Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are famous for their lovable, friendly nature and beautiful golden coats. They are one of the most popular breeds in America. If you’re looking for a family dog with a warm, happy nature, a golden retriever could be perfect for you. Goldens are happy, friendly, and playful dogs.
Breed Profile
Height
21 - 24
Inches
Weight
55 -75
Pounds
Life Span
10-12
Years
Health
health
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?
Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs that affects the hip joint and socket.
Clinical signs:
Trouble with exercise, struggling to get up, more prone to falling, reduced activity, hesitation to jump, run, or walk stairs, limping or hopping, lameness
Treatment:
Hip replacement & Femoral head ostectomy
Health risks:
Hip dysplasia is most common in older dogs.
Senior dogs also run a greater risk of hip dysplasia.
Amount a Spot accident & illness plan would cover*
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been met.
Eligible vet bill
$1,200
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Cancer
What is it?
Goldens are prone to cancers like lymphoma, osteosarcoma, or hemangiosarcoma.
Clinical signs:
Lumps beneath the skin, strange smells from ears, mouth, slow-healing wounds, coughing, appetite or weight changes, weight loss, lethargy, or tiredness
Treatment:
Chemotherapy & Surgery
Health risks:
Lymphoma accounts for 20% of all cancer in dogs.
Goldens are the most commonly affected breed by lymphoma.
Eligible vet bill
$600
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Subaortic stenosis
What is it?
Subaortic stenosis is a condition that causes blockage of blood flow in and out of the heart.
Clinical signs:
No signs are observed in mild cases, difficulty breathing in moderate cases, fainting in moderate cases, weakness in moderate cases, exercise resistance, lethargy, heart failure
Treatment:
Balloon catheterization
Beta blockers
Health risks:
Subaortic stenosis can get worse if left untreated.
The condition is associated with heart arrhythmias
Eligible vet bill
$60
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Friendly
Golden retrievers are famous for their lovable, friendly nature and beautiful golden coats.
Lovable
Golden retrievers are famous for their lovable, friendly nature and beautiful golden coats.
Gentle
They are gentle and love to play, which is why they’re one of the most popular dog breeds for families with kids.
Happy
Their goal is to make you happy.
Lifetime Care
Coat
As goldens have thick double coats, they should be brushed at least twice a week.
Colors
Golden retrievers have blonde-colored coats.
Hypoallergenic
No, golden retrievers are not hypoallergenic dogs.
Grooming
they should be brushed at least twice a week. When it’s the season to shed, you’ll want and need to do so much more often.
Training
Goldens love being able to please you, so they’ll do their best to excel in obedience training, especially if it involves treats.
Lifetime Care Cost:
$25,910 (Reviews from dog breed-specific parents)
Learn more about the cost of caring for a Golden Retriever.
Golden Retriever: Dog Breed Information Guide 2022
As a good pet parent, you’ll want to make sure you adopt a dog you can commit to and provide a permanent home for.
We’re here to help. Our hope at Spot Pet Insurance is that we can provide you and your pup with the education and resources necessary to live a long and happy life together.
If you want to adopt a golden retriever, you need to consider several factors. We’ve collected some of the considerations you need to know about this retriever breed before making this decision.
What are the origins of the golden retriever?
Golden retrievers come from the United Kingdom, specifically Scotland. Their ancestors include the tweed water spaniel, bloodhounds, curly-coated retrievers, and setters. They were bred to retrieve game during hunts for waterfowl, like ducks.
Goldens needed stamina, strength, bravery, and gentleness to be the perfect retriever. They needed to swim in cold water and push through heavy foliage to retrieve their master’s prize.
The Scottish Lord Tweedmouth, also known as Dudley Marjoribanks, the man who initially bred the golden retriever, kept accurate records of how he managed to attain the breed. It’s not often that we can find exact records of a breed’s origin.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the golden retriever as an official breed in the 1920s. Currently, goldens are trained to be service dogs or search and rescue dogs. They also compete in obedience competitions.
Other potential health concerns for golden retrievers
Goldens are also prone to:
Elbow dysplasia
Hypothyroidism
Seizures
Osteosarcoma
Which physical traits do golden retrievers have?
Dogs are a big responsibility, and it’s important to pick a golden that equals the energy level of the most animated human member of your household. Characteristics like size and temperament can affect how well you can care for a dog and whether they can be helpful, happy members of your home.
Even though goldens are loving pups, they need a home that will suit them.
What does a golden retriever look like?
The most famous physical trait of the golden retriever is, of course, their beautiful golden coats. Their coats can be either wavy or flat. They are very dense and waterproof.
Goldens are relatively large dogs, and they need space to romp. Goldens are usually longer dogs, and they have an athletic build.
They have broad heads, and their ears are floppy. Goldens tend to have bright expressions; they are very happy-looking dogs.
What is the personality of a golden retriever like?
The expressions of the golden retriever express their personality very well. Goldens are happy, friendly, and playful dogs. Even adults tend to act more like puppies.
Do goldens get along well with their families?
Golden retrievers are very affectionate dogs. They will love you and any strangers they come across. However, they are still aware of strangers and may bark to warn you of them, although that might be more from excitement than fear.
Their goal is to make you happy. Their desire to please makes them very trainable. Goldens are intelligent and able to learn new commands fairly quickly. They might bowl you over with their enthusiasm, though.
Do goldens get along with children?
You may have a little one on the way or your nieces and nephews will often be visiting. You need to know how much fur pulling and head patting your dog can take. Of course, it’s important to teach children to be gentle, but they may not always understand quite what you’re getting at.
Fortunately, golden retrievers are great with children. They are gentle and love to play, which is why they’re one of the most popular dog breeds for families with kids. They can tolerate quite a bit before getting fed up (if they ever do). As with any pet, children should always be supervised when in the company of these majestic, gentle dogs.
Do goldens get along with other dogs?
If you have other pups as a part of your family, you may be curious as to whether a golden would be easy to introduce to them. This would depend in part on your other dogs, but in general, a golden retriever would happily live and make friends with your other dogs.
How to care for a golden?
Golden retrievers are worthy of the best care we can provide them. After all, they love us so much; we should show a great amount of love to them.
Are golden retrievers hypoallergenic?
No, golden retrievers are not hypoallergenic dogs. Truthfully, there is no 100% hypoallergenic dog breed. Those grouped into a hypoallergenic category merely shed less dander, which is dead skin cells similar to dandruff in humans, and is attached to the hair that falls out naturally.
What is grooming a golden like?
As goldens have thick double coats, they should be brushed at least twice a week. When it’s the season to shed, you’ll want and need to do so much more often. Their dense undercoat is water-repellent, and the outer coat is long and often wavy. They also frequently have feathering around their legs.
Goldens need to have their nails trimmed regularly and their teeth cleaned or brushed regularly.
What is the lifetime care cost of a golden?
The lifetime care cost of a golden retriever is about $22000. Know more about how much a golden retriever costs in 2024 here.
How much does a golden retriever puppy cost?
Golden retriever puppies are usually between $500 and $3000. However, adopting a young or mature golden can bring your family just as much enjoyment. Adoption fees range from $400 depending on the state you’re adopting in and the adoption organization, and the cost often covers the initial care needs of the dog. For accurate fees on adopting a golden, it is best to contact your local rescue or welfare organization.
[Expense: first year, following years]
Food: $310-$615, $205-$675
Water/food bowls: $10-$40, N/A
Treats: $125-$715, $125-$715
Collars: $10-$40, $0-$40
Leashes: $10-$30, $0-$30
Dog bed and crate: $80-$275, N/A
Toys: $50-$155, $0-$155
Vaccines and routine care: $440-$1,755, $475-$1,025
Microchip: $25-$50, N/A
Heartworm and flea prevention: $175-$270, $350-$600
Total: $1,235-$3,945, $1,235-$3,515
Basic training and behavior etiquette for your golden
Goldens love being able to please you, so they’ll do their best to excel in obedience training, especially if it involves treats.
They love to play fetch since they were developed to retrieve waterfowl after a hunt.
They are successful in competitions, due to their willingness and desire to make you happy.
In the past, they’ve been used as hunting dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs and service dogs. You can take the extra steps to train them in these fields if you desire.
What foods should a golden retriever never eat?
Like all dogs, goldens can’t eat:
Golden retriever life stages
Puppyhood: 0-12 months
Adulthood: 1-7 years
Senior: 7-12 years
Exercising tips to keep your dog staying fit and healthy
Golden retrievers are content and happy house dogs, but they also like having things to do.
They’d love to accompany you on a walk or run. You could also play catch or take them for a swim. Goldens are fairly energetic, so they need to exercise every day. Their high energy makes them a great family pet for an active family.
Fortunately, goldens are amiable and generally content. As long as they get the exercise they need, they won’t tear up the house trying to let out their excess energy. They’re loving and are happy to be with you and play with you.
Thanks to their athleticism, these active dogs are also wonderful candidates for dog sports.