The Golden Retriever proudly fills number 5 on South Africa’s 10 most popular breed list compiled by Animaltalk.

The Golden Retriever is a medium to large size dog, with a big head and ears long enough to cover their eyes if pulled over the eyes.  Their coat is water resistant and the colour varies from cream to a lovely golden brown.  Their favourite past time is to swim, so be prepared for a swimmer who loves to fetch anything you throw in the water.  They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties.

 
Life span: 10 to 12 years
Temperament: Reliable, Trustworthy, Friendly, Kind, Confident, Intelligent
Weight: Female: 24.9–29.5 kg, Male: 29.5–34 kg
Height: Female: 55–57 cm, Male: 58–61 cm
Colors: Dark Golden, Light Golden, Cream, Golden
Origin: Scotland, United Kingdom, England, Great Britain

This is a family favourite in the dog world as they are not known to be aggressive to people or other dogs, making them good family watch dogs but not good guard dogs. 

Their coats need regular brushing and a dry shampoo is enough with medium shedding (provided they have a healthy diet) for comfortable inside living arrangements.  As like most other dog breeds, the Golden Retriever breed needs regular walks and mental stimulation to avoid a problem furry family member.  Toys, exercise and a healthy diet will be your answer to the overall wellbeing of your Golden Retriever.

Overfeeding is a common problem with this breed which can lead to various health problems.  Consult your vet to ensure you maintain a balanced feeding program for the Golden Retriever breed.

Herewith a breakdown of the most common health concerns you can expect from a Golden Retriever in its 10 – 12 year life span:

1. Skeletal problems, mainly elbow dysplasia (ED) and hip dysplasia (HD). Both these conditions are developmental with a genetic link. The high grade cases usually need surgery within the first year of the puppies life especially in ED. HD might require extremely expensive hip replacement (R25 000 and more per hip). Dysplastic joints will be more prone to early onset arthritis later in life.
2. Skin allergies and ear infections are common. Potential allergens can be food, flea bite related or environmental factors. Itching skin can make them more prone to excess shaking of the head which can lead to haematoma formation. This is when a blood vessel burst in the ear lobe and the lobe fills with blood – surgical intervention necessary.
3. Mast cell tumour is a common cancer present in many breeds and often seen in the Golden Retriever. It can be highly malignant with high risk of internal spread.
4. Cruciate ligament rupture is common in many large breed dogs which include the Golden Retriever, up to 50% can have rupture of both sides.
5. Golden Retriever can be prone to obesity and weight related disease like diabetes, lipoma (benign fatty tumours) and joint problems.

PawPaw Pet Insurance is an affordable Pet Insurance to give you financial peace of mind should any of these conditions occur to your Golden Retriever.  Click here for an easy Online Application : Apply today

Thank you to our online vet Dr Adel for sharing with us ailments which she is exposed to as a vet on a daily basis.

Other Top Dog Breeds in South Africa:

Yorkshire Terrier, English Bull Terrier, English Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Shetland Sheepdog, Miniature Schnauzer, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Chihuahua