A Complete Golden Retriever Care Guide
Intelligent, friendly, gentle and loyal for life, Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dog here in Australia.
If you’re thinking of welcoming a new four-legged member into the family, this Golden Retriever care guide is for you. From temperament, size, and health to grooming, feeding, and training, our Sydney Animal Hospitals vets share all the information you need to look after and raise your Golden Retriever dog with confidence.
Need professional vet advice before committing to a Golden Retriever puppy or dog?
Sydney Animal Hospitals is here to help.
All About Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers hail from Scotland, where they were bred as gun dogs to retrieve game from land and water. Because of this background, they instinctively love fetching, swimming and staying active.
With their beautiful golden coats, ‘feathery’ tails and strong, athletic canine build, this medium-sized, muscular dog is an undeniably handsome breed. Combined with their gentle demeanour, intelligence and friendly nature, they are an especially popular choice of pet among Australian families.
Golden Retriever Temperament and Personality
Golden Retrievers are an irresistible combination of intelligence, affection, loyalty and eagerness to please. Some standout and particularly endearing traits include:
- People-Oriented: If ever there was a dog breed to thrive on human interaction, this is it. Golden Retrievers just love being a member of the family, and their high intelligence helps them bond quickly and effortlessly. Don’t be surprised if you develop a devoted shadow with the arrival of this dog - they will love to follow you around!
- Gentle: Their kindness and patience make them a perfect addition to any family with children. They also typically get on well with other household pets and visitors.
- Easy to Train: Considered one of the smartest dog breeds, they learn fast and want to please. It’s therefore no surprise that they often make great service and therapy dogs.
- Playful: Given their recreational background, these dogs love retrieving, swimming, agility work, and anything that gets their blood pumping and energy levels up! They should be exercised for at least one to two hours every day.
Are Golden Retrievers Good Guard Dogs?
Given they’re so playful, friendly and gentle, it’s not surprising to hear that Golden Retrievers do not make good guard dogs.
Average Golden Retriever Weight and Height
The chart below captures the average height and weight for a Golden Retriever:
| Female | Male | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 51 - 56 cm | 56 - 61 cm |
| Weight | 25 -32 kilos | 29 - 36 kilos |
The average life expectancy of a Golden Retriever is 10 - 12 human years.
Refer to our Sydney Animal Hospitals puppy weight calculator to better estimate your dog’s final size.
Golden Retriever Health Issues
Generally speaking, this is a healthy breed provided it is well-cared for. However, like with any dog breed, you need to be watchful for specific health conditions, such as:
- Stifle Disease- cruciate ligament rupture which requires surgery. It’s important to keep them at a healthy weight to prevent this.
- Elbow or Hip Dysplasia- joints may not form normally, leading to early pain and arthritis later in life.
- Juvenile Cataracts- a clouding that can form over the eyes of Golden Retriever puppies.
- Pigmentary Uveitis(PU) - an inherited eye disease that typically affects older dogs. It causes pigment build-up and inflammation in the eye, and can result in glaucoma, cataracts, and even blindness.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy(PRA)- a genetic eye disease that gradually affects the retina and eventually leads to blindness.
- Heart Diseases- particularly Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, which is a narrowing below the aortic valve and forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, leading to faintness, fatigue, an aversion to exercise and even death.
- Ear and Skin Infections- especially common in Retrievers that like to swim.
Australia-Specific Health Considerations
Golden Retriever owners in Sydney and Australia-wide need to also watch out for sun exposure and tick paralysis.
Maintaining regular vet check-ups, inspecting your dog’s ears weekly for any infection and brushing your dog’s teeth regularly will help keep your dog as healthy as possible.
Golden Retriever Grooming
This is a moderate-shedding breed, though it will shed heavily twice a year. As with all pet grooming, the best approach is to brush your dog regularly (at least twice a week) to remove dead hair. When the dog is shedding heavily, brushing should take place at least daily.
Giving your dog a bath can help loosen dead hair, but make sure they are completely dry before you begin. Trim nails regularly.
Golden Retriever Feeding Guide
This is a breed that likes its food, so watch for signs of weight gain and don’t be too generous with doggy treats or meal leftovers! Like all animals,
pet nutrition is paramount from an early age.
Golden Retriever Training Guide
Every pet dog should be socialised and trained as early as possible. Exposing your Golden Retriever puppy to a variety of people, places, noises, animals, and situations will help them adjust and become well-mannered adults. Aim to do this between seven weeks and four months of age.
Consider obedience training not only to strengthen the bond between you and your dog, but also to prevent bad habits from developing. This breed lives to please, so it will be exceptionally keen to take direction.
Contact Us for More Reliable Golden Retriever Breed Information
We hope this Golden Retriever owner's guide proves useful. There’s no doubt you’re considering one of the most affectionate, devoted and gentle pet dogs as part of your family.
At Sydney Animal Hospitals, our vets understand that every dog is unique. From puppyhood through to their senior years, we’re here to support your Golden Retriever’s health and wellbeing with tailored advice, puppy vaccinations, routine health checks and compassionate care.
Whether you’re preparing for your first puppy visit or seeking guidance as your dog grows older, you can trust our experienced veterinary team to be by your side at every stage of your dog’s life.
Partner with a veterinary team that will care for your Golden Retriever for life.
Golden Retriever Care Guide FAQs
Do Golden Retrievers Shed?
Golden Retrievers are a double-coated breed, which means shedding is part of life with one of these beautiful dogs. For most of the year, they shed at a moderate level. However, during seasonal coat changes, usually in autumn and spring, shedding increases significantly.
A good Golden Retriever guide includes regular grooming to help keep loose hair under control and your dog comfortable. Aim to brush your Golden Retriever at least once a week throughout the year, and daily during heavy shedding periods. This not only reduces fur around your home, but also supports healthy skin and a glossy coat.
How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live For?
Golden retrievers can live for up to 12 human years on average. However, if your dog has excellent genetics, you keep it well-exercised, feed it a nutritious diet, and maintain regular vet appointments, it could live into its mid-teens.
Are Golden Retrievers Smart?
Yes, this is a very intelligent breed of dog, which explains why it is often found working as a service, therapy and guide dog.
When Does a Golden Retriever Stop Growing?
Puppy growth starts to slow down from the age of six to 12 months. Rather than getting any taller, they typically gain more muscle during this period. They have reached their full height by 12 to 18 months of age. You should not see any further growth beyond two years of age.
Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic?
No, due to their thick double coat, this is not a hypoallergenic dog breed. Frequent dog cleaning and grooming may help minimise human allergy symptoms.
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