
Known for its distinctive golden coat, which was named after it, the golden retriever is a medium-sized breed-loving dog with a lot of positive energy that originates from Scotland. Known for its beautiful coat colour that ranges from cream to dark gold, loving and loyal nature, kind and friendly personality, and enthusiasm for life, the golden retriever is one of the most popular dog globally.
Golden’s makes an excellent family dog, and they are incredibly loyal, affectionate, and intelligent, and usually get along well with children and other pets. Aside from being a wonderful family companion, Golden retrievers also make wonderful service dogs and are very successful in aspects of guide, assistance, and therapy dogs. Golden retrievers can be a good family dog, so you should learn more about the golden retriever’s history, care needs, temperament, and more before getting one.
Breed Overview
- Origin: Scotland
- Group: Sporting Group
- Height: 23 to 24 inches for males and 21.5 to 22.5 inches for females
- Weight: 65 to 75 pounds for males and 55 to 65 pounds for females
- Coat and Color: Medium-length double coat that comes in cream to dark gold
- Temperament: Loving, intelligent, playful, and energetic
- Friendliness: High
- Exercise Needs: High
- Energy Level: High
- Trainability: High
- Intelligence: High
- Tendency to Bark: Medium
- Amount of Shedding: High
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Characteristics of the Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers remain one of the most popular dogs in the world. This is because of their loving personality, playful nature, and ability to get along with everyone, including children and other household pets. Golden retrievers are fluffy-coated dogs from the retriever family. They are average-sized dogs, and like all retrievers, they love water and are very good swimmers. They have soft mouths, which helps them carry things without crushing or biting into them.
Also read: Dog Breeds That Gets Along With Cats
History of the Golden Retriever
Originating from the Scottish Highlands, golden retrievers were originally used to hunt and retrieve dogs, as their name implies. Due to the Scottish pond and marshed lands, the Scottish estate owners needed a dog that could retrieve hunted birds that land either in water or on land, and as better guns were made, retrieving was now necessary to bring back birds from farther distances.
Dudley Marjoribanks, the Baron of Tweedmouth, wanted to create the perfect retriever that would help bring back animals after being shot. He then crossed a Tweed Water Spaniel with a yellow retriever. This crossing led to four puppies, which he bred further with Irish Setters, Bloodhounds, St. John’s Water Dogs, and black retrievers. In the late 19th century, he kept careful records of his breeding efforts. His goal was to develop a dog that could gently retrieve birds and other small games and be strong and active.
This breed became popular in England and was recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1911. During the early 20th century, golden retrievers came to North America to be hunting dogs and canine companions. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1925, and since then, this lovely companion has become one of the most popular dogs to date.
Also read: Smartest Dog Breed
Golden Retriever Diet and Nutrition
Golden retrievers are medium-sized dogs with quite a large appetite. Golden retriever puppies usually grow fast, so they should be placed on a low-calorie diet that will keep them from growing too fast and increasing their risk of bone disorders.
The amount of food an individual dog will eat, regardless of its breed, usually depends on their size, activity level, age, and other factors. However, an adult golden retriever should be fed two meals a day of up to 1.5 to 2 cups of dry dog food per meal. It’s best to measure out the food and provide it as meals rather than leaving food out for free feeding, and be sure to provide them with clean and fresh water always.
Note
Always monitor your dog’s weight as obesity will shorten your pet’s lifespan and can also give way to other health conditions. Discuss this with your veterinarian if you notice your dog is gaining weight.
Golden Retriever Care
Golden retrievers are one of the most popular and ideal dogs for first-time owners, but the golden retriever may not be so good for some people if they don’t know how to maintain this breed and keep them healthy. Are golden retrievers high-maintenance dogs? In a way, Yes, as golden retrievers need lots of affection, coupled with high exercise needs and grooming needs as these dogs have medium-length hair with a thick undercoat and a water-repellent outer coat, so they need to be groomed properly.
Exercise
Golden retrievers are strong, active, and energetic dogs who require daily exercise. It is best to create a play yard for your golden retriever so that it can romp and be taken out for a walk a couple of times per day. Golden retrievers are known to be mouthy, carrying things around in their mouths, so it is advisable to get them toys and chew bones available to satisfy this oral fixation.
If you have a puppy, it’s important to know they grow quickly. To prevent injuries or improper development of the joints, ensure they don’t run on hard surfaces until they are around 18 months, as you want the joints to form properly first. For instance, you should let your puppy play on grass instead of concrete.
Also read: Best Dog Breed For Swimming
Grooming
Golden retrievers are fluffy coated dogs that shed most of the year moderately and heavily in the spring and fall. They are to be brushed daily and will probably have a bath about once every month.
Trim your dog’s nails once or twice a month to prevent splitting and foot problems. If you hear your dog’s nails clicking on the ground, it’s time to cut them. Start getting your puppy used to having their nails trimmed by handling their paws early. Use a good nail clipper to make the process quick and safe.
Brush your dog’s teeth at least a couple of times weekly to keep their mouth healthy. Check your dog’s ears regularly, especially since droopy ears can lead to ear infections.
Training
Golden retrievers are attention-lovers who enjoy being with their families and don’t like being left alone. They are friendly and playful with everyone and are not good watchdogs. It’s important for them to socialize, and they usually do well with other dogs and cats in the house.
Golden retrievers are gentle and patient. They love to play with kids, but their size can sometimes accidentally knock over small children when they get excited. This may scare some kids, especially those not used to larger dogs. With proper guidance, golden retrievers can be an ideal family dog with children. They usually don’t bark a lot and keep a playful attitude for several years. Early training and socialization, as well as positive reinforcement, will help them learn the rules faster. Additionally, golden retrievers are one of the smartest dog breeds, so training them won’t be very stressful, as they are eager to please active dogs.
Common Health Problems
Dogs breed properly bred by their club standards are less likely to inherit health conditions. However, no matter how healthy a dog is, some hereditary health problems can occur in the breed. Conditions to be aware of in the golden retriever are;
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Osteochondrosis (OCD)
- Cancer
- Heart conditions
More Dog Breeds and Further Research
Before you decide on bringing home a golden retriever, you should do plenty of research before getting one. You can get more information from speaking to other golden retriever pet parents and reputable breeders. If you might be interested in dog breeds that are quite similar to the golden retriever, you can take a look into these breeds:
- Labrador Retriever
- Newfoundland
- Chinook
- Saint Bernard
FAQs
Are golden retrievers high-maintenance Dogs?
Golden Retrievers are often regarded as high-maintenance dogs for several reasons. They need a lot of attention and interaction with their families and should not be left alone for long periods. They shed a lot and need regular brushing. They are also very energetic, requiring regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Are golden retrievers the most loving dogs?
Golden retrievers make great family pets. They are well-mannered and known for their gentle and kind nature. They are friendly with children and rarely have behavioural problems at home, making them an adaptable companion.
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