is there much difference in temperaments? as i have a little girl and need to find a placid natured dog...

Hi
Never owned a Lab or a Golden, but have known people with them.
I think you can't go wrong with either.
Are you having a bitch or a dog?

As a working gundog which i guess this will not be, a Labrador is more forward in it's development towards maturity. We find that we need to "Massage" the Golden's ego or it switches off whereas the Labrador is generally much more forgiving of mistakes made in training. The same basic thing to a greater or lesser extent applies to a pet dog.
Both are generably ideal with children (Although ALL dogs should be supervised with children)
Both molt and although the Labrador has the shorter coat the longer Golden coat is less inclined the "Thread in" the carpets so is usually easier to clear up.

Really it's down to which you prefer!

Regards, John

thanks for that john... there both lovely looking dogs.

hi craig... id be happy with any to be honest, just struggling to find one for september when my hubby has a month off. got a few numbers now so im gonna start ringing tomorrow.

All the Goldies that I know are a lot more placcid than labs of the same age.

I've got 3 children (6, 4 and 20mths) and I wouldn't have a lab because they're just too bouncy and with the children it would be chaos.

Fiona
x x x

My Lab is 3 and quite laid back for a Lab but I guess with a Border Collie as well any dog seems calm.
Just had a 6 month old Lab Pup staying with me for a couple of days and she was mad.

Karen

Diab where abouts in the country are you as I do Lab Rescue in the Surrey area and if you were thinking of a rescue I can vist you,also Mattie does Lab Rescue in the North.

im in cumbria,

Diab where abouts in Cumbria I'm in Workington:D Gillian

thanks,youve given me something to think about! :)

Hi Diab
I would go for a Lab rather than a Golden Ret'. In my experience Goldens can be somewhat unpredictable at times, others may disagree but the breed does seem to have altered slightly temperament wise in recent years.
Dawn.

oooooo Dawn !

Diab - I have 2 Goldens but no children. However they do have contact with my nephews and nieces and are wonderful with them. One niece was scared of dogs but now wants to visit all the time because Sam is sooooo nice :D
With ref to what Dawn said she may be right although the comment is a little sweeping for my liking. It may be the case in some Golden lines (in her line of work Dawn probably meets more Goldens than me) but I wouldn't agree it is the breed as a whole. However you can find good and bad in all breeds.

Sara :)

Beany, Goldies rule.....OK? :)

"The Flower" might not agree with that!

:) :).sorry "Flower" ..no offence intended!!

Well I have the best of both worlds:D A Lab Golden Retriever X ;)
Anita

"Good and bad in all breeds" never a truer word spoke Sarah !
Dawn.

I worked until recently as a childminder and my golden was great with all the children including tiny babies. She was sure it was her job to sit with them and guard them! She has however been attacked by labradors three times, each time an entire male who in my experience, limited as it is, can be quite aggresive. Biased? Of course I am, especially as I have seven beautiful new puppies squeeling in the next room!

Jane

Theres good and bad in all breeds but I prefer my Labs,having said that mine are very well behaved ( I Think) and love children in fact love everyone Its all down to how you bring them up and a lot in rescue have not had the benefit of a loving home and love and patience,they do with time respond and the good thing about labs is that they are trainable / adaptable at almost any age.Obviously as I said you get good and bad and if you get a bad labrador then its the worst possible thing to happen,luckily they dont crop up often.
in Our rescue we get a mix of types so If I can help my phone number is : 01254 207660 or email labrador.rescue@btinternet.com

In my experience I have found labs a little more energetic than goldens BUT found the goldens a little more inclined to find mud!!
And lab tails really hurt when they whip your legs and golden tails don't seem to hurt as much!!!!!!!
Both are brill in a family when brought up correctly.