France's most popular breed

Golden Retrieverthe four-legged sunshine

« A ball, a cuddle, your company: that's all I need to be the happiest dog on the block. And believe me, it shows on my face. »

Origin: Scotland
Size: Large · 25-34 kg
Energy: Moderate to high
Lifespan: 10-12 years

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Golden Retriever — ToutouStory breed guide

ToutouStory inside 🐾

Joon, Golden

Hello, it's me

Joon, Golden Retriever and official distributor of good moods. Since I'm a little too greedy, my humans keep a close eye on my meals and walks. My ToutouStory looks after my waistline and my happiness.

My character in a few words

Gentle

Patient and tender, I'm the dream companion for children and grandparents alike.

Sociable

Humans, dogs, cats, the postie… to me, everyone is a potential friend.

Sporty

I love to swim, retrieve and run. Water and I are a great love story.

Food-loving

I'd do anything for a treat. Handy for training, risky for my waistline.

The Golden at a glance

The key facts to know before you fall in love.

Origin: Scotland (United Kingdom)
Size: 51–61 cm at the shoulder
Weight: 25–34 kg (55–75 lb)
Lifespan: 10–12 years
Energy: Moderate to high
Grooming: Regular (double coat, heavy shedding)
Children: Excellent
Apartment: Possible with plenty of activity
Barking: Low to moderate

Living well with a Golden

Golden Retriever temperament and personality

The Golden Retriever is famous for its gentleness. Patient, sociable and rarely aggressive, it gets along beautifully with children and other animals alike. This is a dog that wants to please: it learns fast and loves working alongside its humans, which makes it an outstanding first dog. Don't be fooled by the calm-dog stereotype, though — as a youngster the Golden is playful, exuberant and needs to burn energy. With the right guidance it grows into the settled companion everyone pictures.

Daily life with a Golden

Plan for at least one to two hours of activity a day: walks, fetch, and swimming whenever you can. The Golden thrives on a shared family routine. Meals, outings, playtime — keeping track of who did what avoids slip-ups (and the double dinners this food-loving breed is so good at scoring). This is a dog that wants to be with its people, not left alone in the garden.

Training and socialisation

It all starts with kindness. The Golden responds wonderfully to positive reinforcement and dislikes harshness. Invest early in socialisation, recall and loose-lead walking, because a 30 kg adult that pulls is a workout. Its appetite is your best training ally. Keep sessions varied — Goldens bore quickly and love a little challenge.

Health and well-being

The Golden is generally robust, but the breed is predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia, certain cancers and some eye conditions. Choosing a breeder who health-tests their dogs markedly lowers the risk. Watch its weight (it gains easily), brush several times a week and clean those drop ears regularly. For any health concern, talk to your vet.

Is this the right breed for you?

The Golden suits an active family, a home with outdoor access, and people who are around and ready to keep it moving. It's also a great fit for first-time owners. On the other hand, if you're often away, can't live with hair on the sofa, or dread a big seasonal moult, think twice. This isn't a decorative dog — it's a full member of the family.

A day in my life

Follow me from wake-up to bedtime — every Golden has its own rhythm.

7:30
Good morning, world
« A gentle wake-up, wagging tail, ready to hand out love all day long. »
9:30
Happy walk
« We stroll, we sniff, and if I spot some water… I dive in without a second thought. »
1:00
Nap in the sun
« A good meal, a patch of light, and I recharge for the afternoon. »
5:30
Fetch session
« Throw the ball! I can bring it back a thousand times and never tire of it. »
9:00
Family cuddles
« Tucked against you in front of the TV — that's where I truly belong. »

« I don't need much to be happy: just to be part of your life, every day, in every little moment. »

— Joon, Golden Retriever

What I need to be happy

My everyday essentials, to stay in great shape with a light heart.

Company

I hate being alone. Deeply attached to my family, I can struggle with long absences.

Regular exercise

A good hour of activity a day, with a swim whenever possible: that's my happy place.

Measured meals

Greedy as I am, I gain weight fast. Keep an eye on my portions.

Dry ears

My drop ears love water but catch infections easily. A regular check saves me a lot of trouble.

Did you know

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds for guide and assistance work, thanks to its gentleness, patience and eagerness to please.

A word from my humans

Don't leave him alone too long — he's prone to separation anxiety.
Watch his weight and limit treats; he's a born glutton.
Clean his ears regularly, especially after a swim.
Use his food motivation for gentle, reward-based training.

ToutouStory tip

With a dog this food-motivated, double meals are the classic mistake when several people share the care. On ToutouStory, everyone can see at a glance whether the bowl has already been filled, and the day's walk is logged for the whole household. Fewer mix-ups, more peace of mind. 🐾

My very own journal

My humans created a ToutouStory for me

Walks, meals, hydration, vaccines, weight… my whole little Golden life is tracked in a free app, built for the whole family. And I'm the one telling the story.

My GPS walks and my activity time
My meals and hydration, with zero doubt
My health record: vaccines, weight, reminders
All shared with the family, in real time

ToutouStory app for the Golden Retriever

Your questions about the Golden

No, they're a fairly quiet breed. Goldens mainly bark to announce a visitor or out of excitement, rarely excessively. A well-exercised, mentally stimulated Golden barks even less.

Yes, as long as you provide plenty of daily activity. It isn't the ideal setup, but a well-walked, well-stimulated Golden adapts very comfortably to apartment living.

Excellent. Patient, gentle and tolerant, it's one of the most recommended breeds for families. As with any dog, supervise interactions with young children.

A puppy from a responsible breeder typically costs between £1,000 and £2,500 depending on lineage. Budget around £100–150 a month afterwards for food, care and insurance.

Yes. Their double coat means heavy shedding twice a year and steady shedding the rest of the time. Brushing several times a week keeps loose hair under control.

Very. Intelligent and eager to please, it learns quickly with gentle, reward-based methods. It's one of the best breeds for a first-time owner.

On average 10 to 12 years. A healthy lifestyle, controlled weight and regular vet check-ups help you make the most of those years.

Other much-loved breeds

Labrador Retriever

Australian Shepherd

French Bulldog

Your Golden deserves its own story

Join the families who follow their dog's everyday life with ToutouStory. Free on iOS and Android.