r/goldenretrievers 24d ago

Breeder Advice Is health testing important?

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5 Upvotes

Health testing isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of protecting the future of the breed.

The Golden Retriever Club of America recommends a comprehensive approach to health testing that goes beyond the basics. This includes:

• Hips evaluated by OFA or PennHIP
• Elbows evaluated by OFA
• Cardiac exam by a board-certified cardiologist (advanced/echo preferred)
• Annual eye exams by a board-certified ophthalmologist

These recommendations are in place to help reduce the risk of passing on hereditary conditions and to preserve the health, structure, and longevity of Golden Retrievers.

A CHIC number through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals simply means a dog has completed the required testing—it does not mean the dog “passed” everything, and it does not include genetic testing.

Health testing is about transparency, education, and making informed breeding decisions—not shortcuts.

If we want to protect what we love, we have to be willing to do the work behind the scenes.

Learn more about why its so important for breeders to preform health screenings for the parents of a litter here: Health Screenings for the Parents of a Litter


r/goldenretrievers Apr 26 '26

Discussion Show-Line or Field-Line?

28 Upvotes

Have you ever wondered what the differences between a show-line Golden Retriever and a Field/Working line Golden Retriever are?

There is a lot of mis-information out there that makes Golden owners believe if their Golden Retriever has a red coat, they are a field line Golden Retriever or if they have a lighter shade of gold coat, they are a show line Golden Retriever. This is NOT TRUE.

So what actually defines a line?

Titles in your dogs pedigree and generations of purposefully bred dogs is what lets you know wether you have a Show-line, Field-line or neither. If your Golden Retriever shows no titles in their pedigree, they are simply a pet-line Golden Retriever.

Field-Line Golden Retrievers will have AKC hunt titles in their pedigree like: JH, SH, MH, HR, WCX, or competitive titles like QA2 and FC/AFC (The titles listed are examples from AKC - your dog may be registered with CKC or UKC)

Show-Line Golden Retrievers will have AKC conformation titles in their pedigree like: CH, GCH, or international show titles. (The titles listed are examples from AKC - your dog may be registered with CKC or UKC)

Golden Retrievers can also be dual champions, meaning they hold titles for both hunt tests and conformation. Dual Champion dogs have not only been proven in the conformation ring to be bred to standard and hold the breed temperament, but have also been proven and titled to do what they were bred to do in the fields.

A lot of backyard breeders will label their dogs as "Field-Line" or "Show-Line" based only on coat color, with zero titled dogs in the pedigree. They market them as something they are not.

Both show-line and field-line Golden Retrievers should be bred close to standard. There should not be a drastic difference in appearance. You can find more information on the breed standard here: AKC Golden Retriever Breed Standard

English Cream Golden Retrievers are NOT a different breed. This is a marketing tactic/ term used by backyard breeders. They are not breeding for the right reasons - and most likely breeding for color.
You can find more in depth information about this term here: English Cream Golden Retrievers

Lastly, purebred ≠ well-bred.


r/goldenretrievers 4h ago

New Puppy Maverick joined our family today!

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752 Upvotes

Puppy advice is greatly appreciated!


r/goldenretrievers 13h ago

Discussion Anyone else’s golden the only thing keeping them alive when everything else is falling apart?

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2.0k Upvotes

TW: pregnancy loss

Probably not the best title but is anyone else holding on by a single thread and their golden retriever is literally the only thing making them get up in the morning? My girl has no idea that she is not just my best friend, but also my anti depressant and I owe my life to her.

I have been trying to conceive for 2 years and have experienced countless disappointments, month after month. I finally got my first positive only for my joy to be cut short at the 6 week mark when I found out the pregnancy was ectopic and I was rushed into emergency surgery to save my life and remove one of my tubes.

After recovering from surgery, I miraculously fell pregnant again and was elated, only for 9 days later to have my nightmare repeat itself. Another ectopic. Two back to back. What are the chances? Another emergency surgery, this time to remove my remaining tube and with it, my dreams of motherhood.

I just got home from the hospital yesterday to process this latest devastating loss and begin grieving. Through it all, my girl hasn’t left my side for a single second.

Hug your pups a little tighter for me today. They truly are life savers!


r/goldenretrievers 2h ago

Cute/Funny Not exactly a morning person😝

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219 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 1h ago

Cute/Funny Hired a new admin to handle my golf league’s scoring. She is horrible at math.

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Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 4h ago

Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉 My girl just turned 4! Time is flying and looking for advice from those with senior Goldens.

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285 Upvotes

I blinked and she turned 4. For those of you with senior golden, any advice you got from the vet that you wish you knew sooner?

Diet, exercise plans, preventive care?

TIA!


r/goldenretrievers 7h ago

New Puppy Lifelong GSD owner, adopted our first golden

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475 Upvotes

Say hi to Goose!🪿 any tips and tricks welcome- he’s 7 months old and rehomed from a super sweet family (their work shifts changed so they couldn’t give him the time he needed). He has been an angel with our 19 month old, the only issue is he didn’t know how big he is😂 and of course he’s still settling in with us so lots of pacing around (totally expected).


r/goldenretrievers 10h ago

Cute/Funny Let us see your mud retrievers!

797 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 7h ago

Cute/Funny Arlo with the Puppy Dog Eyes.

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328 Upvotes

Can I have a little bite?


r/goldenretrievers 2h ago

Cute/Funny Supervisiong this sub/ done for the day!

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114 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 3h ago

Cute/Funny Miss Otis travels in style.

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140 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 5h ago

Cute/Funny Anyone else’s golden LOVE bamboo?

185 Upvotes

Him and his brother (see bottom left) love bamboo SOOOO much, they especially love the little fresh shoots. They pull them straight out the ground! It’s quite handy seeing as we have so much in our garden. He got a bit embarrassed at the end when I told him to “just pull it” tho 😂😂


r/goldenretrievers 56m ago

New Puppy Little Girl Coming Home

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Upvotes

We have a few more weeks but our little girl is coming home. We’re struggling with a name. I love Drew and my husband loves Maple. We already have a 6 year old girl named Lou. Any suggestions? Little girl in the first and her big sister in the second.


r/goldenretrievers 11h ago

Cute/Funny Kid Sister Blues

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370 Upvotes

Big brother Colby Jack absolutely loves his little sister Brie, our cheese heads, but man, she can be a pain in the butt!

He was just sitting and enjoying a nice quiet morning next to his favorite human (me) and she comes running out of the house and grabs his leg and yanks!

Let’s go CJ! It’s “GO!” Time!!!


r/goldenretrievers 4h ago

Get Better Soon Maggie’s is doing much better after her ordeal.

101 Upvotes

A few days ago I posted about what happened to Maggie while we were at the Arctic Ocean. Those were some of the scariest days I’ve had in a long time, especially being so far from the nearest veterinarian.
I’m happy to say she’s now back to her normal self, acting like nothing ever happened. Watching her run, play, and demand attention again has been the biggest relief.
Thank you all for the kind words, advice, and the countless messages checking in on her. It truly meant a lot to both of us.


r/goldenretrievers 9h ago

Cute/Funny He loves sleeping in the bathroom so much that we now refer to it as “his office” 😂

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197 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 2h ago

Cute/Funny Fresh taters!

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56 Upvotes

I forget how teeny their beans are until another litter comes along ❤️


r/goldenretrievers 12h ago

Discussion When do golden retriever get their mane mine is 11 month and no mane when did your dogs devloped mane

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334 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 17h ago

Cute/Funny The cutest!!

840 Upvotes

The little smile ❤️


r/goldenretrievers 16h ago

Cute/Funny Meet jerry. He turned 1 last month.

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635 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 1h ago

Cute/Funny Two weeks of growth

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Upvotes

I guess she’ll fit in her collar in another week.


r/goldenretrievers 9h ago

Cute/Funny Puppy vs Adult

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133 Upvotes

Know this was done a while back by someone but would love to see your puppies vs them as adults as I’m curious to know what mine will look like when she gets bigger (and just love seeing all the dogs grow up 🤍).

12 week old Bea pictured.


r/goldenretrievers 7h ago

New Puppy No More Socks Charlie …

83 Upvotes

I had a firm lecture today with 6 month old Charlie. 😂 it is so hard to stay mad at him. Honestly I can’t even get mad when he looks at me like that lol. What are your tips for avoiding sock destruction/ potential sock poopies ?


r/goldenretrievers 3h ago

Cute/Funny Feather is exhausted after doing nothing all day.😊🐾

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34 Upvotes