The Golden Retriever’s PERSONALITY:

Golden Retrievers are active, exuberant, inquisitive, busy, nosey, loving dogs who have a naturally outgoing disposition. Well-bred Golden Retrievers of good temperament make awesome family dogs. They are usually extremely tolerant of children, but, like any other dog when teased, frustrated, or physically harmed, they will growl and bite. Training your Golden is critical, and please remember that no dog should be left alone with young children.

Goldens have a last name … “Retriever”, from the Latin meaning “to put EVERYTHING in your mouth and dance around with it!” The retrieving instinct SHOULD be a part of every Golden, so if you object strongly to your dog happily strutting out to greet company with your underwear in his mouth – perhaps the Golden is not the breed for you. They are genetically programmed to carry laundry, shoes, kids’ toys, etc. in their mouths!

The SIZE of the Golden Retriever:

Goldens are medium to large-sized dogs. Typically, males stand 23"-24" at the shoulder and weigh between 65 and 75 pounds. Females stand 21 1/2"-22 1/2" and weigh between 55-65 pounds. Goldens possess active tails, making clean sweeps of coffee tables.

The Golden Retriever needs lots of LOVE, TIME & AFFECTION:

Goldens are "people" dogs. Part of what makes a Golden Retriever “Golden” is their affectionate, people loving nature. This trait makes them VERY unhappy when they don’t have a high amount of interaction with you. Goldens cannot be maintained as outside-dogs. A Golden confined to the backyard can become destructive and LOUD! Imagine if you left your children alone most of the time until they reached adolescence. The wild child you are picturing is similar to what will happen to a Golden when left alone that much.

Expect your Golden to follow you throughout the house, to nudge you with their nose for a pat on the head or to drop a toy at your feet when he wants to play. There are even some who feel they are large lap dogs. A Golden will not be satisfied with anything less than being a part of the family.

Consider your life-style and household schedule - do you travel a lot? Do you work long hours? Are you busy with your children's activities? In other words, do you have time to give a Golden all the love and attention they need in order to make them happy dogs?

Golden Retrievers need EXERCISE!

Goldens are sporting dogs, bred to retrieve game all day. They need regular exercise that consists of 30-45 min.every day … RAIN or SHINE!  Leaving your Golden out in the backyard to play on his own just won’t do.  Before you know it, you’ll find he/she barking or scratching at your door with a look that says “Please come out and play me!”.  In addition, a golden left unattended in the backyard is an invitation to trouble. They’ll chew your flowers and it’s guaranteed that they’ll find a perfect digging spot. Never leave your Golden tied up outdoors as this is extremely dangerous. A Golden that is not exercised regularly will have a lot of pent up energy and become restless and this will often lead to excessive barking, chewing and digging.  Taking daily walks and playing a game of fetch is a wonderful way for you and your Golden to build a bonding relationship. Regular exercise is also very important to your Golden’s health as it helps to keep them at their ideal weight. A Senior Golden also requires daily walks and play-time in order to stay healthy.  And don't forget, most Goldens LOVE to swim! 

The LIFE-SPAN of a Golden Retriever:

The average life-span of a Golden is ten to twelve years although we have encountered a few fifteen-year olds! Consider what your plans might be in five to twelve years. Will you still welcome the responsibility of a highly social dog when you have a family, go back to work, have an "empty nest" when the kids go to college or when you retire and want to travel?



A Golden Retriever SHEDS ... all the time:

Goldens are a long, double-coated breed and they shed constantly all year round and then heavily during the Spring and Fall. You will always find some dog hair around, especially on rugs, furniture, nicest clothes, and, oh yes, occasionally in your food.

If you are a CLEAN FREAK ... The Golden Retriever IS NOT:

Where there is mud … a Golden is sure to find it!  Expect muddy paws, nose prints on every window in your house and car, and did I mention the hair?  Enough said… If you can’t relax and enjoy it, you and your dog will both be miserable.

GROOMING the Golden Retriever:

Goldens need regular grooming to keep their skin and coat in good condition. Because of their type of coat, brushing every other day is to your advantage and helps reduce the amount of dust bunnies found in corners. Goldens need a full bath and groom every 6-8 weeks.  A professional grooming will run anywhere between $40 - $60.  The Golden also needs their toenails clipped regularly and their ears cleaned frequently.  These are simple tasks that a owner can learn to do themselves.  And don't forget, they also need their teeth brushed at least once a week.  This helps maintain healthy gums and eliminate bad breath.

HEALTHCARE of the Golden Retriever:

Golden retrievers like any dog require regular health care from a veterinarian. They will require the normal vaccinations and shots. They are also number one on the list for certain health problems like cancer, and hip dysplasia, which is a disease of the hips in the rear, causing problems walking, which can lead to surgery. They are also prone to skin allergies, hot spots and ear infections.

It is essential that you seek out a responsible breeder if you are looking for a puppy. A responsible breeder will provide you with copies of health clearances for both parents.

TRAINING the Golden Retriever:


Golden Retrievers are very intelligent and are easily trained.  A trained Golden is a joy to live with but they need structure, consistency and clear rules to stay well-behaved. We highly recommend classes or private lessons to teach your dog the skills needed so he/she can participate in family activities. Training is an essential investment for a fulfilling relationship.


A Golden Retriever ON GUARD … NOT:

Most Goldens are complete love sponges who would happily lick the boots of an intruder. You can encourage them to bark at people who approach your house, but you can't — and shouldn't — teach them to intimidate or bite. Their very size may deter a home invader, but anyone familiar with a Golden's love-'em-all attitude knows that a scratch behind a Golden ears means instant friendship.

Golden Retrievers are ADDICTIVE:

Few people own only ONE Golden. They simply are habit forming.

If you still feel that the Golden Retriever is the right breed for you, be sure to look for a good breeder to buy your puppy from. A healthy, good tempered Golden Retriever makes a wonderful, intelligent companion.

CONGRATULATIONS, on deciding to “GO GOLDEN”!