The Golden Retriever's health

The Golden Retriever most often lives between 12 and 14 years. This longevity depends a lot on the quality of the breeding, maintaining a proper weight, regular physical activity and early screening for the main orthopedic, ocular and cardiac problems.

It is an enduring and generally sturdy dog, capable of accompanying an active family life and providing real work. Its robustness must however be tempered by its known predispositions to dysplasia, to certain eye conditions, to skin diseases and to several cancers, hence the importance of consistent prevention.

Vigilance mainly concerns the joints, eyes, heart, skin and ears. After swimming, the coat and the base of the tail must be dried well, and regular ear checks help to limit infections. Monitoring locomotion, skin condition and general condition remains important throughout life.

• Cancer: The breed has a recognized predisposition to several tumors, which justifies long-term vigilance regarding any mass or change in general condition.

• Cataract: It can appear with age and gradually impair vision, hence the value of ophthalmologic follow-up.

• Hip dysplasia: This joint abnormality can cause pain, lameness and osteoarthritis, especially in heavy or overweight dogs.

• Elbow dysplasia: It compromises locomotor comfort and can develop from a young age with more or less marked lameness.

• Epilepsy: Seizures may occur in some individuals and then require a veterinary workup followed by appropriate follow-up.

• Progressive retinal atrophy: This degenerative retinal condition leads to a progressive decline in vision that can go as far as blindness.

• Hypothyroidism: It can promote weight gain, reduced energy and skin disorders, with a diagnosis confirmed by blood tests.

• von Willebrand disease: This clotting disorder exposes to abnormal bleeding and requires precautions in case of a procedure.

• Osteochondritis dissecans: This cartilage condition mainly affects young growing dogs and can cause pain or lameness.

• Subaortic stenosis: This congenital heart malformation can strain the heart and requires a cardiology evaluation.

• Allergies and dermatitis: Golden Retriever skin can be sensitive, with itching, redness or secondary infections requiring management.

• Otitis: Drooping ears and moisture promote inflammation, especially after swimming or in case of insufficient maintenance.

• Gastric torsion: As in other large dogs, this rare but serious digestive emergency requires immediate consultation in case of a swollen belly or unproductive retching.

The Golden Retriever tolerates cold and heat moderately. Its dense undercoat helps it cope with humidity and cool temperatures, but high heat requires outings during quiet hours, water available at all times, and a reduction in intense exertion. After rain or swimming, careful drying of the coat and ears is recommended.

The Golden Retriever shows a real tendency to gain weight if its diet is not precisely adjusted to its activity. A balanced ration, split into two meals and adapted to the quality of the food helps to limit overweight, which quickly weighs on the joints. Regular monitoring of body shape and weight is therefore particularly useful.

The most relevant screenings concern the hips, elbows, eyes and heart. They are useful before breeding and remain valuable throughout life, especially if a decline in fitness, a locomotor abnormality or a visual disorder is observed. Choosing a breeder who tests their breeding dogs is a major point.