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25 Golden Retriever Halloween Costumes

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

A golden retriever dressed as a witch for Halloween

Determining which Halloween costume you’re going to wear can be tricky, but it can be incredibly difficult when picking something for your Golden Retriever. Not all dogs are up for dressing up, and if you have a pup that enjoys wearing costumes, how do you go about narrowing down your many options?

Well, we’ve found a selection of Halloween costumes, from the simple to the extravagant, for you to choose from. So, whatever the theme of your upcoming Halloween party is, you can be confident you and your Golden will be dressed to impress!

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The 25 Golden Retriever Halloween Costumes

1. Maleficent

Maleficent is dramatic, sassy, and has a flair for fashion. If this sounds like your Golden, they will rock this look. She’s a villain and misunderstood hero, so whether your Golden is an obedient angel or a rule breaker, they will have something in common with Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent!


2. Thing 1 or Thing 2

This might be the perfect option if you have more than one Golden Retriever because Things 1 and 2 from Dr Seuss come in a pair! Trouble always comes in twos, and your Goldens will certainly look like a cheeky duo in this option.


3. Elsa

If you’re a Frozen fan, this is the costume for you. With your dog dressed up as Elsa, you can keep up the theme and dress as Ana or Olaf if you want to make a dramatic, magical entrance to the Halloween party!


4. Hairy Pawter

Hairy Pawter or Harry Potter is a Halloween theme amongst humans, so it makes sense there’s a costume for dogs. If this is a little too elaborate, a simple scarf in the colors of your chosen house wound around your dog’s neck and a stick (or wand) in their mouth will certainly do the trick!


5. Witch

This probably won’t be the only witch you’ll come across on Halloween, but it will potentially be one of the cutest. Witches are classic Halloween favorites, and your dog will look fantastic!


6. Harley Quinn

She will be the sweetest, friendliest Harley Quinn ever, but your Golden will still rock this option. This costume will make your pup look like a sweet, ponytailed innocent with a dark side.


7. Lion

They might be king of the jungle, but dressed as a lion, your Golden is clearly going to be the king of Halloween. This is one of the simpler designs, but this cute lion will win hearts and turn heads.


8. Simple Devil

If your Golden Retriever isn’t a fan of wearing clothes, something simple like a pair of devil horns or a witch’s hat might be more appropriate. They will still look great but won’t overheat or get stressed out.


9. Bat Dress

If you have a theme going and find incorporating it into a costume tricky, it might be time to think outside the box. Dressing a dog as a bat will be challenging, but finding a dress with bats on it is much easier. This costume will leave your Golden feeling as fabulous as they look.


10. Turkey

This next costume will also be perfect for Thanksgiving. If your Golden Retriever wants to see what life would be like if they were born with feathers instead of flowing locks, this is their chance with this adorable turkey costume.


11. Luigi

If you’re a Mario fan but think the main character might be overdone, Luigi is a fantastic option. It’s also one of the simpler designs to construct, with just a hat and t-shirt making up this fun costume.


12. Chucky

No Halloween is complete without a Chucky sighting, and this will be the sweetest one. Although Goldens are known for being gentle and kind, in this killer costume, no one will mess with you on the way to the party.


13. UPS Delivery Driver

Not many deliveries come in such sweet packaging. Your Golden Retriever might not have any mail to give you dressed as a UPS delivery driver, but considering their history as hunting dogs, they can at least retrieve something you already own.


14. Hotdog

Your Golden will look adorable dressed as the American favorite, the hotdog. This look will certainly make people smile, and sometimes Halloween isn’t just about the spookiness but the adorableness!


15. Ghost

No Halloween is complete without the traditional ghost option. This is also one of the easier costumes to put together. You only need to find a white sheet and cut holes in it, and you’re ready to trick or treat at a moment’s notice.

Just don’t forget your jack-o-lantern to collect all your well-deserved candy. However, your Golden won’t be able to sample the candy since human treats are unsuitable for dogs. So, maybe you can bring dog treats to share with your cute Casper.


16. Winnie the Pooh

Another cute option is this Winnie the Pooh costume, which is simple and cheap to put together. Pooh has lots of friends, so if you have more than one pet, there are plenty of other characters they can portray!


17. Lieutenant Dan

If you’re a Forrest Gump fan, we have a great option for you with Lieutenant Dan. Just as this owner has done, it’s best not to give your dog a cigarette as a prop unless it’s a stick, so an emoji might be the safest option for the photoshoot.


18. Woody

Toy Story fans will recognize this costume immediately. Woody is no stranger to adventure and is a loyal friend, so if your Golden is generally found by your side, then they’ve already got the makings of the best sheriff in the West!


19. Superdog

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superdog! Your loyal Golden will rock this look because, let’s face it, we know if these wonderful dogs could fly, they would make the best superhero.


20. Astronaut

You’ll love this next costume to the moon and back. Your Golden will look adorable and adventurous as an astronaut, so bring an extra bag for all that candy you’ll get trick or treating.


21. Pumpkin

Pumpkins and Halloween go hand in hand, and this simple outfit is perfect for the occasion, whether you’re trick or treating or at a party with friends at the dog park. Your Golden will stand out in this bright outfit, and you certainly won’t lose sight of them.


22. Bank Robber

It might look like they only rob banks, but your Golden will also steal hearts with this adorable costume. This bank robbing outfit comes with a mask to protect their identity, but it will still work without it if your pup doesn’t like anything on their face.


23. Minion

Minions love to laugh, but this outfit will make other people giggle. The way this costume is made up, it will look like a Minion is running toward you with the lovely face of your Golden Retriever—and there’s nothing cuter than that!


24. Mummy

This costume can be as easy or elaborate as your Golden will allow. Mummies can be wrapped up from head to toe, or they might only have a little bandage wrapped around the parts of their body that your Golden is comfortable with. Whatever you end up with, your dog will look adorable!


25. M&Ms

To get the most candy, you must first become the candy. What better way to let your dog join in with Halloween than dressing up as chocolate, which is a great compromise since they can’t actually have any. This M&M costume is definitely sweet.

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Conclusion

We hope you’ve found inspiration from our list of Halloween costumes for Golden Retrievers. Some will require a little forward planning, but many you can whip up with items you find lying around the house. All you need is a willing Golden, and you’re all set! Just be sure to check that all DIY supplies you use are non-toxic and safe to use around dogs.

Additionally, it’s important to note that Halloween is a fun time for the family, but you must take your pet’s well-being into consideration. If your dog doesn’t like dressing up, there are plenty of other ways for them to be involved. Also, do not forget to keep them safe if they go outside by any ID tags or collars.

They might just want to be left alone, and that’s fine too. Even dogs that have been easygoing in the past might become agitated with all the excitement and the change to their routine. So, check in with your dog, take the time to read their body language, and let them sit it out if they don’t feel up to participating.


Featured Photo Credit: Kashaeva Irina, Shutterstock

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