How to Identify a Golden Retriever

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One of the most popular dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are known for their positive temperament and athleticism. They are devoted members of the sporting group [1] and are commonly used for jobs such as guide dogs. This wikiHow will help you recognize key traits to determine whether or not a dog is a Golden Retriever.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Checking the Body Structure

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    Golden Retrievers are medium-sized dogs. Males are 23–24 inches (58–61 cm) tall, weighing 65–75 pounds (29–34 kg), while females are 21.5–22.5 inches (55–57 cm) tall and weigh 55–65 pounds (25–29 kg). [2]
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    Golden Retrievers have rather short ears. The front edges are attached behind and just above the eyes. [3] The tips fall close to the dog's cheeks and, if pulled over, should cover the eyes. [4]
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    A Golden Retriever's eyes are medium-large, and they can be either medium or dark brown with dark eye rims. [5] They give the dog an intelligent, friendly expression.
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    The tail of a Golden Retriever is thick and muscular at the base. It is carried level or moderately curved upward, though never curled or between the legs. [6]
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    Golden Retrievers have a muscular build with a strong back and straight legs. [7] Their bodies are described as being symmetrical and well balanced, and they have a smooth, free gait. [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Examining the Coat

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    Golden Retrievers have firm and resilient outer coats and good undercoats. [9] Their glossy coats can be either straight or wavy. [10]
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    Golden Retrievers are named for their golden coats. Their coats are a "rich, lustrous golden of various shades", [11] which can range from a light cream color to a deep reddish gold.
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    Like some other breeds, Golden Retrievers are seen with feathering. Feathering is defined as a "longer fringe of hair on ears, legs, tail, or body". [12] This feathering, which appears on a Golden Retriever's legs, tail, neck, and underbody, may be lighter than the rest of the coat. [13]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Recognizing Temperament

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    Golden Retrievers have high energy levels and are active and athletic. These retrievers need regular exercise to stay satisfied. [14]
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    Golden Retrievers can develop deep bonds with their owners. [15] They demonstrate loyalty to those they spend the most time with and may feel anxious when they're alone.

    Did you know? Golden Retrievers are a common breed employed to be therapy dogs. Their kind-hearted, loving, empathetic personalities are known for being able to calm people of all ages. [16]

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    If they're not occupied, Golden Retrievers can easily become bored. It is important that they have things to do to prevent this. [17]
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    Golden Retrievers are reliable dogs. With proper socialization, this trait allows them to make great family pets, and they can be trusted around children with supervision. [18]
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    Some breeds don't do well with other pets, but Golden Retrievers are typically adaptable. Many Golden Retrievers can live peacefully with other animals, such as cats. [19]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Distinguishing Between Retrievers

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Golden Retrievers are just one of six retrieving breeds. [20] It can be difficult to tell Goldens apart from these other retrievers, but if you familiarize yourself with the differences between them, it can be easier to tell whether or not a dog is a Golden Retriever.

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    The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, also referred to as a Chessie, is a retrieving breed from the Mid-Atlantic. [21] One noticeable difference between the breeds is that Chessies have wavy fur that is dense, thick, and short. [22] A Chessie's coat is brown, resembling nature to blend in, though one may have minimal white markings on the feet or stomach. [23] They are brave, love water, and are willing to work.
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    The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, also called a Toller, is a retriever of unknown breeding origin, but it was bred to hunt ducks. [24] Tollers are smaller than Goldens, being the smallest of the retriever breeds. [25] They have mostly straight, red coats that range from golden red to a deep coppery red, with white markings on the tail tip, feet, chest, or blaze. [26] Tollers are quick, alert, and determined, and they may even have a slightly worried or sad expression when they aren't working. [27]
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    Flat-Coated Retrievers are also called Flat-Coats and were bred in the mid-1800s. [28] They are fairly similar in size to Goldens but have long, flat muzzles. [29] Flat-Coats have straight, flat-lying coats that can be either solid black or solid liver. [30] They are sensible, alert, and cheerful.

    Did you know? When Golden Retrievers were first shown at England's Crystal Palace show in 1908, they were listed as "Flat-Coats (Golden)". [31]

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    Curly-Coated Retrievers, or Curlies, are among the oldest of the retrievers. [32] Curlies are larger than Goldens, weighing as much as 60–95 pounds (27–43 kg). [33] They have unique wedge-shaped heads, and, as their name suggests, coats consisting of short, tight curls, which come in solid black and solid liver. [34] Curlies are gentle, affectionate, and more independent than Goldens.
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    Spot differences between Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers . The Labrador Retriever, or Lab, is another popular retrieving breed. Labs are roughly the same size as Goldens, though they have a larger scale height- and weight-wise. [35] Labs can be seen in colors other than gold - their coats can be solid yellow, brown, or black. [36] Golden Retrievers are typically calmer than Labs.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why is my Golden Retriever brown?
    Linnie
    Top Answerer
    What you consider brown is likely a deep golden brown color. Golden Retrievers may be any shade of gold, including darker gold that resembles brown and even reddish brown gold. If you believe your dog is a non-golden shade of brown, however, such as chocolate, it may not be a purebred Golden Retriever.
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  • Question
    Do some Golden Retrievers have feathering on their feet?
    Linnie
    Top Answerer
    Yes, it is possible for the feathering on a Golden Retriever's legs to reach the feet.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I got my golden retriever online with no paperwork. She is smaller than my other goldens, but I am unable to afford a DNA test to confirm her breed. Is she just a small golden retriever, or is she a mixed breed?
    Linnie
    Top Answerer
    Most golden retrievers are roughly medium in size, being between 20-25 inches or so in height. If your golden retriever is somewhere within this range and resembles a golden retriever otherwise, she is probably a purebred. However, if she's smaller than this but still resembles a golden retriever, it's possible that she may be a "mini golden retriever", which is a newer mixed breed comprised of golden retriever and another breed, typically cocker spaniel or poodle, if not both, to be a smaller version of a golden retriever.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/
      3. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      4. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      5. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      6. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      7. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      8. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      9. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      1. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      2. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/about/glossary/
      4. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/GoldenRetriever.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/golden-retriever-temperament/
      6. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/golden-retriever-temperament/
      7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/10-facts-about-golden-retrievers/
      8. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/golden-retriever-temperament/
      9. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/golden-retriever-temperament/
      10. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/golden-retriever-temperament/
      11. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/the-retrievers-ever-talented-and-willing-to-please/
      12. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever/
      13. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ChesapeakeBayRetriever.pdf
      14. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ChesapeakeBayRetriever.pdf
      15. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever/
      16. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever/
      17. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/NovaScotiaDuckTollingRetriever.pdf
      18. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/NovaScotiaDuckTollingRetriever.pdf
      19. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/flat-coated-retriever/
      20. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      21. ↑ http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      22. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/
      23. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/curly-coated-retriever/
      24. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/curly-coated-retriever/
      25. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/curly-coated-retriever/
      26. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/
      27. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/LabradorRetriever.pdf

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