Group 8 · Retrievers & spaniels
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a gentle, patient and people-focused retriever with a golden coat and a big heart for children. It loves learning and swimming, and needs an active family that makes time for exercise and grooming.
Health
These examinations come from the official breeding programme for the breed Golden Retriever by Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen (Animal Welfare Flanders). They apply to the puppies’ parents.
In short
Both parents must have 7 examinations:
- 4 DNA tests
- 2 X-ray examinations
- 1 eye examination
The breeding programme also recommends 4 further examinations.
A sample for DNA tests can be taken either with a mouth swab or by a blood sample. To carry out the examinations, the breeder uses a vet or a laboratory. For each examination below, you can see from what age and how often it must be done. Ask the breeder for the results of both parent dogs.
Mandatory examinations (7)
-
Elbow dysplasia (ED)
X-ray Once at least 1 year
Official description
- Method
- X-ray (CT may be recommended, but is not mandatory)
-
Hip dysplasia (HD)
X-ray Once at least 1 year (laxity views: at least 6 months)
Official description
- Method
- X-ray: VD view and laxity view (Vezzoni or PennHIP)
-
Ichthyosis 1 (ICHT)
DNA test Once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- PNPLA1: c.1445_1447delins TACTACTA
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Progressive retinal atrophy 1 (GR-PRA-1)
DNA test Once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- SLC4A3: c.2601_2602insC
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Progressive retinal atrophy 2 (GR-PRA-2)
DNA test Once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- TTC8: c.669delA
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Progressive retinal atrophy – progressive rod-cone degeneration (Prcd-PRA)
DNA test Once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- PRCD: XM_022422503.1:c.5G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Eye disorders
Eye examination Valid for 2 years at least 1 year
Official description
- Method
- General eye examination
Recommended examinations (4)
-
Degenerative myelopathy (DM)
DNA test Once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- SOD1: c.118G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Ichthyosis 2 (ICHT2)
DNA test Once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- ABHD5: c.1006_1019del
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Ncl5)
DNA test Once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- CLN5: c.935_936del
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Congenital heart disease (auscultation)
Heart examination Once at least 1 year
Official description
- Method
- Auscultation + if a heart murmur is present (from grade 1) echocardiography
The breeding programme also contains the breeding advice for each examination and general rules on inbreeding, the number of matings per stud dog and the use of frozen semen. You can find these in the official document.
Source: breeding programme Golden Retriever, Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen, last updated on 18/07/2026.
View the official breeding programme (PDF, in Dutch)
A breeding programme reduces the risk of hereditary conditions, but does not offer a 100% health guarantee.
Translation of the Dutch breeding programme by Puppymakelaar. In case of any difference, the official document prevails.
This breed profile is not a breed sheet within the meaning of the Flemish Breeding Decree (Fokkerijbesluit). The legal rules for breeding this breed are set out in the official breeding programme.
Considerations when buying
According to the breeding programme approved by Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen, these examinations must be carried out on both parent dogs: Elbow dysplasia (ED), Hip dysplasia (HD), Ichthyosis 1 (ICHT), Progressive retinal atrophy 1 (GR-PRA-1), Progressive retinal atrophy 2 (GR-PRA-2), Progressive retinal atrophy – progressive rod-cone degeneration (Prcd-PRA) and Eye disorders. The breeding programme also lists these recommended examinations: Degenerative myelopathy (DM), Ichthyosis 2 (ICHT2), Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Ncl5) and Congenital heart disease (auscultation). A puppy with a Flemish pedigree comes from parent dogs bred according to this breeding programme. Ask for the results of both parent dogs and compare them with the overview above. A Golden Retriever needs plenty of exercise every day and is in its element swimming and retrieving. Its medium-length, feathered coat needs brushing a few times a week, and it sheds all year round.
Questions for the breeder
- Have both parent dogs undergone all the mandatory examinations in the breeding programme, and may I see the results?
- What are the results of both parent dogs for Elbow dysplasia (ED) and Hip dysplasia (HD)?
- Is the general eye examination of both parent dogs still valid? According to the breeding programme: Valid for 2 years.
- Will the puppy receive a Flemish pedigree from a recognised breed registry association?
- How are the puppies socialised before they go to their new home?
Breed-specific challenges
A Golden stays playful and young at heart for a long time and wants to be involved in everything. It is strongly attached to its family and does not like being left alone for long. It learns quickly with rewards, but needs calm, consistent guidance during adolescence. With this popular breed too, it pays to ask for the examination results of both parent dogs.
More background
General guides that help you understand this breed information and choose well.
