As one of America’s most popular dog breeds, Golden Retriever’s can light up any home. They’re affectionate, loyal, hard-working, and intelligent. From serving as your personal alarm clock to sniffing out illegal substances and competing in dog sports, this breed can do it all.
If you’re a pet parent or considering adopting, we’ll give you the rundown on Golden Retriever’s to see if they’re the right fit. We’ll cover breed characteristics, personality, cost, common illnesses, and references to pop-culture. Scroll down to find the freshest Golden influencers that’ll brighten up your Insta feed! If you want more than cute dog content, we’ll help you get the best pet health insurance for your Retriever.
But, as we all know, having a dog isn’t always as easy as scrolling through your feed. So before giving the run down on Golden Retrievers, we’re going to tell you how to protect your pooch, and explain how pet insurance for dogs could help take the bite out of vet bills.
Getting pet insurance for your Golden Retriever
Pet insurance helps cover the costs of your vet bills. You pay a monthly premium and in exchange, you can provide care for your canine or feline fur fam without stressing as much about the costs. With Lemonade pet insurance, pet parents can customize their policy to get the coverage their furry friend needs.
For starters, a basic Lemonade pet health insurance policy includes accident and illness coverage. This will help cover the costs of tests, treatments, and medication if your dog or cat has an unexpected accident or illness.
A basic policy is great for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future, but Lemonade also offers affordable preventative care, designed to keep your pet healthy, and helps cover expenses you’re probably already paying for. By adding a preventive care package to a Lemonade policy you’ll also get access to live medical chat and be covered for all types of routine care—like your annual wellness exam, checkups, blood tests, several vaccinations, and other routine health care for your pet.
Wondering if pet insurance is worth it? Check out how much pet parents of dogs and cats, including Golden Retrievers, have saved on vet bills by signing their fur baby up for pet insurance.
We ask a Golden Retriever about a day in their life…
“You won’t regret picking me. I’m the best family dog. If you give me belly rubs, I’ll love you forever. My favorite morning activities are cuddling, eating a yummy breakfast, and playing fetch. Since I love eating, you might need to monitor my intake. My friends who are overweight have unnecessary health problems.
Since you just got me, we should learn some cool tricks. By the end of the month, I could retrieve the paper, help with hunting, or compete in dog sports. Once we’re done with our training, I’d love to jump in a lake or river. Swimming is the best!
I have no problem socializing with other dogs, kids, and strangers. So, if you decide to take me to the dog park, you don’t need to worry. After a long day of exercise, delicious dinner, and bedtime cuddles, I’ll sleep through the night.”
The Golden Retriever’s personality
Obviously every pup is unique, and it’s impossible to predict what kind of Golden you’ll be bringing into your life. But breeds do have certain tendencies and characteristics, so here’s a simple chart that breaks down what you can possibly expect from a Golden Retriever.
How much does a Golden Retriever cost?
Owning a Golden Retriever can be expensive, initially costing between $700-$2000.
When it comes to buying a puppy, be very careful. Only buy from a reputable breeder. Sadly, some breeders take advantage of the Golden Retriever’s popularity while neglecting important health and temperament issues. For similar reasons, it may be hard to find trustworthy adoption options. Rescue Me is a great resource for all potential pet parents.
Be prepared: During the first year, you’ll spend near $3,200 to get your new friend vaccinated, groomed, and covered with a pet insurance plan. This price drops to around $1,900 for each year following to cover check-ups, food, and grooming appointments.
On average, Golden Retrievers cost owners around $23,000 over their lifetime. But if you plan on spaying/neutering your dog, hiring a dog walker, and boarding your pup once a year, expect to pay anywhere from $70,000 to $200,000 over their lifetime.
What are common Golden Retriever health issues?
To you decide if this breed is for you, we wanted to share some health problems you might run into. We hope you never see your dog go through these. But if you do, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and know the signs.
Before we get into some common health problems your pup might encounter, a quick reminder that Lemonade is a stellar pet insurance company that offers reimbursements to keep your Retriever happy and healthy. You can get a quote in just a few minutes—it’s quick, simple, and even a little fun…
Epilepsy is an inherited condition that causes seizures. Golden’s will usually show signs of this disease during their first few years of life. If your dog is seizing, make sure to prevent them from injuring themselves and call the vet immediately.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common in many breeds. If your dog goes untreated, these diseases could cost you $1,500 to $6,000. Since these conditions are inherited, we recommend asking your breeder for certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Goldens are at risk of several heart and lung conditions. Subvalvular aortic stenosis is rare, but one of the most dangerous. This heart problem happens when your dog’s aorta narrows or blockage builds up. If you notice lethargy, fainting, or weakness, check with your vet immediately.
Your Golden Retriever might also be prone to a common condition called Hypothyroidism. It’s a disorder referring to an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones. To check for this one, watch out for signs like weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, and epilepsy.
Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels of blood clotting. If your dog gets injured with this condition, it’ll be difficult to stop the bleeding. Other symptoms are bleeding gums and nose bleeds. While there is no known cure, vets can use medicine to prevent bleeding episodes.
Eye problems are common in a few forms. The three main types are progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a hereditary disease that eventually leads to blindness. We suggest you ask your breeder about the parent’s eye history to avoid this condition. Cataracts are a cloudy film that forms over the eye and causes blurry vision. Cloudy corneas can also be a symptom of glaucoma, a disease that puts pressure on your dogs eye potentially causing loss of vision. Rule of thumb? If you notice your Golden Retriever is itching a lot or has red eyes, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Since Retrievers have long ears that trap moisture in, they can easily get ear infections. This condition is easily treated, but dangerous if left untreated. So, it’s important to know the signs. Watch out for swelling, dark discharge, and a bad odor. We recommend regularly using ear cleaning solution to prevent infections.
Like humans, dogs show symptoms in a variety of ways. So you never overlook something serious, we suggest calling your vet if your dog starts acting differently.
Golden Retriever’s in pop culture
If you’ve ever seen Air Bud, you know how talented Retriever’s can be. This movie follows Buddy, a doggy basketball star who rarely misses a shot. Buddy isn’t the only famous Golden Retriever in Hollywood. Dug, from the Disney classic, Up, shows his fun-loving spirit on his journey to help his human-friend, Carl. Throughout the movie, Dug uses a special collar that turns his barks into english.
Washington D.C. has its fair share of presidential Golden’s. President Ford and Reagan were proud owners of their adorable dogs, Liberty and Victory.
Instagram-famous Golden Retriever’s
Nothing cheers us up like our favorite Instagram Golden Retrievers. Add these photogenic pups to your feed!
Cricket will never miss a #tongueouttuesday. The friendship of Cricket and his pal, Larry the Tortoise, are featured in their very own children’s book. Drop a follow, you won’t regret it.
Chester is way more than a cute Golden Retriever. He’s an iconic LA influencer who’s ready to brighten your feed with the best fur tips.
Watson and Kiko find ways to inspire others and spread joy. While Watson can give a mean hug, Kiko defeated cancer. The invincible brothers share their world travels on Instagram and Tik Tok.
Public figure, Tucker, is constantly learning cool new tricks. He’ll do anything for some yummy treats! Drop a follow to bring his sweet face to your feed.
And don’t forget: Golden Retriever pet insurance!
Your Retriever dog is a bundle of cuteness, and you want to keep that pup happy and healthy—without going bankrupt with vet bills in the process. Enter Lemonade’s Pet Health insurance, which offers an affordable way to make sure your furry friend can live their fullest life. Get your free pet insurance policy quote in just a few minutes, with a dog insurance policy that Golden Retrievers and their pet owners both love!
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
