Does anyone have a golden/lab cross?

[onlythewildones]

I had been looking at pure goldies but a few people have mentioned to me that this is a nice mix and to my mind there’s a health benefit of cross breeds (at least I think there is?!) Just wondering if anyone here has one and would tell me about their DDog..

There’s no health benefit, they share most of the same health conditions... so they still need all the health tests.

Also apart from for guide dogs, I don’t know that there’s much call for them, so likely to be a minefield of bad breeders tbh.

No health benefit really as they tend to get the same conditions
My friend has one, it’s more Lab than Retriever I would say but it’s lovely

Thanks, yes that makes sense re health. I have a reputable breeder in mind, she breeds pure goldens and pure labs but her last litter of crosses was very popular so she's planning another one.

A friend of mine had one as a guide dog. Ugly as hell, head like a light bulb, very straight hind leg, lab in appearance and coat. Outstanding dog in temperament and the most intelligent and intuitive animal.

villainous That description made me smile! I do really want a longer coat (head shape aside) so it sounds like it's not the right dog for me.

@onlythewildones

Thanks, yes that makes sense re health. I have a reputable breeder in mind, she breeds pure goldens and pure labs but her last litter of crosses was very popular so she's planning another one.

Yeah... I’d not be that keen on someone breeding because they’re easy to sell... sorry.

Well, she has people who want a younger sibling for their existing dogs from her. Besides which aren’t most pups easy to sell at the moment?! Goldens certainly are!

Yes most are easy to sell just now, but it’s a not a good reason to be breeding them.

Ah okay, fair enough!

If you want longer hair, have you considered a flatcoat retriever?

My lab is a Goldie mix. I'm not in UK so breeding dos and don'ts a bit different here. He was born on a farm to the family pets. He is the most lovely dog, has a beautiful nature. He had unfortunately been diagnosed with hypothyroidism which runs a in both breeds. And he will have hip issues when he is older as does get a bit stiff if he's been too busy.

And he moults something terrible. He looks a bit fatter than he is as he has so much fur!

But I wouldn't change him for the world. He's so intuitive and bright, bright enough to not act very bright at certain times 😃. And typically a people dog, he follows me everywhere, always lays near me, if I'm up, he's up too. The most loyal dog I've had and he's my 4th. And he just loves his ball. He shows it to me all day every day.... If he can't find his ball he will pick up something else fast (a sock a stick, anything that is laying around really) as he can't not have something in his mouth if he's on the move.

Well a breeder breeder crossbreeds to demand isn't exactly motivated by the highest ethical standards are they?

In what way is she reputable?
Those dogs cannot be KC registered, she isn't breeding to improve the breed, so what is her 'reputable' motivation?

What health tests does she do and what are the hip/elbow scores?

Reputable as in she is KC registered and has been recommended to me by friends who are long time dog owners and have had labs from her. She keeps a dog from each litter and apparently obviously cares very deeply about her dogs. I haven't asked her about health scores because I'm not anywhere near the stage of getting a dog from her, however, I know friends would not buy from a breeder that didn't health test as we have discussed this.

isthismylifenow He sounds absolutely lovely.

sunflowersandbuttercups I love the look of them, and they sound like wonderful dogs, but the owner of one I meet regularly on my walks tells me that they are completely bonkers!

@onlythewildones

Reputable as in she is KC registered and has been recommended to me by friends who are long time dog owners and have had labs from her. She keeps a dog from each litter and apparently obviously cares very deeply about her dogs. I haven't asked her about health scores because I'm not anywhere near the stage of getting a dog from her, however, I know friends would not buy from a breeder that didn't health test as we have discussed this.

isthismylifenow He sounds absolutely lovely.

sunflowersandbuttercups I love the look of them, and they sound like wonderful dogs, but the owner of one I meet regularly on my walks tells me that they are completely bonkers!

KC registration is meaningless.

The health tests are the first things to ask about alongside temperaments of sire/dam and rearing environment.

These are the things that have the biggest impacts in health and behaviour

“I haven't asked her about health scores because I'm not anywhere near the stage of getting a dog from her,”

You’re fine to ask stuff like that at a really early stage, I’ve contacted breeders about potential litters and asked about them... didn’t even end up getting a puppy from them at all as I got a rescue puppy instead.

Thanks tabulahrasa, that's helpful.

We have just got one and she is fab! Extremely bright, already toilet trained, learns commands instantly. Very loving and snuggly. Been good with the cats, calm and deferential. Stunning looking, more pale golden retriever look with elegant face and curls emerging on tail than lab. It's early days for us, but I would highly recommend from a good ethical breeder of course!

She sounds like a dream ilovesushi. Lucky you :)