Two New Tails Join the Journey
We are so excited to welcome Fable and Fitz to our training program! Fable was bred by Freedom Service Dogs and Fitz by Canine Companions. Both arrived at Helping Paws through our membership in the ADI International Breeding Cooperative and are third-generation Labrador-Golden crosses.
The Benefits of Labrador-Golden Crosses
Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are the two most widely used breeds in the assistance dog industry. In recent years, many organizations have begun crossing these breeds to increase genetic diversity and combine their strongest traits—working toward the goal of producing the ideal assistance dog.
Research supports this approach. In a review of assistance dog selection, Marcato et al. (2022) highlighted why these breeds—and their crosses—are so commonly chosen. Labrador Retrievers are valued for their cooperativeness, eagerness to please, and high trainability. They are also more likely than other breeds to successfully complete training and reach retirement, often scoring higher in areas such as nerve stability and cooperation, while showing lower levels of aggression.
Golden Retrievers, in contrast, are selected for their softer, gentler temperament (Evans et al., 2015). While they also score highly in trainability, they may require more time to mature. Goldens are more likely to be released for environmental sensitivity but are less likely to be released for social behaviors.
Labrador-Golden Crosses are the result of capitalizing on the Labrador's work ethic and willingness with the Golden's gentleness (Marcato et al., 2022). Studies have shown that first-generation crosses between these breeds have the highest likelihood of success as assistance dogs, likely due to the favorable combination of genetic traits (Marcato et al., 2022; Evans et al., 2015).
This advantage is often explained by hybrid vigor, or heterosis. Heterosis is a genetic phenomenon in which first-generation offspring outperform their purebred parents. Commonly observed in livestock breeding, heterosis can result in improved health, behavior, and overall performance. Evans et al. (2015) also explored how this benefit may decrease with repeated backcrossing, as often is the case with backcrossing from the first-generation cross, though crossing back to a Labrador Retriever still produces strong behavioral outcomes.
Many assistance dog organizations report higher overall success rates with purpose-bred Labrador-Golden crosses compared to either parent breed alone.
Are We Breeding Crosses at Helping Paws?
Helping Paws is not currently breeding these crosses. However, knowing the success that other organizations have reported, we are excited to begin incorporating them into our training program through partnerships with other organizations and the International Breeding Cooperative.
Sources
- Marcato M, Kenny J, O'Riordan R, O'Mahony C, O'Flynn B, Galvin P. Assistance dog selection and performance assessment methods using behavioural and physiological tools and devices. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2022;254:105691. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105691
- Evans KM, Lewis TW, Asher L, et al. Genetic evaluation of traits in a standardized behavioral test for potential guide dog puppies using crossbreed models. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 2015;10(6):459-464. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2015.08.004
Questions?
Please email Emma Hilby, PHD, Assistant Director of Breeding & Training, at ehilby@helpingpaws.org.
