Golden retriever gifts: 15 ideas for golden owners and fans
The best golden retriever gifts suit a dog built to fetch and swim: a floating retrieving toy, a drying towel for after the lake, a slicker brush and undercoat rake for shedding season, a puzzle toy for a busy mind, and keepsakes of their own golden, like a portrait or a holiday card video.
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Key takeaways
- The AKC says swimming and fetching are natural pastimes for a breed built to retrieve waterfowl.
- Goldens shed all year and heavily once or twice a year, so grooming tools are gifts that get used.
- Goldens need plenty of daily exercise and brain work, which makes toys, gear and classes good picks.
- For an older golden, a car ramp can save both the dog and the owner from awkward lifting.
How to choose a gift for a golden retriever owner
Think about how the dog spends its day. A golden who swims every weekend needs different gifts than a golden who mostly naps by the door waiting for a walk.
| If their golden... | Get them... | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lives for the lake | A floating toy and a quick-dry towel | Swimming and fetching come naturally to the breed |
| Fetches until your arm gives out | A ball launcher | Longer throws, less arm |
| Leaves fur on everything | A slicker brush, rake and hair remover | Goldens shed all year, and heavily once or twice a year |
| Gets into mischief when bored | A puzzle toy or a sport class | It gives a working dog a job |
| Is getting older | A car ramp | No more lifting a big dog into the car |
| Stars in every family photo | A portrait, ornament or video | It turns the photos into a keepsake |
If two rows fit, pair a floating toy with an ornament bearing the dog's name.
15 golden retriever gifts
- 1.
A floating retrieving toyUnder $25
A bright bumper or ball that floats, for the golden who heads straight for the lake.
- 2.
A ball launcherUnder $25
A long-handled thrower sends the ball farther with less arm.
- 3.
A slicker brush and undercoat rake
The AKC suggests brushing a golden with a slicker brush once or twice a week, and daily during heavy shedding. A rake helps pull loose undercoat.
- 4.
A quick-dry dog towel or drying coat
For after swims and baths. The AKC notes a golden should be completely dry before brushing, so a good towel makes grooming day smoother.
- 5.
A pet hair remover for the car and couchUnder $25
A rubber hair remover or a stack of lint rollers. Every golden household can use one.
- 6.
A puzzle toyUnder $25
Goldens are working gundogs at heart. A treat puzzle gives that busy mind a job on rainy days.
- 7.
A hands-free leash for long runs
The AKC says goldens make great companions on long runs and bike rides, and recommends checking with a vet before starting high-impact activity.
- 8.
A class in a canine sport
Agility, obedience, tracking or field work. The AKC lists all of these as ways goldens get their exercise, and they are eager to please.
- 9.
A car ramp for an older golden
A ramp into the back seat or trunk saves lifting a big dog. Measure the height of the car before you buy.
- 10.
A big, washable dog bed
Size it for the dog stretched out, with a cover that zips off for the wash.
- 11.
A custom portrait of their golden
A painted or drawn portrait from a daylight photo, so the coat color comes out right.
- 12.
A personalized ornamentUnder $25
The dog's name and the year on a golden retriever ornament. It comes out every December.
- 13.
A holiday card video of their goldenFrom $39
See this videoWe turn 5 to 10 photos of their golden into a short video card: the dog in a scarf on a snowy, lit-up porch, ending on your message. It comes in vertical, square and widescreen versions with a movie-poster still, and we can deliver it on the day you pick.
- 14.
A photo book of the dog's year
Pull 30 to 50 photos of lake days, muddy walks and couch naps, and print them as a small book.
- 15.
A donation to a golden retriever rescueAny amount
Give to a golden retriever rescue in the dog's name. A thoughtful pick for an owner who adopted their dog.
What golden retriever people love about them
Ask a golden owner about their dog and you'll usually hear about the attitude. The AKC describes goldens as outgoing, trustworthy and eager to please, with a joyous, playful approach to life that carries on well into adulthood.
They are also hard workers. The AKC notes that goldens work in hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search and rescue, and the breed was recognized by the AKC in 1925. Their eagerness to please makes them relatively easy to train, which is why a class in obedience or agility makes such a good gift for a golden and their person.
The best golden retriever gifts lean into one side: the water dog, the ball fanatic, the family dog or the worker who needs a job.
Gifts for the shedding and the swimming
Shedding season
The AKC says goldens heavily shed their thick, water-repellent double coat once or twice a year, and shed more moderately the rest of the time. A slicker brush once or twice a week removes much of the dead hair before it lands on the furniture, and during heavy shedding those sessions become daily. Good gifts here:
- A slicker brush and an undercoat rake
- A rubber hair remover for car seats and the couch
- A booked groom during peak shedding
After the swim
A floating toy gets the dog into the water, and a quick-dry towel gets them back in the car. Since the AKC says a golden must be fully dry before brushing, the towel helps on grooming day too.
For the senior golden
The AKC's guide to dog stairs and ramps suggests a ramp once a large dog can no longer hop into the back seat or trunk, so neither of you gets hurt by awkward lifting. If you are shopping for someone whose golden has passed, our pet memorial gifts guide is a gentler place to start.
A golden retriever Christmas gift: their dog's own holiday card
Our Holiday Card template puts their own golden on a snowy, lit-up porch in a scarf and ends on your message. Send it as a gift or use it as the family's holiday greeting.
You send 5 to 10 clear photos, and a person checks the video before it goes out. It's ready within 24 hours. One video is $39. The Pet's Year pack is $79 for 3 videos of the same dog, so the holiday card can go out now and two more can follow for the dog's birthday and another day within 12 months, with no new photos needed. Every order includes vertical, square and widescreen versions, a movie-poster still, and free gift delivery on the day you pick. If it doesn't look like their golden, we remake it, and if the remake still misses, you get your money back.
More seasonal ideas are in our Christmas pet video page and our list of Christmas gifts for pet lovers.
Put these ideas into action
See how it works →More breed gift guides
Buying for a whole dog park? See dachshund gifts, corgi gifts, French bulldog gifts and pug gifts. For the owner rather than the dog, try dog mom gifts or dog dad gifts.
Questions
What do you get a golden retriever lover?
Pick something that fits how their golden lives: a floating retrieving toy, a ball launcher, a slicker brush and rake for shedding season, a puzzle toy, or a keepsake of their own dog, like a portrait, ornament or holiday card video.
What helps with golden retriever shedding?
The AKC suggests brushing with a slicker brush once or twice a week, and daily during heavy shedding. Baths help loosen dead hair, but the dog should be completely dry before you brush.
What is a good Christmas gift for a golden retriever owner?
A personalized ornament with the dog's name, a photo book of the year, a new retrieving toy for the stocking, or a short holiday card video of their own golden delivered on the day you choose.
What is a good gift for an older golden retriever?
A car ramp so the dog doesn't need lifting, a big washable bed, and gentle puzzle toys. Ask their vet before adding new exercise.
Sources
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The PetVids team · Editors at PetVids
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