Common Golden Retriever Health Problems

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. Their gorgeous, soft coats, friendly personalities, and intelligence have helped them warm hearts wherever they go. This beloved breed does, however, suffer from a number of health conditions. If you’re thinking about welcoming a Golden into your home, it’s important to know which health concerns are most common for the breed and how to recognize them.

Some of these problems are common in most large breeds, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Some are common across all dogs, like allergies. But other issues, such as ichthyosis, are found only in a few other breeds. Here’s what you need to know about Golden Retriever health.

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The Golden Retriever breed

Goldens are cute, biddable, friendly, and typically have stable temperaments you can trust. They’re a large-breed dog with an average shoulder height of 21 to 24 inches, depending on their sex. They have long, fluffy, cream-to-golden coats and weigh 55 to 75 pounds, varying by sex. Male Golden Retrievers are typically larger than their female counterparts. 

Despite some concerns outlined below, they tend to be a healthy breed with a typical lifespan of 10 to 12 years. They do well with social families because they are generally safe around children and strangers. They’re also adaptable to new situations and love extra mental stimulation. 

The biggest concern with Goldens, outside of common health conditions, is the upkeep of their coats. They have a double coat, which leads to significant, nearly constant shedding. Their coat also requires regular grooming sessions and shouldn’t be shaved except for medical needs. 

You’ll find Golden Retrievers most commonly as family dogs or working dogs. Common careers for them include being medical-alert, seeing-eye, service dogs, and search-and-recovery dogs, due to their inherent focus on barking to alert, strong sense of smell, high intelligence, useful body size for many tasks, and instinct to retrieve items and gently hold things in their mouths.

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Common Golden Retriever health issues

Health issues in Golden Retrievers vary in severity, cost to treat, and their breed-specificity. Read on to learn about the more common Golden Retriever health conditions. 

Hip and elbow dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are two joint conditions, both of which can affect the same dog. Breeds predisposed to one are often predisposed to the other, and this is true of Golden Retrievers. 

These issues are due to bad formations of the affected joints, with poor conformation and (typically) joint laxity that can lead to rapid degeneration of the joint. Hip and elbow dysplasia are painful, leading to progressive arthritis and may require joint replacement or significant surgeries to remove the parts of the bones that are degenerating. 

It’s important for Golden Retriever puppies to be screened for hip dysplasia by a veterinarian, and that the presence of joint dysplasia in a canine lineage is tracked (and disclosed) by breeders. 

Hip and elbow dysplasia are painful conditions that need to be managed for the rest of a dog’s life. Luckily, many dogs can be managed through supportive care — such as joint supplements, physical therapy, and accommodations to their lifestyle, such as using stairs and ramps. If you suspect your Golden Retriever may have hip or elbow dysplasia, take them to a vet to learn about the next steps. 

Eye problems

Golden Retrievers can suffer from several eye conditions. These include uveitis, iridociliary cysts, ligneous conjunctivitis, Horner syndrome, optic nerve hypoplasia or aplasia, macular corneal dystrophy, retinal dysplasia, and more. Some of these conditions can lead to blindness, be painful, and affect or spread to other parts of the body. 

Annual veterinarian visits are important to assess eye reflexes and identify any changes early. Most eye diseases that Golden Retrievers are prone to are genetic, and several come with genes identified as being responsible for the conditions. Genetic testing can be done in these cases — by breeders and pet parents alike — to determine if a Golden Retriever is at risk of developing a specific eye condition.

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Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis, also known as milk crust, is a genetic, congenital skin condition most often found in Golden Retriever puppies. The condition causes their skin barrier to develop without all the proper layers of protection it needs. This leads to scaling and flaking that looks like severe dandruff and crusts all over. Sometimes, puppies will have thickened, rough skin on the belly, in addition to skin and ear infections. 

Luckily, Golden Retrievers usually only get mild cases of ichthyosis, and their skin improves as they age, sometimes looking normal by the time they’re one year old. The genes responsible for this are also known, so genetic testing has helped breeders avoid this risk and led to fewer Golden Retrievers suffering from ichthyosis over time. 

There isn’t a specific treatment for ichthyosis besides supporting your pup’s skin barrier as best you can. If you suspect your Golden puppy might have ichthyosis, it’s best to speak to a veterinarian to find out which topical treatments and supplements are safe for your Golden to receive at their age. 

Allergies

Allergies are the most common reason for a dog to see a veterinarian, and Golden Retrievers commonly suffer from them. A dog can have environmental allergies or food allergies. 

The most common symptoms for both are the same: scratching, itching, red skin, ear infections, eye infections, skin infections, anal gland issues, hair loss, paw licking/chewing, sneezing, eye discharge, diarrhea, having a sensitive stomach, and rashes. Allergies are nearly impossible to avoid, but a veterinarian can create a treatment plan for your Golden Retriever to minimize the impact of allergens.

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Hypothyroidism

Golden Retrievers, like many other large-breed dogs, are prone to developing hypothyroidism as they age. In dogs, this is most commonly an autoimmune condition in which their body attacks the thyroid gland, destroying the cells and tissue. 

Signs of a Golden Retriever with hypothyroidism include weight gain, hair loss or thinning, low energy, cold intolerance, and an inconsistent appetite. If diagnosed, all it takes is a vet-prescribed thyroid hormone supplement each day to get them back to looking and feeling normal again.

Obesity

In general, weight is a concern for Golden Retrievers. As they age, they often become overweight. Screening for hypothyroidism is important, but if the test comes back negative, then it’s time for a diet and nutrition assessment. Genetics seem to be responsible for their weight issues, as is the potential loss of activity as they age, since they are prone to arthritis and joint dysplasia. 

Maintaining a lean weight helps them prevent joint diseases, diabetes, or cancer from getting worse. It also enables them to live longer, more comfortable lives. Always check in with your veterinarian to see if your Golden Retriever’s weight is normal and if their diet meets their nutritional needs. 

Anxiety

The most common behavioral problem a Golden Retriever will face is anxiety. They may be aggressive when frightened (such as biting strangers, children, and even family members), hide or panic in new situations, and struggle to perform basic tasks. 

It’s very important for Golden Retrievers to have support through their critical socialization periods as puppies. Partnering with a behaviorist when you bring home a new Golden Retriever (puppy or adult) can really help them shine and avoid developing severe anxiety. 

If this is something your Golden already suffers from, it’s worth having a vet give them a health screening: underlying joint pain, inflammation from allergies, vision loss, or even hypothyroidism can cause or worsen anxiety. Anxiety medication is also available for dogs who need it. 

Cancer and Golden Retrievers

One of the health conditions Golden Retrievers are most known for, unfortunately, is cancer. You should know about the most common ones, such as lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumors. Lipomas are another common tumor in Golden Retrievers, but luckily, a vast majority of them are benign and unlikely to pose a health concern.

Some genetic tests can screen a Golden for the increased chance of developing certain cancers. Your vet may also suggest a couple of blood tests, which can check for the presence of these cancers (or provide a risk assessment). 

Have your senior Golden Retriever see a veterinarian at the first sign of weight loss or a new lump, because the cancers they are prone to can be terminal. Annual vet examinations and testing can detect cancers early, allowing for more treatment options.

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Tips for keeping your Golden healthy

The three most important ways to keep a Golden Retriever healthy include:

1. Taking them to annual vet visits throughout their life

2. Making sure they maintain a normal weight

3. Feeding them a balanced, nutritious diet

Speak to your veterinarian at each of your Golden’s annual appointments to make sure they’re on track with their diet and weight. 

Commonly asked questions

How long do Golden Retrievers live?

The average lifespan for a Golden Retriever is 10 to 12 years. 

Are Golden Retrievers prone to cancer?

Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers are prone to cancer. If you notice any changes in your Golden, it is important to speak to a vet in case these are early signs of a bigger issue, such as cancer. 

References

“Golden Retriever.” American Kennel Club, 6 Nov. 2017, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever.

Haid, Melanie. “American Kennel Club.” American Kennel Club, 2024, www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/most-popular-dog-breeds-2024.

Holm, Kristin, et al. “Ichthyosis (Canine).” Veterinary Information Network, VINcyclopedia of Diseases, 28 Feb. 2009, www.vin.com/doc/?id=4953272&pid=607.

Shell, Linda, et al. “Hip Dysplasia (Canine).” Veterinary Information Network, VINcyclopedia of Diseases, 25 July 2007, www.vin.com/doc/?id=4953618&pid=607.