Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular breeds of dogs. They are both intelligent, capable, loyal, and friendly with kids which make them great family pets. They are also easy to train and are great for first time owners. They both have webbed toes and enjoy spending time in the water. They are both great service dogs and are known for being guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the deaf. So with all these similar characteristics, how do you choose?
Well first of all, Golden Retrievers originated from Scotland and were bred to retrieve ducks and birds during hunting parties. On the other hand, Labradors originated from Newfoundland and were bred to help fishermen …show more content…
Grooming wise, Golden Retrievers require more frequent trips to the salon than Labradors because of their long wavy coats. Their bushy tails make the Golden Retrievers swim incredibly fast though the Labrador’s strong broad tails don’t make them far behind.
There are several health issues that seem to be more common in Labradors than Golden Retrievers. Labradors tend to have Entropion more often than Retrievers. Entropion is an abnormality of the eyelids in which the eyelid rolls inward, irritating the cornea. Older Labradors are also more prone to Laryngeal paralysis. This illness partially paralyzes the voice box which results in a softened bark and difficulty breathing. A good thing about Labradors is that they have healthier skin so they are less vulnerable to hot spots and skin infection.
Labradors and Golden Retrievers are both very gentle and have one of the best personalities for interacting with other humans and dogs. Though they both have temperament characteristics that prove that they are not the best guard dogs, Labradors seem to be more protective than Golden Retrievers. Retrievers are so friendly that if a robber came to your house, it would lick his hand and ask for a belly rub. Labradors tend to be more loyal which makes them reliable to keep their owners