Golden Retriever

Softer than the Labrador, a Golden takes a raised voice to heart but bounces back quickly and genuinely wants to get things right, which suits an owner still finding their timing with rewards. The long double coat sheds heavily and needs brushing a few times a week, more during seasonal moults. Goldens also carry a high cancer rate, so ask breeders how long their dogs' relatives lived as well as for hip and elbow scores.