Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees"
Compare Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever or Great Pyrenees?
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Name | Labrador Retriever | Golden Retriever | Great Pyrenees |
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Origins | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Group | Gun Dog | Gun Dog | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
Popularity Rank | 1 | 3 | 66 |
Reviews | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Rate |
Other Names | Labrador, Lab | Yellow Retriever, Golden Flat Coat | Great Pyrenees, Patou, Chien Des Pyrénées, Chien De Montagne Des Pyrénées, Montañés Del Pirineo, Gos De Muntanya Dels Pirineus |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933 as a Working breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. | Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. | Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club |
Price | $1000-$2000 | $1000-$2000 | $500-$600 |
General Appearance - Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees
Size | Large | Large | Giant |
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Weight | Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) | Male: 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) | Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg) |
Avg. Weight | Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) | Male: from 100 pounds (45 kg), Female: from 85 pounds (38 kg) |
Height | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm) | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) | Male: 27-32 inches (69-81 cm), Female: 25-29 inches (63-74 cm) |
Avg. Height | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm) | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 21 inches (53.5 cm) | Male: 29.5 inches (75 cm), Female: 27 inches (68.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees
Coat | Dense Waterproof Hard Short | Silky Wavy Shiny Straight | Dense Double |
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Colors | Yellow Chocolate Black | Golden Light | White |
Grooming | Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. | Average: The Golden Retriever requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Great Pyrenees requires average grooming effort. |
Shedding Level | Labrador Retrievers shed moderately. | Golden Retrievers shed moderately. | Great Pyreneess shed above average. |
Characteristics - Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees
Temperament | Affectionate Cheerful Friendly Intelligent Loyal Playful Social Alert Energetic Gentle Loving Going Responsive | Confident Intelligent Reliable Friendly Kind Trustworthy | Affectionate Fearless Patient Confident Gentle Strong Willed |
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Intelligent Rank | Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: Golden Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Average: Great Pyrenees's has average obedience intelligence. |
Trainability | Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train. | Golden Retrievers are easy to train. | Great Pyreneess are easy to train. |
Playfulness | The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. | The Golden Retriever is a highly playful breed. | Great Pyreneess are not the most playful dog breed. |
Sensitivity Level | Labrador Retrievers don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | Golden Retrievers have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | Labrador Retrievers may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. | Golden Retrievers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Great Pyreneess are average dogs regarding their affection level. |
Social Needs | Labrador Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. | Golden Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. | Great Pyreneess are a social breed. |
Barking | Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. | Low to Average: The Golden Retriever rarely barks. | Average to high: The Great Pyrenees is a vocal breed. |
Watchdog Ability | Labrador Retrievers are average watchdogs. | Golden Retrievers are average watchdogs. | Great Pyreneess are one of the best watchdogs. |
Territorial | Labrador Retrievers are average defenders. | Golden Retrievers are average defenders. | Great Pyreneess strongly protect their territory. |
Biting Potential |
Moderate The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. |
Moderate The Golden Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Great Pyrenees has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Labrador Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Golden Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Great Pyreneess have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Labrador Retrievers have average wanderlust potential. | Golden Retrievers tend to escape less than other breeds. | Great Pyreneess have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. |
Prey Drive | Labrador Retrievers have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. | Golden Retrievers have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Great Pyreneess have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
Apartment Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. | Golden Retrievers are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. | Great Pyreneess are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
Adaptability | Labrador Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Golden Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Great Pyreneess adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Labrador Retrievers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Golden Retrievers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Great Pyreneess do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees
Stranger Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are very stranger friendly dogs. | Golden Retrievers are very stranger friendly dogs. | Great Pyreneess are average friendly towards strangers. |
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Child Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are very kid-friendly dogs. | Golden Retrievers are very kid-friendly dogs. | Great Pyreneess are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are cat-friendly dogs. | Golden Retrievers are cat-friendly dogs. | Great Pyreneess are cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are very dog-friendly dogs. | Golden Retrievers are very dog-friendly dogs. | Great Pyreneess are average friendly towards other dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Yes Golden Retriever is one of the best dog breeds for office environment |
No Great Pyrenees is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Great Pyreneess are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Labrador Retrievers are usually friendly towards other pets. | Golden Retrievers are usually friendly towards other pets. | Great Pyreneess are usually friendly towards other pets. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Labrador Retrievers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Yes Golden Retrievers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
No Great Pyreneess are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. |
Yes Golden Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. |
Not really Great Pyrenees breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees
Health Issues | The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | Golden Retrievers are commonly healthy dogs. | Great Pyreneess are commonly healthy dogs. |
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Health Problems | Acute Moist Dermatitis Bloat Cataracts Cold Tail Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Myopathy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia | Allergies Bloat Cataracts Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hemangiosarcoma Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Osteochondrosis Dissecans Osteosarcoma Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Von Willebrand's Disease | Addison's Disease Bloat Cataracts Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Entropion Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation |
Life Expectancy | 10-12 years | 10-12 years | 10-12 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
Energy Level | Labrador Retrievers are high energy dogs. | Golden Retrievers are high energy dogs. | Great Pyreneess have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
Exercise Need | Labrador Retrievers need a lot of exercises. | Golden Retrievers need a lot of exercises. | Great Pyreneess have an average exercise need. |
Sleeping Need | Labrador Retrievers don't need too much sleep. | Golden Retrievers don't need too much sleep. | Great Pyreneess don't need too much sleep. |
Avg. daily food consumption | Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals |
Weight Gain Potential | High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to overweight. | High: The Golden Retriever breed has a strong tendency to overweight. | Average to High. |
Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
Prefers cold weather The Great Pyrenees can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. |
Stinkiness |
High The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Golden Retriever has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Great Pyrenees has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. | The Golden Retriever drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The Great Pyrenees is a perfect example for low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever vs Great Pyrenees
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 5-10 puppies | 5-10 puppies | 6-9 puppies |
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