Which is better Golden Retriever or Labrador Retrievers??

GRs

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the way to go. Smallest of the retreivers, intelligent and about a loyal a dog as you'll find.

This is where I found mine...

http://honeyruntollers.com/

"In the early 19th Century, these dogs were developed to "lure" waterfowl. The Toller dances along the shore in full view of the ducks. His playful actions make the ducks curiously defensive, and they swim towards the Toller to keep him in sight. In doing so, the ducks are lured within gunshot range. The Toller will also retrieve ducks from the water."

Good Lord! Those b*tches sound absolutely diabolical!! Give me a Golden Retriever. At least you can trust them. They don't pull the bait and switch nonsense that these Nova Scotians pull.

Lab gets my vote.

I actually have a Collie Mix (mother full blooded smooth collie) with Lab/Dalmatian/ mix father. Best dog ever!!

Goldies are probably more expressive, but Labs are much more well-rounded, better runners, and are much more tolerant to varying weather (I'm in the south...weather changes constantly). As an outdoorsman, who run, fish, hike, etc, I've found Labs to be extremely adaptable to any lifestyle (except sedentary ones). Goldies loves the outdoors as well, but their inhibited stamina and thick coats definitely limits them in my area (if you're in Seattle or San Diego I guess it doesn't matter).

Again, collie mix is the absolute best. Not border collie, smooth collies. But out of the given choices, Lab hands-down.

*Only "bad" thing about Labs, is that they stay in that super-hyper puppy stage much longer imo...up to 3 years old in my experience. And will eat sticks/branches for treats if you let them (don't let them:).*

It's not just water fowl that tollers attract with their fox-like look. At times while walking mine through the neighbor hood, he'll stop and stare intently at some thick bush or tree nearby. Suddenly a mother bird will emerge heading towards us to give us a defensive fly by. If I were a fan of fresh eggs, I'd have'em for free by the dozens.

He's about as intelligent a dog as I've ever had. He knew more tricks at 12 weeks than any other dog I've owned. Thank god he wants to please me, or he'd rule the house by now.

They are both great dogs. You have already identified one of the biggest differences--Goldens shed that long hair everywhere. Labs also shed, it is just shorter. Labs are just a bit more social and eager to please their master for my money although both exhibit these traits. I also think Labs need to be worked a little more to help with their energy and sense of purpose--again a trait both breeds have, one just a little more than the other.

I love big dogs, but I Hate labs. They have way too much energy, bite all the time and are just plain annoying to me.

Golden Retriever is better!

Bull terriers ftw

Golden's have a problem with cancer. I have 2 neighbors who have both lost 2 golden's each because of cancer. In fact, one neighbor mentioned that when she'd bring her dog to UPenn vet hospital, 80% of the dogs there were goldens.

I have a black lab, and she's awesome. No biting or extra super energy as someone else stated; in fact she prefers to sleep most of the day and always has. My brother had a black lab too, and she was super laid back.

Labs (Goldens too) are super trainable. My dog will stop instantly and come back to me no matter the issue if I whistle, snap my fingers, or say her name. I have taught her to leave the kitchen (which she does in anyone's house) simply by saying, "Get out of the kitchen". I don't even have to look at her or say it forcefully.

My lab though does NOT like to retrieve. Weird. My brother's would retrieve until it died if we'd let it, but mine will retrieve a ball maybe once if she's in the mood, but then she's done.

I've owned both. I think Mr. O. has it backwards. The Golden was more social, more protective of family members, and more in tune with the human condition than the Labs ever were.

In my opinion, if you're looking for a responsible dog who will work for you, i.e. hunt, protect your property, run long distances with you, etc., go with a Lab. They're smart, and haven't been overbred to the extent that Goldens have.

If you want a laid back, easy to please, loyal companion for young kids or a single person, Goldens are perfect.

Both of these breeds are crazy-hyperactive until 3-4 years if you don't exercise them adequately.

I personally prefer labs for the following reasons:

1) LOVE their faces/expressions

2) prefer short hair

3) Like a thicker body on a dog

I find temperment to be about the same, although sometimes male labs can be over the top if they are not trained properly and not exercised enough. I have a female yellow lab and she had an annoying stage for the first year, but by 1.5 year we could easily trust her in the house by herself while we were at work and she's actually gotten kind of lazy. She lays around a lot now and is freaking awesome with our 2 year old daughter. She will literally let our kid crawl all over her just lays there. She follows her around room to room and lays next to her while she plays, facing the doorway to protect. Also a great alarm barker if anyone sets foot on our property she doesn't know.

I was around a lot of GRs growing up and loved them, but will take a lab every time now.

I've had both and currently have a GR. I grew up with a yellow lab and loved her to death. She was actually very calm, stopped being a puppy around 1-2 years. She ended up having really bad hips and needed surgery 2x. I am thankful that my parents paid for that. She was a great dog who loved everyone and never barked, ever.

My GR is almost 2, she is very much still a puppy. Listens only when she wants to. Destroys stuff on occasion. And wil eat sticks, rocks, dirt, you name it. She is a lot of fun, will go on runs for 3-4 miles a few times a week and doesn't seem to mind weather changes. Both are great, but in my experience GR's are better for people with more patience and who are more active. My lab never would have gone for runs with me for more than a mile-a lot to do with hip problems.

The GR's can be very over the top - I concur with the poster who theorized over-breeding.

I had one that retrieved EVERYTHING. Came home one day to find the neighbors' (3 of them) laundry had been retrieved item by item from their clothes lines and deposited at my backdoor - she was very pleased with herself on the accomplishment - neighbors not so much.

I grew up with Labs and even bred a litter with my brother at one point (I was still at home with my parents at the time, about 17 years old). The litter was sold to neighbors and friends and most of the dogs are around to this day (12 years later).

They were HUGE dogs, all full-bred and smart as hell. We should have bred more of them.

Anyway, I am going to go with Labs, but I will also add that my sister recently purchased a full-blood English Cocker Spaniel (not an American cocker).

The dog is balls-out awesome. Bigger than an American cocker and much more athletic. English cockers are bred for hunting while American cockers are bred for showing, so you get a feel for the difference. Also, English cockers are less aggressive, so that mean streak is not there.

They shed a good deal but can run, fetch, protect and are SUPER trainable. At least hers is, but I have read a good deal about them and they are perfect bird dogs.

They are expensive though, hers was $1,500. I would consider one for my next dog, for sure.

Just wanted to add that if you go for a Golden, make sure that you research the breeder. Don't get it from a pet store. Do the research and buy the right dog.

My yellow lab died in December. I saved his DNA to clone him in the future.

I love dogs, but retrievers eat everything they find and shit about 5 times a day.

Early mornings it looks like a bunch of boy scouts camped on the front lawn, threw water on the fire and left.

Golden or Lab, just a matter of hair and the size of the turds.