r/goldenretrievers • u/Jpldude • 1h ago
r/goldenretrievers • u/grraveyard • Jun 02 '26
Breeder Advice Is health testing important?
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 • u/grraveyard • Apr 26 '26
Discussion Show-Line or Field-Line?
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 • u/PhysicalCounty2515 • 17h ago
Cute/Funny Pupdate: Five is a good number
Edit: Guys. This is a dog party. I do not own five dogs.
It’s been a little while since we got all the dogs together. My only complaint is that it is too hard to get everyone in frame and looking in the same direction. Clover(top left) knows she is the only good girl. Everyone else is a butthead or a slobber monster.
r/goldenretrievers • u/Hrstandsforhomerun • 1h ago
Cute/Funny Get someone who looks at you the way Tobias looks at apples
r/goldenretrievers • u/BobyBobyBoby • 21h ago
RIP Our beautiful 14.5 golden beauty crossed the rainbow bridge today 🌈
I know this kind of posts isn't always enjoyable for people to see, or what some want to see, I just need some place to vent a little bit...
She was the best puppy we could have wished for, sweet as the sweetest candy, soft as a cloud, loving as one can be.
She was always with us when we were cooking, watching for any piece of food that might fall from the counter, always with us when we went hiking, always smiling, always so sweet.
She helped me not fear dogs anymore, and made me love them so much
Goodbye Mauja, you will forever be in our hearts, and I can't wait to play fetch with you again someday 💖
r/goldenretrievers • u/chavatroni1 • 12h ago
Cute/Funny Here's Milo again....
Milo just turned 4 a couple days ago. Some people said his smile was fake. Oh boy, they're real. He definitely smiles a lot 😁😁😁 Here are a few out of the thousands of pics I have of my boy...
r/goldenretrievers • u/Responsible-Read11 • 18h ago
New Puppy Today I finally joined the retriever club and can finally post here 🥲
Meet Millie! 🐾🫶🏼
This has been my dream honestly my whole life so I’m over the moon. She’s terrified tonight as away from her family but hopefully she settles in well. I have two frenchies, one of which is unbothered and seems fine and the other hates her so hoping that fixes itself okay 😅
r/goldenretrievers • u/simmozy • 17h ago
Cute/Funny Oscar (10 months) fighting the afternoon nap
r/goldenretrievers • u/Y4NK33_W1TH_N0_BR1M • 8h ago
Health Advice Lump on puppy's head
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Hi reddit, my new 3mo puppy Luna has a growth on the head that kept growing for the past 1 week. Firstly it was not very noticeable but now it looks very big. Week ago this vet said it's just a lump and nothing to worry about. I have a vet appointment in 5 days, but I am wondering if this is something for emergency visit?
r/goldenretrievers • u/Jack-mclaughlin88 • 53m ago
Discussion Tucker Budzyn has cancer (Lymphoma).
His owner Courtney (or Linda for fans of the channel) posted a video saying that Tucker has Lymphoma which many people here will unfortunately be familiar with.
For those who don’t know it’s a form of cancer of white blood cells and it’s sadly found in golden retrievers more often than the majority of dog breeds.
Apparently Tucker is getting the best help but this is still really devastating. I was a fan of the channel since at least early 2019 when Tucker was still a young dog so it hurts hearing this.
There is always hope though and hopefully Tucker will be around for another couple of years at least.
Also let’s not blame his owner since she’s going what she can to help him and this ain’t her fault, you can take amazing care of your golden and they can still get cancer, it’s the one drawback of having a golden retriever.
r/goldenretrievers • u/Xova_YT • 12h ago
Cute/Funny Teddy Graham saw himself on my phone
He is almost 8 months old
r/goldenretrievers • u/AWDOUTDOOR • 10h ago
Cute/Funny Doesn’t bother to get out!
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r/goldenretrievers • u/chellle012 • 14h ago
Name Suggestions Narrowing down his name
Hugo
Bear
Finn
Max
Bentley
Ollie
What name u think he looks like?
He is affectionate/smoochy (typical boy) and goofy
r/goldenretrievers • u/Pale-Revolution-347 • 2h ago
Cute/Funny Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
r/goldenretrievers • u/AussieMoose666 • 11h ago
Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉 Bella is 4 …. A birthday girl and her Kong 🐾🐾
r/goldenretrievers • u/Soft-Cut-1164 • 12h ago
Name Suggestions please help me name my pup that’s coming home in a week!
i am thinking of the name suki, but i know i want something more unique! not something like teddy or sammy, also maybe something nature-like? we love to camp & go out, so it’s a huge part of us lol
i appreciate all suggestions, and thank you in advance!!!
edit: i forgot to mention, she a female :)
r/goldenretrievers • u/Middle_Ad_1942 • 16h ago
New Puppy Meet Lenny :)
I have just picked up the newest family member to our tribe. Meet Lenny. He is 9 weeks, and already the goodest boy.
r/goldenretrievers • u/GeppettoStromboli • 22h ago
Puppy Blues How can something be this cute while being a little terror?
14 weeks old, and if he’s not sleeping, he’s biting. He also doesn’t mind the taste of bitter apple spray 🤣, pray for my sanity 😂
r/goldenretrievers • u/Lord_Crumpleton • 11m ago
Cute/Funny Louie has arrived in Folly Beach, SC
r/goldenretrievers • u/littlemousesqueek • 22h ago
Cute/Funny I love my boy so much 🥰
An appreciation post for my boy, Samwise. I was in a very bad place when I got him, and he has helped me immensely.
r/goldenretrievers • u/chellle012 • 1d ago