The exact amount of food a golden retriever needs each day is dependent on age, metabolism, health and activity level. When puppies are between 4 to 7 months old, they grow rapidly. To avoid developing bone disorders, they should eat high-quality and low-calorie foods to prevent them from growing too quickly. Determine how much puppies should eat by feeling their ribs; they should be easily found by running hands along their sides.

Golden retrievers should always have access to cool, fresh water. Avoid letting them free feed, and train them to eat on a schedule. Puppies generally eat three times per day, while adults are often limited to twice per day. The transition from eating puppy food to adult dog food usually occurs between 12 to 20 weeks, which is when puppies typically start to lose interest in puppy food or stop finishing their meals.

Golden retrievers can sleep from 10 to 12 hours a day and spend a couple more hours just laying around, this is not abnormal for a full grown or a puppy, a little less normal for a adolescent golden who is more active and playful, however every dog has it own routine and personally, this affects when and how long they sleep, some are more restless, others are more calm and quiet, and still we have those who are more sleepy and calm saving energy just to spend all at once when possible.

 

Never forget that if provoked goldens can and will hold their own in fight. Goldens are quick, agile dogs with respectable jaw strength.