Goldens vs Labs?

For those that have been around both, what are your thoughts on the similarities and differences between the two breeds?

I work with a lot of both (in both original and doodle variety ) but I don't live with them so this is my very basic analysis

Differences
- Shedding (long gold hairs vs. short stubby ones)
- Goldens seem more... trusting happy? I dunno, some labs seem to be a bit more protective sometimes or property/people.
- Labs have the tendency to be fatter.

Similarities
- Both are crazy adorable puppies, just plain CRAZY for a while, then really mellow out with age.
- Mouthy as pups
- Fetch. Tennis balls. lots of em.
- Water
- FOOD ALL THE FOOD IS MINEEEEE

The labs I know are tougher dogs than the goldens I know. More drive, more.... fire... behind that drive.

I like goldens better but can't pinpoint why beyond 'omg fluffeh!' Heh

I've known a lot of labs and they vary a ton. I've known/seen some with a TON of drive and others that are very mellow. My nosework trainer and classmate both have labs and all their dogs are very low key, low drive and mellow. On the other hand the last trial I went to had a multi-MACH lab that was awesome! But there was a golden running there too that was equally awesome and drivey. So I'd say it really depends on the lines and the individual. I prefer long hair though so goldens it is.

I've always thought goldens were a bit "softer" in temperament than labs.... A little more sensitive if you will. But then that's in fairly limited experience. I much prefer (most) goldens - I mesh with their personalities better. They're both energetic but in different ways I think. Labs seem to be a little more "tank like"... Goldens a bit less so.

I have never owned a Golden, but we have many, many clients with Goldens, and many, many clients with Labradors. (And I've owned Labradors.)

When you walk into an exam room and the Golden melts into a puddle at your feet and spends the entire exam flipped over on its back so you can give it belly rubs while it tries to just melt into your skin and give you happy kisses....that is a stereotypical Golden.

When you walk into an exam room and the Labrador is just this happy, bouncy ball of tail wagging happiness because ZOMG, you are there to say hi, and ZOMG, you have a treat in your pocket, and ZOMG, you want me to hold still now?!?!....that is a stereotypical Lab.

Granted, not all Golden's melt and a lot of (older) Labs are quite content to hold still and behave, but I think that says a lot about their inherent personality.

When we have a bad Golden come in, we're typically battling some type of fear aggression, or submissive urination issue. When we have a bad Labrador come in, we're typically battling some kind of handler/dog aggression.

Both of them are Retrievers and have similarities based on that. But I think your typical Golden is going to be much more "soft". Like...how a spaniel is soft. I don't really know how to explain it. All of my Labradors have been great watch dogs, and both even showed protective tendencies as well. None of the Goldens I've met have even acted like they would be protective, and their barks were typically, "Yey, someone is HERE!!!!!" barks and not, "Hey, someone is here," barks.

I've met some Goldens that were more "field bred" and they were a blast. Very agile, very quick, very smart, and very trainable, and they didn't have a crap ton of coat like some BYB Goldens do. Just as soft and sweet, however.

That's pretty much it. Shedding wise, I've found that Golden hair floats while Lab hair just falls to the floor. Goldens were one of the breeds we've always considered (we used to baby sit our friend's. All together Rocky spent about half of his 14 years with us).

This is pretty much me too.

I've only met one Golden I didn't like. I've met countless Labs that I didn't like (but of course, there are those that I DO like too).

While both tend to be very friendly with strangers, and both seem very non-protective to me, Labs that I've been around are just SOO over-the-top about their 'OMGILOVEYOU', whereas I find most Goldens to be a bit more 'gentle'.

Pretty much what was already said. But yeah.

Goldens lean against your knee while shoving a toy in your face.
Labs take out your knees while slamming a toy in your face.

This is the most accurate comparison I've ever seen.
I have a field bred golden. He's a lot of "dog" - energetic, vocal, hyper, driven, crazy golden boy. But he's gentle and will calmly melt at anyone's feet who gives him some lovin. My old roommate had a lab (sire was field bred, dam was show) and he was more exuberant and goofy. Less graceful. More quiet, more meek. Both breeds vary so much that it's hard to make a generalization, but that sums up my experience