Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular family pets and one of the most-loved breeds of dog around the world. They have a great temperament and are generally a very kind, caring and loving dog. As a breed they are also known for having generally good health.

They were originally bred as a gundog and their specific job was to retrieve shot waterfowl. They were bred with a soft mouth so that the birds were undamaged. Their origins give them an instinctive love of water. They are a brave breed and very likely to jump into a river or a lake without a second thought.

Some Golden Retrievers have genetic issues. One of the most common health problems for the breed is hip dysplasia which can lead to arthritis when the area around the hips begins to swell. Golden Retrievers can also suffer from cancer. The most common type of cancer within the breed is Hemangiosarcoma. This is when blood vessels grow directly into the tumour leading to it being filled with blood. Tumours tend to occur on their liver, to the right of their heart or on their skin. It is fairly difficult to know if your dog has this cancer and it is often not discovered until after they have collapsed.

Although the breed does have some illnesses linked to them it shouldn’t put you off welcoming one into the family. If they have come from a responsible and registered breeder they are very likely to remain fit and healthy if they are properly cared for with good diet and exercise.

You should also consider taking out an insurance policy because if your Golden Retriever does have any accidents due to their adventurous behaviour you will have some cover to help you pay for treatment to get them back on their feet again.