Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever

Golden Retriever

Labrador Retriever

Golden Retriever

• Good with children: Yes
• Good with other pets: Yes
• Apartment friendly: No
• Exercise: very high

Labrador Retriever

• Good with children: Yes
• Good with other pets: Yes
• Apartment friendly: No
• Exercise: very high

Golden Retriever

Exercise

very high

Grooming

high

Shedding

high

Labrador Retriever

Exercise

very high

Grooming

moderate

Shedding

high

Golden Retriever

Life span: 10–12 yrs

• Hip and elbow dysplasia — malformed joints that lead to arthritis and lameness; this is why OFA or PennHIP clearances on both parents are non-negotiable and why hard exercise is capped until growth plates close.
• Cancer (hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma) — the defining breed risk: lifetime cancer incidence in Golden Retrievers is roughly 60%, far above the canine average. Treatment, if pursued, commonly runs $5,000-$15,000+.
• Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) — an inherited heart-outflow narrowing seen in some lines; the reason a board-certified cardiac clearance on the parents matters in this breed.
• Pigmentary uveitis ('Golden Retriever uveitis') — a breed-specific inflammatory eye disease that can progress to glaucoma and blindness; warrants annual ophthalmic exams in adults.
• Progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts — inherited eye disease causing gradual vision loss, screenable by a parental eye certification.
• Hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid causing weight gain, lethargy, and coat/skin changes; common in the breed and manageable with lifelong daily medication once diagnosed.
• Chronic ear infections and atopic skin allergies — driven by the floppy, moisture-trapping ears (worsened by swimming) and a breed predisposition to environmental allergies.

Labrador Retriever

Life span: 10–12 yrs

• Hip dysplasia — a malformed hip joint that develops as the dog grows, leading to pain, lameness, and early arthritis; risk is reduced (not eliminated) by buying from parents with formal hip scores (OFA/PennHIP/BVA) and keeping puppies lean during growth.
• Elbow dysplasia — abnormal development of the elbow joint causing front-limb lameness, frequently requiring surgery; like hip dysplasia, parental elbow scoring is the key risk-management tool.
• Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) — an inherited DAM2 mutation causing hind-limb weakness and collapse after intense exercise, especially in field-bred Labs; a simple, inexpensive DNA test identifies carriers and affected dogs before purchase.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — an inherited degeneration of the retina causing gradual, irreversible blindness; a DNA test exists, so a responsible breeder will know the parents' status.
• Obesity driven by the POMC gene deletion — a documented breed-specific mutation that reduces satiety, making Labs unusually prone to overeating and the joint disease, diabetes, and shortened lifespan that follow excess weight.
• Osteoarthritis — extremely common in older and overweight Labs, often secondary to hip or elbow dysplasia; weight control and joint-conscious exercise are the primary preventive levers.
• Laryngeal paralysis — a degenerative weakening of the laryngeal muscles in older Labs causing noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, and in severe cases respiratory distress requiring surgery.