Anyone familiar with both Golden Retrievers AND Labrador Retrievers? SHEDDING??

[Minerva Mouse]

My best friend has a lab, I have a golden retriever.

The labs hair, which is short and coarse, tends to stick to clothes like a needle. IMO the retrievers hair is soft and longer, so while it still sticks your clothes it's just on your clothes and not in them.

Both are huge shedders, and have similar health issues. But they are also both wonderful, loyal dogs (after the puppy stage of course).

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

We have 2 golden retrievers. Before we got our first I was like you and knew I wanted either a lab or a GR for a family pet. In my research I found again and again that even though the lab had the shorter hair they actually shed worse so I went with the GR, which was actually my first choice but I was scared of all the hair! I couldn't have asked for a better dog. Katy is a gift from God! We added Hurley to the family 1.5 years ago and never thought to look for a different breed. We are spoiled by the breed now even if we do have tumbleweeds of golden hair in every corner of the floor! Best dogs ever!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I usually left the mats of hair outside too, the birds loved to build nests with it. I collect old nests and have 2 with our dogs hair in it.

omg this is so true! its so cute! Lol! The first time i left a huge clump of hair out in the yard, within seconds a bird came along and scooped it up! So cute. From then on, I made sure to leave it outside for the birdies nest.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

We have a golden and he sheds A LOT! Didn't really know this about the breed until after we got him. If shedding bothers you I would look into a different breed. Ours gets so bad that we are surprised he still has fur. LOL

 

[JillianLeigh]

I think it also depends on the kind of lab you get, as they can have different coats.

I have a silver lab and he has a coarse, thin coat, and sheds very lightly. I have to sweep/vacuum about twice a week to keep up with the shedding, but I'm a bit OCD when it comes to my house being clean. Definitely the pins and needles kind of fur though.

A friend of mine has a black lab, and her coat is smooth and thick. Their house is COVERED in fur, and if you pet the dog, you can grab handfuls of fur.

 

[goofy!]

We unexpectedly "lost" our 1.5 year old dog due to aggression. We worked with her on it for 5 months, but she finally actually bit my husband on Christmas Eve. I watch my 2 year old nephew 40 hours/week in my home, so we can't risk it anymore trying to work with her in the home. Trust is gone. This has been heartbreaking for us, needless to say.

We are now in the beginning stages of finding a new family member. My husband & I want to take no chances with this and want either a Golden Retriever or a Lab, since they are popular dogs, that are proven to be great with families.

My question is regarding shedding. I HATE shedding & until our recent dog, I've never had a dog that sheds. My husband insists on a big dog, which basically means, SHEDDING. ugh. Our previous dog was a Olde English Bulldogge, not the typical Bulldog, but a larger healthier version. (kinda like a cross between Bulldog & Boxer). Anyway, her coat was, I'm assuming, similar to a Lab's- kinda like pin needles. A real pain since they really work themselves into clothing.

Would you say a Golden Retriever's hair sheds in clumps, individually or both?? I feel like with their soft hair, if it sheds in clumps it'd be a little easier to manage at least with clothing. I'm just trying to figure out which would be best.

Thanks in advance!

I have a large, non shedding breed, the Komondor. We do find some dust bunnies but nothing like a shedding dog.

However, it is not a breed for everybody. They take a lot of work with socializing and training, but they are absolutely fantastic family dogs. They are a bit guardy though.

 

[sukhakuli]

Dogs either shed, or they need to be clipped. We have had both, shedding dogs and non shedding, and I prefer shedding. Its easier to vacuum dog hair than to brush and clip constantly.

Is your only criteria the shedding? There are a lot of great breeds out there. When you say a large dog, what do you mean? Something like a mastiff or Great Dane, or something smaller?

 

[Wendy31]

Check out the Keeshond!

He's got a great personality & loves children, is quickly out of the "puppy" stages, easily trained, & is gorgeous!

We have one, & I call him a "golden retriever in a wolfy dog" body.

He sheds but not a lot, & it's always in clumps. He has 2 major "blowouts" a year.

Plus, his coat is maintained as natural & doesn't have to be professionally groomed - we brush ours about twice a week. Frequent bathing also actually damages his fur, so he gets baths about once a month or so. He doesn't have that "doggy" smell.

He's a smaller than a retriever; he's considered "medium-sized" - he's probably a little smaller than a collie, but he's a strong, sturdy dog.

We love our wolfy-dog!

 

[design_mom]

Poodles are out. My husband refuses.

If you're interested in a Poodle, but your husband isn't, do some research. It took me 3 years to "talk" my husband into a Standard Poodle after a string of Labs. We still love our Labs, but the poodle is great dog too... and he doesn't shed. (We still have a Lab and I've been known to call her PigPen after the Charlie Brown character. No matter how often we brush her, it's like she has a cloud of shedding hair wherever she goes!)

I think my husband was caught up in the fact that Poodles are not "manly" dogs. Ours is big, black, and we don't have him in a froo-froo show poodle haircut (that was one of my husband's stipulations, but I don't care for that look either -- look up "hunting poodles" for pictures of more utilitarian cuts). My husband was hesitant at first, but when we found exactly what we (I?) were looking for come up in a rescue he at least agreed to meet him. And then he was sold. The lack of shedding is VERY nice, too.

 

[KLAIT]

Believe it or not, we have one of each....they are both extremely gentle and loving dogs that I would not change for the world....that being said, we have so much fur in the house that it is a daily vacuum. I would not hesitate with either breed.

Like a previous poster said, it depends on the type of lab. Ours is black and has more wavy longer hair if I had to describe it. The golden is like most goldens.

As far as shedding, we can definitely see the golden hair a lot more because of the color and it is so fine and sticks to everything. The lab is black and harder to see, but in my opinion is easier to clean up because it is not as fine.

Good luck...you cannot go wrong with either and they will have your heart in no time at all.

 

[goofy!]

Dogs either shed, or they need to be clipped. We have had both, shedding dogs and non shedding, and I prefer shedding. Its easier to vacuum dog hair than to brush and clip constantly.

Is your only criteria the shedding? There are a lot of great breeds out there. When you say a large dog, what do you mean? Something like a mastiff or Great Dane, or something smaller?

That is the beauty of a Kom - no shedding AND no brushing. You never, ever brush a kom in cords. They have a slightly similar coat to the poodle. If I had a poodle, I definitely would have to have it corded to minimize the maintenance.

It is pretty intense the first 18 months getting the cords set, but after that, some cord maintenance and that is it.

Now bathing - that is a different story.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Dogs either shed, or they need to be clipped. We have had both, shedding dogs and non shedding, and I prefer shedding. Its easier to vacuum dog hair than to brush and clip constantly.

Is your only criteria the shedding? There are a lot of great breeds out there. When you say a large dog, what do you mean? Something like a mastiff or Great Dane, or something smaller?

Are you referring to actually taking a vacuum and vacuuming your dog? Yes, in theory, its a great idea. But a lot of dogs are terrified of vacuums. Like mine! OMG he wont go anywhere near one! So i have no choice but to brush.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

As mentioned, use a Furminator comb on whatever breed you choose. It strips out the dead hair that would end up on your furniture, floor, clothes, etc. I use it on my smooth coated Russell Terrier and get an amazing amount off of her.

Hint: packing tape does a great job on furniture (owned an Alaskan Malamute and even had to rake the yard when she blew her coat!).

 

[Tinijocaro]

Standard poodles are beautiful, graceful creatures. You don't have to give them the typical poodle cut. No shedding, just a grooming every 6-8 weeks.

Also Portugese Water dogs are big and non-shedding.

 

[chirurgeon]

My sisters first dog was a standard poodle. Murphy was one of the gentlest dogs. When my oldest niece was a baby, she would pulls rawhides and food right out of Murphy's mouth. Not even a growl. Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs. Even the traditional show cut was originated to protect the important parts of the animal. The big mane to protect the chest. The poofs on the legs to protect the joints and the tail poof to spot the dog in the brush. Give dh the facts, maybe he will surprise you.

 

[goofy4tink]

Goldens definitely shed! Probably differently than a lab, but they shed. There will be individual pieces everywhere (clothes, furniture) and then fur "tumbleweeds" will collect on the floor. Goldens are wonderful though! We lost our sweet Riley last summer.

What about a Goldendoodle or something similar that sheds less? In Nov, we got a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and he doesn't shed at all. He will be at least 40# when full grown, so not a huge dog, but still a good size.

We have a brand new Riley! Just two months old....beautiful little golden guy.. And the word tumbleweeds is 100%perfect when talking about goldens and shedding! Our last golden has been gone for 18 months....still find clumps of his fur around! But man, they're terrific dogs....once they stop nipping with those little baby teeth!

 

[goofyintoronto]

We have a brand new Riley! Just two months old....beautiful little golden guy.. And the word tumbleweeds is 100%perfect when talking about goldens and shedding! Our last golden has been gone for 18 months....still find clumps of his fur around! But man, they're terrific dogs....once they stop nipping with those little baby teeth!

i'd give anything to play with your puppy right now! I LOVE LOVE LOVE golden puppies!!!! Esp at 2 months age range. Man theyre like beavers, but theyre so cute!!

My golden chewed thru a solid wood coffee table when he was a puppy. He gnawed on a steel pipe, shoes, rugs, walls, mesh screen door, you name it! But i dont care, he's so cute.

 

[minkydog]

If you're interested in a Poodle, but your husband isn't, do some research. It took me 3 years to "talk" my husband into a Standard Poodle after a string of Labs. We still love our Labs, but the poodle is great dog too... and he doesn't shed.

I think my husband was caught up in the fact that Poodles are not "manly" dogs. Ours is big, black, and we don't have him in a froo-froo show poodle haircut .

My DH had the same mind-set--no sissy dogs! Miniature and toy poodles are girly, IMO. DH was greatly surprised that Standard Poodles are anything but sissies. In fact, the descriptor that first comes to mind is regal. They have a way of carrying themselves that commands respect of people and other dogs. But they are also very playful. Ours was quite energetic outdoors until the week he died, but he was calm inside the house.

I am not a big fan of the poofy poodle look. We kept ours in a 1" all over cut. Maintenance was easy with this cut.

 

[Girlfriday17]

Labs shed . It's worth it though....

Yes I vacuum a few times a week as I have light colored carpets and two black labs! The couch is charcoal gray and I keep a blanket on when there is no company. As much as I hate vacuuming I do brush them a few times a week, use the wire scraper outside each spring, plus they swim a lot in the summer so that helps too. They are friendly, not barkers, loving, and playful. My niece stuck her whole sticky hands into their mouths and they never bite. Nipping a bit when they get grabby with treats but a reminder to be gentle is all it takes. Love, love my girls! Plus mine are English breed so they are a little smaller.

 

[crazee4mickey]

My family has black, chocolate, golden and white Labradors and yes they shed like crazy but what amazingly kind, good natured, smart (question the chocolate one on this last one LOL).....just the most faithful companions ever!
My sister has always had golden retrievers, all the same characteristics of the labs but also sheds like crazy!
IMHO, they are definitely worth the hair!