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Dog · FCI group 8

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is an active sporting dog known for a friendly disposition and dense double coat. This breed excels in obedience, retrieval, and family companionship. Daily physical exercise and close human interaction keep it balanced.

  • friendly
  • gentle
  • eager to please
  • self-confident
Golden Retriever
OriginUnited Kingdom
Size
Large
Adult weight
24.9 to 34 kg
Height at the withers
51 to 61 cm
Lifespan
10 to 13.2 years

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

How big does a Golden Retriever get?

An adult Golden Retriever weighs 24.9 to 34 kg and stands 51 to 61 cm at the withers.

FCI female height tops at 56 cm while the AKC standard extends to 57.2 cm. Weights span standards across European kennel guidelines and the AKC.

[S7][S8][S9]

How long does a Golden Retriever live?

A Golden Retriever lives 10 to 13.2 years.

Large companion animal studies report a median lifespan of 13.2 years, while major kennel clubs state a typical range between 10 and 12 years.

[S10][S11][S12]

What health problems are common in the Golden Retriever?

The most common in the Golden Retriever are: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Cancer (Hemangiosarcoma and Lymphoma), Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS), Hereditary Eye Diseases (PRA, Cataracts, Pigmentary Uveitis), Hypothyroidism.

4 to 12 months, or late in life as secondary osteoarthritis

Hip Dysplasia [S29][S30]

Malformation of the hip joint causes abnormal joint wear and subsequent degenerative disease.

Ask your vet about:

  • PennHIP evaluation from 16 weeks of age
  • OFA radiographic evaluation at 24 months
5 to 10 months

Elbow Dysplasia [S29]

Abnormal skeletal development within the elbow causes joint incongruity and lameness.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA elbow screening radiographs at or after 24 months
8 years of age and older

Cancer (Hemangiosarcoma and Lymphoma) [S10][S13]

Malignant cellular growths form in internal organs, blood vessels, or lymphatic tissues.

Ask your vet about:

  • Complete blood counts
  • Thoracic radiographs
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Routine veterinary palpation
6 to 12 months

Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS) [S29][S31]

A congenital narrowing beneath the aortic heart valve restricts normal blood flow out of the heart.

Ask your vet about:

  • Cardiac auscultation by a cardiologist
  • Echocardiography with Doppler
1 to 6 years for cataracts and uveitis; variable for PRA

Hereditary Eye Diseases (PRA, Cataracts, Pigmentary Uveitis) [S31]

Inherited eye anomalies affect retinal integrity, lens clarity, and uveal tissues.

Ask your vet about:

  • Annual CAER or OFA eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist
  • DNA tests for prcd-PRA, PRA1, and PRA2
2 to 6 years

Hypothyroidism [S11]

Immune destruction of the thyroid gland leads to decreased thyroid hormone production and lower metabolism.

Ask your vet about:

  • Total T4 blood test
  • Free T4 by equilibrium dialysis
  • Canine thyroid antibodies (TgAA)

What is a Golden Retriever's temperament like?

The Golden Retriever shows a gentle, confident, and people-oriented temperament. It carries a strong natural urge to hold items in its mouth and bonds deeply with its household.

[S7][S8][S15][S16]

How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need?

A Golden Retriever needs 60 to 120 minutes of exercise a day.

This sporting dog thrives on brisk walks, swimming, scent tracking, and retrieving games. Puppy owners must delay repetitive jumping until growth plates seal.

  • Energy4 / 5
[S16][S17]

How does a Golden Retriever handle heat and cold?

A thick, water-repellent double coat protects this breed during cold conditions down to 7°C. The dense undercoat retains warmth, making hot and humid weather dangerous.

  • Handles heat2 / 5
  • Handles cold4 / 5
[S18][S19][S21][S22]

How much does a Golden Retriever shed, and how do you groom it?

Brush two to three times per week using a slicker brush and undercoat rake. Clean and dry the ears thoroughly after any water activity.

Flat or slightly wavy water-repellent double coat with feathering

  • Shedding4 / 5
[S7][S9][S15][S19][S23][S24]

Is a Golden Retriever good with children and other pets?

The breed handles family environments well and tolerates children. Long isolation can trigger distress, and high daily activity needs require space and consistent routine.

  • With children5 / 5
  • With other pets4 / 5
  • In an apartment2 / 5
[S9][S15][S16][S17][S25][S26]

Is a Golden Retriever easy to train?

High intelligence and strong biddability help this dog learn commands quickly. The breed works frequently as a service, assistance, and search-and-rescue canine.

  • Ease of training5 / 5
[S6][S25][S27][S28]

What does a Golden Retriever eat at each life stage?

  • PuppyOffer a large-breed puppy formula with balanced calcium-to-phosphorus levels to foster controlled skeletal growth.
  • AdultProvide a complete adult maintenance diet split into two daily meals to manage satiety and avoid weight accumulation.
  • SeniorSelect a formula with joint nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA alongside digestible proteins to preserve muscle mass.

Where does the Golden Retriever come from?

Dudley Marjoribanks developed the Golden Retriever in the Scottish Highlands during the mid-to-late 19th century. Breeding began at Guisachan Estate in 1868 by crossing a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel. Breeders later introduced Flat-Coated Retrievers, Irish Setters, and a Bloodhound to refine scenting and retrieving skills in water and cover.

Country of origin: United Kingdom.

[S1][S2][S3][S4]

Fun facts about the Golden Retriever

  • A Golden Retriever named Charlie set the Guinness World Record for the loudest bark at 113.1 decibels in 2012. [S26][S27][S28]
  • A Golden Retriever named Finley held six regulation tennis balls in his mouth at once in 2020. [S17][S28]
  • A female Golden Retriever became the very first recipient of the AKC Obedience Trial Championship title in 1977. [S28][S37]
  • A Golden Retriever named Trepp completed over 100 police narcotics arrests, finding millions of dollars in contraband. [S28][S37]
  • Owners gather every five years at the ruins of Guisachan House in Scotland to celebrate the breed's ancestral home. [S3][S15]

Tips by life stage and weather

  • PuppyRestrict high-impact jumping and running on hard ground until your vet confirms growth plates have closed.
  • PuppyProvide safe chew items to satisfy oral fixation while teaching your puppy appropriate retrieving habits.
  • AdultDivide daily rations into two scheduled feedings instead of free-feeding to help maintain a healthy body condition score.
  • AdultIncorporate mental enrichment games such as scent work and food puzzle toys to channel natural working drive.
  • SeniorAsk your vet to monitor your senior dog's mobility and adjust exercise intensity to protect aging joints.
  • SeniorSchedule regular physical checks with your veterinarian to screen for organ changes and common late-life tumors.
  • Hot seasonWalk your dog during cooler early morning hours and avoid shaving the double coat, which protects against heat and sun.
  • Hot seasonSupply fresh water continuously and watch for signs of overheating during humid weather.
  • Cold seasonInspect the spaces between your dog's toe pads after outdoor exercise to prevent irritation from wetness or cold buildup.
  • Cold seasonMaintain outdoor walks down to moderate cold levels while letting the natural insulating undercoat provide warmth.
  • Rainy seasonDry your dog's ears completely after exposure to rain or water sessions to prevent ear canal irritation.
  • Rainy seasonTowel-dry the inner undercoat thoroughly after wet outings to prevent matted fur and skin moisture retention.

In the Kiba Vet app, your pet's breed profile shows a tip of the day based on its age and the weather where you live.

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Updated on September 29, 2026.

Written with the help of AI from the cited sources and checked fact by fact against them by a second model.

Sources

Every health fact and every number on this page comes from these sources. Identifiers from Wikidata (CC0).