Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are intelligent, devoted family pets. Their kind temperament, shiny coats, and beautiful grins make them one of America's most beloved breeds. Golden Retriever breeds are known for their beautiful feathering, floppy ears, and cheerful dispositions. Developed initially to recover birds for hunters, these water-loving, lively dogs are comfortable in various tasks, from endless fetch with their owners to working as assistance dogs.

Even though Golden Retrievers dogs are olden, they come in various shades, ranging from light golden (such as the white Golden Retriever or English cream Golden Retriever) to dark golden colors. With feathering on the backs of their forelegs, the fronts of their necks, the backs of their thighs, and the bottoms of their tails. Their large floppy ears, along with their lively demeanor, give them the appearance of an everlasting puppy.

Weight  

• Male: 65-75 lbs  
• Female: 55-65 lbs  

 Height  

• Male: 23-24 Inches  
• Female: 21.5-22.5 inches  

Life Span  

• 10-12 Years 

Appearance 

That lovely golden coat is a double coat, consisting of a water-repellent outer coat and a soft undercoat that regulates their body temperature in cold and warm conditions.

You may anticipate your Golden Retriever to shed as much as other dogs with a double coat. Brushing a Golden Retriever monthly in the fall and spring and daily during shedding months is essential to avoid excessive blowouts. A Golden Retriever should only require baths on rare occasions if well-groomed.

Golden Retrievers shed a lot; therefore, they need to be brushed regularly. Their outer coat is thick and repels water, thanks to their Scottish Highlands breeding as hunting and waterfowl retrieving dogs. They have a thick undercoat as well. Their coats can be wavy or straight in texture. Their breast, backs of their legs, and tail are heavily feathered.

Male Golden Retrievers weigh 65–75 pounds as adults, while females weigh 55–65 pounds. Their color varies from light golden to cream, dark golden to golden, and their body varies from wide and thick to slimmer and sportier. Goldens walk with a fluid, strong stride, and their fluffy tails are carried with a "merry motion," according to AKC standards.

Temperament 

Golden Retrievers are calm, loving, and trustworthy dogs. These characteristics make them terrible security dogs but great family dogs.. They're bright, eager to please, lively, energetic, and easily trained.

Golden Retrievers are often extroverted, lively, and kind dogs. They're warm, clever, loyal, and ideal family pets. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more affectionate, outgoing, eager-to-please friend from a personality standpoint. 

Golden Retrievers were bred to be working dogs, so they have a lot of energy and demand a lot of action. They are best suited to owners who lead an active lifestyle and thrive in a household where someone can spend time with them during the day. They don't fare well when left alone at home since they are too attached to their people.

Goldens are eager to please their owners and like having a task to perform, such as fetching the newspaper or waking up the youngsters, because they were bred to work with people. When you're out and about, their cheerful nature attracts the attention of other people—Goldens get along well with strangers and other pets.

Although they are not regarded as ideal security dogs (they would instead show an intruder where the treats are then chase him away), Golden Retrievers make great service dogs due to their devotion, intelligence, and calm demeanor.

The breed is known for its gentle, quiet demeanor. The Golden Retriever is raised to be friendly and eager to please his owner. The Golden, like other dogs, must be well-raised and well-trained to make the most of his ancestry, despite being hard-wired with a lovely temperament.

When they're young, Golden Retrievers, like other dogs, require early socialization, including exposure to various people, sights, noises, and experiences. Socialization is vital in ensuring that your Golden puppy develops into a well-rounded dog. They're also prone to worry if left alone for lengthy periods and perform best with an active, demonstrative owner.

 Living Conditions

Golden Retrievers are made for adventure and like romping in the park. If you enjoy hiking or jogging, your Golden will gladly accompany you. And if you feel like throwing a ball in the backyard, they'd be delighted to join you; Goldens, after all, are retrievers.

Your dog will be more relaxed after he's back inside if you give him 20-30 minutes of strenuous activity twice a day. On the other hand, slacking on the activity may result in behavioral issues. Like other retriever breeds, Golden Retrievers are inherently "mouthy," and they're happiest when they're carrying something in their jaws, such as a ball, soft toy, newspaper, or, most of all, a stinky sock.

Golden Retrievers are perfect for similarly active owners who have lots of time for dogs since they are so active and want time with their families. A Golden Retriever must reside indoors with the people he cares about the most. They regard themselves as family members and must be treated as such.

On the other hand, Goldens are unaffected by noise, bustle, or movement, making them exceptionally patient with youngsters. When it comes to having additional dogs in the house, Golden Retrievers believe the more the merrier. Goldens may be trusted among other dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals with proper introductions and training. A Golden retriever thrives in a big fenced-in yard, so if you don't have much outside space or live in an apartment, make sure you take your Golden outside regularly.

While Golden Retrievers are simple to teach and cooperative, a bored Golden Retriever is naughty. These dogs don't do well when left alone for lengthy periods, and they're not pleased if you don't take them for a walk regularly. 

On the other hand, Golden Retrievers are very clever and eager to work for rewards, whether treats or praise and they respond well to clicker training. Golden Retrievers are well-suited for careers as assistance dogs. Some work in more demanding sectors such as search and rescue because they excel at obedience training and are frequently eager for something more.

If you're parenting a Golden puppy, you'll need to be extra careful. Between the ages of four and seven months, these dogs develop rapidly, rendering them vulnerable to bone problems. Allow your Golden puppy to run and play on rigid surfaces such as pavement only when he has reached the age of two years and fully developed his joints.

Regular grassy play, as well as puppy agility lessons, are OK. A word on training: Golden Retrievers are so pleasant and diligent that they will work themselves to exhaustion. Include water and rest intervals in your hard play and training, supplement any strenuous training with mental exercises such as puzzle toys or hide-and-seek, or opt for lengthy, calm walks. 

Care

Anyone thinking about acquiring a Golden Retriever should be aware that they will be receiving a devoted friend that will shed. They have a thick, water-resistant double coat that sheds little in the winter and summer and severely in the spring and fall. On the other hand, brushing your locks regularly may help avoid tangling and eliminate some dead hair before it covers all insight. Baths are also beneficial and should be done once a month, but make sure the Golden Retriever is completely dry before brushing.

The nails of Golden Retrievers should be clipped once or twice a month. When you hear them clicking on the floor, that's a good sign they need to be trimmed. Brushing teeth at least twice or three times a week is also recommended. Ear inspections are also crucial; goldens have fold-over ears, which provide a habitat conducive to the growth of germs and fungus. To help avoid infections, look for redness or a foul odor and wipe out the outer ear with a cotton ball wet with a mild, pH-balanced ear cleaner.

 A Golden Retriever's daily routine must include exercise. A minimum of one hour of vigorous exercise per day is required, even if this is spread out across several separate trips or play periods throughout the day. Long runs, bike rides, walks, and swims are all possible with Golden Retrievers. Hunting expeditions, field trials, and other canine sports, including agility, obedience, and tracking, are also famous among them.

If Golden Retriever has little exercise, they are more prone to engage in unpleasant habits such as digging and gnawing. Mental tasks, like learning tricks and playing with puzzle toys, appeal to Goldens, but they should never be used as a substitute for physical activity. Exercise should be limited throughout the first two years of a Golden Retriever's life since their growth plates are still developing. Wait until the dog is fully grown before going on lengthy, rigorous runs or treks, and always choose grass over concrete.

Golden Retrievers benefit from early socialization and puppy training programs. To assist puppies in growing well-adjusted in their short lives, they should be exposed to a broad range of people, places, and circumstances.

When it comes to feeding time, owners must assist Golden Retrievers in controlling their consumption because they have a penchant for becoming overweight. Instead of putting food available all the time, food should be weighed up and provided twice a day. Dog treats should be used sparingly. Give your Golden Retriever the eye and hands-on tests if you're not sure if he's overweight. Look down at him first. There should be waste visible. Then, with your thumbs down his spine and fingers splayed downward, place your hands on his back. Without pressing too much, you should be able to feel but not see his ribs. He probably needs to eat less and exercise more if you can't. Consult your veterinarian for the best course of action.

Health

Golden Retrievers live for around 10–12 years on average. Golden Retrievers are usually healthy dogs, although they have a little higher incidence of hip dysplasia and cancer than other breeds.

Elbow dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (or slow degeneration of the retina), hypothyroidism, stomach dilatation-volvulus (also known as bloat), and allergies are some of the less frequent health problems. Golden Retrievers' ears must be cleaned regularly to avoid ear infections due to their shape. Consult your veterinarian about correct ear care and the best items to use for ear cleaning.

Cancer is the most dangerous of the possible illnesses. Golden Retrievers are twice as prone to developing cancer than other breeds. Like hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia, joint problems affect up to one-fifth of golden retrievers. Golden Retrievers are also more susceptible than other breeds to acquire the potentially fatal heart condition known as subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS).

However, many Golden Retrievers die of malignancies such as hemangiosarcoma and osteosarcoma. Potential health issues aside, most people feel that owning a Golden Retriever is a delight to love and care for as long as they are a member of the family. Many pet owners get pet health insurance as a precaution.

History

     Shutterstock_Olena-Brodetska

In nineteenth-century Scotland, Golden Retrievers were developed as hunting dogs, specializing in water and land retrieving. Breeders combined water spaniels and other retrievers to produce a dog that possessed the abilities of a Golden Retriever, particularly the ability to return uninjured ducks and other birds to their hunting masters.

Golden Retrievers were derived from Russian sheepdogs purchased from a circus for many years. In truth, the breed was created in Scotland on Sir Dudley Majoribanks' highland estate, afterward known as Lord Tweedmouth.

 Tweedmouth, like many other aristocracies of the time, raised a variety of animals to improve diverse breeds. From 1835 until 1890, Tweedmouth's breeding records reveal what he was striving for with the Golden Retriever.

Tweedmouth was an avid waterfowl hunter; therefore, he needed a retriever with a good nose who would be more attentive to his human hunting companion than the setters and spaniels employed at the time. He also wanted the dog to be obedient and calm in the house.

Tweedmouth returned to Scotland with Nous and bred him to Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel, between 1868 and 1871. Tweed Water Spaniels (now extinct) were noted for being enthusiastic retrievers in the field and very calm and devoted in the home, traits that today's Golden Retrievers share.

Wavy- and Flat-coated retrievers, another Tweed Water Spaniel, and a red setter were used for breeding Nous and Belle's descendants. Tweedmouth saved the majority of the yellow puppies to continue his breeding program while giving the others to friends and family.

Tweedmouths gained notoriety for their hunting abilities, which is unsurprising. Don of Gerwyn, a liver-coated offspring of one of Tweedmouth's dogs, was most famous, winning the International Gundog League trial in 1904.

In 1908, the Golden Retriever was first displayed at a British dog show. In 1911, the Kennel Club of England recognized the Golden Retriever as a separate breed. They were classed as "retriever — yellow or golden" at the time. The breed's name was officially changed to a Golden Retriever in 1920. Around 1910, the breed arrived in the United States via Canada and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1932.

Final Thoughts

Golden Retrievers, are one of the finest family dogs since they are kind to youngsters and are always willing to follow their owners. However, they need a lot of attention and time, making them unsuitable for busy individuals. Before acquiring a Golden Retriever, weigh all of the benefits and drawbacks.
Don't be seduced by their lovely appearance if you can't put in the time and effort into training and decide to dump your puppy at the first shelter you come across a few months later.