Golden Retriever

Breed Group: Sporting

"I will lick you, and hug you, and hold you all day long!"

Breed Profile

Golden Retrievers embody the idea man’s best friend. They are friendly, happy-go-lucky dogs who love their people. They always have a happy, excited look on their face and are never at a loss for energy. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dogs ever for good reason.

Behavior

Golden Retrievers are happy dogs who love and need attention from people. They have a very strong desire to make their owners happy. In fact, they want to make everyone happy! Golden Retrievers usually warm up quickly to any and all humans, which means they're not exactly known for being the best watchdogs.

Coat

Golden Retrievers have long hair that does require regular brushing, which will help control the amount of hair you find around your house. Even with regular brushing, you should know that Golden Retrievers do shed quite a bit. Other than brushing, it’s pretty simple : Give you Golden Retriever a bath after they play in the mud, in salt water, or in a pool, and you won’t have a smelly dog on your hands.

Lifestyle

Golden Retrievers love people. In fact, they love them so much that it’s important that they live inside with you. They don’t usually do very well with being outdoor dogs and may misbehave if they are kept apart from their favorite human companions for too long. Golden Retrievers usually get along alright with other pets, especially if they are raised with them from the beginning. Sometimes they can get a little overzealous in their play, so if you have toddlers you’ll want to keep an eye on them when they’re together.

Activity

Are you active? Golden Retrievers sure are! A happy Golden Retriever gets at least an hour of exercise every day. As their name suggests, Golden Retrievers love retrieving. Some are bred for retrieving in hunting situations, but all of them will gladly play fetch with you until your arm has no strength left in it. They also love running, swimming, and doggie sports. Pretty much anything they get to do with you will make them really happy.

Characteristics

Space Needs
Activity Needs
Intelligence
Playfulness
Grooming Needs
Trainability
Watchdog Ability
Affection
Barking
Cat-friendliness
Dog-friendliness
Child-friendliness