Originally bred in the British
Isles from crosses of other retrievers and water
spaniels, the Golden Retriever has become one of the
most popular family companions. This beautiful breed
brings with it not only a great look but also
natural intelligence and loyalty to the owner and
the family. Very successfully used as a bird dog,
both on land and on water, the Golden Retriever is
also a very friendly, people-oriented breed.
The Golden Retriever is widely used as a guide dog
for the blind and as a therapy dog for those with
physical limitations. The breed is also successful
in various competitions, such as tracking,
retrieving, and agility. Many owners find this breed
needs only a little obedience training, as the breed
seems to be friendly to many people. A dog of this
breed from the top-quality breeder makes a wonderful
family pet and an excellent assistant to the hunter
in the field.
Temperament
Several words can be used to describe the overall
personality of the well-bred Golden Retriever:
friendly, obedient, eager-to-please, and loving.
This breed has become one of the most popular family
dogs, doing well in almost every situation. The
Golden Retriever is not aggressive by any means,
although it will bark loudly if suspicious of some
activity around the home. This natural
protectiveness is one of the traits that most
families appreciate.
This is a very adaptable
breed, capable of getting along well with children
if properly raised and socialized by a good breeder.
The dog’s size can be a problem with very small
children, but most owners will find the Golden
Retriever to be a gentle and careful dog. In fact,
this breed is one that loves people, but also needs
people. Golden Retrievers will become depressed and
get into mischief if left alone for a long
timeframes. Therefore, it is best to plan including
a dog of this breed in nearly all family activities.
Size and Color
The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, well-proportioned
dog that should have a strong chest area and
muscular body. The male of the breed stand 22 to 24
inches at the withers while the female stand about
20 to 22 inches. The male may weigh from 60 to 80
pounds with the female weighing five to 10 pounds
less.
The coat should be of medium length, somewhat
feathered and cream or gold colored, as the name
implies. Some Golden Retrievers will have lighter
shadings in the coat, but these are not acceptable
to clubs and organizations if the color is white.
Off colors such as red and black in the coat are
also not acceptable. A long tail and shorter ears
are expected of the well-bred Golden Retriever, as
is the broad skull and deeper look of the front of
the face.
Feeding and Grooming Requirements
The Golden Retriever is an energetic breed, but one
that requires lots of outdoor activity. Therefore,
you should carefully plan a healthy diet and make
sure that your dog gets plenty of the right
nutrients. A diet of lean meats, some vegetables,
and nutritious treats might be a good place to
start, but experienced owners report that each dog
is an individual and you should try to find the best
diet for your dog as such.
Golden Retrievers have developed some allergies to
certain commercial foods and canine health experts
have reported that many dogs are allergic to the
excessive grain contents of low-priced foods. For
this reason, high protein diets are also a good
place to start. The Golden Retriever’s coat is not
exceptionally long and is actually quite smooth, so
grooming can be quite easy. Using a firm-bristle
brush is recommended, in long strokes, paying
attention to the dense undercoat. In addition, dry
shampoo and only occasional bathing are also
recommended.
Exercise Needs
Perhaps the easiest way to recommend exercise for
the Golden Retriever would be to urge that this
breed get plenty of outside time, so it is allowed
to run and use its natural energy. The Golden
Retriever was bred to be a hard-working hunting
companion that is comfortable on land and in the
water.
The Golden Retriever will be fine in an apartment or
smaller house only if it is given daily exercise and
the opportunity to be in the open spaces. This breed
is generally eager to please the owner, so
retrieving games using a ball or other toy will be
great fun. Finally, the Golden Retriever can gain
weight easily, especially if not allowed to exercise
in sufficient amounts.
