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Goldador: 10 facts before you buy [2023]

When you crossbreed two popular purebreds like Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, you know that it’s going to be fascinating! Goldador, a cross between the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, is a large dog breed with a loving, friendly, energetic nature.

goldador

Here are seven key points about the Goldador breed, a mix between the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever:

  1. A Golda-what-now? A Goldador is a crossbreed between a Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, often used as a service or family dog.
  2. Goldador Size and Appearance: They weigh 60 to 80 pounds, stand 22 to 24 inches tall, and have a coat that comes in various colors.
  3. Similarities And Differences Between Goldador And Labrador Retriever: They share coat and hunting traits with Labradors but differ in coat length and AKC recognition.
  4. Goldador Grooming: Goldadors are moderate shedders, needing regular brushing and bathing every 2 to 3 months.
  5. Goldador Temperament: They are loyal, obedient, and energetic, making great family pets that need companionship.
  6. Goldador Exercise: Goldadors require 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
  7. Goldador Training: They are intelligent, easy to train with positive reinforcement, and respond well to early training.
  8. Goldador Health: They may have inherited health problems like hip dysplasia, eye issues, diabetes, and bloat.
  9. Goldador Life Expectancy: Goldadors typically live for 10-12 years with proper care.
  10. Cost and Considerations: A Goldador puppy may cost over $800, and owners must consider exercise, training, and purchasing from a reputable breeder.

The Goldador is gaining popularity day by day and is one of the favorites for many pet owners,

So If you’re one of them and hoping to get one in the near future, these are some of the facts that you need to know.

1.  What Is A Goldador?

As you may know, the Goldador is a cross between the purebred Golden Retriever and the purebred Labrador Retriever.

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds globally. According to American Kennel Club, it has ranked number one in the Most Popular Dog Breed List for almost 30 years. At the same time, the Golden Retriever hits 4. The mix of these two breeds offers the “best of both worlds” with like for like smart and fun.

Goldador is a great family dog because of its lovely personality. They are an exceptionally affectionate and friendly breed suitable even for a novice dog owner and great for families with children.

These dogs make perfect watchdogs but not great guard dogs. Goldadors will often alert their owners if they suspect any intruders but, rather than acting aggressive towards them, these dogs, more often than not, will show their aggression by licking them senselessly.

Also, Goldadors, an extremely energetic dog, shine as search and rescue dogs, bomb detection dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and guide dogs.

If you want to start with a free dog training course then you can start right now!

 

goldador in the ocean

2.  Goldador Size and Appearance

Because both parent breeds, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are pretty much the same when it comes to appearance, there is nothing much to split with Goldador either.

The eyes of the Goldadors will be either black or brown in color, and with the strong muscular, athletic body, this breed stands out.

Height And Weight

The Goldador is by no means a small dog breed, weighing in at 60 to 80 pounds and standing between 22 to 24 inches. This is a large breed of dog, so you need to be ready and know what you’re getting into.

By The Way, These numbers can differ for a female Goldador because they tend to be on the smaller end than the males.

Coat And Color 

Goldadors coat is a mixture of both his parents. The coat will be shorter than the Golden Retriever and longer than the Labrador Retriever.

These breeds have a double coat with a straight, thick topcoat and a dense undercoat. The double coat present in the Godador is water-resistant. The coat also helps the dog adapt well to cold climates and warmer climates without problems.

Goldadors coat can be a bit wavy or curly and has feathering all over the ears and the neck.

Colors of the coat include:

  • Black
  • Chocolate
  • Gold
  • Red
  • Brown
  • Yellow

3.   Similarities And Differences Between Goldador And Labrador Retriever

As you may know by now, Labrador Retriever is one of the parent breeds of the Goldador, and it’s basically half Labrador, to be exact. So, it’s no surprise they share a lot of similarities. However, there are some differences between these breeds.

First, let’s take a look at the similarities:

  • They share the same color, Black, Chocolate, Cream.
  • Both are confident swimmers.
  • They’re great hunters.
  • Both share the same double coat.
  • Friendly with children.

These are the differences between the two:

  • Goldador’s coat is a bit longer than Labrador’s short coat.
  • Goldadors are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. They are not entitled to official pedigree papers and registrations, whereas the labradors were recognized in 1917.

4.  Goldador Grooming

Goldadors are moderate shedders even though they have the double coat. However, if you don’t like dog hair much, this is bad news for you. Even though being a moderate shedder, you can find the Goldadors coat around your house, clothes, and furniture.

Anyways…

goldador sitting on the ground

These dogs need regular grooming and even more during their heavy shedding season, which is in spring.

Brushing the dog three times a week is necessary, but daily brushing is advised during the heavy shedding season.

When it comes to bathing a Goldador, every 2 to 3 months is more than enough to keep the coat shiny and clean, as frequent bathing will damage the dog’s natural coat oils.

Due to the Goldadors floppy ears, they are prone to ear infections, so cleaning them every week is advisable. If you don’t know how to clean a dog’s ears, make sure to get the instructions from a VET.

And other grooming routines include regular teeth brushing and nail clipping.

5.  Goldador Temperament

Just like the parents, the Goldaor is an amazing family dog. Whether it is Loyal, Obedience or Energy, this breed has it all!

He will thrive for your companionship all day and will be your buddy for life. Goldadors love to spend time with their family and will take it personally if left for too long. So anyone who can spend most of their day with him will be the most suitable.

Goldador will look to please you with every chance they get. This is what makes these dogs extremely easy to train.

However, you’ll want to train these lads with positive reinforcement. Being so sensitive, any harsh techniques and punishment-based training will simply fail to work with the Goldador.

The Goldadors will get along with people, children, other dogs, cats, and everything with ease. Being such a friendly and sociable dog has some caveats. As mentioned before, these are not great guard dogs, and if you’re thinking of getting them for this purpose, better look for other options.

And the other thing is separation anxiety. Leaving the Goldador alone too often will lead to all sorts of troubles.

Being an energetic dog breed, the Goldadors need extensive exercise sessions to help them keep calm and relaxed.

6.  Goldador Exercise

Goldador is an energetic breed that needs plenty of exercise every day. You will need to invest at least 30 to 60 minutes solely in intense exercise each day. Exercise is extremely essential for the Goldador. If you can’t provide it, you might have to look for other options.

Daily walking is also a must; failing to do so can lead to bored and destructive behavior.

Throw any type of activity on him, and he’s more than ready to complete it, be it hiking, jogging, swimming, or even frisbee. The Goldador is ready all the time.

Repeating the one exercise over and over will also get the dog bored. So mix it up and try different types of exercises every day.

Goldador also needs a lot of mental stimulation, so if you have a yard, it would be great for him to play and have some fun, or else plenty of toys will also do the job.

7.  Goldador Training

Both Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are relatively easy to train, and the Goldador is no exception. The Goldador, with his intelligence and eagerness to please the owner, makes it super easy to train him.

Even Though training the Goldador is easy, you should remember that training can take time to complete.

Start dog training them early and, as mentioned earlier, use positive reinforcement training as this is the best way to train a dog with this kind of intelligence.

Be consistent and reward the dog while training. A treat, praise, or even a simple cuddle showing him that you’re satisfied will simplify the process.

Using punishments if the dog fails to perform well will make him fear you and make it extremely hard to expect results.

Since the Goldadors develop separation anxiety, you should crate train him while he’s younger. Doing so will reduce his anxiety while you’re away.

Also, these dogs get distracted pretty easily, so it’s best to train them in a less distracting place like a fenced area or an isolated place in the park.

If you want to start with a free dog training course then you can start right now!

 

 

these dogs make perfect watchdogs but not great guard dogs

8.  Goldador Health

Health is the downside of owning a Goldador. Because both the parents’ breeds suffer significant health problems, this breed also inherits some of those.

These are some potential health problems that you are likely to experience in the Goldador:

Hip Dysplasia is a hereditary disease that causes the hip joint’s ball to loosen and become dislocated. This can cause lameness in dogs, pain when standing or walking, arthritis, difficulty getting up from lying down, difficulty breathing, etc.

Elbow Dysplasia: in Goldadors is a genetic disorder that causes degeneration of the dog’s elbow joints. This usually occurs from around 8 weeks of age, after which the dog develops arthritis and lameness.

Eye Problems: Goldador is prone to eye problems. The most common one is progressive retinal atrophy which can lead to blindness. However, they are also affected by cataracts and pigmentary uveitis; these conditions can also lead to loss of sight.

Diabetes: In Goldadors is a natural canine disorder that occurs when the animal’s pancreas does not coordinate its insulin. The pancreas will produce abnormally high levels of insulin, which will cause the dog to urinate excessively with a large increase in blood sugar.

Bloat: This has been called the most common canine emergency. A dog’s stomach can fill with gas, twist, and burst. The dog’s stomach will also fill with gas because of a problem digesting or eating something it shouldn’t have eaten. This happens when you feed your Goldador before or after having an exercise session.

Apart from the problems above, you can also expect these:

  • Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Skin Conditions
  • Hypothyroidism

9.  Goldador Life Expectancy

A Goldador can typically live for up to 10-12 years.

To maximize your stay with the Goldador, you will need to provide them with proper high-quality dog food and take them to regular checkups with the VET.

10.  How Much Will A Goldador Puppy Cost?

The Goldador usually costs more than $800 from a reputable breeder. However, predicting the correct price can be difficult. It often varies from breeder to breeder and depends on the parents.

No matter how much it costs, make sure to get a puppy only from a reputable breeder. Forget about the puppy mills that often breed unhealthy dogs and treat them like products for the sake of profit.

Things To Know Before Getting A Goldador

There are some things you need to keep in mind before throwing out your cash on a Goldador.

  • These dogs need a lot of daily exercise, so you should be ready to provide it.
  • The Goldador is a highly sociable dog that thrives for human companionship and cannot be left alone for too long, leading to separation anxiety.
  • You should train a Goldador using positive reinforcement; being a sensitive dog, you might find it hard to see results if punishments are involved.
  • You should be ready to spend money on high-quality dog food.
  • Make sure to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. These puppies are always happy and live longer lives.

Pros and Cons Of Owning A Goldador

Here are the main pros and cons you can expect while owning a Goldador.

Pros

  • Excellent with other dogs.
  • Does well with strangers.
  • Extremely loyal and obedient.
  • Easily Trainable.
  • Loves to spend time with children.

Cons

  • Needs a lot of exercise.
  • Does not make a good guard dog.
  • Moderate to heavy shedder
  • Large stature makes it difficult for apartment living.

Final Thoughts

health is the downside of owning a goldador because both the parents breeds suffer significant health problems this breed also inherits some of those

The Goldador is gaining popularity day by day, and quite rightly so, being such a fantastic family-friendly dog, it’s no surprise.

These dogs can seamlessly fit into any type of family as long as they can provide what’s necessary for this breed.

You’ll never regret getting a Goldador as your pet, as this cuddly chap will never leave your side.

FAQs

Are Goldador Aggressive?

No! Goldadors are not aggressive. These dogs are calm and do very well with anyone they come across.

Does The Goldador Shed A Lot?

Even though these dogs have a double coat, they are known to be moderate shedders. However, it’s worth noting that it can be different from one breed to another. Either way, brushing them at least twice a week will be helpful.

Are Goldadors Good With Children?

Goldadors are very friendly and great family companions. Like their parents, these dogs get along with children of all ages perfectly and are incredibly gentle towards them. However, when the Goldadors are at the puppy stages, close supervision is needed when they’re around small children.

Teach your young ones how to interact with a dog and teach your Goldor how to behave when they’re around children.

Are Labradors Smarter Than Golden Retrievers?

Golden Retrievers are smarter than Labradors. According to Dr. Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs, Golden Retriever holds the fourth position. In contrast, the Labrador sits in the seventh position.

How Smart Is A Goldador?

Due to the intelligence of the Goldadors, they’re often used as service dogs, guide dogs, bomb and drug detection dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs.

Does The American Kennel Club recognize The Goldador?

The parents of this breed, the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever, were recognized by the American Kennel Club as a sporting breed long ago. However, the designer dog that is the Goldador, as a result of not being purebred, isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club or the Canadian Kennel Club yet.

Do Goldadors Make Good Guard Dogs?

No! The Goldadors do not make a good guard dog. Because they’re not bred for it. However, these dogs are excellent watchdogs and constantly alert over anything that seems suspicious.

Do Goldadors Bark A Lot?

The Goldador is a perfect breed for people who cannot withstand frequent barking. These dogs only bark when they’re bored, anxious, and in pain. Other than that, the Goldadors very rarely barks.

Is Goldadors Heat Sensitive?

During warm weather, YES! These dogs are at risk of overheating. Therefore, you should keep your pooch indoors in summer. The Goldadors have a double coat, which can cushion them against water and other extreme temperatures but not during high temperatures. Because, during this time, the heat gets trapped inside the coat, preventing them from cooling their body.

Are Goldadors Good For A First-time Dog Owner?

The Goldadors are an ideal pet for a person who owns a dog for the first time. Even if you have not interacted with dogs in the past, getting along and bonding with a Goldador is easy. The Goldador can be an excellent addition to your family. They’re extremely friendly, affectionate, sociable, and constantly wagging their tail.

If you want to start with a free dog training course then you can start right now!

 

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Image by Chiemsee2016 from Pixabay

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Kaitlyn

    They look adorable but the shedding is a problem. I don’t want to spend hours a week to take care of their excess hair. Daily brushing makes it almost impossible for me to own such a dog. Maybe I could do it twice a week but no more than that. I guess I need to be on the lookout for bigger dogs that don’t shed a lot. Any ideas?

  2. Luke

    I recommend you do a search for either a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle. The Labradoodle should have few problems with hair but it’s not always the case. But it retains the look of the Goldador in some regards. Another nice breed is the Airedale terrier.

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