The Short-Haired Golden Retriever is a Golden Retriever with a short coat. There are a few factors that give rise to short hair. One that is vital among these factors is their genes and heredity. Some Golden Puppies’ parents may have a relatively short coat, resulting in their Golden puppies having one. At the same time, the other probabilities are Golden Retriever mixes (e.g. Golden Retriever and Labrador Mix), nutrition, color variant like Red Golden Retriever, a geographical difference like Canadian Golden Retriever, a field-bred Golden Retriever, or a close resemblance to other breeds. Coat length is hereditary, and if a pet owner is searching for a Golden with shorter hair, his search will find a reputable breeder who breeds Short Coated or Short-Haired Golden Retrievers.

Table of Contents
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Retrieves things, a great swimmer | Sheds profusely |
Easy to train | Separation anxiety |
Loyal, social, and friendly | Prone to obesity |
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Basic Information
- Name: Short-Haired Golden Retriever
- Height: 21 to 24 inches
- Weight: 50 to 70 pounds
- Color: Red, dark red, cream, or mahogany
- Coat: Double coated, wavy, dense, straight, water repellent
- Activities: Fetching, hunting, running, and swimming
- Group: Sporting group
- Barking level: Medium
- Shedding level: High
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Energy: High
- Litter Size: 4 to 12 puppies
- Life Span: 10 to 12 years
- Other Names: Short-haired Golden
Golden Retriever Vs. Short-Haired Golden Retriever – A Comparison
Features | Golden Retriever | Short-Haired Golden Retriever |
Image | ![]() | ![]() |
Name | Golden Retriever | Short-Haired Golden Retriever |
Origin | Scotland, United Kingdom | Scotland, United Kingdom |
Height | 21 to 24 inches | 21 to 23 inches |
Weight | 55 to 75 pounds | 50 to 70 pounds |
Size | Medium | Medium |
Group | Sporting Dogs | Sporting Dogs |
Children Compatibility | Medium to high | High |
Family Compatibility | High | High |
Pets Compatibility | Low to medium | High |
Barking Level | Medium to high | Medium |
Shedding Level | Medium to high | High |
Hypoallergenic | No | No |
Grooming Needs | Medium to high | Medium to high |
Overall Health | Low to medium | Low to medium |
Energy | Medium to high | High |
Exercise Needs | Medium to high | High |
Trainability | Medium to high | Medium to high |
Activities | Fetching, hunting, running, and swimming | Fetching, hunting, running, and swimming |
Complication in Breeding | No | No |
Litter Size | 4 to 12 | 4 to 12 |
Life Span | 7 to 12 years | 10 to 13 years |
Other Names | Goldens | – |
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Personality
These Golden Retriever variants boast lustrous, thinner, shorter, and wiry coats. The coat is double layered, water-resistant, and shorter than the typical Goldens. Their outer skin is shorter, straight, or wavy, and their feathering is less evident. Their undercoats are the same as standard Golden Retrievers, short and dense. A thick coat on the back, chest, and shoulders makes the Short-Haired Golden Retriever less prone to abrasions than the typical Golden Retrievers.
There is a heavier feathering on its neck, tail, and at the back of the thighs. The coat on the legs, paws, and head remains short with glossy shades in these Short-Haired Golden Retrievers. Short-Haired Goldens have strong muscles, rectangular build, broad heads, black noses, and are soft-mouthed; the ears hang floppy, and their dark eyes are some of the typical traits of this breed. Short-Haired Golden Retrievers bear a balanced gait.
The breeds that look similar to Short-haired Golden Retrievers are:
- Flat-Coated Retriever
- Bernese Mountain dog
- Labrador Retriever
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- The Great Pyrenees
- English Springer Spaniel
- Leonberger
Friendliness Overview
Affection level | High |
Family-friendly | High |
Kid-friendly | High |
Pet-friendly | High |
Stranger -friendly | High |
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living | Low to medium |
Good to new owners | Medium |
Sensitivity level | High |
Tolerates being alone | Low |
Cold-tolerance | Medium |
Heat-tolerance | Medium |
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Temperament
Sweet, calm, and loyal, Short-Haired Golden Retrievers are prone to separation anxiety when left alone. Stress can manifest in chewing or destructive behaviors in these dogs. However, short-haired Golden Retrievers are always ready to please their owners. They are highly energetic and prepared to perform tasks. These Goldens are fun-loving, attention-seeking canines and make good guide dogs. Female Golden Retrievers mature earlier than males. As a result, they get gelled with adults, children, and pets.
Short-haired Golden Retrievers are obedient while training and playful even when they reach adulthood. Like any other dog, the Short-Haired Golden Retrievers need early socialization. They are good babysitters. They love to get cuddled; at the same time, they bark to alert you. They can excel as therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs.
Short Haired Golden Retriever is a loving, intelligent, social and joyful dog. If the pet owner can spend some time with the Short Haired Goldens, they can make a great addition to the family.
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Training
Short Haired Golden Retrievers are obedient and easy to train. These types of Goldens learn stupendously faster when rewarded. Early socialization and training are vital for these Short Haired Retrievers.
The Short-Haired Golden Retriever loves to bite and nibble. They require physical and mental stimulation. The ideal age to begin the training is eight weeks. Since they get distracted in public, exercise can be a little trickier. The tendency of potential mouthiness can make them excellent retrieving dogs.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train | High |
Intelligence | High |
Mouthiness tendencies | High |
Barking and Howling tendencies | High |
Prey drive | Medium to high |
Wanderlust tendencies | Low to medium |
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Exercise Needs
Though Retrievers were bred as gundogs, a significant difference can be seen in their energy levels. Short-Haired Golden Retrievers are agile and athletic compared to standard Golden Retrievers. Pet owners should engage Short-Haired Golden Retrievers in regular physical and mental exercise to keep them healthy. Fetching and swimming are great exercises because they have webbed toes, which help propel them through water. In addition, they are good partners for jogging and hiking. Provide them a walk for an hour or two every day since they have high energy and need more intensive workouts to keep them fit and healthy.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level | High |
Exercise needs | High |
Intensity | Low to medium |
Playfulness | High |
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Grooming
Short-Haired Golden Retrievers require significantly less grooming needs. Their beautiful, dense but short fur barely sheds. However, brushing their coat regularly to keep their skin healthy is essential. In addition, Short Haired Goldens may be prone to ear infections, so ensure to clean their ears often. It would help if you also trimmed their nails. Finally, brush your Short Haired Golden’s teeth two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that sneak inside them.
Note
Do not try to change your normal Golden Retriever into a Short-Haired Golden Retriever through excessive grooming or trimming of fur. This can be injurious to their health, cause allergies, and can affect their lifestyle.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom | Low to medium |
Drooling tendency | Medium to high |
Amount of shedding | Low |
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Health
Short-Haired Golden Retrievers are not susceptible to any specific health condition due to their short coat genes. However, these variants of Golden suffer from the same ailments that a regular Golden Retriever is subjected to.
All Golden Retrievers are generally healthy but prone to illness like any other canine breed. These dogs overgrow between four and seven months, making them susceptible to bone disorders. Hence, you must not let your Golden Retrievers on hard and rough surfaces until two years of age. Health issues commonly include:
- Aortic stenosis
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Hip, elbow, renal dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Osteochondrosis of knee and shoulders
- Gastric dilation volvulus
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the thigh bone would not fit into the hip joints. X-ray screening for hip dysplasia can be done at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. It is challenging to breed dogs with hip dysplasia. Do not buy a puppy without asking the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested and are hip dysplasia-free.
Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia occurs when the elbow joint bones don’t align properly. This misalignment causes abnormal pressure at the joint, leading to chronic rubbing and being prone to severe osteoarthritis. Symptoms include:
- Mild to moderate pain
- Lameness in the forelimbs
Although the symptoms begin to show as early as four months, some dogs will not show these signs until later in life. Further, the disorder may also injure the elbows, but one of them may be heavily affected.
Canine Cataracts: The cloud-like spots on the eye lens are a symptom of cataracts. Dogs might suffer from vision impairment.
SubValvular Aortic Stenosis is a condition with a narrow connection between the left ventricle and aorta.
Osteochondrosis of Knees and Shoulders: The condition of improper cartilage growth in the elbow, knees, and shoulder joints. The stiffness of the joints makes it unable to move or bend its elbows and knees. Osteochondrosis can be detected in puppies as early as four to nine months. Overfeeding of formulas causes this disease.
Allergies: Golden Retrievers are usually allergic to various substances involving pollen and food. If your Golden is licking his paws or rubbing his face, get him checked by your vet immediately.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: A life-threatening condition that affects deep-chested dogs like Golden Retrievers, especially if they have an overfed meal, eat rapidly, drink excessive amounts of water, or exercise vigorously after eating. Gastric Dilation Volvulus leads to bloating in the stomach. Your dog cannot vomit to get rid of excess air in his stomach, and blood flow to the heart is prevented. Blood pressure lowers, and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog may die. Suspect bloat if your dog is drooling excessively and is not throwing up. He might be restless with rapid heartbeats. If you notice the above symptoms, take your furry friend to the doctor as soon as possible.
Epilepsy: A brain disorder that causes seizures. In most cases, there is no cure for epilepsy in dogs. Therefore, dog owners should maintain a seizure-free environment.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: A hereditary blood disorder that conflicts with clot ability. The chief symptom is excessive bleeding after injury or surgery. Other symptoms include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or bleeding in the intestines or stomach. Unfortunately, there is no proper treatment for this condition, and a blood transfusion from a healthy canine is the only treatment.
Hypothyroidism: Imbalance in the thyroid gland causing epilepsy, loss of hair, obesity, lethargy, and patches on the skin.
Hemangiosarcoma is a dangerous type of cancer in the blood and spleen.
Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer is malignant, common in large and giant breeds like the Golden Retrievers.
Health Overview
Overall health | Low to medium |
Weight gain tendencies | High |
Size | Low to medium |
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Diet and Nutrition
It is recommended to give Short-haired Golden Retrievers two to three cups of high-quality dry dog food, divided into two meals. Since Short-Haired Golden Retrievers are high-energy dogs, consult your vet for the quantity.
Short-Haired Golden Retriever Living Condition
The Short-Haired Retrievers are suitable for both country and apartment living. They can moderately tolerate both cold and hot climatic conditions. Moreover, they are friendly with strangers and other pets.
Adding a Short-Haired Golden Retriever to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Adding a Short-Haired Golden Retriever
- Short-Haired Retrievers are active and energetic dogs that require high exercise needs.
- They can be mouthy, so pet owners must monitor them to avoid untoward incidents.
- Short-Haired Retrievers are prone to some major ailments like cancer.
- If the pet owners consider this breed, they must look for a certified breeder.
Cost of a Short-Haired Golden Retriever Puppy
The cost of a Short-Haired Golden Retriever puppy is $500 to $3000.
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