A Golden Retriever relaxing in the park.

Golden Retriever

avatar Christy McDowell, LVT, VTS (ECC)

Height21-24"

Weight55 - 75 lbs

TypeSporting

Life Expectancy10 - 12 years

Area of OriginGreat Britain

Energy Level

Playfulness

Friendliness to dogs

Friendliness to strangers

exercise requirements

affection level

friendliness to other pets

watchfulness

Grooming Requirements

Vocality

The Golden Retriever is admired the world over, and currently ranked as the third most popular breed by the American Kennel Club. Originally bred as hunting dogs, they are commonly used today as guide dogs for the blind, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, and tracking and scenting specialists. The Golden Retriever personality is loving and loyal, and they are well known for their intelligence and trainability.

Energy Level

Playfulness

Friendliness to dogs

Friendliness to strangers

exercise requirements

affection level

friendliness to other pets

watchfulness

Grooming Requirements

Vocality

Where Are Golden Retrievers From?

The Golden Retriever dates back to the early 1800s, when they developed a reputation as a premier hunting dog in Scotland. It is said that in 1865, Lord Tweedmouth made a plan to breed the ideal gun dog on his Scottish estate. He initially bred a yellow Wavy-coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel, taking the best bitch from the litter and first crossing her with a Red Setter and then with a Tweed Water Spaniel.

Offspring from both litters were bred back to the Wavy-coated Retriever, followed by mating of the golden-colored pups to produce the foundation of the Golden Retriever. The breed was originally called the Flat-coated Retriever, then renamed Golden in 1903, before ultimately being dubbed the Golden Retriever in 1911. Golden Retrievers were introduced in America at the end of the 19th Century, but were not registered into the American Kennel Club until 1932.

Where Are Golden Retrievers From?

Care

What Kind of Diet Does a Golden Retriever Need?

The Golden Retriever requires a high-quality diet, which is essential for their health and well-being. Proper nutrition may also help prevent food-related skin allergies. Obesity is a concern, so sufficient exercise is required to maintain a healthy weight. Only offering occasional treats helps, too.

Are Golden Retrievers Healthy?

Due to the popularity of the Golden Retriever, poor breeding practices have been implemented to keep up with demand, which has resulted in health issues. Diseases like certain cancers, hip dysplasia, allergies, and epilepsy are some of the most common among the breed. Their lifespan averages 10 – 12 years.

Golden Retrievers are predisposed to: gastric torsion, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, hot spots, hypothyroidism, atopy, interdigital dermatitis, food allergy, lick granuloma, cataracts, diabetes, osteocondrosis of the shoulder, corneal ulceration, glaucoma, laryngeal paralysis, entropion, ectropion, distichiasis, melanoma, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, progressive retinal atrophy, aortic stenosis, pericardial effusion, ectopic ureter, elbow dysplasia, dwarfism, osteochondrosis, and Von Willebrand’s disease.

Are Golden Retrievers Healthy?

Caring for a Golden Retriever

What Kind of Diet Does a Golden Retriever Need?

How Often Do You Need to Brush a Golden Retriever?

Are Golden Retrievers Healthy?

Are Golden Retrievers Easy to Train?

How Much Exercise Does a Golden Retriever Need?

What Kind of Diet Does a Golden Retriever Need?

What Are the Physical Characteristics of a Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever is of a medium size and quite muscular. They display a kind expression and have an eager personality. The desired height is 21 – 24 inches at the shoulders and the desired weight is 55 – 75 pounds.

Golden Retriever eyes are friendly in expression and medium to dark brown in color. The head is broad and moderately round. Ears are short, triangular, and hanging to the level of the jaw.

The body of a Golden Retriever is stable and deep chested. They are muscular and hard working dogs.

The tail is thick and muscular at the base with moderate feathering. It curls upward at the end and is constantly wagging.

Legs are straight and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.

The Golden Retriever has a dense and water-repellent coat. The outer coat is durable and may be straight or wavy. The coat on the back of the legs and underside of the body may be feathered. Color of the coat may be various shades of golden with lighter notes of feathering underneath.

The hindquarters are muscular, with straight, solid legs.

Golden Retriever Facts

1

Duke, the star of Bush's Baked Beans' advertising campaign, has been played by multiple dogs, but the original Duke is real and owned by Jay Bush himself.

2

Retrievers have spent time in the White House. President Reagan famously named his Golden Retriever "Victory," and President Ford was also fond of the breed.

3

A folktale about the Golden Retriever links their origin to a troupe of Russian circus dogs performing in Brighton.

Other Breeds to Explore

Choosing a German Shorthaired Pointer

Choosing a Brittany

Choosing a Chesapeake Bay Retriever

References

Morris, Desmond. Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds. Trafalgar Square, 2002.
American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog Book. Random House Digital, Inc., 2006.
Wilcox, Bonnie and Chris Walkowicz. The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. T.F.H Publications, Inc., 1995.
Greenberg, Aurora. “Golden Retriever Dog Breed Information.” American Kennel Club, 6 Nov. 2017, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/.