Origins
Golden Retrievers were developed in Great Britain in the 1860s from a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever and a Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed now believed to be extinct. Every Golden descends from that foundation. The breed came to America in 1890.
The Kennel Club of England first registered them in 1903, as "Flat Coats – Golden". They were first shown in 1908, recognised in 1911 as "Retriever (Golden and Yellow)", and the Golden Retriever Club was founded in 1913. The name became "Golden Retriever" in 1920, and the American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1932. According to the AKC, it was the third most popular breed in the United States in 2019.
English and American types
Until about 1940, Goldens in Britain, the US and Canada looked much alike. During the Second World War, dog shows in Britain stopped and shows in North America were cut back, and the breed standards on each side of the Atlantic developed separately.
"English", "British" or "European" Golden doesn't mean the dog comes from England. It means the dog is bred to the British Kennel Club (KC) standard, which every country uses except the US and Canada. An "American" Golden is bred to the AKC standard. "English cream" Goldens may come from Scotland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain or elsewhere.
- Build: English-type Goldens are usually bigger-boned and shorter, with a deeper chest and a more level topline. American-type Goldens are lighter, often with a slightly sloping topline.
- Head: the KC standard asks for a broad skull and a powerful, wide muzzle, with the ears set about level with the eyes. American Goldens tend to have a narrower muzzle and ears set higher.
- Size: the KC standard asks for males of 22–24 in (56–61 cm) and females of 20–22 in (51–56 cm), with no set weight. The AKC asks for males of 23–24 in at 65–75 lb and females of 21½–22½ in at 55–65 lb.
Health and lifespan
A 1998 health study by the Golden Retriever Club of America found that cancer caused 61.8% of deaths in American Goldens, making it the breed's biggest killer. A 2004 study by the British Kennel Club found that cancer caused 38.8% of deaths in English Goldens. According to the same studies, the median lifespan was 12 years 3 months for English Goldens and 10 years 8 months for American Goldens.
Hip health matters too, which is why every breeding dog in our program has its hips tested with PennHIP and OFA. See our Golden Retrievers for the full list of clearances.
Coat colours
The AKC standard asks for a rich, lustrous gold in light, medium or dark shades, and faults coats that are very pale or very dark. The KC standard allows any shade of gold or cream; cream was added to it in 1936. That is where the lighter "English cream" Goldens come from. Not every English Golden is cream, and many have the same gold coat as American Goldens.
Temperament and care
The breed standard describes the Golden's temperament as "kindly, friendly and confident". Goldens are eager to please, easy to train with positive methods, and famously patient with children, which is why so many work as guide, assistance, therapy and search-and-rescue dogs. They love to carry things and love water.
They need daily walks and exercise and can put on weight easily. Brush them at least weekly, and daily when they "blow coat" twice a year. Clean their ears regularly. Goldens are very attached to their people and do best as house dogs, close to the family.