Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever has been a top-five US breed for more than 30 years for one reason: the temperament rewards owners who do their homework. Health-test the parents, train consistently in the first 16 weeks, and you get a 10-to-12-year companion who is patient with kids, biddable for trainers, and friendly with strangers. Skip those steps and you get a 65-pound dog with separation anxiety and bad joints.This page is the Golden Retriever hub. From here you can drill into the three recognized Golden types (English, Canadian, American), the week-by-week growth chart, common health issues with sources from UC Davis and Cornell, and the 40-state breeder directory.If you are about to bring a puppy home, the puppy-stage guides walk you through 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. If you have a senior, see caring for an aging Golden Retriever. If you are still deciding, the 2026 cost breakdown covers what the first year actually costs once vet visits, food, and training are added up.