# Golden Retriever (*Canis lupus familiaris*) A Golden Retriever is a gentle dog with soft, golden fur. It likes to carry toys and make new friends. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Homes, yards, and parks ![Golden Retriever](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426917/objects/4402.jpg) ## Appearance The Golden Retriever has a lustrous, water-repellent coat in various shades of gold or cream, often with feathering on its legs, tail, and chest. It has a broad head, friendly eyes, and a powerful, muscular body that makes it look like an athletic companion. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Canis ## Interesting facts - Golden Retrievers were first bred in Scotland over 150 years ago by Lord Tweedmouth! - Many Goldens 'talk' with soft grumbles and playful barks when they are excited. - One Golden Retriever held a record for carrying five tennis balls at once! - They are among the easiest dogs to train, often learning hundreds of words. ## Special abilities - **Gentle Retriever Mouth:** Golden Retrievers can carry delicate items without damage because of their soft bite, a trait bred for retrieving game. - **Water-Repellent Coat:** Golden Retrievers have a dense, double coat that helps them stay warm and dry, even after swimming in cold water. - **Keen Sense of Smell:** Golden Retrievers have an excellent sense of smell that helps them track scents and find hidden objects. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 51-61 cm - **Weight:** 25-34 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-12 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 6-10 - **Gestation:** 58-68 days ## Diet & Feeding Golden Retrievers are omnivores, eating commercial dog food, meat, vegetables, and even some fruits. - **Age differences:** Puppies eat more frequently; senior dogs may need specialized, softer diets for health. - **Primary Foods:** commercial dog food, chicken, beef, carrots, apples - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Provides companionship and assistance to humans, receiving care in return. - **Parasitizes:** Cat Flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*) — Fleas can live on Golden Retrievers, feeding on their blood. - **Parasitizes:** Brown Dog Tick (*Rhipicephalus sanguineus*) — Ticks can attach to Golden Retrievers, feeding on their blood. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Pet gently and don’t hug tightly; give the dog space while it eats or rests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Golden Retriever? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Golden Retriever? 51-61 cm ### How much does Golden Retriever weigh? 25-34 kg ### How long does Golden Retriever live? 10-12 years ### How fast can Golden Retriever move? 35 km/h ### What does Golden Retriever eat? Golden Retrievers are omnivores, eating commercial dog food, meat, vegetables, and even some fruits. ### Where is Golden Retriever usually found? Homes, yards, and parks ### How does Golden Retriever hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Golden Retriever: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-retriever)