Golden Retriever
A joyful and playful companion, the Golden Retriever remains a puppy at heart throughout their lives.
There are records for the Golden Retriever dating back to the early 1800’s in Scotland where they were bred as gundogs. Retrieving slain water birds, the breed retains a love of swimming and retrieving to this day.
They are a large dog and can be up to 61 cm tall and weigh over 30 kgs. Females are usually a little bit smaller than males. Their size and natural physical strength means that early training is important so that your Golden is well mannered and doesn’t end up walking you!
Golden Retriever Breed Facts & Characteristics
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Scotland, 1800’s |
| Dog Breed Group | Gundog – retrieving hunted water birds |
| Height | Male: 56 to 61cm; Female: 51 to 56cms |
| Weight range | 27 to 35 kgs |
| Colours | Golden |
| Life expectancy | 10 to 12 years |
| Coat | Dense, wavy, medium coat, sheds |
| Temperament | Playful, friendly, loyal |
| Exercise requirements | High |
| Best suited for | Active households, including families |
| Apartment friendly | Not recommended |
Personality
They make wonderful family pets, as they are friendly and affectionate. Their natural athleticism means they are well suited to active households and make great agility dogs. Socialising with other dogs, people and animals early in life will ensure your Golden Retriever is confident and calm as they mature.
Apartment living may not be ideal for a younger Golden Retriever who values regular play and exercise and who’s style may be cramped in a small apartment.
Socialising your Golden Retriever puppy from an early age means getting them used to other dogs, animals, people and different environments. This helps them grow up to be well-adjusted adults.
Grooming
The trademark yellow coat of the Golden Retriever is dense and wavy and sheds all year round. Generally, brushing several times a week will help keep the coat in top condition and tangle free. The Shear Magic Shedding Rake Dog Brush is ideal for moulting dogs, such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers, greatly reducing shedding with regular use, meaning less hair on your cloths and furniture at home!
Feeding
When choosing a food for your Golden Retriever, select a premium food appropriate to your dog’s age and life stage. Make sure that you feed a large breed puppy food to your Golden Retriever puppy to give them the best start in life. Help your Golden Retriever avoid becoming overweight by ensuring that you follow the recommended feeding guides on the food appropriate to your pet's size.
A calorie restricted diet could be a good choice if your Golden Retriever is overweight. A joint protecting supplement may make a good addition to your regular feeding schedule as your Golden Retriever ages because they are susceptible to developing arthritis.
Make sure your dog always has a supply of fresh, clean water available.
Royal Canin Golden Retriever Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin understands that every dog is unique. They research breed-specific traits and combine scientific and nutritional research from their network of experts to create precise nutrition for your dog. ROYAL CANIN® Golden Retriever puppy and adult formulas feature high-quality protein sources, unique nutrients, and are designed with specific shape, size and texture to meet your Golden Retriever's facial jaw structure and biting pattern.
Benefits:
- Immune System Support
Golden Retriever Puppy helps support your puppy’s natural defences thanks particularly to a complex of antioxidants including Vitamin E. - Digestive Health
Golden Retriever Puppy contains a combination of nutrients with high quality protein (L.I.P*) and prebiotics (FOS) to support digestive health and balance of intestinal flora, which contributes to good stool quality. *Protein selected for its very high digestibility. - Healthy Weight
Golden Retriever Adult helps maintain the Golden Retriever’s ideal weight thanks to L-Carnitine and adapted calorie content. - Healthy Cardiac Function
Golden Retriever Adult contains specific nutrients to help support healthy cardiac function. Enriched with taurine and EPA and DHA. - Healthy Skin & Coat
Both puppy and adult formulas help support the skin’s barrier role and maintain skin and coat health (EPA and DHA). Enriched with borage oil. - Tailor Made Kibble
This kibble’s shape, size, texture and formula are adapted to the Golden Retriever.
Key Ingredients
Golden Retriever Puppy: Dehydrated poultry protein, rice, maize, vegetable protein isolate*, wheat, animal fats, vegetable fibres, hydrolysed animal proteins, beet pulp, fish oil, minerals, soya oil, fructo-oligo-saccharides (0.34%), psyllium husks and seeds, hydrolysed yeast (source of mannan-oligo-saccharides), hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine), borage oil (0.1%), yeast extracts (source of betaglucans), marigold extract (source of lutein), hydrolysed cartilage (source of chondroitin).*L.I.P.: protein selected for its very high digestibility.
Golden Retriever Adult: Dehydrated poultry protein, maize, rice, wheat, hydrolysed animal proteins, animal fats, vegetable protein isolate*, vegetable fibres, beet pulp, fish oil, soya oil, dehydrated tomato, minerals, fructo-oligo-saccharides, psyllium husks and seeds, hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine), borage oil (0.1%), marigold extract (source of lutein),hydrolysed cartilage (source of chondroitin).*L.I.P.: protein selected for its very high digestibility.
Lifestage
Golden Retriever Puppy: 2 months – 15 months
Golden Retriever Adult: Over 15 months
Common Health Concerns
The dense coat of the Golden Retriever may hide skin infections and allergies which are common in the Golden Retriever.
Arthritis and Cruciate Ligament Disease are also common as the Golden Retriever ages. Obesity can also worsen these problems, so keeping your Golden fit and lean throughout life is important.
Popular Golden Retriever Names
- Charlie
- Bailey
- Archie
- Daisy
- Luna
- Murphy
- Arlo
- Ollie
- Willow
- Leo
Did you know?
Two Golden Retrievers, Bretagne and Riley, were among the incredible emergency rescue workers deployed to help search for survivors when the World Trade Centre collapsed on September 11, 2001. Bretagne passed away when she was almost 17 years old in 2016.
Golden Retriever FAQs
Where can I get a Golden Retriever?
Check out your local breed specific rescue organisation. Also be sure to visit your local pet rescue shelters where you might just find your new best friend!