Dog Explorer
Golden Retriever
Friendly face. Big heart. Lots of fur.
A large, social retriever that usually enjoys being involved with the family.
Get the quick read ↓
Quick Read
- Size
- Large · about 25–34 kg
- Coat
- Medium-length double coat
- Grooming
- Regular brushing
- Activity
- Daily activity and things to do
Size
Coat
Grooming
ActivityWhat is a Golden Retriever?
Golden Retrievers were developed as working retrievers, working closely with people. Many enjoy carrying things, retrieving toys and training.
What are they like to live with?
Breed references describe friendly, social and trainable tendencies. Friendly does not mean automatically well behaved.
A large, excited Golden can still jump, pull on the lead, steal things or get bored. Sweet dog. Still needs training.
Walks, play and training
Walks, fetch, swimming where safe, training and sniffing games are useful options. Match activity to age, health and fitness rather than one fixed number of minutes.
Coat and grooming
Goldens shed through the year, with heavier shedding periods. Regular brushing removes loose fur and helps prevent small knots.
Brush more often during heavy shedding. Do not shave the double coat just to reduce shedding.
Grooming Planner confirms the actual coat before building a routine.
Plan coat care ↗Size and fit
About 25–34 kg and 55–61 cm tall is an adult reference, not a fit result. Two Goldens can have different chest, neck and back measurements.
Actual measurements decide clothing, harness and collar fit.
Measure my dog ↗Health notes
Breed-health screening programmes pay attention to hips, elbows, eyes, heart and some inherited conditions. These are screening considerations, not a prediction about your dog.
Ask your vet about your own dog’s health and preventive care.
Stay Floofy editorial perspective
What parents may underestimate
Size, shedding and daily attention. A friendly dog can still be a lot of work.
May suit you if…
You enjoy regular walks, play, training and coat care.
Think carefully if…
You want a very low-maintenance or low-shedding dog.
Try it with your dog
Sources & review
Reviewed .
- AKC — Living with a Golden Retriever ↗
- AKC — Golden Retriever grooming ↗
- Golden Retriever Club of America — health screening ↗
- AKC — Golden Retriever standard ↗
Portraits are editorial imagery, not evidence of an individual dog’s traits.