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Animal register · DogIn the app

Golden Retriever

Golden

The Golden Retriever is a large gundog from Great Britain with a flat or wavy coat in shades of gold or cream. Its standard describes a biddable, intelligent dog that is kindly, friendly and confident.

UK charities call it a great family dog for an active family, and one that can be a good first dog. The trade-offs are clear in the sources: at least two hours of exercise a day, brushing several times a week, and a coat that sheds a lot.

Available in the 12-week PetPrep Challenge (paid breed).

Updated:

Golden Retriever — photo (AI)
AI-generated photo

At a glance

Size
large — The Royal Kennel Club S65
Adult weight
males 29.5–34 kg, females 24.9–29.5 kg — American Kennel Club S67; 25–34 kg — PDSA S68
Daily exercise
more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S65; at least 2 hours a day — PDSA S68
Brushing
more than once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S65
Shedding
sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S65; sheds a lot — Woodgreen Pets Charity S69
Lifespan
median 13.2 years — Dogs Trust S15; median 12.48 years — Royal Veterinary College S71; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S65

Key facts from the sources at the bottom of the page. Where sources differ, each value is listed.

Who it suits

Good for:

  • an active familyS65S68
  • family lifeS68S70
  • families with childrenS68
  • first-time ownersS68
  • a large house and gardenS65
  • homes with other petsS69

Keep in mind:

The same tags as in the app. Each tag is backed by the sources listed at the bottom of the page.

What it needs

From breed standards, kennel clubs, veterinary charities and studies. Where sources differ, each one is shown.

Exercise

  • Daily exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Daily exercise: at least 2 hours a day — PDSA S68

Coat and grooming

  • Coat: medium length — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Brushing: more than once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Grooming needs: high — Woodgreen Pets Charity S69
  • Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Shedding: sheds a lot — Woodgreen Pets Charity S69

Meals

  • Strongly motivated by food — helpful in training, but watch the portions. — Guide Dogs S70

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • 8–12 weeks: 4 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 3–6 months: 3 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 6–12 months: 2 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • Adult: at least 2 meals a day — VCA Animal Hospitals S19
  • Senior: 2–3 meals a day, smaller portions — Dogs Trust S14

Lifespan

  • Lifespan: median 13.2 years — Dogs Trust S15
  • Lifespan: median 12.48 years — Royal Veterinary College S71
  • Lifespan: more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S65

Life stages

  • Reaches adult size at: about 15–18 months (guidance for its size class) — PetMD S10

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • Puppy: until about 6–9 months — AAHA S11
  • Young adult: until 3–4 years — AAHA S11
  • Senior: the last 25 % of the expected lifespan — AAHA S11

Size and weight

  • Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Height at the withers: males 56–61 cm, females 51–56 cm — FCI S63
  • Height at the withers: males 56–61 cm, females 51–56 cm — The Royal Kennel Club S66
  • Height at the withers: males 58.4–61 cm, females 54.6–57.2 cm — American Kennel Club S67
  • Adult weight: males 29.5–34 kg, females 24.9–29.5 kg — American Kennel Club S67
  • Adult weight: 25–34 kg — PDSA S68

Training

  • No. 4 in Stanley Coren's ranking of working and obedience intelligence. — Psychology Today S34
  • FCI standard no. 111, group 8 (retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs); origin: Great Britain. — FCI S64

Questions and answers

Answered only from the sourced facts on this page; every answer names its sources.

How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need?

According to our sources, the Golden Retriever needs this much exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S65; at least 2 hours a day — PDSA S68.

How long does a Golden Retriever live?

According to our sources, the lifespan of the Golden Retriever is: median 13.2 years — Dogs Trust S15; median 12.48 years — Royal Veterinary College S71; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S65. The sources give different values, so each one is listed.

How big does a Golden Retriever get and how much does it weigh?

Size and adult weight of the Golden Retriever, according to our sources: Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S65; Adult weight: males 29.5–34 kg, females 24.9–29.5 kg — American Kennel Club S67; 25–34 kg — PDSA S68.

How much grooming does a Golden Retriever need?

Coat and grooming of the Golden Retriever, according to our sources: Brushing: more than once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S65; Grooming needs: high — Woodgreen Pets Charity S69; Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S65; sheds a lot — Woodgreen Pets Charity S69; Coat: medium length — The Royal Kennel Club S65.

Who is the Golden Retriever a good fit for?

Our sources describe the Golden Retriever as a good fit for: an active family — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S65S68; family life — PDSA, Guide Dogs S68S70; families with children — PDSA S68; first-time owners — PDSA S68; a large house and garden — The Royal Kennel Club S65; homes with other pets — Woodgreen Pets Charity S69. Keep in mind: needs lots of exercise every day — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S65S68; sheds — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA, Woodgreen Pets Charity S65S68S69; loves food — watch the weight — PDSA, Guide Dogs S68S70; needs brushing several times a week — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA, Woodgreen Pets Charity S65S68S69.

Game rules, not veterinary advice

How PetPrep simulates it

In PetPrep one real week is one month of the pet's life. These are the rules the game uses for this breed. PetPrep chose them from the sources on this page; they are not care instructions for a real animal.

Life stageStartsMeals a dayDaily step goal
Puppyarrives at 2 months4; from month 3: 3; from month 6: 21,000 steps per month of age (2,000 on arrival), up to 12,000 from month 12
Young dogmonth 929,000 → 12,000 steps
Adultmonth 36 (3 years)212,000 steps
Seniormonth 119 (9.9 years)29,000 steps
  • Step goal = minutes of daily exercise × 100 steps: an adult gets 2 hours, so 12,000 steps a day.
  • Learns commands 1.9× as fast as the mixed breed of the free plan.
  • Becomes a senior in month 119 (9.9 years) — the last quarter of the breed's expected lifespan.
  • Walks count real steps from Apple Health or Health Connect (with permission, read-only) and the phone's motion sensor — no GPS.
  • Combing 3 times a week.

Each game number is a PetPrep decision recorded with its sources. — PLOS ONE, PetMD, AAHA, Dogs Trust, ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals, The Royal Kennel Club, Purdue University Canine Welfare Science, Psychology Today, Wikipedia, British Journal of Sports Medicine, PDSA S8S10S11S14S15S18S19S21S24S34S35S45S68

Health

For information only, not vet-reviewed. Ask your vet about your own animal.

  • Can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and to several inherited eye conditions. — Woodgreen Pets Charity S69
  • Sources describe a higher risk of cancer in this breed. — Golden Retriever Club of America S73
  • Puts on weight easily — portions and treats need watching. — PDSA S68

Before you buy: what to check with the breeder

Questions to settle before you take a puppy home. The points are advice from vets, welfare charities and kennel clubs; each cites its source.

For every breed

  • See the puppy with its mother, where it was born. — PDSA, RSPCA K1K2
  • The puppy should not leave its mother before 8 weeks of age. — PDSA K1
  • Ask for the pedigree. Under FCI rules a pedigree may be issued for correct parentage only. — FCI K7
  • Ask to see the health-test results of both parents. Which tests matter depends on the breed. — PDSA, British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K1K9K10
  • National kennel clubs can set breeding rules that go beyond the FCI's — ask the breed club which tests the parents need. — FCI K7
  • Ask for a written sale contract that records the puppy's background and health. — British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K9K10

Laws on the minimum age, microchipping and vaccination differ by country — check the rules where you live.

Health tests of the parents for this breed

Tests the Royal Kennel Club recommends as a minimum

  • DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy (GR_PRA2) — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Elbow X-ray screening for elbow dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Eye examination by a veterinary eye specialist (UK: BVA/KC/ISDS scheme; for some breeds with gonioscopy) — The Royal Kennel Club S65
  • Hip X-ray screening for hip dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S65

These lists come from the UK's Royal Kennel Club and are an orientation; national kennel clubs can set their own, stricter rules. Ask the breed club and the breeder which tests the parents have done.

Similar breeds

Other dogs in the register with similar needs — each with sourced facts.

Sources

Every fact on this page cites one of these sources.

  1. S8PLOS ONE — Salt C. et al. (2017) Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0182064https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5584974/
  2. S10PetMD — S. C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, 2025-05-20 — When Do Dogs Stop Growing?https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-do-dogs-stop-growing
  3. S11AAHA — 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines — Canine life stage definitionshttps://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/canine-life-stage-definitions/
  4. S14Dogs Trust (UK) — Caring for an older doghttps://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/looking-after-an-older-dog
  5. S15Dogs Trust (UK) — Longevity of UK dog breeds — research (summary of McMillan et al. 2024, Sci Rep, doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w)https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/about-us/research-expertise/longevity-dog-breeds
  6. S18ASPCA — General Dog Carehttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/general-dog-care
  7. S19VCA Animal Hospitals (2025-02-21) — Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Doghttps://vcahospitals.com/pets-first/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-your-dog
  8. S21The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Puppy feeding tipshttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/puppy-feeding-tips
  9. S24Purdue University Canine Welfare Science (content: Pet Leadership Council 2019, bedogsmart.com) — Dog Fitness and Exercise (PDF)https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Fitness-and-Exercise.pdf
  10. S34Psychology Today — Stanley Coren, 2009-07-15 — Canine Intelligence — Breed Does Matterhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/200907/canine-intelligence-breed-does-matter
  11. S35Wikipedia — The Intelligence of Dogshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
  12. S45British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018) — Tudor-Locke C. et al. How fast is fast enough? Walking cadence (steps/min) as a practical estimate of intensity in adults. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097628https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029645
  13. S63FCI — FCI-Standard N° 111 — Golden Retriever (EN, dated 06.10.2026; official valid standard published 08.09.2026)https://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/111g08-en.pdf
  14. S64FCI — Breeds nomenclature — Golden Retriever (111)https://www.fci.be/EN/nomenclature/GOLDEN-RETRIEVER-111.html
  15. S65The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Breeds A–Z: Retriever (Golden)https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/gundog/retriever-golden
  16. S66The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Breed standard: Retriever (Golden) (last updated 1 April 2025)https://www.royalkennelclub.com/breed-standards/gundog/retriever-golden
  17. S67American Kennel Club — Official Standard of the Golden Retriever (approved 13 Oct 1981, reformatted 18 Aug 1990) (PDF)https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
  18. S68PDSA (UK veterinary charity) — Golden Retriever breed informationhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/golden-retriever
  19. S69Woodgreen Pets Charity (UK) — Ask Woodgreen pet explorer (2025-01-31) — Golden Retrieverhttps://ask.woodgreen.org.uk/pet-explorer/results/golden-retriever
  20. S70Guide Dogs (UK charity) — Our breeds: Golden Retrieverhttps://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/guide-dogs/our-breeds/golden-retriever/
  21. S71Royal Veterinary College — VetCompass (O'Neill D. G. et al., SVEPM 2012 poster) — Longevity and mortality of dogs in England (poster; preliminary data of O'Neill et al. 2013, Vet J — see S17) (PDF)https://www.rvc.ac.uk/Media/Default/VetCompass/Documents/Poster_SVEPM_2012_DONeill.pdf
  22. S73Golden Retriever Club of America (AKC parent club) — Golden Retriever Lifetime Study — info for puppy buyershttps://grca.org/about-the-breed/health-research/golden-retriever-lifetime-study-info-for-puppy-buyers
  23. K1PDSA — Getting a puppyhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/getting-a-puppy
  24. K2RSPCA — Buying a puppyhttps://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
  25. K7FCI (copy hosted by Norsk Kennel Klub) — International Breeding Rules of the FCIhttps://nkk2023.stage22.coretrek.no/getfile.php/131987377-1520848467/Dokumenter/Registrering/FCIs%20avlsregler%202013.pdf
  26. K9British Veterinary Association — What should you consider when buying a puppy?https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/what-should-you-consider-when-buying-a-puppy/
  27. K10FOUR PAWS UK — Questions to ask when buying a puppyhttps://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-puppy

PetPrep is a simulation for families. This page is not veterinary advice — for a real animal, ask a vet or the breed club.

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