Breed Overview

The Golden Retriever is a large breed dog with a beautiful full coat.  It is sweet, intelligent, and eager to please its owner. Goldens are fond of play but highly trainable. This is a great family pet who is patient with children and enjoys being part of the pack. Bred to retrieve waterfowl, they are natural athletes who excel at dog sports such as agility and obedience training. Goldens have a high energy level, especially when young. Their friendly, trusting nature makes them a poor choice as a guard dog. For more on the breed check out the American Kennel Club. Life Expectancy The life expectancy of the Golden Retriever is 10-12 years.

Size & Activity Level

Golden Retrievers mature to  55-75 lbs. A very active breed, they enjoy obedience training and agility classes, as well as plenty of time outdoors. Goldens tend to be mouthy, and love to have a toy or ball in their mouth at all times. Care & Grooming The Golden Retriever has a thick, long, water repellent coat with a dense undercoat.  Daily brushing will cut down on their extensive shedding. Weekly ear cleaning should keep infections at bay.