Few breeds inspire such enduring affection and popularity as the Golden Retriever. The breed originated as a working gundog in Scotland in the late 19th century. Baron Tweedmouth of Guisachan crossed black Flat-Coated Retrievers and the Tweed Water Spaniel. The Tweed Spaniel is now extinct, but the new cross flourished. The addition of some Bloodhound, Labrador, and Red Setter eventually led to the stunning and gentle Golden Retriever we recognise today.

Kennel Club Breed Name | Golden Retriever |
Size | Medium to large, 25-34 kg |
Life Expectancy | 11-13 years |
Grooming Requirements | Moderate |
Exercise requirements | 1-2 hours per day |
Temperament | Intelligent, calm, biddable, gentle and affectionate, |
The Kennel Club officially recognised Golden Retrievers as a breed in 1913. In the decades that followed, their popularity grew across the world. Golden retrievers have a unique combination of intelligence, gentleness and willingness to learn that makes them ideal guide dogs, assistance dogs, and therapets. They also have roles in search and rescue or as sniffer dogs. Golden retrievers can be equally at home in shopping malls, airport security, disaster zones or upside down on the sofa.
What are Golden Retrievers like as family pets and companions?
Looks
Retrievers are gorgeous-looking dogs
- Medium to large size
- Medium length coat
- Wavy or straight hair
- Colours range from pale cream to warm red-gold
- Beautifully feathered tail and legs
- Dark gentle eyes
Temperament
Golden retrievers share the characteristics of the Gun Dog class. The same characteristics that make them wonderful family pets
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Calm and even-tempered
- Adaptable to changes in household or home environment
- Playful and active
- Tolerant of young children, dogs, and cats if socialised early
- Generally devoted, gentle and affectionate

Exercise requirements
Golden retrievers are active, playful dogs
- They need regular daily walks and ideally have time off lead to run and burn off some energy
- Like most soft-mouthed retrievers, they’re happiest fetching and carrying a tennis ball outdoors. And if they find an opportunity to play ball indoors as well, so much the better for the fun! (and the worse for fragile furniture)
- Golden retrievers thrive on mental stimulation and play. For everyone’s enjoyment and benefit, be sure to schedule playtime with your pooch into the busiest day
Coats
Golden Retrievers have:
- Double coats: a soft, thick undercoat for warmth and a longer outer coat. Golden retrievers are happy to exercise and play in the wettest, coldest weather – whatever their owners may think of it.
- Water-resistant coats: the weight of their coat may hold them back and pull them down a bit in the water. But they’ll love to take a dip or retrieve from water when the opportunity arises.
- Webbed feet – like mini flippers – make Golden Retrievers great swimmers!

What this means for coat care:
- Shedding: Golden retrievers shed a lot! Make sure your vacuum cleaner is ready for the twice-yearly seasonal mega-moult, as well as the ongoing year-round shed.
- Grooming: Brush your Golden Retriever once or twice per week to keep their coat in top condition and the sofa as hair-free as possible. Use grooming tools designed to bring away loose undercoat as well as longer hairs.
- Bathing: Don’t bath your Golden Retriever unless it’s necessary. The oils in their coat serve important functions to keep the coat healthy. Bathing too frequently or with the wrong type of shampoo can strip these oils away.

6 common conditions to look out for in Golden Retrievers
Skin problems
Allergic skin disease can make your Golden Retriever scratch, shed more, develop sore feet and ears and get raw bald patches of skin. Allergies can include food allergies, seasonal allergies or atopic dermatitis.
Allergic skin disease can start from just a few months old and last for life. And it makes dogs miserable. Treatments include hypoallergenic diets, desensitising injections, special shampoos, topical skin treatments, tablets and injections to stop the itch. Essential fatty acid food supplements also help to keep the coat healthy.
We can’t prevent all allergies. But keeping up to date with anti-parasite treatments, feeding a high-quality diet and controlling your dog’s weight all help to reduce the risk of skin disease.
Hot spots are a common and nasty type of skin problem. Dogs with thick double coats are particularly vulnerable. Skin irritation causes your dog to rub and scratch until the area is angry, red, oozing, and painful. Treatment means protecting the skin from further trauma, topical cleansers, and medicines to treat and soothe the skin.
Joint and mobility disorders
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are joint problems that develop as dogs grow. They cause lameness in younger dogs and arthritis in later life.
Treatment includes rest, exercise management, and careful weight management. Vets may prescribe anti-inflammatory painkillers and long-term joint supplements. In severe cases, your vet may advise an operation.
Breeders can check their dogs’ hips and elbows before breeding as part of the BVA Hip and elbow screening programmes. Buy your Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder, and restrict your pup’s exercise until fully grown.
Hormonal disorders
Golden retrievers are one of the breeds more at risk of developing hypothyroidism as they get to middle age and older. The symptoms are often vague but include weight gain, slowing up and symmetrical patches of hair loss on their sides.
Hormone-replacement tablets can restore your Goldie to their old selves within weeks. But they’ll need to keep taking the tablets for life and have regular vet check-ups. Weigh and groom your Golden Retriever regularly to pick up on any changes in their weight, body condition and coat as soon as possible.
Eye problems
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disorder that causes loss of eyesight in affected Golden retrievers. It can’t be treated or reversed. Affected dogs will gradually become blind over a period of months to years. Most will adapt well.
Breeders can test their dogs to make sure they don’t have symptoms of PRA, or carry the gene that’s likely to cause it. Always choose a puppy from a reputable breeder and ask to see their parents’ eye test results, as well as hip and elbow scores.
Obesity
Obesity is a disease. It has profound effects on your Golden Retriever’s general health and quality of life. More than 60% of Golden Retrievers are overweight or obese. Obesity can cause or worsen arthritis, mobility problems, skin disease, and hormonal disorders. Obesity can even increase the risk of cancer.
Effective treatment is essential. The best way to achieve this is with a prescription diet and regular support from a vet or a weight clinic. Ongoing weight management needs to be a lifelong commitment to prevent recurrence.
Cancer
Golden Retrievers are one of the breeds more likely to develop certain types of cancer. Around 60% will get some form of cancer in their lifetime. Symptoms usually begin between 5-6 years old. There are more and more treatment options nowadays. But cancer is the cause of death for 65% of Golden Retrievers worldwide, compared with 50% for the general dog population. Haemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumours, and osteosarcoma are the 4 most common cancers seen in Golden Retrievers.
Treatment options depend on the type of cancer. They include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and often a combination of 2 or more. These cancers can’t be prevented. Early identification and treatment offer the best long-term outlook.
Our Joii Vets are available 24 hours a day. Call us now if you have any questions or concerns about your Golden Retriever.

Health tips for your Golden Retriever
- Feed a healthy, balanced diet suitable for their age and lifestyle
- Give them regular exercise, play, and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and obesity
- Brush your Golden Retriever twice a week. Check ears and feet for redness or discharge.
- Keep them up-to-date with vaccinations and safe parasite control
- Brush their teeth regularly – daily, if possible
- Weigh them regularly and check their body condition score to keep them slim and in the best health.