Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever is not only a service dog, and considering the love it has to give and the uncontrollable joyous purpose of his life he is less likely to bite than to bark, less likely to bark than to lick your face when he sees you. Despite being a pretty heavy dog, he thinks he is a lap dog, and despite being a dog, he thinks he is a human, and any human that gets to own a Golden Retriever dog is blessed to be in paradise.

Golden Retriever is a soulful dog with a face that looks like heaven. Any person who has owned a Retriever can never adopt any other dog breed. Extremely therapeutic, they are going to fill your life with happiness.

Known to be one of the most popular dogs, the Golden Retriever breed has listed among the top 5 popular dogs in the AKC ranking for three consecutive years. They are our absolute favorite for another reason as well – Golden Retriever is known to be the fourth most intelligent dog breed of the canine kingdom after Border Collie, Poodles, and German Shepherd.

More than anything, they are a bundle of affection and a will love you furr-ever!

Did you know?
Golden Retriever is known to be comforting to other animals, including cats?

Don’t stop retrieving, hold onto this canine. We have mutt more to offer.

Golden Retriever Pictures

Quick Facts

Avg. Weight: 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)

Avg. Height: 23-24 inches(male), 21.5- 22.5 inches (female)

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Dog Group: Sporting group

Dog Ranking: 3/193 (America)

Colors:  Dark Golden, Light Golden, Cream, Golden

At A Glance

About Golden Retrievers

The fourth smartest dog breed and one of the top ten most popular breeds in the USA, Golden Retriever is an ideal dog if you want to live your life like a holiday. They are known for their beautiful golden-brown coat with a pair of soulful eyes and cute floppy ears. They are friendly and very affectionate. Though they are very social and highly intelligent they never want to grow up. A senior Golden Retriever still behaves like a puppy and refuse to act mature.

The only kind of growth you will ever see your Goldie would be in height and weight. Golden Retriever weight withers between 65 to 75 pounds for a male and between 55 to 65 pounds for a Golden Retriever female. Their height is not more than 21 to 24 inches. For males, the height is between 23 to 24 inches and for female Golden Retriever height is between 21 to 22 inches at the shoulder.  

A medium-sized dog, Golden Retrievers can accommodate in an apartment living. Though they have a lot of energy, if provided with the required exercise regime and proper potty training, they can fit well in an apartment as well. Golden Retriever owners have often complained about something they call “zoomies”. When a Goldie gets zoomies, he runs to and fro an entire length like a maniac. This can be due to sheer excitement and can be controlled if you neuter your dog. If otherwise be ready to provide an area exclusively for his zoom drives.

Golden Retriever was bred in Scotland to help hunters retrieve fowls especially ducks for hunters and are known to bring them unharmed because of their soft mouthing habit. This also means that they are used to a lot of walking or jogging. They are excellent swimmers and are always up for a stroll on the beach or a game of fetch. What a sight it would be to see a Goldie running on the beach in his best swimming trunks! Dog-Baywatch.

Golden Retriever breed is a perfect family dog and is very comfortable with children. If you have a human toddler at home, a Goldie will protect him against all odds. Sadly, because of their large bodies, they might knock your baby off so you need to supervise them while they are together. Additionally, they need a lot of attention and would always want to contribute to family discussions. Known as Velcro dogs, you will always find them sleeping as close to you as possible. If left alone, they might develop separation anxiety. If you cannot give your Golden Retriever all the love of the world, you need to reconsider.

Golden Retriever is a very quiet breed and your neighbors will have no idea that you have adopted a dog. They seldom bark except when they see something unusual like a bird in your balcony. Apart from being quiet, they are also very friendly which makes them a terrible watchdog. Don’t be surprised to see your Goldie playing serving drinks to a complete stranger. Not just strangers, they will also be uber-friendly with your stranger neighbor’s stranger cat. A first canine that can get protective about the feline.

Golden Retriever training is very easy. They are very cooperative and ready to please their masters. Praise and positive reinforcement work wonder with this breed and they are known to excel in obedience and agility. A regular 30 minutes walk and a lot of playtime is enough to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

Known for their gorgeous coat, this also becomes their biggest drawback. Golden Retriever shedding is enormous. They shed all year round and more than every during spring and fall. Become used to dog fur on your clothes all the time. Golden Retriever is not a hypoallergenic breed and people who are allergic to dog fur need to take extra grooming efforts.

Surprisingly, Golden Retriever lifespan is comparative longer than other medium-sized dogs and life for a good 10 to 12 years.

There are three Golden Retriever types – English, American, and Canadian. A flavor for every soul, all you need to do is grab a spoon!

History

Golden Retriever origin goes back in the 19^th century when almost everybody was busy breeding dogs for various reasons, a Scottish businessman and Liberal politician called Dudley Coutts Majoribanks, 1^st Baron Tweedmouth also tried his hands in developing a sporting dog. Wildfowl hunting was a trend amongst the wealthy Scottish elite but the existing retriever was incapable of retrieving the hunted fowl from both water and land. A breed that could retrieve from both land and water became a necessity because the gaming field was filled with marshy ponds and rivers.

Thus, started the breeding process of Golden Retriever. The original cross was between a yellow-colored retriever, Nouns, with Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) female dog called Belle. The litter became the basis of further breeding with Irish Setters and Bloodhound. The bloodline was also inbred to finally get Majoribanks desired hunting dog. Consequent breeding led to the first-ever Golden Retriever litter, an active and powerful dog with a soft mouth to retrieve the downed game. This breed was such that it showed excellent agility in the field and was gentle and friendly at home. A warrior infield, and a lover at home, here comes the medieval Scottish knight!

One of the most renowned Golden Retriever was Don of Gerwyn, a successor of Tweedmouth’s first Golden Retriever litter. He won the International Gundog League trial in 1904.

Golden Retrievers were first accepted by The Kennel Club in 1903 as Flat Coats – Golden. By 1911, they were recognized as a distinct breed named as Retrievers – Golden and Yellow.

The American Kennel Club recognized Golden Retriever a sporting dog in 1932 and ever since they have been our favorite! <3

Facts Theater

Bailey, The influencer – Bailey has been one of the first Instagram dog influencers who paved way for a generation of dog influencers on social media. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 but he will forever remain the internet’s favorite Golden Retriever.

The Celebrity Retriever – Buddy, a Golden Retriever, is known for his two major roles on screen. All those who remember 1980’s American sitcom Full House, Comet was a Goldie. Buddy was more famous for his role in the Air Bud series, where Buddy played the role of a dog that excelled in basketball.

Dog-licious Tucker Budzyn – Yet another dog influencer, Golden Retriever Tucker Budzyn, who has been breaking the internet with his cheeky personality and a gorgeous girlfriend. With 3 million followers, he has secured his place in YouTube’s “trending page” and a shout out from Oprah.

The President’s Choice – Both American Presidents, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan had a Golden Retriever as pets while in the office tenure.

Heroic Goldies – Bretagne and Riley were two Golden Retrievers who participated and performed exceptionally in the search and rescue operation after the September 11 attack in 2001.

Google’s Golden – Google TV made a commercial that featured a Goldie in their “Teach an Old Dog New Tricks” Song by The Beatles.

Mr. Longbottom’s Wingpeople – Adam Levine, the actor who played Mr. Longbottom in the Harry Potter series, is the father of two Golden Retrievers – Charlie and Frankie Girl. Sadly, Frankie Girl has passed away.

Parenting and Care

Provide your Golden Retriever with a place to sleep. It is okay to let him sleep on the bed with you but it is important to provide him with a space of his own. Golden Retriever is prone to separation anxiety and he must learn how to stay alone since puppyhood. For reason as such, he needs proper crate training. A stress-relieving dog bed can also work wonders. It gives the puppy the warmth of his mother and will help him cope with separation anxiety when you are away.

Provide them with a wholesome diet. The Golden Retriever breed is a big-time foodie. He will keep drooling over everything from dog food to human food. Feed him a wholesome meal before you sit to have yours otherwise find him under the dining table eying your food. Do not give him the food you eat because it can be extremely harmful and toxic food for dogs. They are not only great eaters but they also tend to put on extra weight very quickly. Limit their diet to one complete meal a day if you see him putting on weight.

Provide them with enough space. Golden Retriever gets zoomies, that is, running to and fro in excitement. This happens with almost all types of Golden Retriever especially if they are unneutered. To vent this energy out, they need a lot of space, ideally a backyard. If not a backyard, a big hall would work fine, though they regulate the running length according to the space provided. This will happen more so after they take a bath. It would work well if you take him directly to the yard after their bath.

Provide them with enough physical and mental stimulation. Goldies are very energetic and they can jump around the entire day. A good 30 to 60 minutes work out including a little playtime, twice a day, will keep them calm throughout the day. However, because they are retriever they will keep bringing back their favorite toy to you. Do not throw them back because they would go and fetch it in second and there is no stopping thereafter. It is a vicious cycle. If you like jogging or swimming, you have got a perfect companion in your Golden Retriever. They love waters and they love walking. Where is your Goldie, already?

Suggested: Dog-friendly beaches in the USA

Obedience and Command training is a must. Golden Retrievers are known to excel in obedience and agility. Golden Retriever training is not very difficult. Once you teach him the basic dog training commands, he will do anything to please you. Keep in mind that they are dependent dogs and they will need your complete support in training. They are the fourth smartest dog breed, so it will not take him a lot of time to understand and obey but you cannot afford to take rest while training him. They love to play fetch and are excellent swimmers. A proper training since puppyhood can help your Goldie ace various canine sports. Who knows he may achieve a place in Guinness Book of Canine Records. You don’t really have to leash train them because the Golden Retriever breed is obedience and will walk alongside you, now and furever.

Golden Retriever gets along with children and other pets. If you have a toddler at home and wondering which breed to choose, Golden Retriever is the best. They are very protective of children and other pets including cats. Despite their “I don’t wanna grow” personality, they somehow turn to be motherly towards smaller beings. Just make sure your kids are safely placed when Golden Retriever gets zoomies or they may just knock your baby off and hurt them. Absolute kids at heart but they are large dogs.

Provide him with enough attention and cuddles. Golden Retriever size is contradictory to Golden Retriever temperament. They are unaware of their large built and would pretend to be a lap dog (even the senior dogs). They need all the attention of every one of the family members. You will always find him sitting under your foot or beside you on the bed. Once you start caressing him, he will make sure you keep on doing it until he falls asleep. Totes adorbs!

Get used to dog fur. Golden Retriever shedding is never-ending. They shed every season, more so during spring and fall. Keep a vacuum handy and follow a strict brushing regime for this one. The Golden Retriever breed is not hypoallergenic. However, if your allergies are mild, proper grooming can help them shed less.

Augie, a Golden Retriever holds a Guinness Book of World Records for holding 5 tennis balls in his mouth at once. He is the only dog to hold the maximum number of tennis balls and is owned by the Miller’s in Texas, USA.

Golden Retriever Personality and Temperament

Golden Retrievers love to have fun. Playful and very friendly, all they want to do is run around the house with their toys. They are great family dogs and do very well with children. They have a natural sense of boundary with a child that is both adorable and impressive. They are fearless and can go to any extent to protect their family. It’s not just their family but they will shower love and kisses on even a stranger. This makes them awful guard dogs. They would rather retrieve their toy and ask the stranger to play with them instead of varying.

Do you know about Todd, The Golden Retriever? Todd, a five-month-old puppy, took a snake bite on his face just to protect his mother from it while they went for their evening stroll. Talk about courage!

Golden Retriever is smart and intuitive. The fourth most intelligent dog breed, it is extremely easy for you to give Golden Retriever training. Not just because they are smart, but because they are ready to please people. They will obey your every command even if they are bored just to see you smile. Now isn’t that what unconditional love looks like? Additionally, they are very understanding. They are capable of comprehending what you are trying to communicate and respond accordingly.

Golden Retriever has very expressive, human-like eyes that will have answers to all your questions. Eyes chico, they never lie! Apart from having eyes that do most of the talking, they are very quiet dogs. You will not hear your Golden Retriever puppy bark until he is two years of age. After that, you may hear him bark at pigeons or nothing.

The Golden Retriever breed does not want to grow up. They are unaware of their size and think themselves to be lapdogs. It is very common for a retriever to come up to you and forcefully sit on your lap. And…and…and…, it’s not just the physical aspect of it, Golden Retriever does not mature mentally as well. A senior dog would behave like a three-month-old puppy. The only time they look matured is when they have the responsibility of taking care of a younger being, then they become the mother of all creatures. This brings me to…

Interestingly, Golden Retriever is great with other dogs and smaller animals. They can go on playing the entire day with their pet sibling. Siberian Husky with Golden Retriever makes great pairs and the Guinea Pig is a Goldie’s best friend (YES!). Not only do they love playing with them but they are also very protective of them. Goldie is also known to be one of the dogs that can live peacefully with a cat. Probably the only dog that is a cat person!

*Personal story alert* I found my Retriever, Scooby, playing with my neighbor’s hamster (no kidding). Playing with a HAMSTER. Now you get the idea.

They are rarely aggressive and hardly bite. Golden Retriever is mostly a submissive dog rather than aggressive. They are known to be mouthy because they were bred to retrieve the downed game; however, their bite is very soft. If your Goldie has bitten you then it is either a low breeding standard or there is something not right with your pooch.

Even though this breed is very friendly, you still need to socialize your Golden Retriever. Because of their friendly nature, they may jump and lick total strangers and sometimes pee out of excitement. It is very important to potty train and socialize this breed to control their enthusiasm and love for others.

P.S. Provide a lot of space for their zoomies.

Golden Retriever makes a wonderful therapy dog. There is a group of Goldies called LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs that show up to provide comfort and affection to victims, families, and first responders after a tragedy has struck.

Golden Retriever Colors and Grooming

Let’s work on Golden Retriever grooming step by step.

Golden Retriever Grooming Coat

Golden Retriever has a double coat – a dense, water-proof outer coat and a thick undercoat to keep them warm, and a heavy feathering especially on their chest, back of thighs, and tail. They shed moderately throughout the year and heavily during spring and fall which means a lot of dog fur everywhere. This also means that they require a lot of grooming. Daily brushing will help keep the tangles away and matting. Though it takes only 15 minutes to brush them and daily brushing is recommended, it is absolutely fine to reduce it to twice or thrice a week if you have a time crunch. You require four basic tools for his coat grooming – pin brush, undercoat rake, bristle brush, and slicker brush – to remove matts. This will keep their coat clean and reduce Golden Retriever shedding. Do not bathe them often because it may increase the risk of water-borne infections that Goldie’s are prone to. Though they love bathing, it is recommended only when their coat is dirty.

Nails

Golden Retriever nails grow very fast and very long. You can hear them scrape when they walk. The claws should not protrude over the pads and should not touch the ground while standing, otherwise, you forget boasting about your expensive leather couch. During Golden Retriever grooming, especially the nails, keep in mind that only 3 to 5 mm of the nail should be trimmed to prevent nail injury or bleeding. If you are unsure of trimming your Goldie’s nail, you can take him to the vet to be on the safer side.

Ears

Golden Retrievers have floppy ears and are prone to ear infections. Therefore it is necessary to keep their ears clean. To clean your Goldie’s ear use a solution made for dog ears and use a little bit of it in each ear. Gently massage the solution and wipe using a wet cotton swab. Remember; clean only as far as you can see. Checking the inside of his ear is necessary and if you think you are not the right person to clean his ears, take him to the vet at least once in a month.

Dental

How often do you brush your teeth? Exactly! You need to brush their teeth regularly especially because they have blunt teeth with a lot of gaps and loose gums. They are prone to dental infection and foul breath. Get enough mint chew sticks to control bad mouth odor and a nice smelling toothpaste for his morning brush.

Get his anal glands cleaning done from his vet to avoid foul body odor.

NOTE: Goldies are prone to ‘limber tail’, that is, their tail can get sore which is painful after a cold water bath. DRY THEM THROUGH AND THROUGH ESPECIALLY THE TAIL!

Feeding

Puppy (8 weeks to 12 months)

• You should feed your Golden Retriever puppy thrice a day up until he is six months of age. Food for Golden Retriever should have age-wise distribution.
• Feeding Guideline:
  Two Months Old: 1 ½ cups a day                                                                   
  Three Months Old: 2 cups a day
  Four Months Old: 2 ½ cups a day
  Five To Six Months Old: 3 cups a day
  Six To Seven Months Upwards (Golden Retriever male pups only): 3 ½ to 4 cups a day (females should stay on 3 cups/day)

Adult (2 Years to 8 Years)

• You need to feed a Golden Retriever twice a day.  Food for Golden Retriever should be distributed gender-wise.
• Feeding Guideline:
  Females: 2 to 2 ½ cups a day
  Males: 3 to 3 ½ cups a day
  Active Males: 4 cups a day
  Nursing Females: 5 to 6 cups a day

An active Golden Retriever needs 1,300 to 1,700 calories per day. However, their weight, activity level, and health may also determine the number of calories your dog needs. Take him to a vet frequently to understand his body requirements.

Senior (9 Years to 12 Years)

• You can continue feeding him 3 to 3 ½ cups of high-quality dog food twice a day.
  With age, Goldies become less active and slow on metabolism. He will require not more than 900 calories. If you see that your pooch is gaining weight, you can shift to a senior dog diet or can also feed him homemade dog food to meet the requirements of his age.

Golden Retriever eats a lot and they are prone to getting obese. Make sure you don’t overfeed or underfeed him. Take him to the vet regularly to know how much to feed him in order to meet his body requirements.

Health And Vaccination

Healthy as they may be, but certain Golden Retrievers health problems may arise. Not all Goldie’s will get affected by such problems, but you should consider these issues if you are adopting this breed.

Hip Dysplasia

It is a condition in which the thighbone doesn’t fit into the hip socket causing constant friction between both. It leads to gradual degradation and eventual failure of the joint.

Symptoms may include decreased range of motion, reluctance in rising, “bunny-hoping” or loss of thigh muscle mass.

You may ask your breeder to provide you with a certificate of the parent’s hip dysplasia tests. Feed your dog with enough calcium and fiber during his growing years to avoid bone-problems. Try not breeding dogs with hip dysplasia.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

This is an eye disease that leads to degeneration of the retina, causing vision loss or complete blindness.

The symptoms may not appear at an early age but it may include night blindness, bumping into things in dim light, or unwillingness to go into dark rooms.

It is a hereditary condition. Always adopt your puppy from a responsible dog breeder that keeps a check on the breeding lot for such health conditions.

Skin Problems

Golden Retrievers are also prone to skin diseases especially rashes, sores, and allergies. It can be a reaction caused due to physical elements like dust, pollen, or mildew.
Symptoms may include irritation, redness of the skin, swelling on the face, in eyes or ear flaps, vomiting, and sneezing.
Skin problems can get serious and further cause diarrhea. To avoid skin problems give our Golden Retriever dog a good bath twice. The first time with a herbal/hypoallergenic shampoo and the second time with a fragrance shampoo. This will keep him neat and protect his coat from infections.

Cataract

Cataract, another eye problem, causes clouding of the eye lens. It is a common health issue and is mostly seen in senior dogs. They generally have to go through a minor eye operation to remove the opacity and clear the vision.

Symptoms may include a change in color of the pupil size, shape or color, clumsiness, rubbing the eyes, or difficulty in seeing in dimly lit places.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

 Abnormal development of cartilage on the end of a bone in the joint is an inflammatory condition. There are chances of the diseased cartilage to separate from the base bone. It commonly affects the shoulders, elbow, hip, or knee joints.

Symptoms may include limping or laming in the affected leg, swollen joint, or warm to touch.

You need to consult the vet if you see such symptoms. It most severe cases it requires surgery.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

 It is a blood disorder that is found in both humans and dogs. It is caused due to deficiency in the amount of a specific protein needed to form platelets that cloth the blood.

Symptoms include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from a surgery, prolonged bleeding during heat cycles, or occasional blood in the stool. It is mostly diagnosed between the ages of three to five and can be treated with surgery. Rush to the vet as soon as you see such symptoms. 

Gastric Dilatation – Volvulus

“Mother of emergencies”, Volvulus (also known as bloating) can be common in Golden Retriever especially if they were held back from the required physical activity and overfed. Goldies love to eat and you know when to control his chomping habits.

Your dog’s stomach is bloating if he seems anxious, panic-stricken, or showing vomiting tendencies.

Bloating may happen due to gas or food stretch in the dog’s stomach and can lead to fatal gastric dilatation and volvulus.  It is advised not to give water or take your dog for exercise right after a meal.

Epilepsy

While epilepsy is common in a lot of dog breeds, it is not always inherited. It is a neurological condition that may cause mild or severe convulsions.

Symptoms may include running frantically, rigid limbs, staggered, hiding, or losing consciousness.

Seizures are frightening, but the long-term prognosis of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. It is important to take your dog to a vet when you see such

Though not all Goldies have to go through this, make sure you adopt your pooch from a responsible breeder. Due to an increased demand for the Golden Retriever breed, there is also a hike in the number of fraudulent breeders. Never adopt a dog from a puppy mill and always ask for the health clearance of the pooch’s parents.

Golden Retriever should be vaccinated with canine parvovirus and for canine distemper at 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 weeks of age and then a booster every three years.
Make sure to also get a deworming vaccination plan for your pooch from your vet.
Dog vaccination is a different ball-game altogether. You can read our Guide To Dog Vaccination for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Breeds

• Labrador Retriever
• Irish Setter
• Brittany
• Pointer

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