Golden Retriever
Get a free QuoteGolden Retriever
Get a free QuoteGolden Retriever Dog Insurance
One of the most beloved breeds in all the world, the Golden Retriever is loyal, hard-working and downright friendly. This is an ideal candidate for a family dog, as this gentle breed takes easily to children. It’s also one of the most popular breeds in Australia, and PIA regularly provides Golden Retriever pet insurance for households across the country.
This line of retrievers was originally developed in Scotland in the mid-19th century as a game retriever for wildfowl hunters. In those days, what was needed was something of an amphibious retriever well-suited for water- and land-based activities. To achieve this, existing retrievers were crossed with water spaniels.
The Golden Retriever was bred out of necessity following the dramatic improvement of firearms. Hunters were able to down prey from farther away, and traditional pointer and setter breeds weren’t able to accommodate.
But Golden Retrievers were able to traipse over land and wade into water to fetch their prize.
Also, given its specific breeding, the Golden Retriever has a naturally soft bite. This ensured that the ducks and pheasants carried back to the hunter would be unmarred by bite marks. But it also makes the Golden a lovely playmate, as it’s unlikely to bite too hard out of excitement.
Golden Retriever: Fast Facts
Average Height
Female: 51-56 cm
Male: 56-61 cm
Average Weight
Female: 25-32 kg
Male: 30-34 kg
Temperament
Friendly, kind, confident, trustworthy, reliable, intelligent
Lifespan
10-12 years
Known Genetic Issues
Hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, sub-vascular aortic stenosis
Country of Origin
UK (Scotland)
Exercise Requirements
Given their breeding for an active lifestyle, the Golden Retriever requires a fair amount of exercise, such as a long walk, jog or free time in the garden.
Coat
Water-repellent outer coat with a thick undercoat; some wavy and some straight
Coat Colours
Golden, light golden, dark golden, cream
Specific Care Requirements
Ample grooming is necessary to keep the double coat from matting; not enough exercise may lead to barking and other forms of acting out.
Want to know more?
Golden Retriever Characteristics
Given its broad popularity, it should come as no surprise that so many people are interested in Golden Retriever insurance in Australia. This is one of the loveliest breeds in the world – intelligent, trainable and ever-so-gentle.
It should be noted that there are different variations of the Golden Retriever breed from the UK, the USA and Canada. The British type is most common in Australia, and it features a broader skull, muscular forequarters and a well-chiselled muzzle. Across the world, the breed features a thick double coat with a water-repellent outer layer.
Patience is one of the breed’s strongest virtues, as this was necessary for the sit-and-wait approach to hunting wildfowl in the countryside. These are also excellent candidates for obedience training, and many organisations rank them within the top five most intelligent breeds. But bear in mind: this is also a breed that loves to eat, so some regulation is required to avoid problems with obesity.
Our Pet Insurance Cover Options
Pet Essentials
Includes emergency boarding fees, overseas pet travel insurance & more
Comprehensive Cover
Covers up to 80% of eligible vet bills, offers multi-pet discounts & more
Major Medical Cover
Includes routine care cover, covers up to 80% of eligible vet bills & more