Golden Retriever
Part retriever, part sunshine, all family.
- Weight
- 55–75 lbs
- Height
- 21.5–24 in
- Lifespan
- 10–12 yrs
In short
The Golden Retriever is a sporting-group gundog bred in Scotland to retrieve waterfowl, weighing 55–75 lbs and standing 21–24 in tall, with a gentle, intelligent and eager-to-please temperament. It needs 60–90 minutes of daily exercise, close family contact, regular brushing for its heavy double coat and careful weight management.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a friendly, kid-loving family dog
- enjoy retrieving, swimming and long walks
- can brush a heavy coat a few times a week
Think twice if you…
- want a tidy house without dog hair
- are away from home most of the day
- can't budget for cancer and joint care later
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 110–140 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study9.0/10
EnergyActive7.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10
SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Feathered tail
Long feathering streams from the tail and signals the dog's mood in constant motion.
-
02
Soft mouth
A gentle grip lets Goldens carry game and toys without damage.
-
03
Dense double coat
A water-repellent topcoat over a thick undercoat sheds heavily and needs regular brushing.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 65–75 lbs | 55–65 lbs |
| Height | 23–24 in | 21.5–22.5 in |
| Daily calories | 1,420–1,770 kcal | 1,250–1,590 kcal |
| Lifespan | 10–12 yrs | |
| Coat | Medium-long, water-repellent double coat with feathering | |
Personality
A gentle, devoted retriever that thrives on family involvement.
How it thinks
Intelligent and highly cooperative, with strong problem-solving and an eagerness for praise and food.
At home
Patient with children, friendly to strangers and other pets, and prone to separation stress when left alone.
Training
-
How often
2–3 sessions daily, 10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize between 8–16 weeks with children, strangers, other dogs and handling.
-
Self-control
Teach a polite greeting and a settle; reward calm before the retrieve starts.
-
What it works for
Small liver pieces keep the reward fast and portions controlled for a breed that gains weight.
Exercise
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Fetch and swimming
- Long walks or hikes
- Retrieve games on land.
Brain work
- Nosework and scent games
- Obedience or rally practice
- Puzzle feeders.
Feeding
Prone to weight gain and skin or food sensitivities. Feed measured meals and add omega-3 rich foods under veterinary advice.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 1,180–2,190 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 120–220 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–11 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,090–1,380 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–140 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–7 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,720–2,170 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 170–215 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 9–11 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 940–1,180 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 95–120 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–6 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 1,180–2,190 kcal | 28% | 18% | 120–220 kcal | 6–11 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,090–1,380 kcal | 26% | 15% | 110–140 kcal | 5–7 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,720–2,170 kcal | 30% | 20% | 170–215 kcal | 9–11 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 940–1,180 kcal | 28% | 12% | 95–120 kcal | 5–6 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Cancers (hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma) | Annual physical and lump checks | Yearly; twice yearly after age 7 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP evaluation | Once for breeding stock; monitor lifelong |
| Heart and eye disease | Cardiac exam and eye exam | Yearly |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Golden Retriever breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Heart exam
Grooming Heavy year-round, with two seasonal blowouts
Brush 2–3 times weekly, and daily when shedding. Bathe monthly, trim feathering, clean ears weekly and trim nails every 3–4 weeks.
History
Origins
Scottish Estate Retrievers
Lord Tweedmouth bred yellow retrievers in the Scottish Highlands in the 1800s to retrieve waterfowl.
Standardization
Kennel Club Recognition
British and later American clubs recognized the breed in the early 1900s.
Modern Companion
Family and Service Dog
Goldens became beloved companions and guide, therapy and search dogs.
Questions owners ask
Are Golden Retrievers easy to train?
Yes. Goldens are eager, intelligent and cooperative, so positive reinforcement works very well. Keep sessions short and practice impulse control to channel their enthusiasm.
How many calories does a Golden Retriever need per day?
An active adult Golden Retriever (55–75 lbs) typically needs about 1,250–1,770 kcal per day (1.6–1.8× resting energy requirement), while a neutered, low-activity adult needs about 1,090–1,380 kcal and a working dog up to 1,720–2,170 kcal. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a Golden Retriever?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 110–140 kcal a day in total for an adult Golden Retriever of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 5–7 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are Golden Retrievers good for apartments or first-time owners?
Possible with enough exercise, and Goldens suit first-time owners well. They need daily outings and company, since long solitude breeds stress behaviors.
How much exercise does a Golden Retriever require daily?
Aim for 60–90 minutes daily combining walks, fetch or swimming and mental games.
What health issues are Golden Retrievers prone to?
Goldens are prone to cancers, hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, skin allergies and eye problems. Choose a breeder who health-tests parents and keep your dog lean.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Golden Retriever needs only 5–7 pieces a day, well inside the 110–140 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Golden Retriever ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Golden Retriever
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
