Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Labrador Retriever | Golden Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Large | Large |
| Adult weight | 24.9 to 36.3 kg | 24.9 to 34 kg |
| In pounds | 55 to 80 lb | 55 to 75 lb |
| Adult height | 55 to 62 cm | 55 to 61 cm |
| Energy | Very high | High |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Short double | Medium double |
| Shedding | High | High |
| Lifespan | 11 to 13 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | Great Britain |
The main differences
- They are about the same size: the Labrador Retriever is 24.9 to 36.3 kg and the Golden Retriever 24.9 to 34 kg.
- The Labrador Retriever needs more exercise: very high energy against high for the Golden Retriever.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- The Labrador Retriever usually lives longer: 11 to 13 years against 10 to 12 years.
Temperament
Labrador Retriever: Good tempered and versatile, valued equally as a family companion, guide dog, service dog and working gundog.
Golden Retriever: Kindly, friendly and confident, biddable and intelligent with natural working ability.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Labrador Retriever
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be elbow graded by x-ray before mating
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Exercise induced collapse (EIC), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Golden Retriever
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be elbow graded by x-ray before mating
- Progressive retinal atrophy (GR_PRA1 and GR_PRA2), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Ichthyosis (ICT-A), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Labrador Retriever or the Golden Retriever?
They are about the same size. Adults weigh 24.9 to 36.3 kg for the Labrador Retriever and 24.9 to 34 kg for the Golden Retriever, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Labrador Retriever or the Golden Retriever?
The published life expectancy is 11 to 13 years for the Labrador Retriever and 10 to 12 years for the Golden Retriever. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Labrador Retriever or the Golden Retriever better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
Next
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- royalkennelclub.com for the Royal Kennel Club exercise or grooming band, used where it asks for more than the AKC score