Golden Retrievers are full of sunshine — they’re warm and playful, making them the perfect pups for families or anyone in need of companionship. 

Parenting a Golden Retriever is a heartwarming experience filled with moments of laughter and belly rubs. Golden Retrievers bring companionship as they thrive with human company, all while enjoying the simple things in life. But like all dogs, they require care and attention.  

This guide is your go-to resource, suited to first-time and experienced pet parents. Lyka’s holistic approach covers all essential aspects of wellness for Golden Retrievers.

Top breed takeaways

• Golden Retriever temperament: Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle and affectionate nature — they’re one of the most beloved dog breeds. They’re unwavering in their loyalty to family members, and are highly intelligent: making them the perfect trainable breed, being eager to please and quick to learn. This unique combination is the reason you’ll often see Golden Retrievers working as service and therapy dogs. These dogs, patient and caring, are well suited to households with children.

• What does a Golden Retriever look like? Golden Retrievers have an approachable, relaxed demeanour. They are medium to large in size — sporting dense golden coats, from light cream to darker colours. The Golden Retriever has a broad head, intelligent and kind gaze, and a long tail. Their smiling faces and adorable expressions make them easily recognisable and loved. 

• How long does a Golden Retriever live for? Golden Retrievers typically have a lifespan of 10-12 years. You can support them in living a healthy life through a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on nutritious food, plenty of exercise, and mental stimulation.

How big is a Golden Retriever? 

For those wondering when a Golden Retriever is fully grown, they reach their adult size between 18-24 months (about 2 years). Their mature height and weight depends on their gender and size of their parents.

Female height: 54-57 cm

Male height: 58-61 cm

Female weight: 24-29 kg

Male weight: 29-34 kg

Caring for a Golden Retriever puppy 

Whether you’re a first-time parent or new to the breed, here’s what to expect owning a Golden Retriever. 

Feeding a Golden Retriever puppy

Golden Retriever puppies need a diet rich in high-quality protein for tissue growth, essential vitamins and minerals for bone development and brain function, and low GI carbohydrates for sustained energy.

Puppies don’t need specific puppy food, as long as they’re getting the right nutrients in the correct proportions — knowing how much to feed a Golden Retriever puppy is essential. Lyka makes this simple, with custom-portioned meals tailored to your puppy’s specific needs.

How to train a Golden Retriever 

Golden Retrievers are highly trainable, due to their intelligence and cooperative nature. These traits make it easy for Golden Retrievers to grasp commands and learn new tasks. Cognitive stimulation supports your dog’s energy levels, mood, and memory, which can boost success with training as a result.

How to train a Golden Retriever puppy 

When you first bring a Golden Retriever puppy home, toilet training is usually the top priority. Puppies can hold their bladder for one hour for every month of age, so they’ll need frequent bathroom breaks. Use each visit as an opportunity to reinforce your toilet training routine. With patience and consistency, they’ll quickly get the hang of it.

Enrichment activities are vital for your puppy’s development. They help your pup understand commands, learn self-regulation, and grow into a happy and healthy adult. Early training is crucial to channel their exuberance in a positive way. Golden Retriever puppies learn fast but can pick up bad habits just as easily, so be consistent from day one.

The gold standard of training is force-free training, focusing on building obedience through positive reinforcement.

How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? 

Golden Retrievers love to leap, bound, and zoomie — in other words, they’ve got plenty of energy. They require 1-2 hours of exercise daily, but this doesn’t have to be rigorous. These friendly pups will stroll by your side if you’re in the mood for a slow walk, but they’ll find equal delight in an energetic game of fetch.

Activities like swimming could be a good option for your Golden Retriever, as this can reduce stress on their joints — joint health is a common concern for parents of this breed. Introduce swimming when your pup is young to encourage confidence in the water.

How to groom a Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have a double coat which sheds year-round, with more intensity during spring and autumn. They don’t need to have their hair cut, as this can affect regrowth of their double coat.

Instead, opt for regular brushing — this should keep their shedding of “golden glitter” under control, while reducing the impact of tangling or matting which is more common around the ears and under the legs. Frequent brushing can reduce the likelihood of skin infections, which are more common in Golden Retrievers.

If you prefer a fuss-free option, professional grooming can ensure your Golden Retriever’s coat is maintained. All Golden Retrievers benefit from hygiene practices like nail trimming and ear cleaning, which a professional groomer can support with.

How often should I wash my Golden Retriever? 

Golden Retrievers need a bath every 6-8 weeks, unless they’ve rolled in something dirty. 

Always use dog-friendly shampoo, as human products can irritate their skin. 

Why does my Golden Retriever smell?

All clean and healthy dogs have a slight doggie aroma. But if your pup has a particularly unpleasant odour, it could be:

Irregular grooming. Infrequent grooming can lead to smelly, matted hair.

Ear infections. Ear mites leave a malodorous dark brown, waxy discharge. Speak to your vet about treatment.

Oral health. If your dog has bad breath, they may have a dental issue, like gingivitis, that requires further investigation by your vet. Remember to brush their teeth regularly.

Skin infections or allergies. All dogs can suffer from skin allergies. If hives are scratched, they can become infected and smell if left untreated.

Digestive issues. Food that’s high in wheat, corn, or legumes (like beans, peas, and chickpeas) can lead to unpleasant gas or anal gland issues. Feed them a fresh, real food diet, like Lyka, which is more digestible!

Feeding your Golden Retriever

This joyful, energetic breed needs nutritious food to fuel their minds and bodies. The best Golden Retriever diet is packed with high-quality protein, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense ingredients: like Lyka.

Every Golden Retriever is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Lyka calculates your dog’s portions based on their age, weight, health status, and activity level.

Golden Retriever health issues

Golden Retrievers from reputable breeders are generally healthy. Like all dogs, however, they can still develop health issues or inherit conditions from their parents.

Skin allergies 

Skin allergies are a common concern for Golden Retrievers, often triggered by food or environmental allergens. Dogs who experience allergies typically have red, itchy, and inflamed skin, hives, or recurring ear infections.

Joint health

Golden Retrievers can be prone to joint issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia — painful conditions that can impact your dog’s quality of life.

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition affecting the development of the ball and socket hip joint. If a dog’s body constantly compensates for the unstable joint, it can lead to arthritis as a secondary condition.

Obesity 

Golden Retrievers love to eat — at Lyka, we’re all about creating moments of mealtime joy! This breed’s enjoyment of food, however, can become a problem if they’re carrying excess weight.

Obesity in dogs has been linked to chronic health issues and reduced life expectancy, affecting mobility and quality of life. Careful portion control and regular exercise are vital for Golden Retrievers, so they can maintain optimal body weight and shape.

Heart conditions

Golden Retrievers can be prone to congenital heart issues like Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), which can impact their quality of life. DCM is a hereditary condition that leads to an enlarged heart and decreased cardiac function. 

To mitigate these risks, a balanced diet rich in nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, L-carnitine, and taurine is crucial. These nutrients support heart health by reducing inflammation and promoting proper heart muscle function, helping to manage and prevent heart-related conditions. 

How much does a Golden Retriever cost?

If the thought of sharing your life with Golden Retriever fills you with joy, we’re right behind you: the relationship between a pup and parent is very special. But it’s a lifelong commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially for a clever and energetic dog like a Golden Retriever.

If you’re wondering how much a Golden Retriever is, a puppy from a reputable breeder can cost up to $5,000. In addition to the initial cost of buying or adopting a dog, there’s the ongoing cost of ownership like healthcare, food, training, exercise, and equipment.

Veterinary bills can be expensive and unexpected. Along with insurance, consider preventative healthcare through nutrition.

Golden Retriever FAQs

Are Golden Retrievers hypoallergenic?

No, Golden Retrievers shed their coats and are not considered hypoallergenic.

When should I desex my Golden Retriever?

Most Golden Retrievers are desexed once they stop growing. Consult your veterinarian who will consider your dog’s age, size, health, and behaviour to determine the right time for the procedure.

Do Golden Retrievers make a good family dog?

Absolutely! Golden Retrievers are playful, loyal, affectionate, eager to please, and great with even the littlest members of a pack.

Do Golden Retrievers get along with cats and other pets?

Golden Retrievers can get along well with cats and other pets, with careful introductions, training, and patience.

Where should my Golden Retriever sleep?

Your Golden Retriever should sleep on a warm and comfortable bed away from cold draughts. Whether they sleep on their own dog bed, in a crate, or in your bed, is up to you. Just make sure you’re being consistent in where you train them to sleep.

Can Golden Retrievers be a good guard dog?

Golden Retrievers generally do not make good guard dogs. While they are loyal and highly trainable, their sociable nature makes them more likely to greet strangers with enthusiasm rather than suspicion.

Can Golden Retrievers live in an apartment?

Golden Retrievers can live in apartments, but it requires commitment from the owner to meet their needs. Despite their size and energy levels, they can adapt to apartment living if they receive sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.

For how long is a Golden Retriever pregnant?

A Golden Retriever is pregnant for around 63 days or nine weeks from conception.

Parenting a Golden Retriever comes with many decisions. Lyka exists to make mealtimes easy, with tailored meal plans delivered to your door. We’re proud to be fuelling Golden Retrievers across Australia — from energetic pups, all the way through to dogs in their golden years.

Join our pack of proud Golden Retriever parents today.