Golden Retriever

55-70 lbs
20-22"
Scotland, England
Yellow Retriever

Affectionate, happy-go-lucky and very easy to train – it’s no surprise that the Golden Retriever has become one of the most popular dog breeds in the USA. Retrievers are capable and committed working dogs but also the perfect family pet.



Like most dog breeds, the Golden Retriever is prone to certain health issues, so owners need the right level of pet insurance in place. Compare your current plan with leading providers – and get online comparison quotes in seconds right here.




Read our ten-minute guide to Golden Retrievers to discover:

  • The Golden Retriever is a versatile dog, happy being active outdoors or as a companion dog
  • Retrievers love to swim, run and roll in mud and dirt!
  • Follow a careful diet — Retrievers love their food and can get greedy
  • Potential health issues include hip dysplasia and cancer


Golden Retriever breed overview

The loveable Golden Retriever is a wonderfully versatile dog. Outdoor dog that can spend hours in the field, fetching, carrying and working? Check. Loyal service and support dog? Check? Happy family pet that loves cuddles, fuss and play? Big check.


As an all-rounder, the Retriever makes a lovely companion, and is perfectly at home as part of a family. Its gentle nature means it’s an ideal breed for the first-time dog owner though of course, the Golden Retriever still needs plenty of exercise, grooming and care to flourish.


purpose Purpose
Retrieving, Gundog
history Date of Origin
1800s
ancestry Ancestry
Retriever

Golden Retriever Health

Sketch of Golden Retriever
Average Size
Male Golden Retriever size stats
Height: 22-24 inches Weight: 65-75 lbs
Female Golden Retriever size stats
Height: 20-22 inches Weight: 55-70 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Cataract
  • Hip Dysplasia
Minor Concerns
  • Entropion
  • Trichiasis
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Vwd
  • Allergies
  • Pyotraumaticdermatitis
  • Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans
  • Bleeding Disorder
Occasional Tests
  • Cardiac
  • Eye
  • Hip
  • Elbow
  • Blood
  • Dna Test For Vwd
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination

Golden Retriever Breed History

The origins of the Golden Retriever date back to the late 1800s, and the Scottish Highlands. It’s believed that the emergence of the breed is credited to Dudley Marjoribanks – who later became Lord Tweedmouth. Having acquired a yellow-colored puppy called Nous, who was the only non-black coated pup from a litter of Wavy-Coated Retrievers, Marjoribanks then took the dog to his Scotland estate, Guisachan.

That pup, called Nous, bred with a Tweed Water Spaniel and produced a series of yellow retriever pups. Originally called the Yellow Retriever, the breed was first recognised by the Kennel Club in England in 1911 as yellow or golden retrievers, and then in 1920 simply as a golden retriever.

The first Golden Retriever registration by the American Kennel Club (AKC) was in 1925; the Golden Retriever Club of America was founded in 1938.

Golden Retriever Breed Appearance

The name is the biggest clue to the appearance of the Golden Retriever; it has a thick, dense coat which is golden in color. There are slight variations in the shade, with three colors officially recognised as breed standard by the AKC: dark golden, golden and light golden. Between those three official colorings, you might also see a red golden retriever or a white golden retriever.

Coat texture is straight, and the hair is of medium length. The Golden Retriever has a strong, muscular build, and a broad head. Its ears are fairly short, and flop instead of standing up. Eyes are a soft brown color, and the nose is black.
Appearance of Golden Retriever
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Golden Retriever eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Golden Retriever nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
fawn Golden Retriever coat
Fawn
cream Golden Retriever coat
Cream
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Golden Retriever straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Golden Retriever Breed Maintenance

The Golden Retriever can need a lot of looking after – this isn’t a low-maintenance breed. Because it has a double coat (the undercoat is soft and helps to regulate body temperature, the overcoat is water-resistant to offer protection from the elements),  a Golden Retriever can be a heavy shedder. 

This means they need regular grooming, brushing and bathing. If you don’t brush a Retriever on a weekly basis, its fur will eventually mat; pay particular close attention to the underbody, and where the legs and body meet.

Golden Retriever shedding can occur on a major basis twice a year, so you may need to increase your brushing regime from weekly to daily during this time, or risk seeing little golden hair strands appearing all around your home.

Another thing – Golden Retrievers love to swim, and also love dirt and mud. Don’t be surprised to see yours head straight to the nearest muddy puddle and roll around in it! So, they might need a bath regularly to wash away any dirt and debris. But be warned – a Golden Retriever might consider bathtime an extension of playtime, so be prepared for a bit of chaos. You might need to get into the bath with him or her.

Check your pup’s ears every week or so, to keep them clean and to prevent any possible infections – if your Retriever is in and out of water regularly, this is a risk. Nails should be trimmed every few weeks, or as needed, and maintain good dental hygiene by brushing weekly, at least.


Golden Retriever health risks

The average Golden Retriever lifespan is 10-12 years, so this is a breed that can live a long and happy life. But, like many other dog breeds, there are some health risks that the Retriever is predisposed to. This doesn’t mean your Golden Retriever will suffer some or even any of these issues, but as a responsible pet parent, you should be aware of them – which can include:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eyesight problems
  • Ear infections
  • Cancer

If your Golden Retriever had a serious health issue, would treatment for it be covered on your pet insurance? Compare top pet insurance providers in seconds.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common issue with Golden Retrievers. It’s a condition where the ball and socket in the hip joint – or both of them – is malformed, so it doesn't function smoothly. It can be painful, restricting movement and making it hard for a dog to get up, climb stairs and generally lead a full, active life. Golden Retrievers can develop hip dysplasia due to genetics.

Elbow Dysplasia

A similar issue to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is arthritis of the elbow joint. Golden Retrievers are one of a number of breeds who are prone to it. If your dog moves stiffly after resting or sleeping, or looks to be limping after exercise, it could be suffering from elbow dysplasia.

Eyesight problems – including cataracts and glaucoma

The Golden Retriever can suffer a range of eye and vision problems. These include cataracts, when the eye appears cloudy, affecting vision, and glaucoma, when increased pressure in the eye can eventually lead to blindness in the most serious of cases. Retinal dysplasia and retinal atrophy (an inherited condition) are others to be mindful of.

Ear infections

As they are one of many breeds that have floppy ears, the Retriever is at risk of developing ear infections. Its ears aren’t exposed to fresh air as much, and because they’re frequently in water or pushing their heads into wet grass, there’s a chance of trapped moisture leading to a bacterial infection. Check your dog’s ears for debris, and be sure to clean and dry them regularly. 

Cancer

Sadly, cancer isn’t uncommon with Golden Retrievers, with several studies revealing they develop the disease at higher rates than many other breeds. The four most common types of cancer that affect Golden Retrievers are hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma and lymphoma. Cancers can be treated, of course, but check your dog regularly for any suspicious lumps.


Feeding a Golden Retriever - what’s the best diet?

Golden Retrievers love their food. On one hand, this makes it straightforward for owners when it comes to dinner time – they’re definitely not fussy eaters. On the other hand, it can be a problem. 

Golden Retrievers can get a bit greedy, and they’ll generally be very interested in whatever their humans are eating (as well as their own meals) – so discipline is needed. It can be too easy to give in to those adorable, pleading eyes and share your dinner, but be careful – Golden Retriever weight problems are extremely common. A Retriever won’t often say no to any food offered, so it’s your job to show some control on his or her behalf.

It’s normal to give Golden Retriever puppies a few meals of smaller portions daily, adjusting to their size as they grow. When they reach adulthood, your Retriever will typically be fed twice a day.

We’d recommend choosing a type of dog food that suits your specific breed. A Golden Retriever might need a type of food that offers some benefits for joints – as it’s a breed that can suffer joint-related issues – and there might be other considerations if your Retriever is an active, working dog.

Don’t know where to start? Our partners, Dog Food Advisor, have selected a series of best dog food for Golden Retrievers, including dry, wet and fresh food.


Brushes for Golden Retriever
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Dematter
Dematter
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Golden Retriever requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Golden Retriever Temperament

The classic Golden Retriever personality is placid, friendly and trusting. Kind and gentle, they love being right at the heart of the family, and get on well with adults, children, and, well, just about everyone and anyone. Don’t be surprised to see your Golden Retriever bound enthusiastically up to a stranger in the park, tail wagging and presenting itself for some fuss. The more serious side to this behavior is that your Retriever’s guard dog instincts are virtually nil, so if you want a breed to look after your home when you’re not around, this isn’t it.

It’s also happy to see other dogs, but bear this in mind if your Golden Retriever is off-lead in an open space – not all dogs want to play, and a Retriever might get a bit boisterous (they just get so excited!).

Are Golden Retrievers smart? Yes – combine that high intelligence with its eager-to-please nature, and it makes the Retriever perfect to train. Start as soon as you can; Golden Retriever puppies are receptive to obedience training and love to learn, you’ll benefit in the long run from as your dog matures into an adult who understands and respects the house rules and boundaries.


Owning a Golden Retriever

Owning a Golden Retriever is a lot of fun; give yours lots of love, care and attention, and you’ll get it all back, tenfold. However, while the enduring image of a Golden Retriever is a laid back, almost goofy breed that just likes to chill out and relax, it’s actually a very active dog that does need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

It might not seem obvious when he or she is spread across you on the couch, blissfully snoozing in the evening, but Golden Retrievers are energetic dogs. They love to play, to run and fetch balls, chase, swim, and go on long walks or even run with their owners. Any potential pet parent to a Golden Retriever needs to be committed to giving them at least an hour’s exercise a day, otherwise they can become fidgety, restless and bored.

You definitely don’t want a bored Golden Retriever on your hands. If they’re not engaged and entertained by their human family, that boredom can translate into mischievous or even destructive behavior – especially if they’re left alone at home for lengthy periods. Retrievers don’t cope too well away from their humans for long; you could return home to find sneakers have been chewed, or even items of furniture have been nibbled on. Excessive barking and stealing food can be other examples of undesirable behavior.

Remember that the Golden Retriever is an intelligent breed traditionally used in a range of service dog roles – as a guide dog for the blind, a search and rescue dog, substance detection dog, among others – so it responds very well to interactive puzzle toys and agility sports, such as flyball.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
12 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Golden Retriever Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$2.00 - $2.25
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$60.00 - $67.50
food bag monthly cost

Golden Retriever Height & Weight

6 Months
Sketch of Golden Retriever at six months
Male Golden Retriever size stats at six months
Height: 19.0 inches Weight: 50.0 lbs
Female Golden Retriever size stats at six months
Height: 18.0 inches Weight: 40.0 lbs
12 Months
Sketch of Golden Retriever at 12 months
Male Golden Retriever size stats at 12 months
Height: 22.0 inches Weight: 60.0 lbs
Female Golden Retriever size stats at 12 months
Height: 20.0 inches Weight: 50.0 lbs
18 Months
Sketch of Golden Retriever at 18 months
Male Golden Retriever size stats at 18 months
Height: 23.0 inches Weight: 70.0 lbs
Female Golden Retriever size stats at 18 months
Height: 21.0 inches Weight: 62.5 lbs

Top Golden Retriever Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Golden Retriever breeders of 2024.
Top Golden Retriever breeder PlayTyme Papillons
PlayTyme Papillons
Middleville, Michigan
Top Golden Retriever breeder Evergrace Goldens
Evergrace Goldens
Saint Louis, Missouri
Top Golden Retriever breeder Bowden's Goldens
Bowden's Goldens
Oxford, Maine
Top Golden Retriever breeder Golden Sunrise Retrievers
Golden Sunrise Retrievers
Toledo, Ohio
Top Golden Retriever breeder Citrine Kennels
Citrine Kennels
Deer Island, Oregon
Top Golden Retriever breeder Gold Ducat Kennels
Gold Ducat Kennels
Leander, Texas
Top Golden Retriever breeder Asterling Goldens
Asterling Goldens
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Top Golden Retriever breeder Gold-Rush Goldens
Gold-Rush Goldens
Princeton, New Jersey
Top Golden Retriever breeder Sweet Gold Farm
Sweet Gold Farm
Enumclaw, Washington
Top Golden Retriever breeder EveningStar Kennels
EveningStar Kennels
Aguanga, California

Golden Retriever Owner Experiences

1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
So much fun! All they wanna do it jump all Over you and kiss you! Love to run and play and play with other dogs. Always has a smile on his face and a wag to his tail! I love all Golden’s!
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
All of the golden retrievers that I've come in contact with have been extremely friendly, good energy and easy to command. They are an intelligent breed that does require time and commitment. They need plenty of exercise. They will tend to eat whatever is given to them, so making sure they are on a proper diet is very essential to their well being.
6 years, 11 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hike
Swim
Run
Golden Retreivers are extremely loyal, kind and lovable animals. They are always happy to see you as long as you are someone in their life that they love. They can be choosy about strangers, but generally they are just big cuddly bears. Goldens are very smart, obedient dogs and they’re very receptive to training. As they get out of their puppy stages, they become very calm. They great family pets to have.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
Jumping
This Golden was VERY high energy! He greeted me by jumping up and all around me-- which was cute but not very well-trained... but not too detrimental or anything! He was very cute and a bundle of joy. We saw some other dogs that he wanted to say hello to but I kept walking as the owner hadn’t advised to his friendliness with other dogs. He was very fun to walk overall, but definitely required some strength and fitness.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Running
Sniffing
Goldens are usually really friendly and easy going. They're smart, trainable, and energetic.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Even though he knew me from the park he barked at me when I opened the door of the apartment. He enjoys tummy rubs, sniffing, rolling in the grass, being petted and of course treats!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
chasing squirrels
Walking
Rolling in the grass
Kisses
Every golden I've ever met has been extremely friendly and affectionate. They are not the smartest dogs though, and are highly motivated by their prey drives and by food. Sometimes to the detriment of their health. Can get overweight! Usually very friendly towards other dogs. The one thing you need to be aware of is that you might let your guard down while walking because they are so sweet, but can get startled when they suddenly leap after a squirrel/cat/bird/etc
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
being pet
Walking
Go to Park
I walked an English Golden Retriever. They are lighter in color than a normal Golden and can be slightly larger. The dog I walked was a puppy so was very playful however, sometimes would sit down during the walk and not want to give up. They can be stubborn at times but are very sweet and happy dogs. They are also generally very good with other dogs and strangers, I've never seen a golden bite or be aggressive towards a dog or stranger.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
Run
Golden Retrievers are usually super friendly and excited to see people and other pups. They have a bunch of energy and love belly rubs and treats.
6 years, 11 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
Walk
I walked a golden retriever a few times, and fell so in love with him. He only poops in the dog park, so after meeting him and his owner a few times, we spoke to wag so that I can take him to the park and he pooped and played a lot. He was so much fun and so obedient.
6 years, 11 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Bath time
Run
Play
Ball
Most of the time he like to just keep a simple stroll. He didn’t mind true occasional jog though. Listens well but hard to teach new tricks some days. One time rolled in poo so I had to take him back to the house for a bath. He didnt like the bath to much but he didn’t fight me on it either. Towards the end he just tried to play more than anything. Very friendly and loved to give kisses
6 years, 11 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
The dog had a lot of energy and liked to run. The dog also loved to play fetch with a stick and Chase birds. The dog is friendly around children and adults.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I’ve walked a number of golden retrievers and they are generally friendly with people and high energy and occasionally stubborn when young. They loved walking and running
6 years, 11 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
petting
Running
Sniffing
digging
golden retrievers are some of the sweetest dogs I've ever encountered. They are so excited about life. They can be a little intimidating to other dogs because they CAN have quite a bit of energy. They're super eager to please. Very athletic and strong, some tend to have anxiety- so they stay close to you. They just want your love most of the time.
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, fetch, learning new skills and playing!!
A golden retreiver puppy has got to be the cutest puppy ever. Walking is always fun becasue they are so curiious and intelligent. As puppies, walking is also fun bc they learn so easily bc they ar so eager to please. the breed is super athletic, so walking is brisk and thye can go forever. Treats are heaven to Golden's bc they learn best through there stomachs! Tracking and sniffing just about anything is a big treat for goldens, especially puppies, bc they are discovering all their skills. Watch out if a bird or deer runs by...you will be off!
6 years, 11 months ago
10 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Golden retrievers are one of my favorite breeds--especially older ones. I've walked and boarded several and they are always calm and sweet. They are one of the best family dogs and just seem to get better with age. Very trainable and easy to walk also.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
chewing
Walking
Sniffing
sticks
Belly rubs
Cuddling
Running
The golden retriever I walked was a new dog for the owner so they were working on training her. She really liked going to the park. She wanted to play with the other dogs but unfortunately we couldn’t. With a little work she could be well trained
6 years, 11 months ago
10 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
He was great. Energetic!!!! But he knew his manners. Was not crazy and was very submissive.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Belly rubs
Hugs
Running
Playing in the snow
sticks
The golden retriever that I have walked several times is probably the most lovable and friendly pup I've ever met! She LOVES to lick me and give me hugs by jumping on me and not letting go. When we walk, her favorite activity is to go to the dog part and chase any of the dogs there and then look for sticks when they leave. We play tug-of-war with the sticks and I let her win (usually). She also loves to roll around in the snow and get belly rubs while doing so. She also likes when I chase her and she chases me, it's good for both of us!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dog Parks
Eating Snacks
Playing in the snow
Playdate
All Golden Retrievers I've met were extremely friendly, affectionate, playful and energetic. I love them!!! They are an absolute joy to have around. Goldens are very smart and they learn things really fast. They require long and constant walks (at least while they are young), as they have so much energy. Their hair is beautiful, however Golden Retrievers shed a lot, specially during spring and fall.
6 years, 11 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
petting
Running
Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds that I have walked because I always know to expect a loving and affectionate dog. They are always so excited when I arrive for the walk and love to be pet and spoken to in a happy tone. They are always so friendly to other people and other dogs when out and about on their walks. They like to keep a steady pace but are never too strong or pulling on the walks.
6 years, 11 months ago
17 Weeks
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
The Golden Retriever is a large, strongly built breed with a dense, water-repellant wavy coat.[10] As a dog with origins in pedigree breeding, and due to its widespread historical popularity, some regional variations have emerged in the breed; therefore, the three subtypes of the Golden Retriever reflect the typical variations in dimensions and coat. However, all Golden Retrievers are blonde, yellow, or gold in colour and all subtypes are susceptible to the same health problems.[11]
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Swim
Tug-of-war
Fetch
Therapy Training
Explore the city
Eating Snacks
I’ve never met a Golden who wasn’t a total lover. They greet me with kisses and love every time. They love to go on walk. Sometimes they don’t love to go very far though. Half of my golden clients have to be bribed to keep on moving. They can be a little stubborn. They have an agenda of their own. They love to sniff. They love to play. They love other dogs. They love to run. They’ll bring a ball back to you until they’re too tired to go on.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling
Running
Exploring
All the retrievers I've walked have been so friendly. They love affection. They have lots of energy and can walk for hours.
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
Walks
Run
My golden retriever was super friendly and sweet. However they have thick fur that needed constant grooming. They loved walks and would playfully tug at their leash.
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I walk two golden retrievers three times a week and they absolutely love their walks and love playing with their toys and they're very loving and affectionate and very well behaved
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walkin
Running
He was very excited to see me and very energetic the whole time. He liked to run a lot. Very beautiful coat and well-groomed. Very lovable. Not too good with other dogs, though.
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Rolling in grass
Walk along park
Cuddling
This Golden was really sweet like most! Was a great companion to walk with but did get a little distracted with smells. Wanted to pull and be stubborn and stop walking but was a great listener when we had to keep going. Very friendly and loving, initiated pets and comfort. So easy to command and meet. They’re social little butterfly dogs. Happy doing pretty much anything. Extremely pleasant to be with.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
The golden retriever that I walk is very friendly and always welcomes me by jumping on me and licking me. She pulls on the leash a lot and would try to chase a bird or squirrel. She is very sweet and friendly!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
They are sweet dogs who need to be groomed regularly to prevent mats and deshed. They can be high energy but also couch potatoes. They are super sweet but very stubborn because they think that they know what's best for them and they think that not sitting can be more fun than sitting when told. They are larger dogs but not a XL breed. They should be kept fit so their hips and shoulders don't become more of a problem then they already are.
6 years, 11 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Socializing with dogs
Socializing with people
Play
Walking
Golden Retrievers are very smart in my experience and respond well to commands in which they are trained. They are very friendly and loyal. The loyalty of a Golden Retriever can also result in a healthy level of protectiveness of owner. I find Golden Retrievers to be calm and curious when socializing with other dogs and very open to socializing with other people.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Walk
Catch treats
Sniffing
Running
her name was seraphina. she loved her walk and didnt want to go home. she was so friendly and loved giving kisses with her tongue. saying hi to her was licking your hand. at one point we sat under a tree and all she wanted me to do was pet her and scratch her head. she loved massages on her head. she would go under my hand and lead it to her head it was the most adorable thing ever. she walked right next to me and everytime i would slow down she would wait for me. she is such a loyal dog. she is also very loving and caring. everytime i see her pop up on the walks on the app i try and request it. i loved my experience with the golden retriever.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Greeting people
Play
Sniffing,
sticks
The golden retriever that I walked and the Goldens that I’ve walked before have been some of the smartest, well-behaved dogs!! They love to be pet and love attention! They will stop at every person to socialize, and everyone always loves them!! They will pick up sticks and carry them throughout the walk. I’ve never walked an aggressive golden, they have the best temperments! They will gently lick babies hands and are so gentle with kids that we pass. Goldens are quick learners and are great with commands. They make walking so easy and so fun!! Sometimes even after an hour walk, I wish I could walk them longer!
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Run
Golden retrievers are so so sweet and affectionate. They are good with people and other dogs and are basically up for anything. The pup I walked was a golden mix (basically a mini golden) and he lived up to every amazing quality that golden retrievers had. He just wanted to bounce around the neighborhood and say hi to every person, dog, bird, squirrel, and pigeon. Goldens are such a classic family dog because they are so well-behaved and sweet and loving.
6 years, 11 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
Run
Very affectionate dogs. Golden retrievers are instinctively kind to humans, kids and babies. They seem to have the ability to sense emotions or body language. They may also register emotions by smells. These dogs like to swim and enjoy water. Outdoors is where they are most happy.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
Run
He is truly an amazing and well trained dog. You can tell he is excited to perform tricks and is eager for attention and love. He enjoys being outside during his walks where we play fetch together and he can carry sticks in his mouth.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Run
This Golden Retriever I walked was very excited. He liked to chase after squirrels and follow a scent in the grass. I thought the best course of action was to run with him. When we ran together, he did not stop to smell the ground, and we kept a great pace. He went home tired and happy from a very nice walk!
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
The golden retriever that I walk is very friendly and always welcomes me by jumping on me and licking me. She pulls on the leash a lot and would try to chase a bird or squirrel. She is very sweet and friendly!
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
meeting people
Exploring
Sniffing
The Golden Retriever I walked, Henry, was very easygoing and happy. As soon as I arrived at his house he was very excited and eager to go on his walk. It was easy to put his harness on and get him ready for his walk. He lived right across Golden Gate Park so we went there and he had a great time. We started off our walk exploring a path till we go to the paved way. Once we got there, there were more people and things for Henry to see and get excited about. He walked along the pavement and he had so much fun sniffing all around. He was really into smelling around so at one point I had to encourage him to keep moving. After we walked about half a mile, we turned around and walked back to his house. He was very easygoing and not stubborn at all. We had so much fun walking around and enjoying the weather.
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
walking in and around the park as well as sniffing
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing
Running
Sniffing
The retriever I walked was one of the most amazing dogs! The owner constantly requested me over anyone else, because his dog loved me so much and wanted it to be the same walker every time. She was such a sweetheart and she would get so excited when she saw me. Our walk was very calm and fun. She didn't pull and is very well trained! She sits on command and is very calm near other dogs as well! Absolutely love golden retrievers!
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Meet Sonny! Sonny explored the neighborhood and saw a lot of holiday decorations. He winked at me while in front of the Santa and reindeer display and I think that was his way of telling me "Santa! I know him!".
6 years, 11 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Meet Bear, the Golden Retriever! Bear is literally a bear of a dog - I have never seen a golden so big before! He was the size of a bear who wanted nothing more than to give bear hugs! Bear's dad said he was rescued from Turkey but has quickly picked up English. Iyi çocuk, Bear.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Running
Fetch
They are very kind, sweet, and playful. They just want to walk and have fun and be outside. The dog I walked loved saying hi to other dogs and being interactive with me as I walked him. Very sweet but definitely need a lot of exercise to wear them out.
6 years, 11 months ago
Six Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Eating Snacks
My golden was perfect! Such a sweetheart and a joy to walk. He did love eating garbage though so I had to keep him away from littered parts of the sidewalk. He was playful and cuddly!
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Goldens are the greatest! So much fun to walk, I always love it when an opportunity to spend time with a golden pops up. They can have lots of energy when they're young, but seem to mellow out quite a bit when they get older. A crowd favorite, I often get stopped on my walks with requests to pet these dogs. Every golden I have ever met is super friendly and always happy to see me. However, they can also be reluctant to let you leave - the only time I’ve ever had a dog push his way out the door in front of me as I tried to leave after a walk was with a golden. I guess he just wasn’t ready for play to be done yet! They are super playful dogs, and love interacting with other dogs as much as people. They aren’t intimidating, which makes them great for walking around places where there are a lot of people or at dog parks where other owners may be wary of some breeds. Overall, wonderful breed and I hope to own one of my own someday!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Wonderful experience, awesome dog.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My experiences depend on the age of the Golden Retriever that I walk, if they are older they are super well behaved and relaxed and some of the best big dogs I have walked yet. However I have walked some very young Golden Retrievers and they were super energetic and were difficult to get hooked into their leashes just because they got so excited about their walk.
6 years, 11 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My experience with this type of dog is very fun. Henry is my favorite dog to walk because of his affectionate, playful personality. He always greets me with hugs and kisses!Every time we go for a walk the first thing he does it bite his leash, look at the tennis ball and grab it with him. He holds on to it most of the time during the walk and always is willing to play fetch with the ball. Some people walking by would always give compliments as to how sweet and energetic he acts. Even when we go for a run/ jog he holds on to his ball like it does not bother him. He loves to greet other dogs and people and plays with them. When he goes home, he plops right on the couch and relaxes next to his toys with the cutest look on his face.
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I walked Haley and her buddy Comet throughout a park, and what a wonderful experience that was, on each occasion. Haley is full of energy and is friendly with everyone, she encompasses love in all its glory. In our walk, she was confronted by children and adults alike who admired her. It was pure joy walking Haley, and I would do it countless times again.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
Hike
Swim
Walk
Golden Retrievers are one of the “all-American” family dogs. Just about everyone knows someone with one. Their popularity is well founded. Goldens are affectionate, loyal, playful, and ready to exercise. A close family member has owned Goldens for years and I have probably done more walks with Goldens on Wag than any other breed. With training early on, they are well behaved. Don’t let their bad puppy habits continue for long or they will continue. For example my family member’s 1.5 year old Golden Retriever has had a habit of grabbing people with her paw and nails extended if they stop petting her for more than one microsecond. Had the behavior been caught early on, it would not still be happening. All but maybe one of the retrievers I have walked through Wag have been extremely well behaved and extremely easy to walk. My favorite dog, Sadie, lives very close to me so I take every opportunity I can to take her out. She barely reacts to other dogs and people approaching and just wants to say hi without pulling or barking. Perfect example of great training. Goldens are great pets around all ages. They are active and need regular exercise. Find a dog park with a swimming area. Always accept golden retriever walks!!!
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have walked quite a few Golden Retrievers and have loved every single one of them! I have experienced different levels of energy with each dog. Some have been extremely high energy, especially when I arrive, and at times it can be quite difficult to calm them down enough for their walk. However, once they run some of that energy off, they calm down and are much easier to handle. Others Goldens I walk are already calm when I arrive, they are excited, but in a more mellow way. Every Golden Retriever I have walked have been some of the sweetest dogs that I have met and for somebody looking for a family dog, a Golden Retriever will never disappoint! They are kind, smart, affectionate, cuddly, and loyal!
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
The golden retriever that I walk is very friendly and always welcomes me by jumping on me and licking me. She pulls on the leash a lot and would try to chase a bird or squirrel. She is very sweet and friendly!
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I walked a 8 month old and he was the SWEETEST thing! He wanted to be everyones friends, but was only 8 months old and having seizures sadly. he was very smart, and also very wobbly. I had no idea how sweet golden retrievers were and realized why they were so PUPular.
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
The Golden Reteiever I walked was an extremely friendly puppy. He was very excited when I got there and liked to jump all over me and give me kisses. When I would try to put his harness on, he would roll over and want belly rubs so it was a little bit more difficult. On our walk he had a lot of energy and liked biting on the leash as we were walking. I found that running with him allowed him to get his energy outs he even played tug of war on the leash as we were running! He was friendly toward other dogs and people. He tried to pick up tissues on the walk and I had to trick him with a treat for him to drop it. When we got back I was looking around for his food and he would follow me around.
6 years, 11 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Super high energy dog! Once you get out there and run a bit, she settles into a nice, quick walking pace. She loves to keep moving and not in a hurry to go back home. She’s very friendly and love to explore the outdoor world!
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playin
Playing in the snow
Golden retrievers are really the friendliest, most affectionate, and most well-behaved dogs! They have high energy levels and are exciteable, and always seem happily tired after a good walk.
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
treats
Hikes
pets
A very excitable girl, she always greets me fondly when I come to the door. She loves to look for scrap food on our walk and really puts that good sniffer to use! She also loves going for walks!
6 years, 11 months ago
9 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
trying to eat everything
Sniffing
Golden’s are typically super sweet dogs. They love people and other dogs. Every time I walk a Golden it’s a pleasant experience. My last walk with a Golden however, he tried to eat dirt quite a few times...they are sometimes more lovable than they are intelligent! He loved getting pet and meeting other dogs. And of course sniffing everything in sight!
6 years, 11 months ago
10 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Running
The Golden Retriever puppy I walk is always a delight. He is so friendly, gentle and energetic. He is a great walker and listens to commands very well. Generally he is very obedient. He is so soft and LOVES people. Every time I walk him and we run into people on the street he always wants to go over to them to be pet. He can walk for a very long time and it almost seems like he never gets tired out. I think anyone who has a golden retriever should definitely make sure they have time to walk them often because of their energy levels. I also recommend retrievers to be walked for 1 hour because of the amount of energy they have. If I walk this puppy for only a half hour, he still wants to play once he gets inside.
6 years, 11 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
Run
She was a very energetic, very loveable dog. Her obedience level was so impressive, she had no problem listening and stayed close when crossing the street. I loved walking her each time, she was so full of energy. We'd go for a nice, casual walk, or would enjoy a light jog or run occasionally. She loved other dogs and the person who walked them. All in all she was one of my best clients!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Belly rubs
smelling
Walks
Kisses
She was super sweet right when I walked in and playful too grabbing at my hat to play tug o war lol when we stepped out she had some territorial issues with dogs but I think it’s jusy certain dogs having leash agrresion versus the breed cause she was so sweet from beginning and especially at the end
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He loved his walk. He loved to play
I walked a 6 month old retriever. He was so precious. His owner was committed to getting him trained and left very specific notes about his walk. We had to stop at each corner, and he had to sit and only go when I said, "ok." He was very well behaved and so very loving. He loved meeting new dogs and was so friendly. By the end of the walk, he got tired and just decided to lay down on the sidewalk and stop walking. It was very hard to get him back up.
6 years, 11 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
The golden retriever I walked was absolutely friendly and extremely easy to deal with. He caused no trouble, and had a very amicable personality. He was obviously well trained and simply mild mannered to begin with, as I feel most golden retrievers are. He behaved well and not once deviated from the walk or tugged on the leash much. Of course there were times when he would get excited and try to run towards a squirrel or a tree, but would stop if he sensed tension on the leash, which is an obviously well trained dog!
6 years, 11 months ago
12 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
What a great breed. They really want to make you happy. I have had no issues with this breed. They allow me to walk into their house and typically greet me with a wagging tail. Getting the Golden Retriever into a harness leash has not been an issue. They have the attitude like "if you are taking me out to play I am not resisting your efforts to put me on a leash." Once out on our walk they have been kind and listen well. With older ones I don't make them sit at corners because I can see how hard it is to sit and stand. They are more than wiling to though. They are absolutely wanting to please you. Such a gentle and loving breed of dog. They seem to be easily trainable and very lovable. They are also loyal.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Playing
Hiking
Running
swimming
Golden Retrievers are great dogs. They are very loyal and filled with love. They are very high energy and love to play. They have long, beautiful, golden hair but it does get everywhere. Golden retrievers were made for hunting dogs hence the retriever. So, that being said, they need tons of exercise. They are great dogs but if they don’t get a chance to use their energy they could end up using it to destroy the house. They do this for tons of different reasons. They are a very friendly breed and are great with people and other dogs of all sizes. Golden retrievers are very smart and obedient dogs. With training, they will pick things up very quickly and they will listen. Without training, they can be a hassle but they do everything out of love. They are highly motivated by food. They are also very strong so you have to be prepared when walking them, especially untrained dogs.
6 years, 11 months ago
4 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tug-of-war
snuggling
Walk
Run
Golden's are probably one of my favorite dog breeds ever. This pup was young with high energy. Being a young dog, I tried to incorporate training into the walks. The sweet temperament of this dog allowed me to feel comfortable walking such a young dog. The sweet personality of this breed comes with cuddles, belly rubs and lots of kisses. They just want to be around you and be your bestfriend. Anyone such as families, young professionals, singles, couples, this breed would be a great match to bring into your home. They train well and have a fun however chill temperament. Highly recommended breed.
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Always the easiest dogs to walk, very friendly and outgoing. They’re never intimidating when you walk into owners house.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
chewing
He was super sweet and curious. He just wanted to say hi to everyone. He loved to pick things off the ground, but listened so well when asked to drop things. Relatively strong and energetic.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Fetch
My dog was just a puppy, hasn’t been pull trained on a leash. He pulled the entire time, but he was very sweet and was not shy at all when I came through the door. He loved to play fetch with just about everything. He was very well groomed, his hair was about mid-length so he was easy to take care of grooming wise. He loves everybody and all dogs. He just wanted to play with anything and everybody.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking-jogging
Positive reinforcement
Running up hills
Golden retrievers are always aiming to please. While they are very high energy, if you take the time to pause whatever activity/action is taking place and let them calm down a bit, they almost always will take the time to listen to you. These dogs are exceptionally friendly and full of love. They rarely ever lash out against other humans or dogs. They simply want to stretch their legs and get moving!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking a golden retriever was such an amazing and fun experience. They are such friendly dogs and and very easy to walk. The golden retriever I walked was very laid back and didn't pull on the leash hardly at all, except when he saw a squirrel on the other side of the road. The golden retriever I walked loved to greet people on the sidewalk and loved to stop and sniff the grass around. He would only walk about 20 minutes until he wanted to stop and go back home. Walking this golden retriever made me miss my family's pet golden retriever back home. I would highly recommend walking golden retrievers because all the experiences I've had with them have been so much fun and easy. I love golden retrievers. If I had the opportunity to walk another golden retriever in the future, I would drop everything and go walk the dog because I love the breed so much.
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Eating Snacks
people
Walk
This retriever had a brother and together they walked great. They stopped a lot to talk with people and beg for food from strangers eating. Neither was aggressive towards other dogs and they were easy to control even with food around.
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Tug-of-war
Running
Fetch
I've been walking one Golden Retriever puppy for about 2 months now and he acts typical for his breed. He loves to sniff and mark his territory. He has a lot of energy, but only shows it after the walk when it's "play time". He is very friendly and shares his toys well, he walks well on the leash but gets easily distracted by other people and animals. I always viewed Golden Retrievers as great family dogs who are obedient and pretty well mannered compared to other dogs their size, which I feel like he fits into.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I walked a golden retriever a few days ago. She was a puppy and was very energetic and eager. When I arrived at the house, the owner was in a bit of a frenzy because the dog had bit her husband apparently because the owner had been gone most of the day so the dog was upset. I also think it was probably just because she was overexcited about going on a walk. She’s still a puppy, so she’s still learning. She was great on the walk. Very eager, and pulled a bit at first, but she was fine after a few minutes. She liked to pull bottles and cans out of the gutter and carry them along with her on the walk. She was also very friendly with other people. Whenever we’d pass somebody she’d go over and want to play with them. She was a very playful dog. She had a lot of energy so we walked for almost an hour and even then she still had energy. When we got home she was very excited to see her owner. She seemed very attached to her. Overall she was a very loving, energetic, and excited dog. My neighbor also had a golden retriever for many years. He was older in age so he was much slower. He never walked on a leash and was very well trained. My neighbor would take him on walks and he would walk right beside her. She would let him out in the front yard and he would just lay in the grass and watch cars go by. He was very well trained.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Catch treats
Walk
Truly your best friend. Always gets excited to see you and always sad to see you leave. Very friendly dogs. Love being active and around people. Need to train when they are young or will continue their bad habits. But very lovable type of breed.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
picking up sticks
Running
My experience was very good during this walk. From the moment I walked through the door she was very friendly and could not wait to get outside. Her excitement made getting the harness and leash on difficult but it turned out just fine once she calmed down. The walk was enjoyable due to her boundless energy, we did a lot of running together. She seemed to pick up every stick she could get her mouth on.
6 years, 11 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Loved to stop and sniff
I loved walking this dog. I had a golden growing up and always have had a fondness for the breed. This particular dog was very sweet. He even greeted me at the door with a toy when I first walked in. He was a very calm dog. He was a little difficult to walk. Often times he would want to stop and sniff things and would refuse to walk in certain directions. That being said, he wasn't difficult to handle. This was my first dog walk I did and the golden was a great choice to go with. He was not aggressive at all. Overall I have no complaints about this individual dog or the breed as a whole.I would love to walk a golden again.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playdate
Stuffed toys
Running
Kisses
This review is for Goldendoodles. I have walked several Goldendoodles in the last few months and only have good things to say! They always have such happy and sweet greetings, and like to jump up to say hello. They are super affectionate and love their humans. They could cuddle and give kisses all day long. They play and interact really well with other dogs too! Most have been very good and calm walkers who do not pull on the leash. I have had a few experiences where they are just too excited about everything to stay calm on a walk and try to run away with your arm. Nonetheless, all have been some of the sweetest dogs I have ever met.
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Swim
Walk
I often tell people that I was raised by a pack of Golden Retrievers, as growing up my family always had at least a couple Golden's under our roof. One of the sweetest, most affectionate dog breeds I have encountered, Golden's can also be somewhat difficult to walk, especially in the big city. One of the most common traits I have experienced walking Golden's is that they can pull, wanting to lead the way. Keep a tight grip on the leash, as Golden's can be very strong. They can also be stubborn with corrections, so be confident and lead with example. Golden's willingness to please makes them very trainable. On walks, they love to sniff and can seek out tasty morsels on the street. Keep an eye out for chicken bones and other possible "treats." Some will also seek out sticks to carry in their mouths, as they are retrievers after all. Fetch is often the favorite pastime of a Golden.
6 years, 11 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
meet new people
Tug-of-war
Snuggle
Play
Golden Retrievers are some of the happiest, most friendly pups around! Sometimes they're shy upon first meeting them, one Golden I waked hid her head under the couch cushions when I arrived and pretended she wasn't there--how adorable! Goldens are very friendly and playful, they love their toys and they love their people! They love to make new friends both human and canine, and they're great with kids. Most Goldens are full of energy and love to play, walk and exercise. They're very loving and great to snuggle. They're loyal, obedient and relatively easy to train.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Jumping
My experience walking with a golden retriever was absolutely wonderful! They have so much energy, and are so friendly! He was such a good boy, very young but already catching on to commands. He wanted to say Hi to everyone we passed on our walk, and who doesn’t love to stop and say Hi to a retriever?! He wanted to smell everything, and we enjoyed racing across the streets to the next blocks. They are such a loyal breed, even to those only walking with them for a short period of time. They are very easily excitable, but he was very good with small children that wished to pat his head. He was such a happy boy and I cant wait until I have the pleasure of walking another golden retriever!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Explore the city
Playdate
Tug-of-war
Run
Walk
The golden retriever I walked loved his walks. He enjoyed meeting any dogs he could on our walks and playing with them; he was very friendly to people as well. He was younger and didn't like to go in his kennel but was all around a smart and good dog and would go in without much trouble.
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
playing with sticks
Golden retrievers are such people pleasers. They are always excited to see you when you walk through the door and love to go on walks -- sometimes so much that they won't want to go back home! If they fixate on something like that, you can easily persuade them to keep going by distracting them with something else fun, like a stick or even just pointing excitedly at something in the distance. They are great at giving snuggles, but also very active, especially when they are young. They enjoy finding sticks, rolling around on their back, and chasing after birds and squirrels. Since they are people pleasers, they are generally very quick learners. Some goldens like other dogs but others don't, so just make sure they feel comfortable before greeting others dogs or letting them loose in a dog park.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Golden Retrievers are rated as one of the happiest dogs to own. As pups, they are full of life and energy and tend to mellow out as they get older and with training. They are friendly, loyal, and super responsive. They also like being around other dogs and have a caring nature. This dog breed is sure to bring a lot of fun and love to your life! Great family dogs and great companions. They are beautiful animals, but can be a lot of maintenance with their long hair. They do shed, but their hair does not have barnacles that make the hair stick like other breeds, so it’s easier to clean. Golden Retrievers can come in different colors ranging from dark golden brown to white and cream colored shades.
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Running
Sniffing
My experience with Golden Retrievers has always been that they are some of the sweetest and friendliest dogs. Even if it's their first time meeting you they will act like your best friend right away. They are also generally very easy to walk and have lots of energy but will also follow your lead and listen to directions. They are usually good with other dogs as well as people you pass on the street. One Golden Retriever I walked was a little reluctant to leave his owner (they were home when I arrived to take him out) because she said he was very protective of her. But once she left the house he was very happy to go for a walk and a total angel the whole time.
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Golden Retrievers love to fetch, chase after other animals and shed their hair all on you ha! They are very smart, loyal and friendly. I have never met a mean Golden Retriever. They will tear your house up if you leave them for a long period of time though. They are active dogs so they need a lot of walking and play time. I do not recommend having this dog in an apartment. Too small of space! This dog needs a backyard for sure. If you are familiar with Labs, this dog is a very similar to the Golden Retriever breed. I would say their only bad quality is that they shed tremendously.
6 years, 11 months ago
12 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Eating Snacks
Walk
The golden retriever that I walked was an elderly fella and one strong puller. He was interested in sniffing everything and, when possible, eating everything. I had to hold his leash with two hands in order keep him from pulling me the entire walk. He was interested in treats and would slowly listen to any commands I gave him, but not after surveying his own desires, the street-snack scene, and pondering my request for a moment. Using the tricks and treats technique to refocus his attention had little effect. After our very short and slow sessions, he would get right back to thinking about the potential treats that may lay before us. Sometimes this behavior is rather charming, though, it's nice to hang out with a dog that is friendly and knows what he wants.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My experience with a Golden Retriever was with a younger pup. She was wild and pulled a lot. Not sure how training goes with these but she did not listened. She wanted to explore go this way and that way and back that way again. She was a big dog and hard to handle since she was so playful and oblivious. She reacted to other dogs and was curious to approaching them. She was beyond excited when I opened the gate to go out . She almost left without me. She was just so happy and distracted. Careful with that one. The seem to go anywhere and with anyone . She did shed a lot and in the short time I was with her I had hair everywhere. Big dog and seems like a lot of maintenance because of their high energy and lack of obedience.
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chew on Toys
Play with Toys
Snuggle
Jump on bed
Dash was kept in a large kennel in his family’s room. As soon as I let him out, he grabbed a couple of his favorite toys. He asked me if I wanted to play with him, but I was ready to get him on his walk after a few minutes. He is ready to use the bathroom as soon as he has freedom, so we grabbed his harness and got outside after some playtime. He listened very well and was never short of giving me big puppy hugs. Because he is so young, he is still unaware of how big he is. Our hugs were more like bear hugs. Although very large, he was afraid of other dogs during the walk. This, however, did not stop his curiosity. He was sniffing all around on our route, but kept up with me and listened when it was time to move on. He responded very well to affection and pets. After our walk, we snuggled a little bit on the floor because he was ready for more love after the walk.
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Play
Run
Fetch
Golden Retrievers may be the cutest dog on the planet, and also the absolute sweetest dogs you will ever meet. Every golden that I have encountered has been so excited to meet other humans and dogs, has a huge smile on their face the whole walk, and loves just about everything you can do with it. Goldens usually have quite a bit of energy and thrive off of longer walks and playing some fetch in the dog park. I have come across one golden that was fairly shy, but responded well to positive reinforcement with pets and with verbal praise, and got excited about the walk if you bounced around or started to run with it a bit. All in all, goldens will always love pets and walks and you.
6 years, 11 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Go to Beach
Walk
Run
Road trip
Swim
Fetch
Dog Parks
They're one of my favorites they are just so beautiful and lovable! I'm always greeted with such sweetness! Also they're always so easy to walk, they hardly ever pull and are always so excited to meet other people and dogs! I just love how friendly they are! There was a golden retriever that loved being in the pool! Just absolutely had to be in the pool at all times. He wouldn't even swim, he would just be standing watching all of the other dogs play! He was older too and had some hip problems and every time we had to pick his heavy butt up so he could get out of the pool but it was worth it! He also had a younger more energetic, dominant brother. Although much older he was able to keep up with him and played nicely with the other dogs!
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Shake
Fetch
Ball
Explore the woods
The Golden Retrievers I've walked all have a very unique personality with interesting quirks. One I walked needed to take a toy with him from home on the whole walk. The other was afraid of the fire station in the neighborhood and wouldn't go near it or would run from loud cars. They both loved a brisk pace on their walk and smelling and exploring. The pups also enjoyed playing games in the house with their favorite toys.
6 years, 11 months ago
8 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Running
Playing in the snow
Golden retrievers are extremely loyal, friendly, family dogs. They are easily trainable and will pick up commands quickly. They are excellent companion dogs. They are very active and need a large yard or frequent walks. As puppies they need frequent time out for potty breaks and love to be played with. They don't like to be left alone. They have long fur, so they should be groomed, brushed frequently too. They will shed a lot in the spring when they shed their winter coats. They have a "sway" walk to them which is so cute. Best family dog next to Labs.
6 years, 11 months ago