Which to buy

[Blacky]

My boyfriend and I are adding an addition...yellow lab or golden retriever...any suggestions on which?

[Spear]

Get a lab. In my opinion Goldens take more work all around. Labs are made for work, and make a great family dog.

[rocko]

Yellow Lab.....its way easier to take burrs out of there fur than a golden. :cool__1:

[Drew Good]

Here's another vote for lab.......:spoton:

[AD18]

That's a rather tough question to answer with the info you have provided. If you plan on hunting your dog then in my opinion the lab from proven field lines is the way to go. If you want a stay at home family pet then the golden is pretty tough to beat temperment wise. As for maintenance the coat on the lab is obviously shorter and requires alot less grooming, but our black and yellow labs are shedding winter coats right now and its EVERYWHERE. Either dog will make a marverlous addition to your family. Just put extra effort and $ into finding a reputable breeder, be patient, and demand excellent health guarantees.

[sterregold]

I've got to vote for the Goldies. I know a lot of wonderful labs with wonderful breeders, but the Goldens do it for me! They're a little like jelly beans...you can't stop at just one! Yes, burrs can be an annoyance, but with a correct coat it's really not that bad, and unlike Labby fur, when it sheds it lands on top of the carpet instead of diving in!
Your best bet, as advised, is to first determine what you want to dog to do. If you are a serious waterfowler, then go for the lab. If you are looking for a retriever who is also a fine upland dog, then a Golden can be a really good choice as it was one of the purposes for which they were originally developed(and I know, I know, you lab guys will say your black dogs are good upland hunters, too!!!) If you are looking for an adoring family companion, then either can be fabulous.
Seriously, take the time to meet some of each breed. Go out and watch the dogs working if you are looking for a hunting companion as well as a new family member. The Luther Marsh guys are holding their Upland Hunt near Brantford on the 14th if you want to see the quality of dog work in that venue. And come late May, the hunt test season ramps up where you can see more of the waterfowl-based work. When you meet dogs whose work and personalities you like, then that's the way you should go. Find out where they've come from and contact those breeders. There's a lot of variation in both breeds between show, working, and blended pedigrees so you've got to do your homework and find the dog that fits your family and your hunting needs.

[nimkii]

Lab guy here...I like goldens to but too much work on their coat...

[waterfowler65]

Hmmmmmm.........


Thats an interesting thought.......


:harhar:

[MHgoldk9]

Having owned goldens for a looong time I'm little biased but no more so than poeple who own labs.Some have mentioned the fact that the Golden coat is a bit of deterrent but the way I look at it having to deburr my dog after a day of hunting or training at least it makes me have a look at him and make sure he has no injurys or tick's ect.May seem like a lot of work but it's the least I can do for a dog that has worked hard for a day whether it be hunting or training.:fencing:

[verno]

I would pick a lab having owned one in the past (Hey we all make mistakes :angel:) But either is a great choice. But what AD18 said bears repeating

If you plan on hunting your dog then in my opinion the lab from proven field lines is the way to go.

The lab we owned was strictly from show lines and though he was just a pet he didnt hunt worth a damn.

[ducksoup]

I have a Lab myself -- but know some really fine working Goldens too -- just do your homework and choose from the best breeding you can afford whether a Golden or a Yellow Lab -- make sure from strong working lines -- hunting or field trial lines

[franklauzon]

I have a lab, but the gentleman that I have been working with to learn the dog game is a golden boy, he's always run field trials with them, and I've seen some pretty incredible things from that dog. It REALLY! makes me consider a golden... I'll see what gives, and may end up getting a golden pup to see how I feel ;)

The burrs is the ONLY thing that is stopping me right now.

[Varmit]

If you want an intelligent dog, I mean one you can really talk to, get a golden. I have two of them and of course am biased.

Like others have said, if you need a waterfowl dog, get a lab, if you want a combination upland/pet/companion, get a golden.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/family/14464527/detail.html

[Misty Marsh]

Depends on what your goals/intentions are for the dog? Do you plan on running any HT/FT's, are you competitive person, a hunter, what kind of hunting do you do, what climate do you live in, for starters? FYI there are many good breeders for both, many more Lab breeders than goldens, which will provide you better chances of buying the dog you want through sheer numbers and choices alone. My opinions are also bias as I own/breed labs, but if you want a compeitive dog look at the number of FT titled goldens verces labs:worms: .

[deb]

Well I guess I am biased to. All of the points made are all good. I know a golden coat can be a little more work, but if that is all that is holding you back then maybe a lab would be best for you. I look at the personalities and health first, then I get into all the other stuff after that. There are lots of great labs out there, but so is there goldens. As well goldens can make good waterfowl dogs as well as excellent uplanders. Pick a dog whether golden or lab, that suits your personality and life style. As well there were almost as many goldens finished at the Canadian National Master hunt test this fall (that tells you something).

[Misty Marsh]

As well there were almost as many goldens finished at the Canadian National Master hunt test this fall (that tells you something). I was there (passed with my lab:bf_new: ), and actually there was 5 labs, 4 goldens, 1 toller, and 1 flat coat that passed and while accurate should'nt be used as a barometer for breed choices! There were also 71 dogs in the Canadian national FT with 2 goldens qualified, neither finished!

[Anna Scott]

Guess I'll throw in my 2 cents. With a handle like Backy why not a black lab. Just remember a $1.50 and all these opinions will get you a cup a coffee. Do yopur research, make a list of your expectations for the dog, talk to many breeds of both breeds, don't get in topo big a hurry, wait till the right dog comes along for you.
And welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place to learn about retrievers and upland dogs.

[Misty Marsh]

Very good post:nice work: Educate yourself as only you know what you want?

[chocdog]

here is my 2cent's worth get a chocdog

[3 black dogs]

Labs are # 1 here but if I was looking for a golden I would definatly take a look at this breeding probably one of the best you will find around here.http://www.canadianhuntingdogs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1308

I know there are a couple other litters available but if I was the one buying the dog and if I had my heart set on one of them fuzzy yellow things this is where I would go.

Chris

Dave you need a black dog and then you will finally understand what a lab is suposed to be. Love ya man

[chocdog]

Labs are # 1 here but if I was looking for a golden I would definatly take a look at this breeding probably one of the best you will find around here.http://www.canadianhuntingdogs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1308

I know there are a couple other litters available but if I was the one buying the dog and if I had my heart set on one of them fuzzy yellow things this is where I would go.

Chris

Dave you need a black dog and then you will finally understand what a lab is suposed to be. Love ya man
are you on commission for selling this litter Chris

[Misty Marsh]

I'm far from a "golden type of guy", but this past fall at the Canadian master national John Mairs had a young (3 yr old) golden who passed "Cahloum" I think his name was? This dog was real nice looking (not fluffy), nice coat color, and I can honestly say the type of dog that I would own in a heartbeat, and I breed labs! This dog was a great marker, great memory, with lots of stlye, and the only dog to pick up the delaied tripple in the stick pond from hell (a real accomplishement to the dog and trainer) clean:first: If this post is forwarded to my golden owning training partner I will deny it!

[just chessies]

Some times I feel like a voice in the wilderness CHESAPEAKE,peake,peake,peake,peake,peake. There I feel better now. Ya I know :ban: :ban: :ban: :ban: :ban: :ban: :ban:

[sterregold]

I'm far from a "golden type of guy", but this past fall at the Canadian master national John Mairs had a young (3 yr old) golden who passed "Cahloum" I think his name was?

That would be Caelum. He's a very sweet boy--he'll be 5 soon. He's owned and bred by Don and Anna Morison (the other one!!) of Donamor Goldens, and was trained by Lorne Langevin. He is also a show Champion with a show pedigree!!! :omg: Go fluffy go!!

[Misty Marsh]

When you said show dog I knew I must have had the wrong dog, it's the other dog John finsihed with "Dailey" who was 3 years old this fall that I was refferring to! I went back and looked at the results verces the pictures and realize now that Caelum did'nt finish!

[sterregold]

That sounds more like it. Caelum made it to the end but didn't finish. Daily is John's own breeding--she's officially HRCH GMH Tamsu's Miss Daily WCX. And she is one heck of a nice working little dog!

[Misty Marsh]

HRCH GMH Tamsu's Miss Daily WCX.Actually it would officially be NMH HRCH GMH Tamsu's Miss Daily WCX, or NMH GMH HRCH depending on how you want to spin it?:fencing: That 3 year old is a CKC GMH Too, WOW impressive, especially for a golden:boxing:

[Davadar]

especially for a golden

Shelly how did you miss that?

[sterregold]

:boink: Ha ha!! I didn't miss it! Just only read it this morning!!!

We Golden folks are stubborn in our loyalty to our rugs. But don't you black dog people think you can go callin' them that. :bleh:

Pheasants in the freezer, regards.

[Misty Marsh]

our rugs:cheesy: :cheesy: Now that's one I have to remember for my golden training buddy! FYI, he's got an awsome GMH female golden who is very likely the hardest going golden I have ever seen:spoton: . I apprecite goldens very much, I appreciate a golden owner with a sence of humour even more:spoton: