Golden Retrievers are one of America’s favorite family dogs, and it’s easy to see why. They’re gentle, clever and endlessly patient, with a soft mouth bred for carrying birds and a feathered golden coat that leaves a little of itself everywhere they go.
Goldens and Labradors are close cousins. Both were bred as gun dogs in Britain in the 1800s, both weigh around 55 to 80 lbs, and both share the same love of water, food and fetch. So most of what we’ve learned about feeding, training and equipping Labs applies to Goldens too. The big difference is the coat, which needs more brushing and regular trims.
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Training
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Golden Retriever guides worth reading
- Labrador vs Golden Retriever, compared by an owner of both
- Labrador vs Golden Retriever shedding compared
- The Goldador, the Golden Retriever Lab mix
- The Goldendoodle Lab mix
Caring for a Golden Retriever
- Grooming: brush two to three times a week, more during shedding season, and trim the feathering on the ears, legs and tail every couple of months
- Exercise: about an hour or more a day of walks, fetch and swimming
- Health: ask breeders about hip, elbow, eye and heart clearances. Goldens also have a higher cancer risk than many breeds, so regular vet checkups matter
- Weight: like Labs, Goldens love food, so measure meals and count treats
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