Golden Retriever

Breed traits

About the Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have earned their reputation as wonderful family dogs for good reason. They're generally affectionate, sociable and eager to participate in whatever their humans are doing. They often seem to approach life with the assumption that everyone they meet is a potential friend. They're also intelligent and highly trainable, which makes them enjoyable to work with. A Golden can be an excellent companion for walks, swimming, training, games and family adventures — but they don't stop being a dog when the adventure ends. They still need daily exercise, attention and interaction. Their long coat also means more hair and more grooming than a short-coated breed. And because they're enthusiastic dogs, young Goldens can be wonderfully chaotic before they mature. If you want a large dog who is likely to be deeply involved in family life, loves learning and has an enormous capacity for affection, the Golden Retriever is hard to ignore.