redirect her with, i keep them everywhere she is allowed. I make time to run her around at the dog park, tug with her at home, and train her with commands. The difference is night and day! You might even be able to engage your kids in some of these activities so all the burden doesn’t fall on you. I’m not a mom but I helped a great deal with two of my nieces when they were toddlers and to me having a puppy at thud age really feels like being around a toddler, it’s all about patience and consistency. I hope you find this helpful.
We just lost our Lab/Golden mix a couple weeks ago. We know the mother was a pure bred Golden Retriever, not sure if the father was a pure black Lab, but ours looked like a black Golden Retriever. It was our 3rd dog, second of this mix, and she had all the best traits of both breeds. She was loving, obedient, friendly, extremely smart, and did not need to be fenced in or tied up. I showed her the yard boundaries when she was a puppy and she was very good at staying. She was SO well behaved, we had no problem getting friends or family to take care of her if we had to go out of town. She was obsessive about retrieving in the water, not on land, and she loved fetching grouse.
We would love to possibly find another puppy with this mix in Minnesota, and we liked the dark color with long hair. She was a beautiful dog and she knew it. We always got comments and questions about her because of the unique look. Excellent with all ages. I would highly recommend this mix as an all around pet.
Hope you were able to find another Goldador. I just had to reply because your comments of your dog reminded me so much of our sweet MJ that we lost almost 2 years ago. We had her for 16 years. She also looked just like a black Golden with a long coat. She was such a good and obedient dog.
We did get another Goldador that’s a male and he definitely has some big shoes to fill. He looks just like a giant Yellow Lab. He weighs 85 pounds. He’s so smart and energetic. I know in time he will be just as good as our previous Goldador.
I owned a full blooded black lab female and my neighbors owned a full blooded golden retriever that got under my fence and breed with my lab. She had about 9 puppies. 6 looked like full blooded black labs and 3 were black but had long hair like the golden retriever. There was one that had a lot of brown in his leg hairs and I kept thinking if I have to keep one I hope it is this one and I called him Scruffy. The mother and one other pup I was planning on keeping got out of my fence and I never was able to find them. Scruffy had tried to go under the fence once and the fence poked him in the head and left a little hole that healed ok but he was scared of going under the fence. He was the best dog I’ve ever had in my entire life. People always ask what kind of dog he was and I wasn’t sure he was an actual type of breed although I had heard maybe he was called a goldador. Now I have read and found this is a breed that a lot of people breed in order to get this perfect mix. He was smart like a lab and had the finesse of a golden retriever. I am thinking to get the color to be black it would have to be done as mind was female black lab mother and golden retriever father. The father was an older dog so that probably is why my dog had such a healthy life. He died last year after I had moved into a new home with a huge backyard. He and my little dog started digging like crazy and I think they were chasing moles. I had never heard of a whip worm but that is what he got and it caused him to be very anemic. He also had a weak stomach where he would drink water too fast sometimes he would throw up afterwards. I tried selling the puppies for $50 and was having no luck so I started giving them all away for free. One that looked like Scruffy I gave to a boy who played on the baseball team I coached and he died several years before my dog died. They told me his paw became unattached somehow and the next day they woke up too find him dead. My dog was so special to me and he was a one owner type of dog. Not that he would not show love to other people but he wanted to go every where with me and when I would leave everyone said he would stand at the door whining.
I am looking for a female Goldendore pup. I live in Spokane Washington. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Litter of them at the Puppy Place in Tucson AZ. I got a female that is reddish w the golden wavy fur. Very sweet.
Lost my golden boy several years back at the age of eight – a neurological disorder overtook him and we had to put him down after exhausting all other possibilities. I have known many dogs in my life but none so intelligent, confident, and careful as he. Our house was full of flowers after he passed, tokens of love from the many people who got to know him in those eight short years. We took him home at the age of nine weeks and I rarely had to show him twice the proper way to do things – in any given situation he was the most woke person in the room. I miss him so.
Live in North suburban IL and looking for a yellow goldador but having a hard time trying to find some in the area (WI included) – any suggestions on local reliable breeders? Thank you!
Looking for a black goldador male puppy…please advise where to find one near SE Wisconsin
Have you been able to find one? We live in Norther IL and looking as well!
Where can i buy one of them i live at Canada
We live on a small 13 acre homestead in extreme northern Michigan , off the grid, we chickens, goats, 7 months of the year 2 steers for beef, one 12 yr old beagle, 3 barn cats, will a goldador make a good farm dog , to help look over the farm and stock, Coyote’s , coons , fox , help keep deer out of the orchard and garden , we a river that cuts thru middle of the property , lots of room to run
Jazz is almost 2 yrs old. She is a very intuitive dog, she really listens hard to everything you say, trying to hear a word she knows. Swims every day. She is very bossy and demand barks at us when we talk to each other and not her. We play catch with her fav frisby after swimming. She jumps and flips to catch it. If we did not give her that much exercise time and constantly strive to keep dominance she would easily be deemed a bad dog. But she isn’t at all, just full of energy and so loving. She does run away when we sneeze and brings us pillows. Cutest ever. She looks more like a black lab.
I live in the beach areas in Southern California. I am looking for a yellow Labrador mix with golden retriever. Anyone know of a place I can find one here. I would Ike a female puppy.
Puppy Place in Tucson AZ. Litter there now.
Responsible breeder in Goodyear, AZ. Suburb of Phoenix.
Search “Liberty Haven puppies”. The “puppies” needs to be included. Without “puppies” all you get is info on their Dude Ranch.
Recently learned this breeder retired.
Rescue from Mexico. There are so many rescue groups on Facebook. That’s how I got my girl.
I live in Ohio and recently lost my 9 month old goldador to a school bus that hit and killled him. I miss him so much. He was a very smart dog. I want to get another one. Can someone help me find one in Ohio? It doesn’t have to have papers. I would greatly appreciate any help I can get.
I am looking for a Goldador female pup! I have been for months!! Please help! I’m in NC but and willing to do what it takes!
We have a black goldador, which we were told (and met the ‘parents’) that Mum was a brown lab and dad a golden retriever. Obviously the Mum is not in question, but we’ve since been told that a brown lab and a golden retriever could not genetically make a black puppy, so the dads identity is now in question in our minds. Can anyone confirm if this is possible or not?
I recently lost my loving beautiful lab/golden retriever. She was 11 1/2. She had been abused. I got her at age 5 And the lover affair began. OBiendient, loving, with me always. River runs daily. She died of a stroke. I want another one. Maybe 4 yrs. +, calm and loving. How do I find one?so lost. She would be provided the best
Our “goldador” whom we have always referred to as a mutt is the best dog in the world. She is the product of a stud golden retriever and a working lab. We got her at ten weeks and she trained herself. As soon as her vaccinations were complete we took her out off-lead, with a bag of chopped up cooked chicken in my pocket (an advantage of greedy dogs is that they’ll do anything for food). She followed us, her pack, and soon learned her name, my whistle and I also clicker trained her although I’m not sure it was necessary.
I have walking and balance problems which were worse when she was a youngster; she has never jumped up on me nor run into me: she once caught me on the back of the knees with an oversized stick; her spatial awareness ended at her whiskers, but only once.
As a youngster she would walk for three hours in the morning and another half hour in the evening. She’s now nine and walks an hour and a half in the morning and an hour at night but it’s a middle aged plod rather than the mad dashes into the bushes and out again in which she used to indulge.
On vet’s orders she is no longer allowed to chase and retrieve balls but she finds them all the time: lost by dogs with inferior noses, and I make her sit whilst I throw them into dense vegetation so that she has to use her nose and her brain to find them. She never fails.
Until age 2/3 she chased squirrels and pigeons but she gave up on both: they cheat and work in three dimensions.
What more can I say: I love her and she’s well worth the tumbleweed hair collections on my floors.
I find this kind of cool that I have a boutique breed. I got her for half price since a chocolate lab somehow got in with a golden in heat. We joke to people about having a mutt with papers. The awesome thing is that she looks like a black golden which is great because I wear alot of black clothes so her shedding hair doesn’t show much. I have often said that there should be a boutique breed with this combination. She is beautiful, playful, very loving and the easiest dog to train (will do anything for food and approval).
Does anyone know of a reputable breeder in the South Alabama/Mississippi/Florida panhandle area?
Our Goldador, Blake, is the most amazing family dog — at 2.5 years old, he is generally calm, but loves to play at the first indication. He is friendly to people and other dogs. And, like the comments above, he is a hugger, a snuggler, and great TV-watching friend who loves nothing more than laying on the couch with one of us. (But I have to laugh at the article saying 80 lbs — Blake is a very solid 95 lbs, not fat, just very solid.)
I’ve lived with and cared for many different animals throughout my life, but my 1.5 year old lab/golden mix has probably been the easiest to train with the nicest, most easy going temperament I’ve ever seen. He’s a big snuggler, a great hiking partner, but also a good couch surfing, fellow Netflix watcher. As long as they get enough exercise, Goldadors are fabulous…at least in my experience.
My goldador, Brody, believes he is a lapdog. 85 pound lapdog. Also he is a hugger.
I live in Indiana. I wondered if any of you could point me in the direction of a reputable breeder. I don’t want to “GOOGLE” and end up with a product of a puppy mill or run into anything less than someone who breeds the best in health and for the right reasons. This will be a family pet…not for breeding or showing or anything other than a companion that will be spoiled and loved! I thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
We got Blake from a breeder in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Don’t remember the name, but pretty easy to find. Blake is the best dog ever!
Brody now at 5 years old is 95 lbs. Vet says weight is fine. He gets 2 hours of exercise per day. Spends most of his time in the Sonoran Desert off leash searching for and chasing lizards. Refuses to fetch. He may bring a thrown ball once, if I throw it again he just looks at me.