Common Name: Golden Retriever
Group: Sporting Group
Origin or Range: Britain
Relative Size: Larger Than Average
Average Lifespan: 13 years
Compatibility: Relatively Non-Aggressive
Are you looking for the perfect family pet? Considering that Golden Retrievers are among the lowest ranked barkers and they don’t have bad breath, it’s a pretty good start! The Golden Retriever is one of the most beloved dogs and it is always ranked high among the other breeds. You will find them right at the top of the family pets, and they are one of the most welcomed pets in the house.
The breed has been created in the 1800 by Lord Tweedmouth, who lived just north of the Scottish border along the Tweed River. Since then, it has been growing in popularity and never lost its glory. And if obedience is your thing, look no further! They are the first to win the American Kennel Club Obedience Trial Championship ( and that’s like Miss Manners for dogs). They are willing to work for the people they’re bonded with and ready to please their families.
Golden Retriever has a love for the water, has a desire to retrieve and they’ll run tirelessly all day. Goldens are big dogs, measuring around 20 inches in height and around 50 pounds in weight. They are a long-coated breed in shades of brown and gold, with a dense inner coat and an outer coat which repels water. A puppy’s coat is always almost lighter than what it will be when he will be an adult. Looking at the puppy’s ears is a good indication of the color it will be when he grows up.
But with all that hitching and running, the Goldens are prone to hip dysplasia, a joint disorder common to all large breeds. It is caused by a lack of cartilage due to an abnormal formation in the hip. It could be quite painful and it requires medical attention. Consult with your vet if your Golden shows signs of discomfort. If not properly exercised, these guys are going to pack up the pounds. There also has been a problem with cancer in this breed: lymphosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma are important cancers so you want to make sure that you take a good line.
Environment wise, Golden are versatile: they are going to adapt to a farm and also to an apartment, but they are active dogs and require 2 to 3 hours of exercise daily. Grooming wise, they need grooming regularly, brushed and all the knots taken out with a slipper brush. Golden Retrievers are extremely easy to train. They are more eager to please than the other breeds. There is no other better pet for the family, but remember that they can be mouthy and a biter, so train them early not to bite.
This is not a guard dog, unless the intruder hates being licked.
Every Golden has it own unique character, but in general they:
- Need space, likes cold places
- Are generally quite healthy
- Need some grooming
- Trainable, tire quickly
- Great family dog.
Golden Retrievers have a zest for life and they are amazing dogs!