Updated 10 June 2026
Golden Retrievers are one of the world's most beloved family dogs. Known for their friendly nature, intelligence and enthusiasm for life, they have earned a reputation as loyal companions who seem happiest when spending time with their people. Before bringing a Golden Retriever home, it's important to understand what life with this breed is really like. From exercise and grooming needs to temperament and health considerations, this guide will help you decide whether a Golden Retriever is the right fit for your lifestyle.
The Golden Retriever at a Glance
- Breed size: Large (25-34kg)
- Life expectancy: 10-12 years
- Exercise needs: Around 90-120 minutes of exercise and enrichment each day.
- Space needs: Best suited to homes with access to outdoor space but can adapt to smaller homes if their exercise needs are consistently met.
- Grooming needs: Moderate. Regular brushing is needed to help manage their long double coat.
- Shedding: High. Sheds year-round with heavier seasonal periods.
- Hypoallergenic? No
- Barking tendency: Generally not excessive barkers but may vocalise if bored or under-stimulated.
- Trainability: Highly trainable. Intelligent, eager to please, and responsive to positive reinforcement.
- People-friendly? Typically very social and affectionate with family, visitors, and strangers alike.
- Other pets? Usually gets along well with other dogs and can often live happily with cats and other pets when introduced appropriately.
- Family-friendly? Well suited to families, including those with children, thanks to their gentle and friendly nature.
- Suitable for first-time dog owners? Yes, provided owners are prepared for their exercise, grooming, and companionship needs.
- Best suited to: Active individuals or families looking for a friendly, trainable companion who enjoys being involved in everyday life.
Remember that every Golden Retriever is an individual with their own personality and behaviours that may differ from the breed’s stereotypical characteristics.
What people love about Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular family dogs for good reason. Owners often love them because:
- Their friendly, affectionate nature means they genuinely enjoy spending time with people.
- Learning new skills comes naturally to many Golden Retrievers, and they often thrive when included in training, games and family activities.
- Many Golden Retrievers get along well with children, other dogs and a variety of household pets.
- Whether it's a daily walk, a weekend adventure or a quiet evening at home, most love being involved in family life.
- Happy, enthusiastic personalities help them form strong bonds with people of all ages.
Important things to consider
Golden Retrievers can make wonderful companions in the right home. Before bringing one into your home, it’s worth considering the following to ensure you’re a great match for each other:
- An active lifestyle is important, as Golden Retrievers thrive when given plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- As a large breed, they require adequate space, training and equipment designed for bigger dogs.
- Regular brushing and grooming help manage their thick double coat and year-round shedding.
- Strong social bonds are a hallmark of the breed, and many Golden Retrievers are happiest when they can spend plenty of time with their people.
- Their intelligence means they often thrive when given opportunities to learn, train, and stay mentally engaged.
History & Origins of the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever breed began in 19th century Scotland. They were bred as gundogs to assist with hunting waterfowl, intended to be excellent swimmers and trackers in the rough Scottish terrain and climate.
The breed was developed over decades from crosses of Yellow Retrievers, the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel, Iris Setters, and Bloodhounds.
Common Characteristics & Traits of Golden Retrievers
Physical Appearance
Golden Retrievers are sturdy, muscular, and active dogs known for their golden coats. They have a long muzzle and an active, feathery tail. There are three subtypes of Golden Retrievers – the American, English, and Canadian – each with subtle differences in their build.
Size
Golden Retrievers are considered large breed dogs.
| Male | Female | |
| Height (to withers) | 56-61cm | 51-56cm |
| Weight | 30-34kg | 25-32kg |
Coat
| Coat Trait | Details |
| Colour | Cream to gold, some red or mahogany |
| Coat Type | Double coat |
| Coat Length | Medium-Long |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Shedding Level | Shed year-round. Heavier shedding periods |
Learn more about how to care for your Golden Retriever’s coat.
Personality and Temperament
Golden Retrievers make fantastic family dogs. They usually have a friendly, enthusiastic, and energetic nature that would love to play with their human companions all day if possible.
Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them highly trainable. This, combined with their demeanour, makes them well suited to professions like guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, tracking dogs, and more.
Trainability and Behaviour
Golden Retrievers respond exceptionally well to positive reinforcement, consistency, and early puppy training. Their intelligence and eagerness to please lends itself well to training.
Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers benefit from guidance and training as they mature. Some behaviours owners commonly work through include:
- Mouthing during puppyhood and adolescence
- Excitement when greeting people
- Difficulty spending long periods alone without company or enrichment
Learn how to correct these common behavioural challenges in Golden Retrievers.
Sociability
Golden Retrievers are generally friendly, but proper socialisation as a puppy can help ensure they grow into confident, well-rounded adult dogs. Their easy-going nature make them great companions for first time pet owners, as long as they’re willing to commit to a Golden Retrievers exercise, training, and grooming needs.
Do Golden Retrievers get along with...
Children?
Golden Retrievers are often considered one of the most family-friendly dog breeds. They are typically gentle, patient and enjoy being involved in family activities. As with all dogs, interactions between dogs and young children should always be supervised.
Other dogs?
Golden Retrievers generally enjoy the company of other dogs and are often sociable and playful. Early socialisation helps them develop positive canine manners and confidence in different situations.
Cats and other pets?
Many Golden Retrievers can live happily alongside cats and other pets, particularly when introduced thoughtfully and given time to build positive relationships. Their gentle nature often make them a good choice for multi-pet households.
Strangers?
Golden Retrievers are usually friendly and welcoming toward new people. While every dog is different, many are likely to greet a visitor enthusiastically.
What to expect as your Golden Retriever grows
Golden Retrievers go through several developmental phases, each with their own unique needs.
Puppyhood (0–14 months)
The first fourteen months of a Golden Retriever’s life is full of growth, learning, and discovery. During this stage, you and your Golden Retriever may experience:
- High energy and curiosity
- Teething and chewing
- Rapid growth that requires a complete and balanced large breed puppy diet
- Early socialisation and training foundations
During this phase, care is focused on supporting healthy physical and behavioural development. The early puppy months are an ideal time to introduce your Golden Retriever to new people, animals, environments and experiences. Puppy School and positive socialisation can help them grow into a confident, well-mannered adult dog.
As they move into adolescence, many Golden Retrievers begin to test boundaries and may appear to "forget" some of their training. Remaining patient and consistent during this stage can help reinforce positive behaviours and strengthen the skills they learned as a puppy.
Adulthood (15 months – 5 years)
Once your Golden Retriever has finished growing, they enter adulthood and begin to settle into their adult personality and routine. During this stage, you may notice your Golden Retriever:
- Settle into a more predictable temperament
- Enjoy regular exercise, training and family activities
- Continue to benefit from mental stimulation and enrichment
These are your Golden Retriever’s prime years. Focus on maintaining their physical health, supporting their mental wellbeing, and providing plenty of opportunities for exercise, enrichment and companionship.
Senior years (6+ years)
Your Golden may be young at heart, but their body is changing and slowing down. During their golden years, you may notice:
- Reduced activity levels and increased sleep
- Age-related changes in mobility or comfort
- More frequent veterinary check-ups
- Changes in their exercise or dietary requirements
During a Golden Retriever’s senior years, care focuses on supporting their changing needs and helping them stay comfortable and active for as long as possible. You may wish to transition them to a complete and balanced senior large breed diet, discuss supplements with your veterinarian, and consider supportive additions around the home, such as orthopaedic bedding or ramps.
Caring for a Golden Retriever
Food and Nutrition
Golden Retrievers are large breed dogs, which means they should be fed large breed dog food that’s appropriate for their life stage. This is especially important when they’re a growing puppy.
| Golden Retriever Age | What to feed |
| <15 months | Large breed puppy food |
| 15 months – 6 years | Large breed adult dog food |
| 7+ years | Large breed senior dog food |
Like Labradors and other retriever breeds, Golden Retrievers can be prone to overeating and eating inappropriate materials. Be vigilant with their portion control and watch for scavenging and consumption of non-food items to reduce their risk of obesity and foreign body ingestion.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
As an energetic working breed originally developed to retrieve game over long distances, Golden Retrievers require a high level of daily exercise and plenty of opportunities for mental enrichment.
Adult Golden Retrievers are generally happiest when they have around 1.5-2 hours of daily activity and enrichment. This can include walks, games, training sessions, swimming, retrieving activities and opportunities to explore their environment.
Learn more about the exercise needs of Golden Retrievers.
Space requirements
Ideally, Golden Retrievers should have access to yard space, but with the right routine, they can thrive in various living environments.
Grooming needs
Regular grooming and brushing play an important role in maintaining your Golden Retriever’s skin and coat health. Their medium to long-haired double coat requires consistent care, with year-round shedding and heavier seasonal “blow outs”. Keeping up with grooming helps support healthy skin, keeps them comfortable, and reduces loose fur around the home.
And it’s not just their coat that needs attention. You should regularly check your Golden Retriever for signs of matting and keep an eye on their ears for any signs of infection.
A Golden Retriever’s grooming routine includes:
- Regular brushing
- Daily dental care
- Regular baths
- Hair trimming (as needed)
- Regular nail trims
- Ear cleaning
Learn more about the grooming needs and recommended grooming schedule for Golden Retrievers.
Common Health Conditions in Golden Retrievers
Like all breeds, there are some health conditions Golden Retrievers are more prone to than others. Some health conditions commonly seen in Golden Retrievers include:
- Hip dysplasia and/or elbow dysplasia -- abnormal development of the hip or elbow joint
- Ear infections
- Skin infections & allergies
- Gastrointestinal upsets
- Arthritis - degenerative joint disease common in ageing dogs
- Cancers – like lymphoma, osteosarcoma, haemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumours
These are some of the more common conditions, but they’re not the only health issues your Golden Retriever may experience. Many illnesses are not breed-specific, so it’s important to be familiar with the common signs of pain or illness in dogs, and know when to contact your vet.
Routine vet visits and monitoring changes in behaviour, appetite, skin, ears, or eyes can help identify problems early.
How much does a Golden Retriever cost?
Before bringing a Golden Retriever home, it’s important to understand the ongoing costs involved in caring for a dog. As a large breed with high exercise needs and a long, double coat, Golden Retrievers can require greater investment in food, equipment, grooming, and healthcare than smaller breeds.
Initial costs
The cost of a Golden Retriever can fluctuate depending on where you get your puppy. When buying a purebred from a reputable breeder, the cost may extend into the thousands. If you adopt, the adoption fee is likely to be lower but still in the hundreds.
- Purchase or adoption fee: The cost of a Golden Retriever puppy can vary widely depending on whether you buy from a reputable breeder or adopt through a shelter or rescue organisation. Adoption fees are generally lower and help support animal welfare organisations.
- Desexing: If not already desexed, this is an important one-off cost to consider.
- Microchipping and vaccinations: Essential for your dog's health and legal requirements in many areas. After the initial puppy vaccination course, vaccinations will become an ongoing annual cost.
- Basic supplies: Bed, crate or playpen, bowls, lead, harness, toys, grooming tools, and other essentials. Because Golden Retrievers are a large breed, many items may cost more than those designed for smaller dogs and may need upgrading as your puppy grows.
Ongoing costs
The purchase price or adoption fee is only part of the cost of dog ownership. Consider the ongoing costs associated with caring for a dog when deciding if you can afford to get a puppy. Typical ongoing costs include:
- Food: Golden Retrievers require a complete and balanced large breed diet suited to their life stage. Their larger size generally means higher food costs than smaller breeds.
- Veterinary care: Includes routine preventative healthcare, such as annual health checks, vaccinations, dental care, and parasite prevention, as well as unexpected illnesses or injuries.
- Grooming: Regular brushing is essential to help manage their year-round shedding. Some owners also choose professional grooming services to help maintain their coat.
- Training and enrichment: Puppy School classes, toys, enrichment activities, and ongoing training can help keep Golden Retrievers mentally stimulated and engaged.
- Pet insurance: Highly recommended to help manage the financial impact of unexpected medical costs throughout your dog's lifetime.
Best names for a Golden Retriever
When naming your Golden Retriever, think about a name that will suit your dog. You might consider:
- A name that matches their colour
- A name that matches their personality
- A name shared with a famous Golden Retriever
- A name with special meaning to you and your family
Find everything your Golden Retriever needs from Puppyhood to the Golden Years
Have a Golden Retriever or thinking about getting one? Get everything you need to care for them – from dog food to grooming tools – at Petbarn, in-store and online.
Frequently Asked Questions about Golden Retrievers
About the Author
Rebecca Daly BVScVeterinarian & Content Writer
After graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland in 2017, Rebecca spent two years working as an equine veterinarian in New Zealand. Upon returning to Australia, she completed a Bachelor of Communications from UQ in 2023. Rebecca is passionate about educating pet parents so they can provide the best lives for their pets. She is the pet parent of a cat named Edith, a domestic short hair adopted from a Petbarn Adoption Centre.
