As breeders dedicated to raising healthy, sound Golden Retrievers, joint and hip health is always at the forefront of our minds. Golden Retrievers are an active, athletic breed—but they are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, conditions that can be influenced by both genetics and environment. While we take every measure to ensure strong genetic foundations through OFA and PennHIP testing, it’s just as important that our puppy families know how to support joint development during a dog’s most vulnerable stages: puppyhood.
We want to share our perspective on how to protect your puppy’s hips and joints through thoughtful exercise and daily care—so they can enjoy a lifetime of movement, play, and adventure.
🦴 Why Joint Health Matters in Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are a large-breed dog that grows quickly in the first year of life. During this time, their bones, joints, and muscles are rapidly developing. Even though your puppy may appear strong and energetic, their skeletal structure is still soft and forming. Overexertion or inappropriate activities at this age can cause lasting damage that shows up later in life—especially in the hips and elbows.
While we test all of our breeding dogs to reduce the risk of joint issues in their offspring, genetics are only one piece of the puzzle. Environmental factors like overexercising, slippery surfaces, jumping, and rough play can all put unnecessary stress on developing joints.
🐾 Our Recommendations for Protecting Puppy Joints
Here’s what we teach our families and practice ourselves to support joint health from the very beginning:
✅ Appropriate Exercise
We follow the “5-minute rule” for structured walks:
Five minutes of walking per month of age, once or twice a day.
For example, a 3-month-old puppy can handle about 15 minutes of gentle leash walking.
We also encourage:
- Free play on soft surfaces like grass (letting your puppy set the pace)
- Mental stimulation like training sessions and puzzle toys, which tire them out without physical stress
- Low-impact games like gentle fetch on flat ground (no chasing balls that bounce or roll too far)
We avoid:
- Long hikes or jogs
- Stairs and jumping off furniture
- Playing with much larger or rough dogs
- Running on hard or slippery surfaces
Let your puppy play, explore, and move—but in ways that are mindful of their still-developing body.
🛋 Surface Safety
Puppies slip easily on hardwood or tile floors, which can lead to joint injuries or poor development in the hips and knees. We recommend:
- Using area rugs or rubber mats in high-traffic zones
- Blocking access to stairs or using ramps for getting on/off couches or beds
- Keeping playtime mostly on carpet or outdoor grass
🛏 Rest and Recovery
Just like humans, puppies need plenty of rest to grow. Puppies will often tire before we expect, so it’s important to allow for:
- Naps throughout the day in a quiet, safe space (like a crate)
- Calm time after play instead of encouraging them to stay revved up
- No forced exercise—let your puppy tell you when they’re tired
Overtired puppies are more prone to accidents and joint stress. Rest is just as critical as play in their growth cycle.
🍽 Nutrition and Growth Rate
We feed our puppies a high-quality large-breed puppy food (Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy) that supports steady, slow growth— important for joint health. Too many calories or supplements like calcium can lead to rapid growth that stresses developing joints.
Stick with your vet’s recommendations and avoid overfeeding or over-supplementing. The goal is not for your puppy to grow “fast” or “big,” but to grow strong and stable.
🧬 Genetics + Environment = Joint Health
We are committed to the genetic side of joint health. All of our breeding dogs have undergone OFA and PennHIP evaluations for hips and elbows, and their results are publicly available. But we also educate every new puppy family on how daily lifestyle choices can make or break a growing dog’s orthopedic foundation.
Together, we can protect our puppies’ joints— ensuring they grow into strong, agile adults who can hike, swim, and chase tennis balls well into their senior years.
Final Thoughts
Your puppy’s first year lays the groundwork for the rest of their life. With the right combination of genetics, nutrition, gentle activity, and rest, you can help your puppy grow into a healthy adult with strong joints and a pain-free future.
We’re always here to support you as your puppy grows. If you ever have questions about safe activities or how to protect your dog’s joints, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re in this for the long haul—and so are your dog’s hips.
Let’s give them the best start possible. 🐶🦴