All About Your Golden Retriever: Care Guide and Breed Info

Do you know what today is? It’s Golden Day! February 3rd is National Golden Retriever Day, a day to honor and learn about one of America’s favorite dogs.
A mainstay in the US’s top three most popular breeds, Golden Retrievers are known for being incredible canine sports athletes, dependable disability service dogs, iconic TV and movie stars, and of course, loyal, fun-loving family members.
Learn about the Golden Retriever breed history, breed standard and traits, and best care to prevent and manage common health issues in Golden Retrievers.

How The Golden Retriever Dog Breed Came To Be
The Golden Retriever dates back to 19th century Scotland. The first litter was produced by Dudley Marjoribanks, known as Lord Tweedmouth, a wealthy businessman who wanted to create the ultimate hunting companion, a dog that could retrieve game both on land and in water. He combined the now-extinct breed Tweed Water Spaniel with a wavy-coated retriever, and later down the line, with bloodhounds to create a breed with a dense, waterproof coat, strong waterfowl retrieving instincts, and a gentle, trainable temperament.

Golden Retriever Breed Traits
The Golden Retriever, as their name implies, is most commonly reddish-gold to pale cream in color with no markings. A medium-sized breed, they typically weigh around 60 pounds and stand at about 22 inches tall.
A Golden has a double-layered fur coat with a downy under layer that sheds, especially in the spring and fall, and a long, wavy over coat that’s water resistant. Their dense double coat helps them stay warm and dry, making them ideal for hunting, sports, and other outdoor activities.

Common Health Issues In Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are more susceptible to cancer than other breeds. An estimated 60% of Goldens will develop cancer at some point during their lifetime. The most common types of cancer that affect Goldens are Hemangiosarcoma, which affects the circulatory system, lymphoma, which affects white blood cells, mast cell tumor, a form of skin cancer, and osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer.
Like other large, deep-chested breeds, Goldens are susceptible to Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) or bloat, a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach twists and fills with gas. Bloat has been linked to eating too fast and exercising immediately before or after meals. Some vets recommend gastropexy, or stomach-tacking surgery, a preventative, elective procedure usually done during spay or neuter, to prevent the stomach from twisting in the future. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in Golden Retrievers, especially those bred by backyard breeders that do not routinely screen for bone and joint deformities in their breeding stock. In dogs with dysplasia, the socket portion of the joint is too shallow to securely hold the “ball,” which can result in painful friction and deterioration of the joints.

How To Care For Your Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are highly food motivated, which makes them easy to train. This also means, however, that they can be prone to obesity due to overeating. Keeping your Golden at a healthy weight can lower their risk for numerous health issues, including cancer and joint inflammation.
Your Golden should eat a high quality diet containing fresh, species-appropriate foods whenever possible. Use healthy, low-fat treats as training rewards, and make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise - at least an hour each day. Delayed spaying and neutering can also decrease your dog’s chances of becoming overweight or developing orthopedic issues.
Goldens are enthusiastic eaters that tend to gulp their food without chewing, which can lead to bloat. Use slow-feeder bowls, food puzzles, or use portions of meals as training rewards to prevent gulping.
Your Golden’s double coat will shed year-round, with heavy shedding during the spring and fall seasons. Brush 1-2 times weekly to curb shedding and prevent matts from forming. The coat can be trimmed for easier maintenance and sanitation, though shaving is not usually recommended as the outer layer grows back more slowly than the downy undercoat, leaving the coat patchy and uneven. Shaving can also compromise the UV-protective, insulating properties of the coat.

Why We Love Golden Retrievers
A Golden Retriever lights up every room they walk into, with that warm Golden smile and that fluffy, feathery, ever-wagging tail. They’re high-energy, intelligent, and eager to please, making them great for any type of work, like assistive tasks for a disabled handler, athletic pursuits, hunting, search and rescue, and so much more.
Though they’re commonly depicted as easy-going family dogs, like any working dog, a Golden needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, as well as training to develop manners and self-control. A well-rounded Golden is a wonderful lifelong companion who can get along with every member of their household.
If you’re looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy to your family, you can find a reputable breeder in the American Kennel Club registry or with the Golden Retriever Club of America. You can also look for a breed-specific rescue near you to find an older Golden in need of a forever home.