Which health problems are common in the Golden Retriever?
Golden Retrievers are prone to hip and elbow problems, an inflammation inside the eye thought to be inherited and, later in life, cancer. Yearly eye exams, hip, elbow and heart screening, and showing your vet any new lump help the most.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Golden Retriever owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Hips and elbows. Hip and elbow dysplasia and later arthritis are common in the breed. Stiffness after rest, limping or trouble on stairs are the signs.
- Eyes. Goldens can get an inflammation inside the eye thought to be inherited (pigmentary uveitis). Yearly eye exams from young adulthood catch it early.
- Cancer. Cancer is a leading health concern in Goldens, above all later in life. Show your vet any new lump and keep the yearly checks.
- Heart. A narrowing below a heart valve (aortic stenosis) runs in the breed. Fainting or tiring fast on walks needs a vet check.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray | X-ray of the hips, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Elbow X-ray | X-ray of the elbows, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Eye exam by an ophthalmologist | A specialist checks the eyes for inherited problems. Screening programmes suggest repeating it every year. | Every year |
| Heart exam by a cardiologist | A heart specialist listens for an inherited narrowing, with an ultrasound if a murmur is heard. Programmes ask for it from 1 year of age. | From 1 year · Once |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Golden Retriever health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Recommended tests for Golden Retriever, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- Sporting group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- Retriever (Golden), Breed health and Breed Watch, The Royal Kennel Club
- Pigmentary Uveitis Letter to Owners, Golden Retriever Club of America
- Cohort profile: The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS), PLoS ONE, 2022
- Congenital and Inherited Disorders of the Cardiovascular System in Dogs, Merck Veterinary Manual
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