Diet of a Golden Retriever

Golden retriever feeding guide

What do I have to focus on?

The Golden Retriever is an even-tempered and adaptable dog breed. It was bred to be a hunting companion deployed together with other dogs, which can explain its extraordinary tolerance of fellow dogs, animals and humans too. The Golden Retriever is characterised by its will to please with a high level of attention and easiness to train. This tendency makes the breed a perfect family dog, very affectionate, gentle and happiest participating in all family activities. It easily fits in with its intended role. Along with its even temper, the Golden Retriever is a cheerful and lively dog with a high urge for activity, remaining playful into old age.

All Retriever breeds are proven to come from Newfoundland. In the 19th century, there was lively fish trading between Britain and Newfoundland. When staying in Newfoundland, British sailors were able to observe the island’s robust and weather-resistant dogs at work. They were enthused by how these water-loving dogs retrieved mooring ropes from the water and fish that had fallen from fishing nets even in tempestuous weather. The sailors brought a few of these dogs known as little Newfoundlands or St John’s dogs with them to Britain, where they were crossed with British hunting dogs, resulting in the Wavy-Coated Retriever. In 1864, Lord Tweedmouth purchased a striking yellow-coloured Wavy-Coated Retriever called Nous. He paired this male with a female Tweed Water Spaniel called Belle. This breed was also famous for good, tenacious retriever dogs. During the next 20 years, the Golden Retriever came into existence following further pairings of the offspring of Nous and Belle with Wavy-Coated Retrievers and Tweed-Water Spaniels, as well as Irish Setters. Golden Retrievers were then deployed for hunting, particularly of ducks, in order to retrieve dead birds from the water too. Their intelligence and adaptability also make them excellent guide, rescue, explosive or sniffer dogs.

Strong bones and optimal growth with a healthy diet

The Goldie can be classed as a large breed. Puppies from this breed shouldn’t be given food that is too rich in calories so that they don’t grow too quickly. A consequence of the food containing too many calories can be the genetically determined final weight being reached or even exceeded earlier than expected, although the skeleton is not yet stable enough. This can be lead to misalignments of the limbs. Golden Retriever puppies need an adequate energy intake as well as a balanced supply of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorous.

In order to ensure healthy growth for Goldie puppies, the diet should be species-appropriate with a balanced proportion of calories, minerals, trace elements and vitamins.

Feeding recommendations for puppy food are based on the puppy’s current weight and the predicted weight of the dog as an adult. The weight of the parent animal of the same sex can be taken as a guideline. In addition, the quantity of food is adapted to the puppy’s activity level.

What food can I give my Golden Retriever puppy?

The dry food Purizon Puppy is recommended for Golden Retriever puppies.

Qualities of Purizon Puppy:

  • Balanced ratio of calcium and phosphorous for bone development.
  • Ideally adapted to the individual needs of puppies and young dogs.
  • Contains poultry and salmon as high-quality sources of protein.
  • With high-quality fruit, vegetables and selected herbs.
  • With pre- and probiotic ingredients that can encourage stable gut flora.
purizon puppy chicken and fish
royal canin golden retriever puppy

The puppy food Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy is also recommended.

Qualities of Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy:

  • With borage and fish oil
  • Higlhy digestible L.I.P. proteins
  • Patented antioxidant complex with Vitamin E
  • Contains valuable fatty acids
  • Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy bones and joints

Feeding quantities for a Golden Retriever puppy with a normal activity level

Current weight Final weight as adult dog Food Approx. quantity of food in g/day
10kg 35kg Purizon Puppy 375g
10kg 35kg Royal Canin Breed Golden Retriever Puppy 330g
25kg 35kg Purizon Puppy 480g
25kg 35kg Royal Canin Breed Golden Retriever Puppy 390g

The feeding quantities for puppies should always be split into several portions per day. As well, fresh water should always be available to dogs.

Be it a working or family dog – diet makes the difference

Golden Retrievers are versatile dogs. They are ideally suited as working, companion and family dogs, as well as being deployed as retrieval, guide, tracking or rescue dogs. Dietary requirements vary depending on their area of deployment. Not just this and the breed trigger certain demands though; every individual dog has different characteristics and therefore individual nutritional requirements, which differ based on size, weight and activity level. In addition, frequently occurring ailments affecting Golden Retrievers like allergies, excess weight and joint problems should be taken into consideration.

Once the Goldie has reached adult age, it should be given a food for adult dogs. Active dogs are permitted to have a food with more carbohydrates to obtain energy. In contrast, less active dogs should have a food with a moderate amount of carbohydrates so they don’t gain excess weight. Equally, the fat content should be in the mid-range. Along with the activity level and composition of the food, the quantity is crucial to determine weight. The amount of treats and rewards that are given should definitely be considered. It’s a matter of the dog’s and owner’s taste whether to opt for a suitable wet or dry food or to combine both types.

Advantages of wet food

  • The dog consumes fluids with the food, since wet food is made up of around 70% fluid content
  • Wet food is mostly tastier than dry food
  • The quantity of food is greater due to the moisture content
  • Wet food is lower in calories than dry food, which can be an advantage particularly with dogs that have a tendency to gain weight
  • It has a long shelf life and can be heated to prevent the use of preservatives

Advantages of dry food

  • Dry food is mostly cheaper than wet food
  • Easy to split into portions and store, suitable for holidays and being out-and-about too
  • Good energy provision for active dogs
  • Large biscuits prevent food being bolted
  • Lower quantities of packaging than with wet food

Rocco Sensitive

  • High-quality whole food for dogs.
  • Available in different varieties and sizes.
  • Just one source of animal protein and carbohydrate in each food.
  • Also suitable for dogs with food intolerances.
  • High proportion of meat and free of cereals containing gluten.

Free of chemical colourings, flavourings and attractants.

rocco sensitive chicken and potato

Feeding quantities for an adult Golden with a normal activity level

Type of food Approx. quantity of food in g/35kg weight
Rocco Sensitive approx. 1150g

Please always provide fresh water for your dog.

Bosch Maxi Adult

  • Developed for large-breed adult dogs
  • Ideally adapted energy and protein content, minimises the risk of excess weight
  • Beta glucans and mannans immune complex for wellbeing and to boost the immune system
  • Shiny fur and healthy skin thanks to essential zinc and fatty acids
  • Green-lipped mussels extract to support the joints
  • With prebiotics and dietary fibre for the gut flora
  • Avoids wheat and wheat middlings
bosch maxi adult dog food
wolf of wilderness adult oak woods dog food

Wolf of Wilderness Adult Oak Woods

  • High-quality ingredients and optimum acceptance
  • With dietary fibre for the equilibrium of the intestine
  • Encourages healthy fur and skin with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
  • With prebiotics for the gut flora
  • Grain-free recipe

Feeding quantities for an adult Golden Retriever with a normal activity level

Type of food Approx. quantity of food in g/35kg in weight
Bosch Maxi Adult approx. 385g
Wolf of Wilderness Adult Oak Woods approx. 385g

Please always provide your dog with fresh water.

There’s no dog like an old dog

Dogs reach old age too, and older dogs have different needs to younger dogs. Physical alterations trigger and make necessary other dietary requirements for senior dogs. Since the activity of senior dogs diminishes, their energy requirements fall too. The calorie content of the food should be reduced so that older dogs do not gain weight. A really tasty food can be an advantage too, since some elderly dogs experience a loss in the senses of smell and taste.

Rosie’s Farm Senior Comforting Dinner

  • High meat content (60%)
  • Natural with a selection of vegetables
  • High-Quality meat and offal
  • No additives, fillers or fake flavour enhancers
Rosies Farm senior wet dog food
concept for life large senior dry dog food

Concept for Life Large Senior

  • Tailored to the special needs of large older dogs
  • Adapted fat content
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate to support the joints
  • Vitamin B complex, zinc and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for the skin and fur
  • Encourages vitality with ingredients like aronia berries, green tea and hops

Feeding quantities for a senior Goldie

Type of food Approx. quantity of food in g/35kg in weight
Rosie’s Farm Senior 1215g – 1825g
Concept for Life Large Senior approx. 345g
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