Golden Retriever vs Labrador Retriever
Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.
Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds
Not sure which breed fits your life?
Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
21.5–24 in
Height
21.5–24.5 in
55–75 lb
Weight
55–80 lb
10–12 yr
Lifespan
10–12 yr
$2.0–4.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–4.0k
#3
AKC popularity
#1
Trait-by-trait
Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.5
Affectionate w/ Family
5
5
Good with Young Children
5
5
Good with Other Dogs
5
4
Shedding Level
4
2
Coat Grooming
2
2
Drooling Level
2
5
Good with Strangers
5
4
Playfulness
5
3
Watchdog / Protective
3
5
Adaptability
5
5
Trainability
5
3
Energy Level
5
1
Barking Level
3
4
Mental Stimulation Needs
4
Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever
Overlay
Where they diverge
Energy Level
Labrador Retriever has more energy (2-point difference)
Barking Level
Golden Retriever barks less (2-point difference)
Playfulness
Labrador Retriever is more playful (1-point difference)
The verdict
Choose the Golden Retriever if…
- Families with children
- First-time owners
- Service and therapy dog work
Choose the Labrador Retriever if…
- Families with children
- First-time owners
- Active individuals
- You value energy level — Labrador Retriever scores higher here.
Golden Retriever Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Golden Retriever home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Labrador Retriever Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Labrador Retriever home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Other comparisons people run
Golden Retriever vs …
Labrador Retriever vs …