The 'Golden' Lie: 5 Things Nobody Tells You About Owning a Retriever, According to an Expert
Oh, the golden retriever. Known for their friendly, loyal and gentle nature, golden retrievers are a popular dog breed. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club, golden retrievers were the third most popular dog breed in the United States in 2025.
As someone who grew up with golden retrievers, I can confirm that these pups are so easy to love. Sure, you will never be able to wear black pants without needing a lint roller every five seconds, nor will you be able to leave any food on the counter without a certain someone stealing a bite (or, more likely, the entire plate), but these dogs earned their positive reputation for a reason. Their sweetness, their loyalty and their funny personalities make them one of the best dog breeds around.
Of course, while there are endless good things about golden retrievers, there are also some things potential golden retriever parents should be aware of prior to getting one. For example, golden retrievers are prone to certain health issues and basically have a puppy level of exuberance well into their adulthood. To care properly for a golden retriever means being aware of these things and adjusting accordingly.
To get more intel on what it really means to own a golden retriever, we spoke with Dr. Stephanie Liff about all things golden retriever. See what she had to say about this lovable breed.
Our Expert
- We spoke with Dr. Stephanie Liff, a New York City-based veterinarian and practice owner who manages eight DVMs across three locations of Pure Paws Veterinary Care throughout the city. She also serves as a vet advisor for the dog nutrition and wellness company Spot & Tango.
Things to Know Before Owning a Retriever
These are the five things to know before you get a golden retriever, according to a veterinarian.
1. They Are Great Family Pets
Golden retrievers are amazing dogs for families, especially families with kids. "Retrievers, specifically goldens and labs, are incredible family pets," says Dr. Stephanie Liff, a New York City-based veterinarian and practice owner of Pure Paws Veterinary Care. "They love kids, they love people and they genuinely want to be part of everything you do."
2. They Love Food (Including Yours)
As someone who grew up with golden retrievers, I can 100 percent confirm this, and Dr. Liff agrees. "They will eat anything and everything," she says. "They haven't met a snack they don't love. They'll steal food off your plate, swallow a tennis ball just to chase another one and help themselves to your steak (bone included) at the family BBQ."
Dr. Liff describes them as "true Hoovers" and says that part of being a parent to a golden retriever means that "preventing foreign body ingestion becomes a major part of your job as their human."
3. They Adore the Water
Pool, lake, ocean or muddy puddle, it doesn't matter to them. Water is water, and they love it.
"If there's water, they're getting in it. These are water dogs through and through," Dr. Liff says. "Your pool filter may not love them as much as they love your pool. Our golden has ruined more than one filtration system over the years."
4. Frequent Ear Infections and Other Health Issues May Occur Due to Their Love of Water
If your golden does take to water the way they often do, ear infections may be a common occurrence to keep an eye out for.
"While swimming is great exercise, it does come with some health considerations," Dr. Liff says. "Recurrent ear infections are common, and there's a condition called swimmer's tail, a sprain caused by repeatedly jumping into water."
5. They Have a Predisposition to Certain Types of Cancers
Finally, golden retrievers do have a predisposition to developing certain types of cancers.
"They have a predisposition to certain cancers. Goldens in particular are at elevated risk for hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma," Dr. Liff says. "I've had four golden retrievers in my life, and two were lost to these cancers. It's something every retriever owner should be aware of and discuss with their vet."
Related: Golden Retriever's Gentle Concern for Pregnant Mom Has Everyone Tearing Up
How to Find an Ethical Breeder Who Prioritizes Health Over "the Golden Look"
Choosing an ethical breeder that prioritizes health is critical for having a happy, healthy golden retriever.
"I think it is good to see that the OFA testing and other genetic testing has been done, and if they have a long history of older progeny that are healthy that is a helpful indicator, but there is no perfect formula to confirm health," Dr. Liff says.
The number of litters the breeders has each year is also an important consideration.
"Ideally the operation is doing one [to] two litters a year, max," Dr. Liff says. "The more litters, the less likely they are to be focusing on health standards each time."
Golden retrievers are such wonderful pets, it's no surprise they're one of the most popular breeds. Armed with these facts and tips, you can better understand your own golden and support them through every stage of life, from fluffy puppy to the senior dog years. They may get older, but their energy (and their love for you and water) never goes away.
Related: Golden Retriever Siblings Show Their Bond in the Sweetest Way-and People Are Emotional
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 8:58 PM.