Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a British retrieving breed of 25 to 34 kg, created in Scotland in the 19th century by Lord Tweedmouth for waterfowl hunting. Recognized by the FCI under number 111, it combines maximum sociability (excellent with strangers, children, and other dogs) with a moderate-to-high exercise need (1 to 1.5 hours a day).
- Weight
- 25 to 34kg
- Height
- 51 to 61cm
- Life expectancy
- 12years
- Monthly cost
- 100 to 160€
Personality profile
Energy 4/5
Independence 2/5
Trainability 5/5
Good with children 5/5
Barking 2/5
Space needed 4/5
Attachment to home 5/5
Good with strangers 5/5
Good with dogs 5/5
Good with cats 4/5
Coat care 4/5
Exercise needs 4/5
Scores given on measured axes, data confidence: high.
Living with a Golden Retriever
Description
A medium-to-large retrieving breed with a long, wavy, water-resistant golden coat. Males stand 56 to 61 cm for 30 to 34 kg, females 51 to 56 cm for 25 to 32 kg. Noble head with expressive dark eyes, tail carried level with the back. Three bloodlines (American, English, Canadian) show minor morphological differences.
Temperament
Docile, intelligent, well-balanced, and friendly with absolutely everyone — including strangers, which makes it a poor guard dog but an excellent assistance, therapy, or guide dog. Late maturity: stays playful and adolescent until age 3 to 4.
Training
Trainability among the best of all breeds worldwide (top 4 according to Coren). Highly motivated by food and object retrieval, it picks up a new cue in 5 to 15 repetitions. Positive reinforcement only. Suited to varied dog sports with hours of technical exercise: obedience, agility, mantrailing, pet therapy, game retrieval, and long water-retrieval sessions.
Feeding
350 to 450 g of premium kibble a day for a 30 kg adult, in 2 meals. A food-motivated breed with a high propensity for obesity: always weigh the ration, keep treats to 10% of calories. Large-breed kibble until 18 months to support bone growth.
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Living conditions
Prefers a house with a yard given its exercise needs and size. Not suited to a small urban apartment; workable in a large apartment (≥80 m²) only if 1.5 hours of daily outings are guaranteed. Copes poorly with prolonged solitude: 4 to 6 hours maximum alone at home.
Grooming and coat care
Brush 3 times a week under normal conditions, daily during the two annual shedding seasons in spring and fall. The dense undercoat produces characteristic tufts of fur on rugs and sofas. Optional professional grooming every 3 months to even out the feathering on the legs and haunches. Monthly bath with a gentle shampoo.
Health
A breed heavily affected by cancer: mortality surveys put the share of Goldens lost to neoplasia (hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumor) at around 60%. Hereditary hip and elbow dysplasia (official screening radiographs required). Progressive retinal atrophy (DNA test), juvenile cataracts, subvalvular aortic stenosis (puppy echocardiogram).
Breed history
Developed between 1865 and 1890 by Lord Tweedmouth on his Guisachan estate in Scotland, by crossing a Yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever (Nous) with a Tweed Water Spaniel (Belle), with later additions of Irish Red Setter and Bloodhound. The British Kennel Club recognized it as a distinct breed in 1913. Since the 2010s it has ranked among the most-registered breeds in the French LOF studbook.
Getting ready for your Golden Retriever
Five essentials to line up before day one.
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FAQ: Golden Retriever
Sources
- FCI Standard No 111 · FCI breed standard 111, Group 8 Retrievers
- AKC Breed Profile · AKC Golden Retriever breed profile, Sporting Group
FCI, Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the world body that has codified breed standards since 1911. FCI number 111 is assigned to the Golden Retriever.
Breeds similar to a Golden Retriever
