Goldador Basics
It’s always difficult to decide which breed of dog to bring home. There are too many amazing pooches out there to choose from and every single one of them has amazing qualities. In particular, many people find themselves torn between the equally beloved Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. If you find yourself facing this impossible choice, you should know that there is another option. Why not have the best of both worlds and get yourself a Goldador?!
Also known as Golden Labradors, the Goldador is a hybrid of two of the most popular dogs in North America. A wonderful family pet, an amazing service dog (they’re even used as bomb sniffing dogs) and a superb hunting companion, sometimes we wonder if there’s anything the Goldador can’t do well. Known for its trainability and willingness to please, this designer breed is a breeze to train, as he just wants to make you happy. Having a Goldador in your home guarantees constant smiles.
The Golden Retriever and Lab mix is a large, athletic dog that will do best living in a house with a big backyard. However, with enough exercise, they can adapt to apartments as well. These dogs can be happy just about anywhere. Their versatility and easy-going attitude are just some of the many things people love them for!
Ideal for a wide range of families and lifestyles, this hard-working dog would be a joy to any household. Whether they are playing, working, or relaxing, your Goldador’s favorite place will be by your side. Their affectionate behaviour and loyalty to owners is truly something special: the Goldador is the living embodiment of the phrase ‘man’s best friend’. While their many impressive qualities make these mixed breed dogs a popular choice for pet owners, they might not be the best match for everyone. There’s only one way to be certain that this is right dog for you. Keep your eyes glued to this page and read on to learn everything that there is to know about the Goldador and find out if you’ll be bringing this adorable doggo home anytime soon.
Also known as Golden Labradors, the Goldador is a hybrid of two of the most popular dogs in North America.
Origin
First introduced as a designer dog over a decade ago, the Goldador was bred for the purpose of creating a sensitive and tolerant working dog. To say that breeding was a success would be an understatement. This dog is now used as guide and assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and police and bomb-sniffing dogs. They can be trained to do just about anything! However, beyond the breed’s many day jobs, the Goldador has proved itself to be a loyal and loving companion as well. These pups are valuable to both families and hunters alike. while it’s not as popular has other hybrid breeds, there’s no doubt that once the word gets out on the Goldador, more people will appreciate its fine qualities. It’s only a matter of time before this extraordinary hybrid matches the popularity of his famous parents.
Pedigree
The Goldador is a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. The breeder’s goal was to create a highly trainable, social dog that could excel in various roles (from that of a multi-purpose working dog to that of a family pet). Luckily, since both of the parental breeds are popular for those exact traits, their mixed breed offspring fits the bill perfectly. While the majority of Goldadors are first generation mixes (two purebred parents), there are multi-generational crosses, too. However, despite the work breeders are doing to perfect the breed, and the fact that both of his parents are purebred, the Goldador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. One day that will change, but it will take a few more generations of Goldadors to get there.
As a result, Goldador puppies are not eligible for registration and official pedigree papers. Nevertheless, even without it, there are ways to make sure your new puppy is well bred. A reputable breeder will always offer a health guarantee for his or her puppies, and you’ll probably get to meet the parents, too. As these are hybrids, the only way to be sure of their traits and behavior is to meet the mom and dad directly! If a breeder doesn’t offer this sort of assurance, they should be avoided. Sadly there are many disreputable breeders out there who shouldn’t be trusted or encouraged. So be careful!
Food / Diet
While these dogs are generally healthy by nature, you’ll need to ensure they have a healthy lifestyle for them to stay that way. The first step of this process is making sure their nutrition is up to standard. Just like any dog, Goldadors will need a well-balanced diet. Most experts agree that dry food is the overall best choice, as it provides necessary nutrients and prevents oral health problems that often come with wet food. The only ‘tricky’ part of choosing kibble as the main part of the diet is knowing which of the many brands to pick out for you Golden Lab mix.
The Goldador is an active dog and will require kibble made from high-grade ingredients. The best choice are protein-rich dry foods with a small percentage of fillers (such as carbs or plant-based protein), fortified with healthy fats and vitamins. In most cases, dry food for large, athletic dogs will be the best fit for the Goldador. In addition to their size and activity level, pay attention that the food is suitable for their age- puppies, seniors, and adult dogs have different dietary needs.
The exact amount of food might vary depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, but as a rule of thumb, these dogs should eat about 3.5 to 4. 5 cups of kibble daily. Divide this into two meals, as it should reduce the chances of bloat.
As always, before making any major changes to your dog’s diet, it’s important to consult your veterinarian first. While dog food manufacturers and pet blogs provide useful feeding guidelines, every dog is different and has different needs. The only person qualified to determine the specific dietary needs of your pooch is your vet. So always make an appointment before making any major changes to what you feed your dog.
Ideal for a wide range of families and lifestyles, this hard-working dog would be a joy to any household.
Training
The Goldador is one of the easiest breeds to train. His intelligence and need to please make him a joy when it’s time to go over obedience and basic trick training. Like most breeds, you’ll find that your dog will respond best to positive reinforcement techniques. Goldadors respond particularly well to this approach since they are always so happy to please their humans. Because he’s eager to please and easy to train, it’s no wonder why he’s used as a service and assistance dog.
Additionally, the Goldador can be useful hunting companions, thanks to their flushing and retrieving abilities. They can also be excel at flyball and obedience competitions. There’s almost nothing that a Goldador can’t be trained to do with the right support and encouragement. These dogs are an absolute joy to train.
Weight
A larger breed, the Goldador weighs between 60 and 80 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
Loving and loyal, the Goldador gets along with everyone and that includes other animals and children. He loves to be around the people he adores, so you can’t leave him alone for long periods of time. This dog thrives on companionship and gets lonely quickly. This dog needs guidance and structure in his life, so once you’ve set up a routine, stick with it to keep your pup well behaved and content. Ideal for a first-time dog owner, the Goldador boasts a kind temperament and lots of patience. Goldador’s are perfect for children…or any owner for that matter. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this dog if you are in his presence for even a few consecutive seconds.
Common Health Problems
The Goldador is a healthy dog, but some minor concerns may include hip and elbow joint arthritis and eye issues. Make sure the parents of your puppy were tested by the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals for hip and elbow dysplasia. As well, you should ask the breeder for a current canine eye exam certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation. It’s also wise to maintain regularly scheduled checkups with your vet (especially as your dog ages) to ensure that any health issues are identified and treated as early as possible.
Life Expectancy
The Goldador has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
Goldadors need a fair amount of exercise, and they tend to do best in a home with a fenced-in yard. He’ll need about 30 minutes of physical activity a day. This could be a daily walk, a romp at the dog park or a rousing game of fetch. This dog can even manage living in a condo or apartment, as long as he gets outside for a daily walk and the regular trips to the dog park. Yet another reason why Goldadors are such a joy to care for.
Loving and loyal, Goldadors get along with everyone – other animals and kids included.
AKC
The Goldador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) and Designer Breed Registry (DBR).
Coat
The Goldador should inherit the Labrador Retriever’s smooth shorthaired double coat: a short, thick, straight topcoat with a soft and dense undercoat. This dog is usually yellow or shades of gold, but may exhibit red or black coloring. It depends entirely on the parents because hybrids tend to be a bit unpredictable. Thankfully, His coat is very easy to groom. All you need to do is brush him once a week to remove dead hair.
Puppies
These tend to be quite rambunctious puppies. So, you’ll need to supervise your Goldador around children because he may push them over if he gets too excited. This is a friendly breed, so be sure to encourage out this part of his personality early on. Let him meet new people and animals as often as possible. Early socialization is always vital to ensure that your dog grows up to be well behaved and friendly.
In addition to early socialization, you should also start training your dog while he is still young. Timely training will nurture the best qualities of this breed and prevent potential behavior issues from popping up in later years. In other words: the training and socialization of your Goldador puppy will ensure that he grows up into the best and most majestic dog he can be! So take advantage of those early and impressionable puppy years. They are so important in any dog’s development and should never be taken for granted.
Photo credit: MNdude11/Wikimedia; State Farm/Flickr
