Differences Between Golden Retrievers & Yellow Labs

Golden retrievers and yellow Labs are widely popular dogs with many similarities. They were both developed as sport gun dogs and are at home retrieving waterfowl in marshy environments. The two breeds also have become ideal family dogs both in the United States and abroad because of their beauty and intelligence. The dogs share a similar color and historical purpose, but the creation of the breeds and their physical appearances bear differences.

  1. Yellow Lab History

    • Labrador retrievers come from the Newfoundland area of Canada. Several types of small water dogs lived in the region, and they were interbred by settlers and traders with the larger Newfoundland breed during the 16th and 17th centuries. These early Labrador retrievers were called St. John's Water Dogs. This early Lab eventually ceased to exist as a purebred, but through breeding with other retriever dogs and the establishment of appearance standards by breeders, the Labrador retriever came into existence in the 1870s. The dog breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1903 and by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1917. Labrador retrievers are the most popular breed of registered dog in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Labradors were originally black, and yellow- and chocolate-colored puppies were often seen as genetic mistakes and culled. The yellow color became an acceptable shade for the breed in the 20th century.

    Golden Retriever History

    • Golden retrievers were bred as sport hunting dogs.

      The golden retriever was developed by a Scottish lord in the early 1800s. Lord Tweedmouth sought to create a reliable, intelligent gun dog that would retrieve waterfowl and other birds from far afield after hunters had shot the animals out of the sky. Lord Tweedmouth kept extensive records of his dogs' pedigrees. He interbred a local dog, the Tweed water spaniel, to other breeds such as the Irish setter and bloodhound. The breed was recognized in England in 1913, and golden retrievers joined the AKC in 1925. The golden retriever is also a popular breed that has ranked in the AKC top 10 for number of registered dogs for decades.

    Body

    • AKC standards for the height and weight of golden retrievers and yellow Labs are similar. Labs must be 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder, with females being smaller than males. Golden retrievers are slightly smaller, ranging from 21.5 to 24 inches tall. Labs are allowed a weight range of 55 pounds to 80 pounds, while golden retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds. The Lab tends to have a slightly blockier head than the golden retriever. The Lab also has a distinctive tail covered in short, coarse fur. Called an "otter tail," it is thick at the top and tapers gradually toward the tip.

    Coat and Color

    • The most distinguishing characteristic that sets the golden retriever and yellow Lab apart is the coat. The yellow Lab has dense, short hair that is nearly waterproof because of its soft undercoat. Golden retrievers have long hair also complemented by a water-repellent undercoat. The dog has extensive feathering on the legs, underbody, underside of the tail, thighs and neck. The yellow Lab is allowed to have a range of shades, from light cream to fox red. Golden retrievers also are allowed a range of colors from pale yellow to reddish gold.