Golden Retriever

Coat and looks how to spot one

Medium-length double coat: flat or wavy water-resistant outer coat with feathering over a dense undercoat

A well-balanced, athletic gundog built for a full day in the field, moving with a smooth, level stride. The head is broad with a kind, gentle expression, dark eyes and medium ears set about level with the eyes. The outer coat lies close and may be straight or wavy, with a soft, thick undercoat underneath that helps shed water. Untrimmed, it shows a natural ruff at the neck, light feathering on the legs and fuller feathering on the thighs and the tail.856

Personality what they are like

A sunny, sociable dog that takes to almost everyone it meets. Goldens are self-assured without being pushy, keen to please and quick to pick up new things, which makes them a favourite for training, dog sports and assistance work. They are known for being calm and easygoing in the home, get on well with other dogs and are especially good with children. Underneath the family charm there is still a working retriever that loves a job to do.8567

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day; Hill's suggests one to two hours. Mix walks with retrieving games, swimming and training or dog sports that use the breed's natural urge to fetch and carry.273

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Brush two or three times a week, and daily during seasonal shedding, using a comb that reaches through to the undercoat. The coat does shed. An occasional bath and light tidying of the feathering keep it neat.72

Home where they are happiest

Best suited to a larger home with a good-sized garden and easy access to walks, fields and water. Goldens want to live indoors as part of the family rather than be kennelled away from people.27

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, balanced food made for large breeds, with portions matched to age and activity. Working or very active dogs may need more energy and protein than a relaxed family pet.7

Company who they like around

Very people-oriented and generally easy with other dogs and children. Goldens do best with plenty of company, shared activities and regular training rather than long hours alone.67

The story where it all began

The breed began in the Scottish Highlands, where Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (later the first Lord Tweedmouth) kept careful breeding records at his Guisachan estate. His starting point was Nous, the only yellow puppy in a litter of black wavy-coated retrievers. In 1868 Nous was paired with Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel, and their four yellow puppies became the base of the new breed. Later crosses brought in more wavy- and flat-coated retrievers, Tweed Water Spaniels, red setter and some other lines, all aimed at a keen, gentle retriever for shooting over land and water. The dogs were shown from 1908, the English breed club followed in 1911, and the Kennel Club gave them a register of their own as the 'yellow or golden' retriever in 1913, settling on Golden Retriever around 1920. The first Golden was registered by the AKC in 1925, and the imported Speedwell Pluto (born 1929) became a key foundation sire in North America. Today the breed works in the field, in guide and assistance roles and in search and rescue, and is one of the best-loved family dogs in the world.32649

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard no. 111, Group 8 Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs, Section 1 Retrievers; definitive acceptance 2 Dec 1954; current standard published 28 Jul 2009; working trial breed.1

The Royal Kennel Club

Gundog group (listed as Retriever (Golden)); recognised as the 'yellow or golden' Retriever in 1913, with the name Golden Retriever settled when the breed club formed in 1920. GRCA gives 1911 as the year the English breed club was founded and the breed was first recognised as 'Yellow or Golden'.2

AKC

Sporting Group; first Golden registered by the AKC in 1925; current standard approved 13 Oct 1981 (reformatted 18 Aug 1990).5

UKC

Recognised in 1956, Gun Dog Group.6

Canadian Kennel Club

Recognised in 1927 (per Wikipedia).4

Popularity 3rd most registered breed with the AKC in 202513