Golden Retriever

Across 119 single-size large breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 11 years is about 1.6 years shorter than the 12.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 65 lb is about 5.8 lb heavier than the 59.2 lb average for those large breeds.

The listed origin is Scotland. The coat is described as double, medium. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 1.1 points below the group average of 4.1 for the Sporting Group. Shedding scores 4 out of 5, so coat cleanup is a regular job. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 5 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 5 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 5 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 3 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (Golden Retriever) (NCL, NCL5) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.