Golden retrievers are the darlings of the dog world. They are among the most beloved breeds in America due to their personality and charm, and chances are, you’ve either owned one in the past or know someone who has. The dogs are well-known for being intelligent, friendly, and devoted companions.
If you are looking to branch out from the golden retriever but still want the iconic look, this list was made for you. We have 10 breeds on this list, all sharing physical similarities to the golden retriever.
The 10 Dog Breeds That Look Like Goldens
1. Labrador Retriever
| Lifespan: | 11–13 years |
| Weight: | 65–80 pounds |
| Length: | 22.5–24.5 inches |
The classic Labrador Retriever shares similarities to the golden retriever. They share the same stature, size, and floppy ears. The Labrador retriever can come in a similar, lighter color to the golden retriever, making the similarities even more striking.
They are both a part of the sporting group and are active pups. Their coats are similar, though the golden retriever’s is longer than the standard Labrador’s.
Beyond physical attributes, the Labrador retriever shares many personality traits with the golden retriever. They are friendly with strangers, playful, and easy to train. Regarding overall similarity, the Labrador retriever is one of the closest breeds to the golden retriever.
2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
| Lifespan: | 10–13 years |
| Weight: | 65–80 pounds |
| Length: | 23–26 inches |
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is also similar to the golden retriever. The dog shares many of the same physical characteristics as the golden retriever, such as size and stature, though the coat is different. While the golden retriever has a soft double coat, the Chesapeake Bay retriever has a wiry coat.
Unlike the golden retriever, the Chesapeake Bay retriever is a little more reserved. They are less open to strangers and are less patient with young kids, but they are not particularly aggressive.
3. The Great Pyrenees
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Weight: | 100–120 pounds |
| Length: | 27–32 inches |
The Great Pyrenees is a lovely, fluffy dog. It can have a light-colored coat, resembling the golden retriever’s shining color, but the fur generally has more volume. They are around the same size as the golden retriever, although they are slightly bigger on average.
The personality of The Great Pyrenees is a little more subdued than the golden retriever. While the golden retriever is energetic and playful, The Great Pyrenees tends to be calmer. The dog is known for being intelligent and patient, but they are slightly harder to train.
4. Irish Setters
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Weight: | 70 pounds |
| Length: | 27 inches |
When considering size and stature, the Irish Setter is fairly similar to the golden retriever. However, the skull size is slightly more narrow, and they are covered in patches of wavy fur.
Irish Setters are remarkably similar in personality to golden retrievers. They are open to strangers, affectionate with family, and highly adaptable. Like the golden retriever, they are known for being playful, energetic, and easy to train.
5. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Weight: | 35–50 pounds |
| Length: | 18–21 inches |
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is another good option for those looking for a breed that looks like a golden retriever. Their bodies and faces are built similarly to the golden retriever, but they are smaller on average. Their fur is traditionally a light brown rather than a golden yellow, and they have white hair around the chest, chin, and muzzle areas.
Although it may sound like they have many differences, in terms of temperament, they are remarkably similar. They are intelligent, affectionate, and outgoing dogs. They are energetic and easy to train and are great family pets due to their loving nature and patience with children.
6. Leonberger
| Lifespan: | 7 years |
| Weight: | 110–170 pounds |
| Length: | 28–31.5 inches |
On the surface, the Leonberger may not look much like the golden retriever. The fur is dark and long, and the Leonberger is larger and heavier than the golden retriever.
However , the Leonberger has the same sweet face as the golden retriever under all that fluff. They have the same long, poofy tails and have similar double coats.
Their personalities are similar as well. They are friendly, gentle, and easy to train, but they are slightly less playful and energetic than the golden retriever. The Leonberger is an excellent option for families who want a fun but somewhat calmer dog.
7. Flat-Coated Retriever
| Lifespan: | 8–10 years |
| Weight: | 60–70 pounds |
| Length: | 23–24.5 inches |
The Flat-Coated Retriever shares many striking similarities to the golden retriever. They are the same height and build and have shaggy coats. However, standard flat-coated retrievers are black or dark brown in color, not golden.
When it comes to temperament, the flat-coated retriever shares a lot in common with the golden retriever. They are both friendly, active, and easy to train. They both require a decent amount of mental stimulation as well, making these breeds remarkably similar.
8. Curly-Coated Retrievers
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Weight: | 60–95 pounds |
| Length: | 25–27 inches |
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a similar body type to the golden retriever, although their coat is significantly different. Their color is dark instead of shiny golden yellow, and the fur is curly instead of straight.
Their personality is almost identical to the golden retriever. They are affectionate and playful, and their high-energy nature makes them easy to train. However, they are less open to strangers and other pets, but they are not known to be aggressive.
9. Gollie
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Weight: | 55–75 pounds |
| Length: | 22–26 inches |
The Gollie is a mixed breed: a combination of a collie and a golden retriever. Gollies are around the same size and stature as golden retrievers, and they share many of the same physical characteristics due to their golden retriever genetics.
Their relation to the golden retriever also makes them similar in personality. They are gentle, loyal, and affectionate, making them excellent family pets.
10. Kuvasz
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Weight: | 100–115 pounds |
| Length: | 28–30 inches |
Kuvasz dogs are fluffier and larger than golden retrievers, although many of their other physical characteristics remain the same. They have the same soft double coat, floppy ears, and poofy tail as the golden retriever. Although their coat is a light color, it is more akin to white than gold.
Personality-wise, they are slightly more subdued than the golden retriever. They do not need constant activity and play, although they are just as easy to train.
In Summary
As beloved as golden retrievers are, there are plenty of other breeds that share their wonderful characteristics and deserve just as much love. From the classic Labrador retriever to the large and fluffy Leonberger, there are options on this list for everyone’s tastes. At the end of the day, it is not the similarity of all dog breeds that make them so fascinating, but rather their uniqueness.
Featured Image Credit: Chiemsee2016, Pixabay
