Breed comparison
Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever: Which breed should you choose?
Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are two dog breeds often compared by prospective owners. Here’s a point-by-point comparison to help you decide: size, temperament, purchase price, monthly budget, and compatibility with your lifestyle.
+10
+6
Key takeaways
- Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are a similar size (24–34 kg).
- Labrador Retriever costs less to buy: €1,000 – €1,600 compared with €1,200 – €1,800 for Golden Retriever.
- The monthly budget is similar for both breeds: about €170 per month.
- Both breeds need a similar level of daily activity (4/5).
- For “Families and children,” both breeds are tied (5/5).
- Labrador Retriever scores higher for “Apartment living”: 3/5 compared with 2/5 for Golden Retriever.
- Labrador Retriever scores higher for “First-time owners”: 5/5 compared with 3/5 for Golden Retriever.
- Golden Retriever lives longer on average: 12–14 years compared with 10–12 years for Labrador Retriever.
Our verdict
Choose Golden Retriever if you’re looking for…
- Active families: He likes sharing walks, games and regular human presence.
- Committed first-time adopters: His cooperative nature makes him easy to handle if daily needs are met.
- Households with children: His natural gentleness often makes him a very good companion for family life.
Choose Labrador Retriever if you’re looking for…
- Active families: He enjoys group life, walks, and daily interactions.
- Committed beginner owners: His cooperation makes training easier if exercise needs are truly met.
- People looking for a versatile dog: He adapts well to many companionship, recreational sport, or work projects.
Detailed comparison
| General information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| FCI group | 8 | 8 |
| Build | Large | Large |
| Height at the withers | 51–61 cm | 54–57 cm |
| Weight | 24–34 kg | 25–36 kg |
| Coat | Medium-long, dense | Short, dense |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years | 10–12 years |
| Average price | €1,200 – €1,800 | €1,000 – €1,600 |
| Monthly budget | ≈ €170 | ≈ €170 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Families and children | Excellent | Excellent |
| Daily exercise needs | High | High |
| Apartment living | Fair | Good |
| First-time owners | Good | Excellent |
| Other pets | Very good | Very good |
| Tolerance of being alone | Limited | Limited |
| Guarding instinct | Fair | Fair |
| Strengths and weaknesses | ||
|
|
Other popular dog comparisons
- Australian Shepherd vs. Border Collie
- Cavalier King Charles vs. King Charles Spaniel
- German Shepherd Dog vs. Belgian Malinois
- French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog
- Siberian Husky vs. Alaskan Malamute
- Akita Inu vs. Shiba Inu
- Cane Corso vs. Dogo Argentino
- Beagle vs. Jack Russell Terrier
- Chihuahua vs. Yorkshire Terrier
- Maltese vs. Shih Tzu
- English Cocker Spaniel vs. Brittany Spaniel
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs. American Staffordshire Terrier
- Australian Shepherd vs. German Shepherd Dog
- Golden Retriever vs. Australian Shepherd
- Labrador Retriever vs. German Shepherd Dog
- Rottweiler vs. Dobermann
- Boxer vs. Dogue de Bordeaux
- Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard vs. Leonberger
- Poodle vs. Bichon Frise
- Pug vs. French Bulldog
- Dachshund vs. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Border Collie vs. Belgian Malinois
- White Swiss Shepherd Dog vs. German Shepherd Dog
- Samoyed vs. Siberian Husky
- German Spitz vs. Chihuahua
- Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle
- Cavapoo vs. Maltipoo
- Akita Inu vs. American Akita
- Shetland Sheepdog vs. Rough Collie
- Whippet vs. Greyhound
- English Setter vs. Irish Red Setter
- Bull Terrier vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier vs. Cairn Terrier
- Great Dane vs. Cane Corso
- Cane Corso vs. Rottweiler
- Beauceron vs. Belgian Malinois
- Brittany Spaniel vs. English Setter
- Jack Russell Terrier vs. Parson Russell Terrier
- Shar-Pei vs. Chow Chow
- Dalmatian vs. Weimaraner