Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Lab or golden retriever?

23 replies

PeppaPigStinks · 22/10/2014 16:08

Some may have seen we recently lost our golden retriever. She was the centre of our lifestyle and was included in all that we do. Life is not the same without her.

We have two young children.

I've seen a lab puppy. She fits the bill but she's not a golden which is what i thought she was.

What are the differences?

OP posts:
whatwoulddexterdo · 22/10/2014 19:04

So sorry you have lost your dog. I have a goldie and already can't imagine my life without her.
Not sure that there is much difference between the 2 breeds other than their coats, with a goldie bring much silkier
I think it will just come down to temperament
Good luck

SqueakyChicken · 22/10/2014 19:13

Bearing in mind that each dog is different, the general differences between the two breeds are (in my experience):

Goldens more sensitive (Guide dogs tend to cross the two, as they try and get the biddabillity of a Golden without sensitivity)
Labradors more hyper, less laid back
Labradors hair is needle like and sticks into everything, making it harder to clean!

Otherwise they're fairly similar, both love water and food (!), similar activity levels, and both have a distinct split between their show and working types.

For me, I would only have a Golden!

Toooldtobearsed · 22/10/2014 19:21

I have had (and soon will have) both, at the same time.

Excuse my language here. Lab boys are nutters. Very, very loving and amenable but outright nutters. Totally adorable.

Goldie boys can be very, very obstinate. Goodie girls, on the other hand are very obstinate, but in a subtly different way, they get what they want with no standoffs. Still do not know how they achieve this, they are obviously cleverer than me Grin

Both are filthy messy animals with hair that gets everywhere. Both will attempt to guilt you into 'just a morsel of food for a poor starving puppy' and both will definitely test you mettle with obeying commands (they definitely know best.

However they are the two BEST breeds possibleSmile

Toooldtobearsed · 22/10/2014 19:23

Sorry about typos, lying in the bath with a glass of red Blush

Isthatwhatdemonsdo · 22/10/2014 19:32

I have a 9 month old black lab bitch and a two year old golden retriever lab cross boy.
The lab is absolutely bonkers. Much harder work than our lovely laid back goldie.
Both shed hair like it's going out of fashion, I hoover constantly. However I couldn't imagine life without them. I'm sure the puppy will calm down soon. As others have said both fab breeds.

Tootyfilou · 22/10/2014 19:36

So sorry you have lost your dog. I had a lab as a child and he was fab,however have had goldies for the last 30 years and think they are the best dogs ever. Agree with stubborn though!

Original poster
PeppaPigStinks · 22/10/2014 21:18

Hmmmmi am wondering if the bonkersness of a lab is what is putting me off!

Goldies always seem more chilled compared to labs. Here though, goldies are twice the price of labs as well!

I'm so confused.

OP posts:
lavendersun · 22/10/2014 21:24

OP we have the most wonderful lab who has never been bonkers, never chewed anything, actually never put a foot wrong in her 9 years (had her since 10 weeks old).

So don't be put off - there are good ones out there. Obviously genetics play a part but I think you can help 'make' a dog into what you want it to be.

Original poster
PeppaPigStinks · 22/10/2014 21:37

Thank you!
I'm also between bitch and dog! My last was a girl but just seen some flat coat retrievers but they only have boys left!

OP posts:
Original poster
PeppaPigStinks · 22/10/2014 21:59

Also what about flat coat retrievers?

OP posts:
basildonbond · 22/10/2014 22:24

the flat coat retrievers we know are lovely, very bouncy and licky, but check the lines carefully as they're very prone to getting cancer quite young

lavendersun · 22/10/2014 22:43

I only ever have girls .. dogs, horses, cats - they are always girls, always have been apart from one male stray cat and he was the wimpiest of them all - obv not generalising as I have only known one male cat!

Toooldtobearsed · 23/10/2014 09:35

I have had both. I have always found that boys are a bit dense, but very, very loving and willing to please. Girls are a bit more independent and definitely more manipulativeGrin

A bit like humans really!

I love both sexes because of their different personalities, but if I had to choose, it would be a boy.

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 23/10/2014 14:02

In a lot of dogs the males are more loving and loyal than the females.

Tootyfilou · 23/10/2014 14:37

I have always had males, they are lovely! Handsome big softies and very very loving.

Original poster
PeppaPigStinks · 03/11/2014 09:08

Meet Millie - A yellow lady lab!

Lab or golden retriever?
OP posts:
cogitosum · 03/11/2014 09:17

We had an AMAZING flatcoat she was absolutely lovely - probably the best temperament in a dog I've known (and we've also have really lovely goldies and an insane setter)

However she was riddled with health problems - and she came from good stock. I gather it's quite common for the breed so tread carefully. She got pancreatitis young and died at 7 from a heart tumour. Sad

Toooldtobearsed · 03/11/2014 09:24

Hooray!

Welcome Millie - she is gorgeousSmile

Now the trouble begins........

cogitosum · 03/11/2014 10:25

Oh she's gorgeous! Smile

Sorry for x post

lavendersun · 03/11/2014 10:28

She is lovely OP, how old is she?

Tootyfilou · 03/11/2014 14:16

She is very very beautiful.
Congratulations, hope you have many happy years together x

WilburIsSomePig · 03/11/2014 22:51

I'm so glad you decided to get her, she's absolutely beautiful. I have an 18 month lab boy and yes he is bonkers, but i have never had a more loving, affectionate dog. He's a big baby really and though he chews anything that isn't nailed down, I wouldn't change him. I love him so much.

RudePepper · 04/11/2014 00:01

Peppa you should put a warning in the title if you are going to post pictures like that Smile. She is gorgeous - I want one now!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page