The Golden Retriever has long held its place as one of the most beloved dog breeds in the world — and it’s not just their flowing coats and heart-melting smiles that earn them that reputation. They’re affectionate, intelligent, endlessly enthusiastic, and truly built to be companions in every sense of the word.
This is the first of a three-part guide dedicated to understanding and living with Golden Retrievers. In this first section, we explore what makes the breed so iconic — covering their origins, their physical traits, and their famously warm and quirky personalities. Whether you’re considering life with a Golden or already share your home with one, this section will help you appreciate the breed’s unique charm and daily demands and answer the question: Is a Golden Retriever right for you?
In this section, we’ll cover:
- A brief history of the Golden Retriever breed
- Appearance, coat, and colour variations
- Typical personality and temperament
- Meet Tucker Budzyn — our profile of one of the internet’s most famous Golden Retrievers
- What to expect when living with a Golden day-to-day
By the end, you’ll understand why Golden Retrievers aren’t just popular — they’re unforgettable.
Gold Standard: A Brief History of the Breed
From Highland Hunts to Family Hearths
The Golden Retriever wasn’t bred for luxury couches or internet fame — though they’ve certainly adapted well to both. Their story begins in the 19th century, in the damp and rugged Highlands of Scotland, where hunting waterfowl was not just a pastime, but a practical necessity.
The Tweedmouth Experiment
In the mid-1800s, a Scottish nobleman named Dudley Marjoribanks, later known as Lord Tweedmouth, set out to create the ideal hunting companion. He wanted a dog with a gentle mouth (to avoid mangling game), a keen nose, stamina, intelligence, and a love for water.
In his breeding notebooks — which still exist — he recorded crossing a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever named Nous with a now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. Over the next several generations, he added Bloodhounds, Irish Setters, and more Wavy-Coated Retrievers into the mix. The result was a dog that could brave brambles, swim through icy water, and politely deliver ducks back to hand.
The Golden Retriever was born of function first — beauty was a bonus.
Recognition and Rise to Fame
The breed was first recognized by The Kennel Club (UK) in 1911 as “Retriever – Yellow or Golden,” and renamed simply Golden Retriever in 1920. They made their way to the United States and Canada in the early 20th century, where they quickly caught on — not just for their field ability but their remarkable temperament.
By the 1970s, Goldens had exploded in popularity thanks to their appearances in film and TV. From family sitcoms to movie stars (Air Bud, anyone?), Goldens became a visual shorthand for loyalty, gentleness, and wholesome charm.
Dual Identity: Field vs Show
Today, there are generally two types of Goldens: the field-bred retrievers, leaner and bred for stamina and sport, and the conformation/show Goldens, bred with fuller coats, broader heads, and more refined movement. Both types share the same sweet nature, but they can vary slightly in energy levels, training needs, and appearance.
So whether you’re looking at a working gun dog or a couch-loving cuddle machine, you're dealing with a legacy carefully crafted over more than 150 years.
Golden Stats: Appearance, Coat, Colours
What Does a Golden Retriever Actually Look Like?
Golden Retrievers are built for athleticism and affection. With their kind, almond-shaped eyes, feathered tails, and permanently friendly faces, they give off the unmistakable vibe of “I love you and I just met you.”
They’re large but not lumbering — solidly built, gracefully proportioned, and designed for outside work and indoor cuddles.
Size and Build
Male Golden Retrievers typically stand 58 to 61 cm tall at the shoulder and weigh between 30 to 34 kg. Females are slightly smaller, standing 53 to 56 cm and weighing around 25 to 29 kg.
They’re broad-headed, strong-jawed, and muscular through the shoulders and thighs. But don’t let the strength fool you — these dogs are just as happy rolling in a puddle as they are chasing ducks or winning medals in obedience trials.
That Glorious Golden Coat
The Golden Retriever is blessed (and cursed, depending on your tolerance for dog hair) with a double coat — a clever evolutionary adaptation that protects them in both warm and cold conditions.
- The outer coat is medium to long in length, lies flat or wavy, and is water-resistant.
- The undercoat is dense and soft, helping regulate body temperature all year round.
Shedding: A Lifestyle, Not a Season
Goldens shed year-round, but particularly heavily during autumn and spring when they shed their undercoat. This period is affectionately known by owners as “furmageddon.”
To stay ahead of it, you’ll want to brush your Golden at least three times a week, or daily during the heavy-shed seasons. A slicker brush, undercoat rake, and a decent vacuum cleaner are your best allies.
Never, Ever Shave Your Golden
Even in hot climates, do not shave your Golden Retriever . Their coat is not just decorative — it’s functional, insulating them from heat and protecting their skin from UV rays and insects.
Shaving can permanently damage the coat and lead to long-term issues with regrowth and thermoregulation. If your dog is struggling with heat, opt for cool mats, shade, gentle walks, and regular grooming to manage loose fur.
Golden Comes in Many Shades
While the breed is known for its namesake colour, Golden Retrievers actually come in a range of tones:
- Light Cream – Very pale, almost white
- Golden – The mid-range standard
- Dark Golden / Copper – Rich, deeper hues closer to red
What’s Not Allowed?
Official breed standards (like those of the FCI and Kennel Union of Southern Africa) do not recognise white, mahogany, or true red as acceptable colours. That said, non-show dogs with these variations are just as wonderful — and often just as floofy.
Personality: Living with a 35kg Ray of Sunshine
What Makes a Golden… a Golden?
Golden Retrievers are known for their near-irresistible charm, and it’s not just their looks. Their personalities are the real prize.
At their core, Goldens are affectionate, trusting, and eternally optimistic. They greet strangers like old friends, treat children with gentle care, and react to life with a kind of joyful enthusiasm that makes you wonder what they know that we don’t.
Affection Level: Extreme
These dogs are notorious for being “velcro dogs” — they follow you from room to room, rest their head on your lap at every opportunity, and will sit on your feet like it’s their job. They bond deeply and thrive on human company. They don’t just want love — they need it.
Golden = Goofy + Brilliant
Don’t mistake their silliness for a lack of smarts. Golden Retrievers rank 4th in canine intelligence, meaning they learn quickly, solve problems, and have an uncanny knack for picking up on human emotion. They’re especially good at reading tone and body language, which is why they excel in therapy work.
But they also chew your shoes, bring you socks you didn’t ask for, and try to sit in your lap while you’re on the toilet. It’s part of the deal. Read here for more on Golden training and mental stimulation.
Not the Guarding Type
If you want a dog that will scare off intruders, Goldens are… not that dog. They might bark at the doorbell, but they’re far more likely to wag their tail and offer the burglar a tour of the pantry.
Spotlight: Tucker Budzyn — The Golden with Opinions
If Golden Retrievers had a press secretary, it would be Tucker Budzyn.
Tucker isn’t just internet-famous — he’s an entire golden brand. With millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, Tucker has earned his fanbase by reviewing food with dramatic flair, flashing side-eye worthy of a soap opera, and starring in “conversations” with his hooman dad that showcase just how expressive this breed can be.
He’s known for his disdain of cucumbers, love of peanut butter, and frenemy-style banter with his son, Todd (yes, also a dog, yes, also adorable). His iconic catchphrases like “heckin bamboozled” and “dramatic blep” have entered the modern dog-lover’s vocabulary.
Tucker is a living, drooling example of how personality-packed a Golden can be. He’s also proof that even the goofiest Goldens are whip-smart — they just prefer to hide it under a thick layer of fluff and sass.
Golden Life: What You’re Really Signing Up For
Love, Laughter, and Lost Socks
Adopting a Golden Retriever means signing up for a lifestyle. One that includes daily love bombs, nose prints on windows, and an impressive collection of half-chewed tennis balls under the couch.
Goldens are not low-maintenance dogs. They are emotionally sensitive, physically energetic, and deeply invested in everything you do — whether it’s hiking a trail or loading the dishwasher. In return, you get a best friend who loves you with their whole wiggly body, every single day.
They Will Eat Anything (and Everything)
Golden Retrievers are not picky. If it smells remotely edible, they’re interested. This includes food, furniture, socks, crayons, the occasional rock, and that sandwich you left unattended for 0.7 seconds.
Training them to leave things alone (and watching your counters like a hawk) is part of daily life. The flip side? They’re extremely food-motivated, which makes them easier to train.
Mouthy, But in a Sweet Way
Goldens were bred to carry birds in their mouths without damaging them, which means many retain a soft-mouth instinct. They love to carry things — toys, shoes, towels, your hand. It’s not aggression; it’s affection via fangless holding.
Teaching “leave it” and redirecting to toys can help manage this harmless but sometimes inconvenient quirk.
They Need You More Than You Think
Goldens are emotionally attuned and often do poorly when left alone for long periods. They thrive in homes where someone is around most of the time or where they have another dog for company.
If your lifestyle involves long days away, a Golden might not be the best fit — or you’ll need a solid plan for dog walkers, enrichment, or doggy daycare.
Conclusion: Living With Goldens, Loving Every Minute
Golden Retrievers aren’t just dogs you live with — they’re dogs you build a life around. Their combination of gentle spirit, eager energy, and comical quirks means there’s never a dull moment, and always a reason to smile.
Whether you’re just starting your journey with a Golden or deep in the fluff-filled trenches of daily life, understanding their roots, needs, and nature is the key to building a relationship that’s as golden as they are.
From Petworld, With Love
At Petworld, we know what Golden Retrievers need — because we love them just as much as you do. From grooming tools that handle that double coat, to joint support, toys, and training gear, our curated collection is designed with your Golden in mind.
Visit your nearest store or shop online at petworld.co.za — because every Golden deserves the best.
