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Goldador

The Goldador crosses a Golden Retriever with a Labrador Retriever.

It is a crossbreed rather than a breed, and unlike most deliberate crosses it has a clear practical rationale: both parents are stable, biddable, people-oriented retrievers, and the combination is widely used by assistance-dog organisations for guide, hearing and service work.

It stands 56 to 61 centimetres, weighs 27 to 36 kilograms and lives ten to twelve years, with a short dense double coat that sheds heavily. Temperament is consistently friendly, food-motivated and easy to train. The health picture is straightforward, because both parent breeds share the same major problems rather than offsetting each other.

Origin
A crossbreed of Golden and Labrador Retrievers
Size
56–61 cm; 27–36 kg
Lifespan
10–12 years
Coat
Short dense double coat; sheds heavily all year
Temperament
Friendly, biddable and food-motivated; used as assistance dogs
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, obesity — shared by both parents

Related: Golden retriever · Labrador retriever

2 goldador photos, newest first

Goldador feed
  • Mustard, a goldador

    Mustard

    Mustard was promoted to hotel concierge receiving impossible luggage; unfortunately, a balloon bouquet pulls a tiny chair upward.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Mustard, a goldador

    Mustard

    Mustard does not believe the camera is necessary.

    SunnyHeron · 2 weeks ago

Living with a goldador

Both parents share the same problems, so the cross does not dilute them. Ask for hip and elbow scores and eye testing on both parents, and about cancer and longevity in the Golden side particularly — cancer accounts for a very high proportion of Golden Retriever deaths.

Weight control is the daily task. Both breeds are extremely food-motivated and obesity is the commonest health problem, driving joint disease and shortening life.

They shed heavily and constantly. Brush twice a week, more in spring.

They need real exercise — an hour or more — and they are sociable dogs that dislike being alone.

Ears are pendulous and they swim; dry them afterwards.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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