Golden Retriever
Complete Breed Guide
"I will lick you, and hug you, and hold you all day long!"
Quick Facts About Golden Retrievers
Sporting
55–75 lbs
21–24"
No
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Overview
Golden Retrievers don't just earn the title 'man's best friend,' they define it. Joyful, patient, and endlessly devoted, they're as good with kids as they are with strangers, and their enthusiasm for life is genuinely contagious. It's no accident they've been America's favorite breed for decades.
Golden Retrievers are true sweethearts. All it takes is one look at their smiling faces to fall in love with the breed. They are cheerful, loyal, and friendly to everyone they meet. Golden Retrievers were developed to hunt, so they love lots of exercise and activities like retrieving, hiking, or jogging. Golden Retrievers that were bred for hunting tend to have shorter, darker coats, while those bred primarily to be pets have the popular golden, fluff, stuffed-animal appearance. No matter the type, Golden Retrievers are enthusiastic about everything they do, and have a never-ending desire to please their people, who they love more than anything in the world—other than treats.
Temperament and Behavior
Golden Retrievers are happy dogs who love and need attention from people. They have a very strong desire to make their owners happy. In fact, they want to make everyone happy! Golden Retrievers usually warm up quickly to any and all humans, which means they're not exactly known for being the best watchdogs.
Coat & Grooming
Golden Retrievers have long hair that does require regular brushing, which will help control the amount of hair you find around your house. Even with regular brushing, you should know that Golden Retrievers do shed quite a bit. Other than brushing, it’s pretty simple : Give you Golden Retriever a bath after they play in the mud, in salt water, or in a pool, and you won’t have a smelly dog on your hands.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Golden Retrievers love people. In fact, they love them so much that it’s important that they live inside with you. They don’t usually do very well with being outdoor dogs and may misbehave if they are kept apart from their favorite human companions for too long. Golden Retrievers usually get along alright with other pets, especially if they are raised with them from the beginning. Sometimes they can get a little overzealous in their play, so if you have toddlers you’ll want to keep an eye on them when they’re together.
Exercise & Activity
Are you active? Golden Retrievers sure are! A happy Golden Retriever gets at least an hour of exercise every day. As their name suggests, Golden Retrievers love retrieving. Some are bred for retrieving in hunting situations, but all of them will gladly play fetch with you until your arm has no strength left in it. They also love running, swimming, and doggie sports. Pretty much anything they get to do with you will make them really happy.
Health Considerations
Hip and elbow dysplasia, certain cancers (hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma), heart disease (subvalvular aortic stenosis), eye conditions, skin allergies.
Medical References
- Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA)
- OFA – Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
- Morris Animal Foundation – Hemangiosarcoma Research
Breed descriptions and health information are provided for educational purposes only and should not replace consultation with a licensed veterinarian. Individual dogs may vary in temperament and health.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Golden Retriever FAQs
Common questions about the Golden Retriever breed, answered by our editorial team.
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