Temperament
Intelligent, Friendly, Energetic, Affectionate.
Health problems to know about
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Addison's disease
- Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy
- GM1 gangliosidosis
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
An hour or more of exercise a day, ideally with swimming or retrieving. The coat sheds little but mats, so brush a few times a week and clip every 4 to 6 weeks. Ask breeders for hip scores and DNA tests.
A good fit for
Active families, swimmers and boaters, people who enjoy training and dog sports.
Probably not ideal for
Long days alone, owners who want a low-grooming dog, anyone with a spotless kitchen counter they want kept that way.
Sources
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.
