Affectionate, intelligent and devoted, Golden Retrievers are a distinctly lovable breed. Their sweet disposition makes them superb companions! If you’re considering bringing a Golden Retriever into your home, we have all the information you need to make informed decisions regarding their care. We’ve included details about this breed’s physical characteristics, playtime needs, grooming tips, nutrition, and more. At the bottom of this guide, you will find a comprehensive list of all the health conditions we test for here at Embark, as well as recommendations for treatable diseases from our veterinarians.
Your Guide to Golden Retrievers
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Golden Retrievers are serious workers when it comes to hunting and field work. They are also frequently selected as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue operations. When not on-duty, these pups have an endearing love of life!
If you are looking to adopt a Golden Retriever from an animal shelter or find a breeder, it’s important to look for breeders that can provide detailed health records for their puppies (and parents!) as well as genetic testing for health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and their Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) maintains a voluntary database of Golden Retrievers and their health screening results.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about Golden Retrievers, according to Pet Air UK, Pawed In, and Country Living Magazine:
- They are the third most popular dog breed in the United States!
- Golden Retrievers were originally bred as gun dogs to retrieve shot waterfowl during hunting and shooting parties – hence the name retriever.
- They’re often used in police units as drug detection dogs.
- The Guinness World Record for loudest bark is held by a Golden named Charlie at 113.1 decibel.
- No two Goldens – or two dogs for that matter – have the same nose print.
- Golden Retrievers instinctively love to swim. They’re always up for a game of fetch in the lake.
Physical characteristics
The Golden Retriever has a wonderful golden coat, which is how they earned the first part of their name! According to the AKC, the Golden Retriever’s broad head, with its friendly and intelligent eyes, short ears, and straight muzzle, are hallmarks of the breed. Intact Golden Retrievers are usually 22–24 inches and weigh anywhere between 65 and 75 pounds once full grown. Female Golden Retrievers are slightly smaller at 21-22 inches and 55 to 65 pounds.
Ever wonder why some Golden Retrievers are nearly red, like an Irish Setter, while others are nearly white? Embark does, too, and is in the process of investigating the genetics of coat color intensity using Golden Retrievers with Embark!
Bringing your new Golden Retriever home
Your dog’s first week at home should be calm and quiet with a consistent routine from the very first day. Give your new family member ample time to adjust to their unfamiliar surroundings. They will need to become acquainted with both you and their new home. As you can imagine, the transition can certainly be a lot all at once! If your new Golden Retriever friend is a puppy, be sure to take some extra precautions by keeping electrical wires, household plants, and other easily-accessed items out of their reach.
Picking a name for your pup is a very interesting task; there are so many names to choose from. Once you’ve landed on the right one, repetition is key! Studies show that names with one or two syllables will catch your dog’s attention the fastest. Check out our list of the most popular dog names of 2018 if you are in need of some ideas!
Nutrition
According to the ASPCA, a balanced diet is vital to your dog’s growth and health. Feeding your Golden Retriever a diet of commercial dog food is satisfactory and can be more convenient. Portion control is important in these food-motivated dogs! PetCareRx recommends both dry kibble and wet food. Dry food helps to keep your pup’s teeth clean of tartar by scraping the surface of the teeth and canned food provides additional moisture in your dog’s diet. Remember to factor in the calories of both food types when you measure out your dog’s meal! If you want to make sure your dog is getting exactly what he or she needs, he best thing you can do is to talk to your veterinarian.
Playtime
The AKC recommends your Golden Retrievers get plenty of exercise! If not exercised regularly, they may develop undesirable behaviors and gain excess weight. These dogs make great hiking and cycling companions. Golden Retrievers love to be active alongside their favorite people. Due to their strong retrieving instinct, when being exercised outside of a fenced in yard, your pup may need to be kept on a leash to avoid distractions.
Click here for some tips on running with your dog.
Grooming
According to the ASPCA, Golden Retrievers require a substantial amount of grooming in order to maintain their thick and lustrous coat. Daily brushing will help prevent knots and tangles and will reduce the amount of fur that accumulates around your home. Your pup’s nails will require regular trimming if they are not worn down naturally through outside play and activity.
Health & aging
Your best friend can still live a full and happy life with the proper care and activity. According to Animal Planet, Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of about 10-12 years and they are considered to be a senior at 8 years old.
Do you know your pup’s birthday? If not, you might choose their date of adoption as a special day to celebrate them! Click here for birthday ideas.
Getting your pup tested with Embark will arm you with as much information as possible to ensure your dog is healthy while potentially avoiding preventable diseases.
An Embark Dog DNA Test looks at the following health conditions in Golden Retrievers:
We hope that this guide helps you with your Golden Retriever and that you remain happy together for years to come! However, we also know that the only bad part of having a pup means you have to lose them someday. If you are grieving and in need of a resource, click here for a relevant blog post.
