It is a medium-sized dog, with a sturdy frame, broad head, large black nose, drop ears and dark, friendly eyes. It has a dense and lustrous golden coat, which is either wavy or flat, with attractive feathered areas on its neck, legs and tail. The popularity of this breed doesn’t just come from their appealing looks but from their gentle nature and sociability, which sees this dog get along with just about everything. They are great companions for children, loyal to their family and enjoy the company of other dogs and household pets. They take some time to mature and will retain their playful puppy personality well into adulthood. These energetic dogs also require plenty of exercise and will thrive on long walks, swims and outdoor play, particularly if it involves retrieving. Their desire to please, accompanied by their intelligence, makes this breed easy to train which has seen them be used as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as for more traditional hunting and field sports.