Golden Retriever Dogs Overview
Golden Retrievers are friendly, loyal and eager to please, which makes them one of the easiest breeds to train. They are also a large, active sporting breed with a thick coat that sheds a lot, so they need time, space and a good vacuum cleaner.
At a Glance
- Size - large. Males stand 23 to 24 inches (58 to 61 cm), females 21.5 to 22.5 inches (55 to 57 cm).
- Weight - males 65 to 75 pounds (29 to 34 kg), females 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29 kg).
- Life expectancy - about 10 to 12 years.
- Coat - thick, water-repellent double coat.
- Exercise - high.
Size figures are from the American Kennel Club standard. Other kennel clubs' standards can differ slightly.
Temperament and Training
Goldens are outgoing and want nothing more than to please their people. Gently introducing a puppy to lots of people, places and situations between about seven weeks and four months old helps them become well-adjusted adults. Puppy classes are a great start.
Exercise and Space
Like most sporting breeds, Goldens need plenty of exercise every day, and one that doesn't get enough is likely to find its own, less welcome, ways to burn energy. Many love retrieving, swimming and dog sports. Ask your vet before starting strenuous or high-impact exercise such as long runs or cycling alongside you, as these can stress bones and joints.
Grooming and Shedding
Goldens shed moderately all year and heavily once or twice a year. Brushing once or twice a week removes much of the loose hair, and during heavy shedding you'll need to brush daily. Check the ears weekly for signs of infection, brush the teeth often and trim the nails regularly.
Weight
Some Goldens become overweight. Weigh their food, keep treats in moderation and avoid fatty table scraps and cooked bones.
Health Checks to Ask About
Responsible breeders screen breeding dogs for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions such as juvenile cataracts, pigmentary uveitis and progressive retinal atrophy, and certain heart diseases, including subvalvular aortic stenosis.
In the US, the national breed club recommends these tests for breeding dogs:
- Hip and elbow evaluations
- Heart (cardiac) exam
- Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
- DNA test for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5)
In the UK, the British Veterinary Association runs hip, elbow and eye schemes open to all breeds. Ask the breeder to show you both parents' results.
Who the Golden Retriever Suits
Active families and individuals with time for daily exercise and regular brushing, and who don't mind dog hair. Goldens are less suited to long days alone or to homes that want a tidy, low-shedding dog.
See also Puppy Training Basics, Feeding Puppies and Dogs by Age and Finding a Puppy.
Sources
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