Is the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labrador Retriever better for families with children?

Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labrador Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labrador Retriever?

The Flat-Coated Retriever and Labrador Retriever shed a similar amount (high).

Which is easier to train, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labrador Retriever?

The Labrador Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Flat-Coated Retriever or Labrador Retriever bigger?

Flat-Coated Retriever and Labrador Retriever are a similar size (Large).

Which barks more, Flat-Coated Retriever or Labrador Retriever?

Flat-Coated Retriever tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Labrador Retriever is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Flat-Coated Retriever or Labrador Retriever?

For apartment or apartment living, Labrador Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Flat-Coated Retriever vs Labrador Retriever: Easier to Groom?

Flat-Coated Retriever vs Labrador Retriever: full comparison

Trait	Flat-Coated Retriever	Labrador Retriever
Size	Large	Large
Energy level	Very High	High
Trainability	High	Very High
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Medium	Low
Shedding	High	High
Barking	Medium	Low
Protectiveness	Low	Low
Adaptability	High	Very High
Typical lifespan	10 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The Flat-Coated Retriever is a large dog that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. By comparison, the Labrador Retriever is a large dog that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Flat-Coated Retriever is a true athlete that needs intense daily exercise and a job to do, or it will get restless. The Labrador Retriever needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Flat-Coated Retriever wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and sheds enough that regular cleaning becomes routine. The Labrador Retriever asks for a light brush once or twice a week and sheds enough that regular cleaning becomes routine. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Flat-Coated Retriever learns quickly and enjoys the training process, barks a fair amount, usually for a reason and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Labrador Retriever is exceptionally bright and absorbs new commands at speed, speaks up only now and then and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, Flat-Coated Retriever is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors, whereas Labrador Retriever is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Labrador Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Flat-Coated Retriever and Labrador Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Labrador Retriever has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Labrador Retriever has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Flat-Coated Retriever and Labrador Retriever are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Flat-Coated Retriever if you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure.

Choose the Labrador Retriever if you want a longer-lived breed, you want an easier dog to train, or you want a more adaptable dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labrador Retriever better for families with children?: Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Labrador Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labrador Retriever?: The Flat-Coated Retriever and Labrador Retriever shed a similar amount (high).
Which is easier to train, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Labrador Retriever?: The Labrador Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Flat-Coated Retriever or Labrador Retriever bigger?: Flat-Coated Retriever and Labrador Retriever are a similar size (Large).
Which barks more, Flat-Coated Retriever or Labrador Retriever?: Flat-Coated Retriever tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Labrador Retriever is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Flat-Coated Retriever or Labrador Retriever?: For apartment or apartment living, Labrador Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Flat-Coated Retriever vs Labrador Retriever