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Breed profile

Golden Retriever

Gentle, sociable and endlessly patient, with a coat that gets everywhere.

Pale cream Golden Retriever looking upward, backlit by golden evening light in a field
Feathered coat lit gold by the evening sun.Photo: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
25–34 kg55–75 lb
Height
51–61 cm20–24 in
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Group
Gundog / Sporting
Origin
Scotland
Popularity
#3 US#3 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsEasy to trainGood with other dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Gentle, Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted.

Health problems to know about

  • Cancers (haemangiosarcoma, lymphoma) at relatively high rates
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Skin allergies
  • Eye conditions (pigmentary uveitis)

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

One to two hours of activity a day. Brush several times a week. Stays puppyish for years.

A good fit for

Families with kids, therapy-dog work, active homes.

Probably not ideal for

Small flats, people who want a guard dog, anyone allergic to shedding.

Sources

  1. Golden Retriever Dog Breed Information | American Kennel Club
  2. Retriever (Golden) | Breeds A to Z | The Royal Kennel Club
  3. Golden Retriever | Science for Animal Welfare (UFAW) genetic welfare problems
  4. Golden Retriever | Wikipedia

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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A glossy black or liver retriever that stays puppyish for years. Joyful and friendly, but the breed has a high cancer rate.

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Bearded Italian pointer with a soft heart and a steady trot. Easygoing with people and dogs; less so with your clean floors.

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