Last Updated: 13/08/2025

Golden Retriever Breed Guide

Is a Golden Retriever the right dog for your family? Our comprehensive, vet-written guide answers all your questions about this beloved breed. Learn about their temperament with kids, shedding, grooming needs, health, diet, and training to ensure your Golden thrives.

Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)

Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read

The Golden Retriever has long been a most beloved and ever popular breed. It is believed they were bred in the United Kingdom almost 200 years ago. They originated as a gundog, renowned for their tracking and retrieving ability. They are known for their intelligence and easy-going nature. They are easily trained, patient and gentle, making them wonderful family and companion dogs. Golden Retrievers are incredibly charming and loveable dogs, so it's easy to see why they are one of the most popular dog breeds throughout the world.

All about Golden Retrievers

Although there are no specific feeding requirements for an adult Golden Retriever, it is very important that you feed your Golden a suitable diet that is age appropriate and meets all their daily nutritional and energy needs. A premium, balanced Large Breed Adult Dog Food from reputable pet food brands should provide tailored nutrition that your Golden needs. Premium large breed formulas contain balanced levels of protein, fat and carbohydrate plus vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for health and wellbeing. Find out more information in our vet guide of the best dog food for Golden Retrievers.

As some conditions are more common in Golden Retrievers, it is important to select a premium diet that caters to their needs. There are breed specific diets that can help reduce the likelihood of disease. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult contains taurine and omega 3 to support healthy cardiac function. It is also rich in omega fatty acids to protect the skin, and has adapted calorie content to reduce obesity. Plus, this diet has a tailored kibble shape to encourage chewing.

What to look for

Modified energy content to help maintain a healthy weight

Large breed food to provide specific nutritional needs

Nutraceuticals such as fish oil or green lipped mussel powder for joint and coat support

Vet picks

Best food for Golden Retriever puppies

Choosing the right puppy food ensures that your Golden Retriever puppy gets the best start at life. As a large breed, Golden puppies need a diet with carefully balanced levels of calcium, phosphorus and energy to support healthy bone development and avoid developmental bone and joint problems.

Digestive upsets can be very common in puppies, so it's important to feed a formula that is highly digestible with added prebiotic fibres such as chicory root, fruit and vegetable fibres, whole grains and seeds to support a healthy gut microbiome. Other beneficial ingredients in food for Golden Retriever puppies include colostrum for further digestive support, the omega fatty three DHA and choline for brain and cognitive development and taurine to help maintain heart health.

What to look for

Balanced energy and calcium to phosphorus ratio for healthy bone development

Highly digestible formula to help prevent tummy upsets

DHA for healthy brain and eye development

Vet picks

golden retriever sitting in grass looking up at camera

Flea & worming

To maintain your Golden Retriever's health, year-round protection against common parasites is essential. This preventative care must cover fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworm.

Learn more

Best flea and worming treatments for Golden Retrievers

As Golden Retrievers enjoy swimming and playing in water, oral flea and worming treatments are ideal as they will not wash off with bathing or swimming. To keep things simple, you could opt for an all in one monthly chewable or tablet, or opt for an annual heartworm injection supplemented by monthly worming and oral flea and tick treatments.

What to look for

Oral chews and tablets to avoid reduced effectiveness from bathing and swimming

All in one products for simplicity

Always double check the weight range to ensure an effective dose

golden retriever on vet examination table

Health

While generally healthy with a 10-12 year lifespan, Golden Retrievers are genetically prone to some health issues. They have a high risk of certain cancers, such as lymphoma, and are susceptible to joint problems like hip and elbow dysplasia, making weight management essential. Heart and eye conditions can also occur. Proactive care, including regular vet check-ups and choosing a responsible breeder who screens for these conditions, is vital for their long-term well-being.

Best products for managing arthritis in Golden Retrievers

Osteoarthritis in dogs is a degenerative joint disease where cartilage breakdown causes pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. Key signs include limping (especially after exercise), stiffness after resting, and reluctance to jump or use stairs.

If you notice these symptoms, a veterinary diagnosis is crucial before starting any treatment. Your vet may recommend x-rays or prescribe medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories to manage pain and inflammation.

Effective management requires a multi-modal approach. In addition to prescribed medication, this includes joint support supplements and therapeutic diets containing anti-inflammatory ingredients like green-lipped mussel, turmeric, or fish oil. Maintaining a healthy weight is also vital to reduce stress on the joints, and weight control diets are an excellent starting point. Finally, mobility aids such as ramps and supportive bedding can significantly improve your dog's daily comfort.

What to look for

Joint support supplements based on marine sources of omega fatty acids such as green lipped mussel powder or fish oil

Veterinary diets that provide dual support for mobility and other commonly linked issues such as weight management

Mobility support aids such as ramps, stairs and support slings

Training and activity

Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them a joy to train with the right approach. They thrive on positive reinforcement techniques, so using treats, praise, and toys during short, engaging sessions from puppyhood is most effective.

Best toys for Golden Retrievers

To satisfy their natural retrieving instinct, invest in durable fetch toys which can withstand enthusiastic play, and toys which float and enhance water-based play. At home, keeping them mentally stimulated using strategies such as puzzles and treat dispensing toys is highly beneficial. While they are not typically destructive chewers, as a larger breed it is recommended to choose more durable chew and tug toys for backyard play sessions.

What to look for

Water and fetch toys to satisfy retriever instincts

Food dispensing toys and puzzles for mental enrichment

Durable chew and tug toys

Vet picks

Water toys

Fetch toys

Puzzle toys

Tough chew toys

Tough tug toys

Best harnesses, collars and walking accessories for Golden Retrievers

As profoundly energetic and intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers require a dedicated commitment to their daily activity. They need at least 60 minutes of vigorous, purposeful exercise each day to maintain their physical health and ensure they remain happy and well-behaved. This routine should ideally blend structured physical exertion with mentally stimulating challenges that cater to their bright minds and working breed heritage.

For daily walks, hikes, and explorations, equipping your Golden with the right gear is essential for both safety and comfort. A sturdy, well-fitted harness is highly recommended over a simple collar. Pairing this with a long lead for outings in parks or on trails allows your dog the freedom to safely sniff and explore.

What to look for

Sturdy well-fitting harnesses

Dual clip harnesses and leads for extra control

Bite sized, high value treats and a treat pouch for training on the go

Vet picks

Harnesses

Dual clip leads

Head collars

Treat pouches

Training treats

Grooming

Golden Retrievers are widely known for their beautiful, dense double coat. This luscious coat requires regular maintenance to keep it healthy and free of mats. They are moderate to heavy shedders year-round, with significant shedding seasons in spring and autumn.

Best grooming products for Golden Retrievers

To manage their beautiful coat, Golden Retrievers should be brushed regularly with a slicker brush to prevent tangles, paying special attention to the feathered areas on their legs, chest, and tail where matting can occur. In addition, a deshedding tool used regularly helps to remove loose hair and prevent those hair tumbleweeds around the house.

Baths are only needed occasionally, no more than once every 2 weeks, to avoid stripping natural oils from their skin. Regular nail trims and weekly ear checks to clean out wax and debris are also essential parts of their grooming routine to prevent infections and discomfort.

What to look for

Gentle ear cleaners to for use after bathing and swimming

Slicker brushes for regular grooming and deshedding tools suitable for long coats

Shampoos and conditioners that support a healthy skin barrier

Sleep and home

While Golden Retrievers are celebrated for their boundless energy and love for activity, providing ample opportunity for rest is just as crucial for their well-being. A typical adult Golden will sleep for about 12-14 hours a day, including overnight and daytime naps, with puppies requiring even more.

Best beds for Golden Retrievers

To accommodate their size, a Golden Retriever needs a large bed, typically with a sleeping surface of at least 100cm by 70cm, allowing them to stretch out fully. For optimal joint health, especially as they age, consider an orthopaedic foam mattress-style bed. To ensure longevity and hygiene, look for a model with a durable, machine-washable cover.

What to look for

Extra support for joints from orthopaedic or memory foam

Durable, machine washable covers

Large to extra large size depending on your dog's measurements

Golden Retriever Breed Guide

All about Golden Retrievers

In this article

Nutrition

Best food for adult Golden Retrievers

What to look for