What is a Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever is a beautiful dog with a luxurious double coat. Their gentle nature and trainability make them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners and experienced handlers alike. Friendly and playful, they’re also great family dogs.

A guide to owning a Golden Retriever

The instantly recognisable Golden Retriever is among the most popular and beloved dog breeds worldwide. They’re known for their friendly personality, intelligence and gorgeous golden coats.

It’s worth knowing that Golden Retrievers do best in homes that can meet their physical and emotional needs. With that in mind, here we’ll look at what you need to know about owning one, such as their common health issues, temperament, exercise and grooming needs.

Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs?

100%. As friendly, intelligent and gentle souls, they’re ideal for being part of a family with kids and pets as long as they’ve been well trained and socialised.  As playful dogs, they do need a lot of exercise, so they’re best suited to a family which can match their energy.

Golden Retriever size and appearance

The Golden Retriever is a medium to large-sized dog with a strong, athletic build and a kind, intelligent expression. They have a broad head, dark eyes and ears that hang close to their cheeks. They also have a flowing feathered tail, giving them an air of nobility.

Males are typically around 56-61cm tall at the shoulder, weighing 30-34kg. Females are a little smaller, standing at 51-56cm, and weighing in at 25-32kg.

Their most distinctive feature is their dense, water-repellent double coat. While they don’t come in many colours (the clue’s in the name), their fur does range in shades from light cream to rich golden.

What were Golden Retrievers bred for?

Originally bred in Scotland in the 19th century for retrieving game, they’re now cherished as loyal family pets, therapy animals and assistance dogs.

What is the Golden Retriever’s temperament?

The Golden Retriever’s personality is:

• Everyone’s pal: Golden Retrievers are known for their warm, welcoming nature toward people and other animals.
• Gentle and patient: They’re especially good with children, making excellent family pets.
• Eminently trainable: Eager to please, their cooperative attitude makes them easy to train and responsive to commands.
• Devoted and loyal: Golden Retrievers are very tight with their families, and love being involved in daily life.
• Joyful spirit: They’re cheerful and love to play, making them a constant source of fun and affection.

Can Golden Retrievers be left alone?

Given they love companionship, Golden Retrievers aren’t great at being left alone for extended periods. While you can train them to be left alone for a couple of hours in a comfortable environment, leaving them for too long can trigger separation anxiety and unwanted behaviours.

It’s important to know that no dog should be left for longer than four hours. If you do need to leave your Goldie alone for any length of time, be sure they have access to fresh water, plus familiar and comforting items like their favourite toys and blankets.

How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need?

While they’re nice and calm indoors, Golden Retrievers have a lot of energy. They’ll need at least two hours of daily activity, including walks, playtime, swimming and games like fetch. Plenty of exercise is the key to keeping them happy and healthy.

They’re also smart, and will need plenty of mental stimulation too. Puzzle and scent games, plus engaging training sessions should do the trick. Without enough activity, they can become bored and develop unwanted behaviours like chewing, barking or digging.

Can Golden Retrievers swim?

Strong yes. Golden Retrievers are generally terrific swimmers, thanks to their water-repellent coats and natural affinity for water. They were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl, so there’s that. And their dense outer coat and thick undercoat help them stay warm and dry in the water. All individuals are different though, so start them slowly and under close supervision.

Our expert says…

Golden Retrievers, much like their shorter haired relative the Labrador retriever, are ideal family pets with their friendly nature and love of being around people.

Common conditions I see in the breed include obesity, which goes hand-in-hand with hip dysplasia, a genetic condition where the joint does not develop properly as the dog grows, leading to painful early onset osteoarthritis. Ensuring your puppy comes from a reputable breeder who can prove low hip and elbow scores for both parents can reduce the risk of this. 

Goldies are also prone to sensitive skin and tummies, with many benefitting from a hypoallergenic diet. I have also seen more cases of pericardial effusion in this breed than any other. This is an emergency presentation where the sac around the heart fills with blood, meaning that the heart cannot fill properly, leading to collapse and cardiac arrest if prompt treatment is not given.

Dr Siân Burwood MA VetMB MRCVS

Meet our pet experts

How long do Golden Retrievers live?

The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is around 10-12 years.

What are the common health issues for a Golden Retriever?

Golden Retrievers are prone to certain health issues, including hip and elbow dysplasia, heart problems and obesity.

Make sure your Golden Retriever gets regular vet check-ups. You should also manage their weight by feeding them a well-balanced diet and making sure they get enough exercise, which will help reduce health risks. You should also choose your puppy carefully. Responsible breeders screen for genetic health problems, so do your due diligence before you commit to buy.

Top 3 pet insurance claims for Golden Retrievers

These are the three conditions most commonly claimed for, according to Petgevity data:

• Poisoning
• Gastroenteritis (inflammation of stomach and intestines)
• Ingested foreign body

Based on Petgevity pet insurance claims, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2024.

Golden Retriever grooming and hygiene

Golden Retrievers have a dense, water-repellent double coat, so you won’t be surprised to learn that this needs regular grooming. Weekly brushing helps prevent it matting and tangling, and removes loose hair, keeping their coat looking healthy.

They don’t need to be bathed terribly often though. Every few months or when they get mucky is usually sufficient. You should also factor ear cleaning, nail trimming and dental care into their routine.

Golden retrievers should not be clipped at the groomer, as this can alter the structure of their double coat and make it coarse. You can take them however to have their long feathers and tails trimmed with scissors.

Do Golden Retrievers shed?

Yes indeed. While they shed all-year round, the real shedding seasons are spring and autumn. You’ll need to get even more handy with the brush during this time to get rid of excess hair.

Are Golden Retrievers hypoallergenic?

Nope. Golden retrievers aren’t hypoallergenic, meaning they can trigger allergies in sensitive people. This is mostly due to continually shedding and dander (dead skin). It’s also worth mentioning that no dog breeds are truly hypoallergenic.

How to train a Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and easy to train, which is one reason they’re so well-suited to being service and therapy dogs.

Here are a few pointers for training your Golden Retriever:

• Start training and socialisation from puppyhood. This’ll help build their confidence and good habits.
• Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers respond well to positive reinforcement. Reward good behaviour with treats, praise and play.
• They’ll learn quickly and stay focused provided you use clear, consistent commands.
• Keep it fun. Golden Retrievers love to learn, especially if training sessions are engaging and upbeat.

What insurance do I need for my Golden Retriever?

Generally speaking, the level of dog insurance you choose for your Golden Retriever will come down to your circumstances and budget. To find out exactly what you’re getting for your money, check out our guide to whether pet insurance is worth it.

We think that all dogs deserve the most comprehensive level of cover as possible, which is why we only sell different types of lifetime cover. We could also cover your Golden Retriever for any pre-existing conditions they may have with our Lifetime Plus policy, subject to acceptance*.