Golden Retriever
Smart, good-natured, and eager to please, the Golden Retriever excels as a family companion and working dog.
Height: 21.5 to 24 inches at shoulder
Weight: 55 to 75 pounds (males average 70 pounds, females average 60 pounds)
Coat: dense; straight or wavy
Life span: 10 to 12 years
Breed Group: Sporting Dogs
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. The breed's friendly, tolerant attitude makes him a fabulous family pet, and his intelligence makes him a highly capable working dog. Golden Retrievers excel at retrieving game for hunters, tracking, sniffing out drugs, and as therapy and assistance dogs. They're also natural athletes, and do well in dog sports such as agility and competitive obedience.
Golden Retriever profile on DogTime.com
General Characteristics
Amount of shedding
  
  
  
  
  
Ease of training
  
  
  
  
  
Friendly toward strangers
  
  
  
  
  
Heat tolerance
  
  
  
  
  
Need for exercise
  
  
  
  
  
Playfulness
  
  
  
  
  
Tendency to bark or howl
  
  
  
  
  
Mouthiness
  
  
  
  
  
Watchdog ability
  
  
  
  
  
Affectionate with family
  
  
  
  
  
Compatible with kids
  
  
  
  
  
Energy level
  
  
  
  
  
Good for novice owners