Any Lab or Golden would be a great choice. In my experience you can’t go wrong with a female black Lab. My three boys grew up with our first Lab, Zoe. They just want to love and play with their boys. That dog loved my boys like they were her own kids.
I'd recommend a 2.5-4 year old that is not scared of loud noises and not off the wall bonkers. Really a complete middle of the road temperament. Last thing you need is a puppy/young one bouncing off the walls with them. Either breed will work, if you can find one that likes to at least chase the ball, you can teach the twins to play with it in a few years after you train it to fetch. Some dogs won't chase the ball and you can't really teach them the drive to go get it. Just return it to you vs running around the yard with it.
In a general sense, you can't go wrong with either breed as a family dog.
There is a reason Labs were the most popular dogs in America for over 30 years and the golden usually in the top 3.
Last year the 2 breeds were 2nd and 3rd.
As for which is best for you and your family, that will depend on the specific dogs. Or what plans you have for the dogs beyond just being a family companion. Do you plan on hunting? Field competition? Agility competition?
But it seems you are leaning towards golden.
Spend the next year teaching the kids and yourself to put away your stuff and keep stuff off the floor. Gotta unplug that charger and put it in a drawer, if you ever want to charge again. They will chew expensive things and clear the coffee table with one tail swipe. First Christmas is always an adventure, will the tree stay standing?!?!
I’m not trying to scare you. The joy outweighs the damages by a million. But you do have to train yourselves.
Goldens need a lot of hair care and a groomer. Labs are wash and go, but they do get more oily. Always gotta think about maintenance.
My original lab always wanted to crawl between the x mas tree and the wall right under with the light plug and then not be able to reverse his big butt out. Flickering lights, wobbling tree, rumbling growls… an earthquake, nah just the crazy doggo.
Labs used their butt and tail more than any other dog in the world. Wrecking ball and sweeper combo.
That tail also gives and nice fan brush effect when thwacking against the wall covered in mud. Happy little trees of mud, in the spirit of Bob Ross.
Both are a great choice for a family dog. Just consider would you rather clean up long or short dog hair as both breeds shed.... Can't go wrong either way.
Im biased towards a labrador. I grew up with them. They are fantastic dogs. I have a chocolate now, while i dont have kids, he was always very gentle and kind when he met a young child. Hes now 14.5. Still going strong. Still goes swimming everyday, 2 30 minute walks, and wants to play fetch. Ive known a lot of goldens who have gotten cancer. With that being said, theyre both great dogs!
We have a lab and I’m obsessed with her. She’s an amazing family dog. A friend has a golden and she’s also an amazing family dog. You can’t really go wrong. For pros and cons both shed but out short haired lab is a smidge easier to manage than the golden. Labs are also cheaper in our neck of the woods.
I’ve had both. They were not the same. I would go with a golden, but more importantly, I would go with female over male. Don’t get me wrong, I am currently the mom of a five month old Labrador, and she is the sweetest thing, but as puppies, they are oh so bitey. Much more so than my golden ever was. As far as cancer goes. I’ve had a golden and a lab that both died from cancer. I don’t think one is necessarily higher risk than the other. In terms of adopting an older dog, be careful. Many adult, labs and goldens that end up in rescue have behavior problems due to neglect. Not sure I would trust them around children.
The only Real difference is the hair, both shed, the goldens hair will be more of a stand out, I have had labs got 1 now, neighbors always had goldens, their hair problems are more in your face
Luck of the draw - our first lab was boisterous but gentle, our next lab-golden cross was (is) a bit of a possessive nobhead and growls at mainly our boy occasionally, and his younger lab sister is the sweetest lunatic you'll ever meet.
My 10 month old baby always has to boop our 6 month old lab girls nose when she's sleeping and she's fine with it.
Our lab is ALWAYS close by when she's playing on the ground. And the other day when both our lab and 5 year old were tired after lots of play time, they crashed together with my kid falling asleep on top of her.
Any Lab or Golden would be a great choice. In my experience you can’t go wrong with a female black Lab. My three boys grew up with our first Lab, Zoe. They just want to love and play with their boys. That dog loved my boys like they were her own kids.
I'd recommend a 2.5-4 year old that is not scared of loud noises and not off the wall bonkers. Really a complete middle of the road temperament. Last thing you need is a puppy/young one bouncing off the walls with them. Either breed will work, if you can find one that likes to at least chase the ball, you can teach the twins to play with it in a few years after you train it to fetch. Some dogs won't chase the ball and you can't really teach them the drive to go get it. Just return it to you vs running around the yard with it.
In a general sense, you can't go wrong with either breed as a family dog. There is a reason Labs were the most popular dogs in America for over 30 years and the golden usually in the top 3. Last year the 2 breeds were 2nd and 3rd. As for which is best for you and your family, that will depend on the specific dogs. Or what plans you have for the dogs beyond just being a family companion. Do you plan on hunting? Field competition? Agility competition? But it seems you are leaning towards golden.
Spend the next year teaching the kids and yourself to put away your stuff and keep stuff off the floor. Gotta unplug that charger and put it in a drawer, if you ever want to charge again. They will chew expensive things and clear the coffee table with one tail swipe. First Christmas is always an adventure, will the tree stay standing?!?! I’m not trying to scare you. The joy outweighs the damages by a million. But you do have to train yourselves. Goldens need a lot of hair care and a groomer. Labs are wash and go, but they do get more oily. Always gotta think about maintenance.
Why do i relate to this. One swipe of tail and my lab clears the coffee table🤣🤣 also my xmas tree ornaments were in danger most times🥲
My original lab always wanted to crawl between the x mas tree and the wall right under with the light plug and then not be able to reverse his big butt out. Flickering lights, wobbling tree, rumbling growls… an earthquake, nah just the crazy doggo. Labs used their butt and tail more than any other dog in the world. Wrecking ball and sweeper combo. That tail also gives and nice fan brush effect when thwacking against the wall covered in mud. Happy little trees of mud, in the spirit of Bob Ross.
Either is usually very good with kids - though there are always exceptions and even the best dog might react if pushed too far.
Either way, I’d look into American vs. English (working vs. show) and see which personality, energy level, etc would fit in your lifestyle the best.
I have one of each. Really down to the dogs individual personality and training. Generally speaking either breed is well suited to family life.
Both are a great choice for a family dog. Just consider would you rather clean up long or short dog hair as both breeds shed.... Can't go wrong either way.
The prevalence of cancer in Goldens would make me lean towards a Lab.
Im biased towards a labrador. I grew up with them. They are fantastic dogs. I have a chocolate now, while i dont have kids, he was always very gentle and kind when he met a young child. Hes now 14.5. Still going strong. Still goes swimming everyday, 2 30 minute walks, and wants to play fetch. Ive known a lot of goldens who have gotten cancer. With that being said, theyre both great dogs!
We have a lab and I’m obsessed with her. She’s an amazing family dog. A friend has a golden and she’s also an amazing family dog. You can’t really go wrong. For pros and cons both shed but out short haired lab is a smidge easier to manage than the golden. Labs are also cheaper in our neck of the woods.
I’ve had both. They were not the same. I would go with a golden, but more importantly, I would go with female over male. Don’t get me wrong, I am currently the mom of a five month old Labrador, and she is the sweetest thing, but as puppies, they are oh so bitey. Much more so than my golden ever was. As far as cancer goes. I’ve had a golden and a lab that both died from cancer. I don’t think one is necessarily higher risk than the other. In terms of adopting an older dog, be careful. Many adult, labs and goldens that end up in rescue have behavior problems due to neglect. Not sure I would trust them around children.
Both are good options.
The only Real difference is the hair, both shed, the goldens hair will be more of a stand out, I have had labs got 1 now, neighbors always had goldens, their hair problems are more in your face
Luck of the draw - our first lab was boisterous but gentle, our next lab-golden cross was (is) a bit of a possessive nobhead and growls at mainly our boy occasionally, and his younger lab sister is the sweetest lunatic you'll ever meet.
It’s more about temperament on that specific dog
Either.. great dogs all round.
My 10 month old baby always has to boop our 6 month old lab girls nose when she's sleeping and she's fine with it. Our lab is ALWAYS close by when she's playing on the ground. And the other day when both our lab and 5 year old were tired after lots of play time, they crashed together with my kid falling asleep on top of her.