Goldies vs Labs

[MrChew]

So... Not that we are actually thinking of getting a pup just yet. We will wait until Rowan is a bit older and probably till the house is renovated but I am just doing some groundwork.

I always kind of assumed we would get another Lab and we probably will, but Rowan just adores Golden Retrievers. We saw one today and he made me walk faster so we could catch up and get a closer look. Fortunately it turned out to be waiting outside his preschool so we got to say hi!

So I was just wondering if anyone has any insights into how they compare to Labs on average?

I feel like Chewie has been so bomb proof that even our half arsed approach to dog parenting has worked. But he has also just absorbed all the changes in our life with a typical Chewie shrug. Are Goldie's as chilled? I've heard they can be a bit more sensitive.

Also the hair. Do I really want LONG, YELLOW hair all over everything? Do I care? Hmm.

Can I have another Lab and a Golden? Possibly a divorce too.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Nice dogs but too hairy and not a lab.

 

[Stacia]

@MrChew, when I worked at the vets, 2 Golden Retrievers came and lay under the sink, whey they left there was a CARPET of hair and I made a vow then not to have one! Also I understand some have dodgy temperaments, non I have ever met, but apparently vets are wary of them.

 

[Jen]

Our old next door neighbour had a golden. She was a lot calmer than Stanley and didn’t shed anywhere near as much as he does.

She was lovely

 

[HAH]

My grandparents had a golden retriever and I've known a couple over the years. I've heard people talk about some having more particular temperaments, but the ones I've known were very steady, excellent sense of humour and easy going. I'm often suprised by them being a bit taller than labs, but a slighter build - more wavy I guess my concern about the longer hair would be how much it can hide/collect, like grass seeds and burrs, but I reckon you'd simply need to develop a comfortable grooming regime. I'd definitely consider one.

 

[Jacqui-S]

More hairy and more stubborn is all I can add to this

 

[kateincornwall]

My step daughter has a Goldie , he is gorgeous with a wonderful temperament but the hair

 

[Selina27]

I've had 2 in my life, both had really easy going loving temperaments. I definitely would not have another because, OMG, the HAIR!!

apparently vets are wary of them.

Yes, I'd say that's so.

 

[Boogie]

I adore goldies and would be very hard pressed to choose.

Hair, yes HAIR that gets everywhere.

They truly have a mind of their own and are not as biddable or easy to train as labs. But it’s so rewarding and, once you have their trust, you have them. Keir is as loyal as the day is long.

Some are not foody at all. Bruce had to be trained with toys and play as a reward, food just didn’t interest him.

They don’t have the same muscle - ey - ness. They flobble. They put their paws on your shoulders so so gently. Echo was just adorable for this.

Enjoy your musings @MrChew, I love that stage of puppy decisions. I certainly made the right one with Ted - and I never thought I’d have another small dog!

 

[Boogie]

But just loooook! You’d have to forgive any hair!

 

[Boogie]

And looooooooook!

 

[Jen]

Could you not just gets golden lab and tell him it’s a golden retriever.

I don’t think I knew the difference until I gotStanley so you’ll probably get away with it for a few years

 

[Candy]

But just loooook! You’d have to forgive any hair!




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The only experience I have had of looking after a GR has been with the gorgeous Keir. He's different from the Labs I've had, but he's SO very loving and sweet natured! When we meet he puts his paws up on my shoulders to greet me and kisses my face. I love him to bits, but on a practical level he needs a lot more grooming than a Labrador and in the winter when he comes in covered in mud he takes a LOT of wiping down and I find I'm washing the floor most days, whereas with Joy it's every 2-3 days. This would never stop me having him to stay, I absolutely love the boy.....but I think Labradors are less work and yes.....The Hair!!!

 

[MrChew]

I hadn't considered the mud. Omg. Chewie is mud averse but also wipes clean and is super easy to brush.

I mean we don't have UK levels of mud over here but still.

 

[Boogie]

I hadn't considered the mud. Omg. Chewie is mud averse but also wipes clean and is super easy to brush.

I mean we don't have UK levels of mud over here but still.

Yes, Keir was a mud wallower and had to be hosed down after walks! He still is according to @Candy but there’s a handy river for him to wash off in

 

[Lab_adore]

I hadn't considered the mud. Omg. Chewie is mud averse but also wipes clean and is super easy to brush.

I mean we don't have UK levels of mud over here but still.

yes when we were in the UK and met with lovely @Natalie, Mr Natalie and gorgeous Monty I was gob-smacked by the mud we were walking in. When I commented she was a bit like 'what mud?' Yikes. So yes, I don't think mud would play such a part but if The Hair is worse than Maxx I would seriously consider this as an important element to the decision. However on the other hand, I love watching videos of GR's on FB as they seem very personable and oh so cute and goofy

 

[Boogie]

Also they don’t have Lab’s coats which just shake off the water. They are verrry soggy once hosed down!

I'm not selling Goldies very well, am I? Yet I would have kept Echo in a heartbeat

 

[Stacia]

I just remembered, my vet had a Golden Retriever and every muddy puddle he would lie down in, Richard was always getting the nurses to bath her!

 

[Boogie]

I just remembered, my vet had a Golden Retriever and every muddle puddle he would lie down in, Richard was always getting the nurses to bath her!

Yes - they are golden coloured hippos!

 

[Joy]

I borrow a Goldie to train for Rally (Rajah) and he is gorgeous but is quite sensitive (easily frightened and cautious of new things), but his 'brother' (no blood relation just in the same family) is much more robust. I think it's the need for daily grooming that would put me off.