Golden retriever or yellow lab? Are there any major differences behaviour wise?

[WTFwasthat]

Since being disappointed recently about homing a 16 week old lab boy we have now seen golden retrievers everywhere we look! They are absolutely beautiful and we would seriously consider one for our family but waht are the differences, if any, between yellow labs (or any other colour labs for that matter) and Golden Retrievers. There does seem to be a price difference. Why is that? Are GRs better . I melt everytime I see one!

surely someone has an opinion. This is the doghouse after all

Midori is your GR lady.

Personally I would have a golden or black lab over a chocolate one. And although I dont mind golden retrievers I prefer labs.

Grew up with black labs and they were so easy to train, to do everything with and that has probably swayed my preference but I wouldnt say no to a goldie.

see, not really helped have I?

I'd probably go for a lab simply because of the short hair = less maintenance, less smell. But it's not exactly difficult to ensure a dog is groomed properly, even if you pay someone else to do it.
I've had a lab and she was the sweetest dog ever; however I must say that goldies have struck me as having an even sunnier nature.

They seem the same behaviour wise, my 2 yr old yellow lab plays with a goldie same age. Both males, neither been neutered yet. They play like puppies and are completely non-aggressive (even when snappy terriers try to hump them) very bouncy and love everyone. Goldies coats are longer so more of a wet and mud problem, esp in winter as they love water and take ages to dry.

so there is no actual difference in their nature then? Just appearance? I have thoroughly researched labs and am now doing the same for Goldens but there really is no discernable difference that would sway me one way or another. The Goldens do seem to come out on top of every family friendly dog poll but I guess thye are much the same. Oddly, you hardly ever seem to see Goldens in rescue centres, plenty of labs though . I wonder why? Makes me wonder if goldens are either more rare or better dogs?

Labs have consistently been the most popular dog breed in the UK (i.e. highest numbers registered with the Kennel Club) so there are more of them and more likely to end up in rescue. Perhaps more popular because the coat is shorter and most labs are smaller than Goldies.
We met a 7 month old Golden last week and it was huge, not fat just big. Already much bigger than my fully grown lab. The owner said it refused to jump in the car and it took two people to lift it.

Hi! I've had a goldie and now have a yellow lab. Didn't get another goldie as the kids decided it would be too upsetting after the death of our old dog -nearly 13 and a swift end. All observations are generalities as dogs vary hugely in personality. Both of our dogs were/are male and both at the largest end of the breeds. Staring and pointing large.
Shedding- Goldie created tumbleweed sized hairballs all year round and defeated even those hoovers designed for pet hair but the hair on our clothes (no idea why at the molecular level) always fell off. MadLab sheds for England twice a year and it sticks like glue. Goldie required serious pro grooming every couple of months in addition to regular home brushing. MadLab gets a brush if we can catch him.
Goldie turned very quickly into a biddable, gentle boy with a contented 'whatever' attitude to life. MadLab is....well, mad. He's extremely clever (bred to work) and picks up new tricks instantly but can use his skills for ill as often as good. Much more complicated character and at nearly 2 1/2 is still a puppy. Oh, if it was pouring with rain or knee-deep with snow, I used to get away with a quick stroll round the block with Goldie. With MadLab, even though he'll crap on command, I'm risking my soft furnishings if he hasn't had an epic yomp.
Goldie was so gentle with kids that he used to lie down if a toddler approached and took any amount of rough love. MadLab has to be watched. He's just too OTT to be safe and gets 'mouthy' when excited though much less than he used to.
Both a fantastic breeds but you must take care with choosing a specific dog. Hip scores are super important.
As for the rescue question, if you get a Lab that has not had good, early training you may end up with a Marley. They need consistent messages or they'll take the mick.
Both are food motivated and easy to train but Labs are liable to eat anything and everything. I find Goldies are a bit more like dopey, stoners. BTW- My Goldie NEVER retrieved anything. Ever. Kinda 'Oooooh! Thanks for the ball! I'll dance around it for a bit and then leave it. Gotta keep the karma going.'

Thanks horseman. Think I am sold on idea of goldie. Visiting a litter on saturday!

we have a choc lab - bonkers a real comedian but pretty much perfect behaviour wise very very good fun

my friend got a gr pup shortly after - he is very sweet but a bit too placid and laid back for my liking.he carries toys around in his mouth all the time too which i found a bit drooly and annoying but i suppose he could have been trained not to