Golden Retriever
Gentle, patient, forever a puppy at heart.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium-large · 51–61 cm |
| Weight | 25–34 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12 years |
| Energy | High — 60–90 min/day |
| Shedding | Heavy, year-round |
| Coat | Lustrous double coat · light to dark golden |
| Group | Sporting · AKC / FCI №111 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred to retrieve game gently to hand, the Golden is soft-mouthed in temperament too — patient, gentle and endlessly willing. It's a leading choice for guide, therapy and assistance work, and it stays playful and puppyish well into adulthood.
Habits & quirks
Soft mouth
Will carry your shoes, the post, and the occasional houseplant — gently.
Velcro dog
Follows you room to room; struggles with being left alone.
Serious shedder
That golden coat comes off year-round and blows out seasonally.
Water-lover
Never met a lake, pond or sprinkler it didn't like.
Care
| Exercise | 60–90 min/day — retrieving, swimming and sniff walks |
| Grooming | Brush 2–3× weekly to manage the heavy coat and prevent mats |
| Health | Screen breeders for hips, elbows, eyes and heart; watch cancer risk with age |
| Company | Craves companionship — not a dog to leave alone for long days |
Common questions
Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs?
Exceptionally — gentle, patient and trainable, they're a benchmark family and therapy breed.
Do Golden Retrievers shed a lot?
Yes — heavily and year-round, with seasonal peaks. Regular brushing is a must.
How much exercise does a Golden need?
60–90 minutes of real activity daily; they love retrieving and swimming above all.