Breed information
Essentials
Size: Large
Coat: Although thick and resilient, a Golden Retriever’s coat is reasonably easy to clean. Groom at least once a week to keep it in top condition.
Exercise: 2+ hours a day for adult dogs
Life span: 10+ years, although healthy Golden Retrievers can reach 16 or 17
Breed group: Gundogs were bred to flush out, locate or retrieve game shot down by hunters. They are usually highly trainable, keen to please and have a balanced, pleasant temperament.
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Click on the hotspots illnesses seen in a Golden Retriever
Lumps and bumps
Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers can develop masses (lumps and bumps) in the layers of fat, skin and muscle that cover their bodies. These might be warts, cysts, abscesses, lipomas or tumours, such as mast cell tumours. Mast cells are normal skin cells that help dogs respond to trauma and damage by releasing histamine. However, these cells can sometimes replicate into a serious type of tumour called a mast cell tumour. They vary widely in size and shape, but most take the form of a solitary lump within the skin. Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous), slow-growing fatty lumps. Generally, treatment depends on the size, location and exact nature of the lump, but almost always involves surgical removal.
Fact
Lumps and bumps are the second most common conditions we see in Golden Retrievers
Neurological conditions
Golden Retrievers can suffer from conditions that affect the brain, spine and some nerves. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results in seizures or fitting, which may begin in dogs as young as six months old. Epileptic seizures look painful, but generally aren’t. Another disorder that Golden Retrievers can suffer from is Horner’s syndrome, wherein the cranial nerves that supply the eye (which connect directly to the brain) are damaged. Depending on the severity, epilepsy and Horner’s syndrome may need to be controlled with medication for the dog’s entire life to ensure a happy, normal existence.
Fact
In our experience, epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in Golden Retrievers
Otitis
Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers are susceptible to various forms of skin problems, often involving the skin within the ear. The ear canal can become irritated by objects such as grass seeds, or by parasites, allergies or infections. This can lead to a condition called otitis, which simply means ‘inflammation of the ear canal’. It causes an intense itch, leading the dog to shake its head, flap its ears and scratch them using its back paws. If the otitis is due to an allergy, treatment is required for the lifetime of the dog.
Fact
In our experience, otitis is the most common ear problem in Golden Retrievers
Thyroid disease
The thyroid glands, which secrete thyroid hormone, are located in a dog’s neck. Hypothyroidism is the name of the condition that occurs when the thyroid glands fail to secrete enough thyroid hormone. This leads to a slow metabolic rate resulting in weight gain, a slow heart rate and an intolerance of the cold. It can be managed effectively with thyroid hormone replacement tablets, which are required for the rest of the dog’s life.
Fact
We paid £2,468 to treat Bess the crossbreed for hormone disorders in 2016
Joint conditions
Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever can be prone to hip or elbow dysplasia. This develops when the bones that form the hip or elbow joint develop abnormalities in the cartilage which lines the surface of the joint or structures around it. Golden Retreivers can also suffer from cruciate disease, wherein the cruciate ligament, which crosses inside the knee joint, slowly frays and gets weaker. Like all dogs, they can develop arthritis from these conditions, and long-term treatment or surgery is required to keep them active.
Fact
In our experience, Golden Retrievers are most likely to need treatment for a joint problem
