Got a Golden Retriever? Check your pet with Pawcode
Snap a few photos and let Pawcode's AI highlight breed traits, coat condition and things worth showing your vet — for cats and dogs alike.
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Dogs
Golden Retriever
Gentle, golden and endlessly good-natured.
The Golden Retriever is a friendly, intelligent sporting dog developed in the Scottish Highlands to retrieve game. Renowned for its gentle mouth, patience and trainability, it is a top family companion and a leading breed for guide, therapy and search-and-rescue work.
OriginScotland
SizeLarge
Life span10–12 years
Weight25–34 kg (55–75 lb)
CoatMedium-long, water-repellent double coat with feathering
Temperament & personality
- Gentle
- Friendly
- Intelligent
- Eager to please
Goldens are famously kind, sociable and tolerant, making them wonderful with children and other animals. They are eager to please and highly trainable, but also energetic and slow to mature, staying playful and mouthy for years. They need company and activity, and can become bored or anxious if isolated.
At a glance
Activity level3 / 3
Affection3 / 3
Shedding3 / 3
Grooming needs2 / 3
Vocalness2 / 3
Scale: low to high (1–3)
Grooming & care
The feathered double coat sheds heavily and needs brushing several times a week (daily in shedding season), plus attention to the ears, which trap moisture and can become infected. They love water and food equally, so exercise and portion control are key to preventing obesity.
Common colours
- Golden
- Light golden
- Dark golden
- Cream
Good with
- Families
- Children
- Other pets
- First-time owners
- Apartment living
Health tendencies to watch
Every breed has predispositions. These are things worth discussing with your vet — not diagnoses.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia — screening advised
- Elevated cancer risk compared with many breeds
- Progressive retinal atrophy and other eye conditions — DNA/eye tests
- Ear infections due to floppy, feathered ears
Informational only. Pawcode is not a veterinary service and does not replace professional advice.
Fun facts
1
The breed was developed by Lord Tweedmouth in the Scottish Highlands in the mid-1800s
2
Their soft "soft mouth" lets them carry an egg without breaking it
3
Goldens have won the very first three AKC obedience championships
Frequently asked questions
Are Golden Retrievers good first dogs?
Yes. Their trainability, patience and friendly nature make them one of the best breeds for first-time owners, provided you can meet their exercise and grooming needs.
How much do Golden Retrievers shed?
A lot. They shed year-round and heavily twice a year, so frequent brushing and cleaning are essential.