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Goldador Retriever |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Canada -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Goldador Retriever |
| What do you get if you cross two of the most expected, intelligent and friendly breeds? The answer is the Goldador Retriever, the specific cross-breed dog created by crossing the parents Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. The Goldador Retriever hasn't received the same attention as the Goldendoodle or Cavachon, but it's a hybrid that's here to stay, as it offers a unique range of characteristics that make it an ideal pet, as well as an incredible useful service dog and hunter. Unlike many other hybrids, the Goldador Retriever's temperament and appearance are reasonably predictable, as the Golden Retriever/Labrador mix is a similar crossbreed. Both were traditionally used for sport, but are now mainly kept as pets because of their gentle, loyal nature. The Goldador Retriever is a big dog that needs space, including a garden, to be truly content, although all the space in the world means nothing if it isn't taken into the bosom of the home and treated like a member of the family. He's the ideal choice for families with children of all ages, as he's extremely tolerant and gentle, especially with the very young. A hunting dog at heart, he needs plenty of exercise and makes a good jogging companion who won't cause problems in public, as he wants nothing more than to make friends with everyone he meets. Goldador Retrievers are generally very healthy, although they can inherit many orthopedic problems from their parent breeds. These problems can be exacerbated by another hereditary trait, a tendency to obesity. Healthy eating habits and regular exercise are essential for all dogs, but especially for the Goldador Retriever. Healthy, well-cared-for dogs that remain active until the age of 11 have a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years. |
History of the Goldador Retriever |
| Although the accepted wisdom around the Goldador Retriever is that it was first created within the last decade, this hybrid has been around for much longer, it's just that it's never been marketed or deliberately bred as a specific crossbreed dog recently. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are often kept together or at least intermingle when hunting, and accidental or even planned cross-breeding has been going on in an unorganized way for some time. It's no surprise to canine enthusiasts to see the Goldador Retriever emerge as a proposed new hybrid, as anyone who has ever met these beautiful, gentle creatures has been struck. Their appeal is obvious, and they combine all the wonderful traits of a companion breed with the utility and trainability of a working dog. As far as the latter are concerned, Goldador Retrievers have become much sought-after by the emergency services, particularly in the fields of search, rescue and detection, as they have very keen noses and are very attuned to their operators. Like the parent breeds, they perform well as guide dogs, although the Labradoodle is slightly more popular in this capacity. Their calm demeanor, patience and gentleness also make them a natural fit as therapy dogs. |
A little of the Golden Retriever |
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| Golden Retrievers are large, highly trainable dogs with an exceptionally gentle and affectionate character. It was originally developed in Scotland as a breed capable of retrieving game both on land and in water. Today, the Golden Retriever continues to be used as a working dog, but is also a popular choice of family pet due to its good nature. The breed has a medium-length wavy coat, which comes in a variety of light colors. | ||
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| Standard of the Golden Retriever | ||
A little of the Labrador Retriever |
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| A very popular companion dog indeed, the Labrador Retriever tops the list of the most popular breeds in countries around the world. This title has been hard-earned over the years, and Labradors have proven themselves time and again to be reliable, loving animals that can be trusted with children and are incredibly easy to live with. Most assume that this breed was established in Labrador, but they come from Newfoundland, a neighboring Canadian province. Indeed, the Newfoundland dog breed was used in the creation of Labrador, alongside smaller water dogs. Imported in large numbers to England in the 1800s, Labradors quickly established themselves and, like the original black dogs, yellow and chocolate examples of the breed were soon accepted. Traditionally used as hunting dogs, modern Labradors are now used in a wide variety of fields, often considered service dogs, search and rescue dogs and even therapy dogs. | ||
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| Standard of the Labrador Retriever |
Appearance of the Goldador Retriever |
| The Goldador Retriever is a large athletic dog. They measure from 54 to 60 cm in height at the top of the withers. Males can be a little bulkier than females, weighing between 30 and 38 kg, while females weigh between 27 and 32 kg. Given the opportunity, many Goldador Retrievers would quickly carry 15 kg above these ideal weights, but the dog should still retain its athletic outline and appreciable tuck at the waist, seen from above. The coat is also fairly predictable, as most have the Labrador's short, dense coat, sometimes with slightly longer, wavy hair on the back. Both parent breeds are water lovers. Another characteristic of their coat is that it is water-resistant. As a result, most Goldador Retrievers can shake off the water quickly after a swim. Most often, the coat is golden or yellow, although black Goldador Retrievers are not uncommon. The chocolate coloring of the Labrador can be perpetuated, but very rarely. The head is broad, with a well-defined stop and a strong muzzle. The ears are medium-sized, broad at the base and fall flat on the head. The back should be level and well muscled, especially in the loins. The fore and hind legs are well angulated, especially at the shoulders and knee, and the paws are well muscled. The tail is thick and very strong, and can carry a slight plume. On the move, the Goldador Retriever should have an easy, powerful gait, and it's important that the limbs move straight in a vertical plane, seen from the front or the back. |
Temperament of the Goldador Retriever |
| The Goldador Retriever is an extremely active, yet easy-going hybrid. A Goldador Retriever will never turn down an opportunity to exercise, especially if it involves retrieving soil or water, but around its home, adults are relaxed and laid-back. The same cannot be said for puppies, as they tend to be very excitable and quick, even up to the age of 18 months. Puppy clumsiness aside, the Goldador Retriever is an extremely gentle and reliable pet with children and other animals. It's a very loyal dog, and will cloak its owners around the house and garden. Although they are hardy enough to spend a little time alone, they should never be forced to live outdoors or abandoned for a full day's work, as they need stimulation and affection to avoid boredom and frustration. This is an extremely sociable breed, which loves to meet new people and new dogs, making it a pleasure to walk in public spaces. The downside is that, despite its many other talents, the Goldador Retriever is a hopeless watchdog, with intruders likely to receive as warm a welcome as owners. |
Needs and activities of the Goldador Retriever |
| Goldador Retrievers are very active, especially when they're young and need to walk once or twice a day to burn off that energy. If they don't get enough exercise, they can develop destructive habits such as barking, digging and chewing everything in sight. They're easy to exercise, as they'll happily run alongside you when you're running or biking, and even a simple trip to the dog park will elicit excitement. As the Goldador Retriever matures, it's no longer necessary to exercise; it tends to become a bit of a couch potato, but it will still need a little regular walking to keep it fit and content. |
Maintenance of the Goldador Retriever |
| Sometimes it seems that the Goldador Retriever is always shedding, so a thorough brushing with a brush to remove tangles once a day will also help prevent those loose hairs from decorating the house. Lovers of attention, they tend to enjoy this process and look forward to the special treatment. While brushing, check your dog's ears for dirt and debris that could cause infection, then wipe them clean with a soft cloth to keep them healthy. Brush your dog's teeth at least three times a week and trim his nails if necessary. Don't cut your dog's nails too short, as you could injure them and cause bleeding. |
English (United Kingdom)