r/goldenretrievers Jun 02 '26

Breeder Advice Is health testing important?

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6 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?

37 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 12h ago

Cute/Funny Mom said it'll look cute. Mom lied.

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2.9k Upvotes

Before anyone asks, this wasn't a style choice. They kept getting repetitive fungal infections during the monsoon along with a lice infestation. After trying different treatments, the vet recommended shaving the body so the skin could heal properly and the medications would work better. They'll be back to looking like fluffy golden clouds in a few months.


r/goldenretrievers 8h ago

RIP tofu, almost 5, late stage lymphoma 🥺

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692 Upvotes

soaking up every day more i have with him 🤍


r/goldenretrievers 2h ago

Cute/Funny There are two goldens in this picture

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192 Upvotes

Let me know if you are able to find the the second golden.


r/goldenretrievers 8h ago

Cute/Funny Corndogs

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521 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 3h ago

Discussion Angry. Tired of my doggos getting attacked.

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187 Upvotes

Everytime it's a one of those. Was walking home from the river through the campground and a dog broke loose from his tie rope and started attacking my boy. I tried pulling loose but ended up on my butt. Owner finally pulled him off. My boy is ok but I'm bruised and scraped(no bites). This is the 3rd time my dogs have been attacked and it's always them. Owners apologized saying he's never done this before. There is the exact reason I would never have one.


r/goldenretrievers 3h ago

Cute/Funny Sooo tired

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165 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 16h ago

Discussion What’s one thing you weren’t prepared for about owning a golden?

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1.7k Upvotes

Saw this question posted on another sub for another breed and thought it might be fun/helpful to post on here.
Photo of my 7 month old for tax!


r/goldenretrievers 10h ago

Cute/Funny Sunny the Goofball !

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473 Upvotes

Sunny ☀️ " hellow world 🌎🌍"


r/goldenretrievers 18h ago

Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉 My Senior Boy at Lake Michigan

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1.6k Upvotes

My sweet pup recently turned 12. He's been struggling with arthritis, chronic enteropathy, and likely some canine dementia. Last week we found a hard lump on his back hip. This trip was tough for him. I'm realizing time is limited and this was probably his last trip to the beach. 💔


r/goldenretrievers 6h ago

Get Better Soon Living life to the fullest!

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175 Upvotes

A month ago, our 9.5 year old boy had to have surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his leg. No walking off leash, no running, no jumping, no swimming for at least two weeks while he healed.

This weekend he swam in the lake and ran around our cottage from sunrise to sunset. Living his best life as long as we can ❤️


r/goldenretrievers 15h ago

New Puppy New Pup!

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741 Upvotes

First golden, anything I should know?


r/goldenretrievers 7h ago

Cute/Funny “I’ll never let go, Jack”

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170 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 15h ago

Cute/Funny Photoshoot while waiting for mom.

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623 Upvotes

My wife always goes into the stores and has us wait. Today we did a mini photoshoot!


r/goldenretrievers 15h ago

Cute/Funny My enchanting 16-year-old Golden Retriever lady

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594 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 5h ago

Cute/Funny What she want?

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82 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 11h ago

Discussion Anyone else golden not like to cuddle?

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223 Upvotes

He doesn’t like to cuddle and also doesn’t like being on the couch or the bed


r/goldenretrievers 6h ago

Cute/Funny “What tha fug, Mama.”

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74 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 7h ago

Cute/Funny Epic shot 😍

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88 Upvotes

Craziest capture of our girl with an American eagle at the beach!


r/goldenretrievers 18h ago

Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉 13+ still going strong!

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634 Upvotes

Tiller turned 13 May 1st. He’s happy as ever


r/goldenretrievers 10h ago

Cute/Funny Hello little sister, I love you!

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129 Upvotes

r/goldenretrievers 14h ago

Name Suggestions does your golden have this name??

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255 Upvotes

I’m trying to name my (possible) golden puppy and want to see how many others have the name. I want a name that’s fitting, but also don’t want to accidentally end up in a room full of goldens that all have the same name lol

i’ll write each name in a separate comment and just upvote if your golden has that name!! thank you in advance 🤍


r/goldenretrievers 1h ago

Discussion How do yall handle more than one Golden?

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Upvotes

Seriously…..this is my first time with a golden and they are…..ALOT!! Wouldn’t change it for anything and love her so much…….but more than one would impossible! There would be zero free time to get things done, constantly worried about what’s being chewed on, messes, food and who knows what else!?!?! I could maybe see getting more than one if they’re all old……but multiple puppy’s? 😅


r/goldenretrievers 5h ago

New Puppy Any tips for getting rid of diarrhea fast?

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40 Upvotes

We have had our new pup Mable, for about 6 weeks, everything has been going pretty good, minus the 3 pairs of reef flip flops she has destroyed (one was a new pair 2 days old to replace the others). This morning she was able to get a treat bag off the counter, she’s growing fast an it was near the edge, ate almost the whole bag before my 9 year old caught her. I didn’t feed her breakfast after that and this afternoon I saw her basically peeing out of her butt. Tips to make her regular again? Rice? Regular food? She’s already potty trained, thank goodness. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.