Goldador

Canis lupus

Last updated: May 22, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© CreativePlant/Shutterstock.com

Goldadors were not intentionally bred until the early 2000s!


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Goldador Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Goldador Locations

Goldador Locations

Goldador Facts

Fun Fact
Goldadors were not intentionally bred until the early 2000s!
Diet
Omnivore

Goldador Physical Characteristics


Goldador as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
High
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
High
Pure bred cost to own
$800
Dog group
Sporting
Male weight
60-80 lbs
Female weight
60-80 lbs

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Goldadors can come in three colors: yellow/gold, black, and chocolate!

Goldadors are a mix between golden retrievers and labradors, two of the most popular breeds in the world. They are more commonly known as a Golden Lab. They are loving and loyal dogs, making them among the most popular breeds of “designer dogs”. These are new breeds intentionally crossbred between two popular established breeds.

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Golden Labs are prized for their intelligence and their friendly nature. These dogs are used as seeing-eye dogs, hunting companions, and even bomb-sniffing dogs. They’re very smart, and make great working companions in addition to great family dogs!

Summary of the Goldador

3 Pros and Cons of Owning Goldadors

Pros!Cons!
Goldadors are some of the best dogs for families: Because they are a mix of two of the most popular breeds for families, Goldadors are extremely friendly pets to have around the house. They get along great with children and are seamless incorporations into a busy household.They are large dogs: Goldadors are on the larger side, making them less than ideal for small living spaces such as an apartment or condo. If you don’t have a large yard for them to run around in, then you will need to take your Goldador out on frequent walks and trips to the park in order for them to get enough exercise.
Great for people with an active lifestyle: If you enjoy running, hiking, hunting, or swimming, your Goldador companion will surely join you. These dogs will happily tag along on any adventure with their human companion, and the exercise is very good for their health.They are not hypoallergenic: You will not be able to own a Goldador if someone in your household has a dog hair allergy.
Generally have better health than purebred dogs:
Goldadors and other hybrid breeds will generally have better health and a longer lifespan than purebred or even some rescue dogs. This is because breeders are able to select beyond the shallow gene pool of breeding purebred dogs, leading to fewer inheritable health problems being passed down from parent to puppy.
They are too friendly to be good guard dogs:
This breed is known as the ideal family companion. Unfortunately, this means that Goldadors think everyone is a member of the family. If you’re looking for the ideal guard dog, you may need to choose a different breed.

Origins

yellow Goldador

Goldadors are a relatively recent breed although their parent breeds both originate from the 1800s

©Nathan.Jones.Camera/Shutterstock.com



Goldadors are a relatively recent breed with the first of them having been born in the 2000s. However, we can take a peek at its parent breeds and understand where it gets its unique qualities from.

Starting off with the Golden Retriever, the first of these was bred in 1868 when a British noble, Lord Tweedmouth bred two dogs Nous and Belle. The former was a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever while the latter was a Tweed Water-Spaniel (a now extinct breed). Four yellow puppies were born and were named, Ada, Cowslip, Crocus, and Primrose.

Health and Entertainment for your Goldador

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Like golden retrievers, the tale of Labradors also begins in19th-century Britain, albeit nearly four decades earlier. During the early part of the 1800s – the 1830s, to be precise – St John’s water dogs were brought from Newfoundland to Britain. They were bred with hunting dogs resulting in the Labrador considered a wonderful hunting companion.

Given the friendly disposition of both its parent breeds, and their intelligence, it’s hardly any surprise, that the goldador is also considered an excellent choice of family pet.

Size and Weight

Because Golden Retrievers and Labradors are very compatible in size, weight, and features, their traits blend together fairly seamlessly into the Goldador hybrid breed. They are generally 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 60 and 80 pounds on average. Their coat is dense and is either of short or medium length. They come in black, chocolate, yellow, golden, and cream colors, depending on whether their parent was a black or chocolate lab.

Height (Male):21 to 23 inches
Height (Female):21 tp 23 inches
Weight (Male):66 to 84 pounds
Weight (Female):59 to 70 pounds

Health Issues

Elbow and hip dysplasia can be inherited from the Golden Retriever parent. This affects the dogs’ hip and leg movement as the dog ages, which can be painful and limit mobility. Another limiting injury is called cruciate ligament rupture, which can occur rapidly during exercise and cause the dog to limp.

These dogs are also prone to eye problems as they age, such as blindness and cataracts. This hybrid breed is also prone to diseases like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and obesity. Finally, Goldadors can develop ear and skin infections if they are not groomed properly and their ears are not cleaned out at least once every two weeks.

In short, the most common health issues for Goldadors are:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Cruciate Ligament Rupture
  • Eye problems
  • Obesity, diabetes, and thyroid disorders
  • Skin and ear infections

Temperament and Behavior

Goldadors tend to take after Golden Retrievers when it comes to their temperament. They are extremely friendly and loving, likely to greet any human with affection. They make great family dogs and bad guard dogs because of this personality!

Young Goldadors tend to demonstrate more excitable behavior than older dogs, and care must be taken around juveniles to make sure they get the appropriate amount of exercise and enrichment. Exercise is key at any age to make sure the dog isn’t restless when it’s time to relax at home.

Goldadors love water and are wonderful outdoor dogs. They have a loyal and determined temperament and get excited to go on new adventures. They are always willing to exercise, making them a great companion for owners with an active lifestyle. Their affectionate behavior extends to other dogs as well, as they are generally very sociable with other dogs.

How To Take Care of Goldadors

Goldadors have some specific health and grooming problems that need to be addressed. However, because they are well-behaved and loving dogs that are easy to train, they are highly recommended as first-time pets.

The Best Dog Food for Goldadors

Goldador puppy food: In order to make sure that your puppy is getting the most out of its diet, avoid foods with fillers or plant-based additives. Consult a veterinarian for the best choice in Goldador puppy food, and be sure to follow the instructions on the food label to make sure you aren’t feeding too much or too little to your puppy.

Goldador adult food: Goldadors are best fed with a high-protein kibble. Dry food aimed at athletic dogs will be an ideal fit for this breed. It’s important to make sure that the food is appropriate for the dog’s point in their lifespan, as different foods are formulated for adult and senior dogs. Serving size will also vary based on the dog’s size and activity level. Generally, they will need 3.5-4.5 cups a day over the course of two meals.

Along these lines, A-Z Animals thinks the best dog food for Goldadors is Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20 Salmon & Cod Formula Dry Dog Food.

A ratio of 30:20 protein and fat ensures that the formula keeps dogs full so they’re not always looking to eat more food. With salmon and poultry, the high-protein content also helps build lean muscle while delivering glucosamine and EPA for joints and Omega-3 for full-body wellness. There’s calcium for bones and cartilage, probiotics and more antioxidants for a thriving immune system

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Best for High Energy Breeds
Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  • Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Sport High Energy, High Protein Dog Food
  • Salmon and Rice recipe contains probiotics for digestive and immune health
  • Glucosamine and EPA provide joint health and mobility
  • Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A for healthy skin and coat
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Maintenance And Grooming

Goldador grooming will vary depending on the length of their coat that they inherit from their parents. Short-haired Goldadors will need to be brushed 1-2 times a week, and long-haired Goldadors will need to be brushed 3-4 times a week. They will shed in the spring, so you may have to groom more then. Their ears should be regularly cleaned once a week with a damp cloth. Their nails should be clipped once or twice a month. They should have their teeth brushed two to three times a week to prevent tartar. Goldadors should also receive baths as needed, such as when they roll in the mud or swim in a body of water.

Training

Goldadors are intelligent dogs and are prized for how easy they are to train! Like most breeds, training them early is essential to help Goldadors learn good habits. Some habits, such as mouthiness, will develop early in the dog’s lifespan. It is best to address this as early as possible to prevent them from occurring once the dog has grown. When training, use positive reinforcement, such as praise, treats, or play. Goldadors also learn best in a quiet, distraction-free space.

Exercise

Goldadors need 30 minutes to two hours of exercise a day. Regularly exercising Goldadors is incredibly important, as they can become destructive when bored. Because of this, Goldadors are happy when they have a lot of space in which to play. If you have an apartment or condo without a yard, you will need to be diligent in making sure you provide this breed of dog with an adequate amount of exercise. This breed loves hikes, swims, walks, and jogs, so it’s possible to get creative when looking for ways to exercise a Goldador.

Puppies

Goldadors are friendly and very rambunctious as puppies. Socialize puppies and encourage them to play with other dogs early on. Early training with positive reinforcement will also be important to help puppies break bad habits as soon as possible.

Children

black Goldador puppy playing

Goldador puppies are best supervised when playing with young children

©Cinda-lu/Shutterstock.com

Goldadors make a great family dog, as they are very friendly and good with children. However, training will be essential if you adopt a puppy. Puppies tend to be more rambunctious, and can accidentally knock over or bite young children when playing.

Dogs similar to Goldadors

Animal, Animal Hair, Canine - Animal, Close-up, Cold Temperature

Golden Retrievers share the laidback nature of Goldadors

©iStock.com/Wirestock

Breeds similar to Goldadors include Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Labradoodles.

  • Golden Retrievers – One of the two breeds used to create Goldadors, this popular breed is known for its easygoing temperament and trainability. These are loving dogs that also make good companions for the family.
  • Labradors – The other breed used to create Goldadors. This breed sheds less than Golden Retrievers and Goldadors do, but also share many of the same characteristics and personality traits.
  • Labradoodles – Another popular hybrid breed, Labradoodles are another smart designer dog breed that is also loyal, loving, and tolerant of children. They also have a very low amount of shedding.

Popular Goldador names include:

  • Juno
  • Oscar
  • Angel
  • Princess
  • Prince
  • Pluto
  • Daisy

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

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Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
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How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Ashley Haugen is a lifelong animal lover and professional writer and editor. When she's not immersed in A-Z-Animals.com, she can be found hanging out with her dogs and birds.

Goldador FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much does a Goldador cost?

The average price of a Goldador is $800 from a breeder.

How much do Goldadors cost to own?

Prices for Goldadors may vary depending on health issues and the specifics of the dog. Always research a breeder to make sure the faculty is reputable and that the price is fair. You could also explore the option of obtaining a Goldador from a rescue. However, because they are a popular breed, finding one in a rescue may be difficult.

Over the dog’s lifetime, owners will need to account for food, grooming, toys, boarding, checkups, and potential emergency vet bills. The average cost of a dog over 12 years is about $30,000.

Are Goldadors good with kids?

Yes! Especially once trained, Goldadors are cherished for their good natures and ability to do well with children.

How long do Goldadors live?

A well-cared-for Goldador has an average lifespan of 10-12 years.

Does Goldador shed a lot?

This breed can shed quite a bit depending on the length of its coat. Regardless, regular brushing (at least once per week) will help reduce shedding in Goldadors.

Are Goldadors aggressive?

Goldadors are not aggressive. They do very well with children, strangers, and other dogs. They will not make a good guard dog for the family home.

What is a Goldador?

A Goldador is a popular “designer dog,” which means it is a breed intentionally created as a hybrid of two popular breeds. A Goldador is a mix between a Labrador and a Golden Retriever.

Is a Goldador a good family dog?

Yes! Goldadors do well with both children and adults. They thrive in family homes that have lots of enrichment for them and plenty of room to run around.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. youtube.com, Available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx7HcQHLl44&feature=share&ab_channel=Rocadog
  2. petpress.net, Available here: https://petpress.net/top-130-best-goldador-dog-names/
  3. dogbreeds911.com, Available here: https://www.dogbreeds911.com/goldador-golden-retriever-lab-mix.html
  4. animalso.com, Available here: https://animalso.com/breeds/goldador/
  5. dogloversdigest.com, Available here: https://www.dogloversdigest.com/goldador/
  6. petguide.com, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/goldador/
  7. iams.com, Available here: https://www.iams.com/breedselector/breed/goldador.html
  8. dogzone.com, Available here: https://www.dogzone.com/crossbreeds/goldador/
  9. cnbc.com, Available here: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/27/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-a-dog-7-times-more-than-you-expect.html
  10. dogtime.com, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/goldador#/slide/1
  11. woofbarkgrowl.co.uk, Available here: https://woofbarkgrowl.co.uk/goldador/
  12. thelabradorsite.com, Available here: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/goldador/

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