Typically outgoing with people, children and other dogs.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever puppies for sale: what to know before you buy
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular family dogs in the United States: friendly, trainable and eager to please. It is also a breed with real health risks, including cancer and joint disease, which makes the choice of breeder important. K9PN does not sell dogs. Tell us about your home and we will refer you to a professional who places Golden Retrievers.
- Free to request, takes about two minutes
- Health-tested Golden Retrievers
- K9PN refers you and does not sell dogs
Find a Golden RetrieverTell us about your household and the kind of dog you want. Include your ZIP code so we can match you with a professional who serves your area.K9PN is a referral service and does not train dogs. By submitting a request you agree that K9PN and a participating trainer may contact you about it by phone, text or email. Message and data rates may apply. See our Privacy Policy.
Key takeaways
- A friendly, trainable family dog that needs exercise, company and grooming.
- Cancer and joint disease are real risks, so health-tested parents matter.
- Not a guard dog: most goldens greet strangers happily.
Golden Retriever at a glance
Golden Retriever: what to know
Why families love the breed, and what to plan for.
Eager to please and quick to learn, which suits first-time owners.
Needs daily exercise and play, and loves water and fetching.
The double coat sheds year-round and heavily in season.
Not a dog to leave alone for long hours.
Cancer, hip and elbow dysplasia, heart and eye conditions are all reported.
How K9PN works
A referral service, not a seller
What you can expect when you send a request.
K9PN does not breed, sell or train dogs. We pass your request to an experienced professional who serves your area.
Our guides list what to ask any seller or trainer: health tests, contracts, training and aftercare.
It costs nothing to send a request, and you decide whether to work with whoever contacts you.
By K9PN · Founded by Mike Leal, Army Ranger veteran and dog trainer · Reviewed October 2026
Golden Retriever key facts
HeightAbout 21.5-24 in
WeightAbout 55-75 lb
LifespanOften 10-12 years
EnergyModerate to high
Best forActive families
Watch forCancer, joints, shedding
Golden Retriever origin
The breed was developed in Scotland in the mid-1800s by Lord Tweedmouth, who crossed a yellow retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel and later other retrievers and setters, to create a gundog for retrieving game from land and water. It became a family favourite worldwide.
Temperament and family life
A well-bred, well-socialised Golden Retriever is friendly, patient and eager to please, and typically good with children. It is not a guard dog: most greet strangers happily. Poorly bred or under-exercised dogs can become hyperactive or anxious.
Exercise, grooming and living
- Exercise. Daily walks, play and mental work.
- Grooming. Brush several times a week; expect hair everywhere.
- Home. A fenced yard helps; it does best with people around.
- Children. Often great, but bouncy puppies can knock small children over, so supervise.
Health: what to screen for
The breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, several cancers (including hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma), heart conditions such as subvalvular aortic stenosis, eye disease and allergies. Ask for hip, elbow, heart and eye clearances for both parents, check them in the OFA database, and ask about cancer and lifespan in the family line.
Is a Golden Retriever right for you?
It may suit you if
- You want a friendly, trainable family dog
- You can provide daily exercise and company
- You can handle heavy shedding and grooming
- You will buy from a health-tested line
- You can budget for vet care
Think twice if
- You want a guard dog
- You are away for long hours
- You dislike dog hair
- You cannot afford potential cancer or joint care
- You are buying from an untested source
What to ask a breeder or seller
- Can I meet both parents?
- Hip, elbow, heart and eye results for both parents, and can I check them with OFA?
- What is the cancer and lifespan history in the line?
- What does the contract and health guarantee say?
- What support do you offer after I take the puppy home?
See the puppy buying guide and how to avoid puppy scams.
How K9PN matches you with a dog professional
K9PN is not a marketplace where anyone can pay to be listed, and we do not sell dogs. We refer people to experienced, independent breeders, rescues and dog professionals, and look at the things that decide whether a dog turns out healthy and right for your home:
- Health testing you can verify. Results for both parents that are relevant to the breed, with paperwork you can check yourself.
- Meet the puppy and its mother. You can see where the puppies live, how they are raised and how the adults behave.
- A fair written contract. Price, health guarantee, return terms and what happens if things do not work out.
- Honest advice on fit. A good professional asks about your home, time and experience, and will tell you if a different dog or a rescue would suit you better.
- Aftercare. Support after the dog comes home, including training and vet guidance.
Read our puppy buying guide for the questions to ask any seller.
Please note
This page is general information, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Prices, laws and availability change and differ by state, so check current details with the seller and your vet.
Common questions
Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs?
Yes, they are among the most popular family dogs because they are friendly and tolerant. Supervision around small children is still needed.
How much do Golden Retriever puppies cost?
Prices vary widely with the breeder and whether parents are health-tested. See the cost guide, and be wary of unusually low prices.
Do Golden Retrievers shed a lot?
Yes. They shed year-round and heavily in spring and autumn.
Are Golden Retrievers good guard dogs?
Not usually. They are friendly with strangers. If you want protection, see protection dogs.
How long do Golden Retrievers live?
Often 10 to 12 years, though cancer is a leading cause of early death in the breed.
Does K9PN sell or train protection dogs?
No. K9PN is a referral service and does not breed, sell or train dogs. We pass your request to a professional trainer or working-dog program that matches what you asked for and serves your area. It costs nothing to send a request, and you decide whether to work with whoever contacts you.
Related
Sources and further reading
For dog trainers
Do you train or place protection, sport or police K9 dogs?
K9PN refers people who are looking for a protection dog, protection training, sport dog training or K9 programs to professional trainers. We also build the website, CRM and follow-up that turn those enquiries into clients. Book a call to ask about availability in your area.
Types of dog training
Compare the types of dog training
Each format has its own page explaining how it works, who it suits and what to ask a trainer.
Board and train dog training
Your dog stays with a trainer for an intensive program, then you learn to keep the results going at home.
Private (1-on-1) dog trainingOne-to-one sessions built around your dog and your goals, at home or at the trainer.
Virtual dog trainingLive video coaching with a trainer, from wherever you are. Currently available in Florida.
Types of dog training comparedBoard and train, 1-on-1, virtual, group and day training side by side, and how to choose a trainer.
Want a Golden Retriever from a professional you can trust?
Fill out the request form and a professional will contact you.
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