Difference between Labrador and Retriever

The two dog breeds are equally popular around the world and are so similar that they are often confused. These are the Labrador, the international name is Labrador Retriever, and the golden retriever, or Golden Retriever. In Russia, the latter are more often called simply retrievers, and more recently, in the English manner, Goldens. Knowing how a Labrador differs from a retriever will be useful primarily for those who are going to have a puppy and choose between these two breeds.

The origins of the similarities

According to the FCI classification, both breeds belong to group 8, section 1 - Retrievers. These are hunting dogs, originally intended for searching and retrieving downed game (from the English retrieve - "to re-search, get the lost, restore"). According to the descriptions of L. P. Sabaneev, hunting with a retriever looked like this: the cop finds the game, lifts it up on the wing and, having learned not to be shot, lies down. The hunter shoots. The retriever (he previously followed on the heels of the owner, without running forward) goes in search, brings prey and returns to his place, behind the hunter.

The retriever (now we are talking about both breeds) was not encouraged to strive for leadership - he should not get ahead, interfere with the cop and compete with her. Animals were selected that were balanced in character - after all, on any hunt, wounded animals occur, which must first be caught and then delivered to the owner. For any dog, an extremely difficult task is not to succumb to excitement and not to crush the fluttering wounded animal...

Labrador at work

It was important that the dog did not crush the trophy. Therefore, the so-called soft tooth was valued - powerful jaws, however, used very carefully. This is a characteristic feature of the breed group. The lack of bloodthirstiness was cultivated in retrievers, and this played a role - the breed is unsuitable for protection. The retriever will not tear a stranger, on the contrary, it will be glad to meet you. These dogs get along with all family members and other pets. They are strong - they are able to fight back even a wolf, and at the same time they are not in conflict.

It was required to bring the prey from afar, as a rule, from the water or from the bushes. That is, the dog must have a dense constitution that allows it to wade through the thickets, a wide deep mouth and a powerful neck in order to keep the game on weight for a long time. Retrievers are diligent and tireless - they are able to scurry for hours from the shore to the pond and back. They gravitate towards water and are very fond of swimming.

"Mass swim" of golden retrievers

Long-term selection according to the above criteria led to the fact that representatives of both breeds acquired many common features not only in appearance, but also the nature. Both are distinguished by their intelligence. They are characterized by excellent memory and quick wits, like most water dogs: after all, water is not a canine habitat, instincts do not always help...

A hard worker and an aristocrat

Despite the similarity, these are completely different breeds... The main difference between a Labrador and a retriever lies in their different "social" origins. The Labrador is a direct descendant of Native American dogs that lived in a fishing village on the island of Newfoundland (Canada). In summer, these dogs pulled fishing nets, in winter - sledges. From Portuguese labrador (with an emphasis on the 2nd syllable) just means - a worker, a hard worker. The Golden Retriever was bred by the Scottish Lord Tweedmouth, who devoted half of his life to this breed.

The appearance of the Labrador is simpler, he is more squat. According to the standards, the first impression of the Labrador is "strong build, compact dog..." and the golden retriever is "harmonious dog". Their behavior is appropriate: the first is straightforward and emotional, the second is more impressionable, restrained and even touchy. However, innate character traits can be completely changed by upbringing - both for the better and for the worse.

Visible differences

Color. When Lord Tweedmouth bred his breed, he preferred a color that was clearly visible against the background of dark peat bogs. For Golden Retrievers, the entire gamut of golden shades is permissible.

Golden Retrievers: from light gilding to dark gold

If the dog is black or chocolate, it is a Labrador. Ambiguity can arise only in one case: both Golden and Labrador have a color close to fawn.

Chocolate, fawn, black - the classic "trio"

Wool is one of the hallmarks of a Labrador. It has the property characteristic of waterfowl dogs - it is covered with a specific plaque, well palpable. Those who choose a pet for themselves should pay attention to this feature - not everyone is pleased with the "greasy" (rather, wax) bloom. The outer hair is dense, thick and elastic, not silky. Awn length - no more than 5 cm. Wave and curliness are unacceptable.

The Golden Retriever has a more decorative coat - shiny golden shades, often with a light wave. On the back of the legs, thighs, neck and tail there are beautiful long feathers, often lighter than the main tone.

Golden: impeccable appearance, noble character

Labrador can be distinguished by the "otter" tail - thickened at the base, covered with short strong hair. The Golden Retriever has a feather tail adorned with a plume similar to that of a setter. The Labrador, being in high spirits, carries its tail "cheerfully" - almost at right angles to the back, while in the retriever the tail line continues the line of the back, only sometimes it rises slightly upward.

Labrador: nothing superfluous

The head of the Labrador looks somewhat more massive: the breed was used when hunting for relatively large prey, including a hare (the weight of an adult hare - 4-6 kg), and the Golden Retriever is "sharpened" for lighter game birds.

When they are together

The difference between a Labrador and a golden retriever is especially noticeable when both dogs work or hunt together or even just play side by side on the dog playground. Many nuances are revealed in communication with the owner, in reaction to external stimuli - sharp noise, strangers, other animals, etc. Separately, these details are not so striking.

The easiest way to learn how to accurately distinguish between Labrik and Golden is to attend several classes where both breeds are present.

An old English joke: if there are two dogs, and it is not known which of them is a Labrador and who is a Golden Retriever, then they wait for bad weather and go to the river bank. A stick is thrown into the water there. The dog that is in the middle of the river before the object is thrown is a Labrador. And the one who first calculates the speed of the current, estimates the direction of the wind and remembers the weather forecast - the golden retriever.

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