Thinking about adding a new furry member to your family? Are you looking for a dog that is loyal, loving, gentle, energetic, and intelligent? If yes, then look no further. The Golden Retriever is your ultimate dog!
The Golden Retriever is one of the most distinguished dog breeds in the United States. They excel at retrieving games for hunters, sniffing out narcotics for law enforcement, and as military, therapy, and service dogs. They’re great with children and very protective of their human companions.
This article explains the breed characteristics, vital stats, history, temperament, general health, and care of a Golden Retriever.
Let’s get started!
Golden Retriever Breed Characteristics
Golden Retrievers are cheerful, loving, and eager to please dogs. Their exceptional intelligence and trainability make them highly capable working dogs.
Golden Retriever is recognized as a versatile dog and possesses several characteristics that make them stand out. We have listed below some characteristics of Golden Retrievers.
Adaptability
Golden Retrievers are sensitive dogs and are not good at adapting to some environments.
- Golden Retrievers are not good apartment dwellers. Being a sporting dog, they are active when indoors and need a yard to play.
- Golden Retrievers are highly sensitive dogs. Yelling and shouting affect them emotionally. This makes Goldens moderately suitable for novice dog parents.
- Goldens thrive on the attention and companionship given their owners. They suffer from separation anxiety if left alone by their human.
- Golden Retrievers have a moderate tolerance for both hot and cold temperatures.
Friendliness
Golden Retrievers are excellent companions and known to be friendly dogs. To narrow it down:
- Golden Retrievers are affectionate dogs and are fond of human interaction. They honor cuddling and love to be around their owners.
- They are friendly to strangers and won’t bother your guests with their bark.
- They’re very gentle and friendly with children.
- Golden Retrievers are non-aggressive and have great canine social skills.
Grooming
Golden Retrievers require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition.
- They shed all year round with two heavy sheddings per year. The Golden Retriever owner has to be prepared to deal with a significant level of dog hair in the house.
- They’re difficult to groom dogs.
- Golden Retrievers have a high drooling potential which makes them unsuitable for “neatly” guys.
- They are greedy eaters and can easily gain weight if their diet is not rationed.
Trainability
Golden Retrievers are very responsive to training.
- Golden Retrievers are easy to train because they approach training with an attitude to learn.
- Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and learn things very quickly.
- They have a high tendency to chew on objects and to mouth your hands.
- Golden Retrievers have a moderate prey drive.
- They have a moderate tendency to bark. In fact, their bark is welcoming rather than protective.
Physical Needs
Golden Retrievers are energetic dogs with high physical needs.
- These gentle guys are highly playful and always begging for a game.
- Golden Retrievers are high-energy dogs. They become mischievous and destructive without physical activities.
- They need to be involved in several activities and need regular exercise.
Vital Stats About Golden Retriever
Let’s take a look at some vital stats of Golden Retrievers:
| Stats | Description |
| Dog Breed Group | Sporting dogs |
| AKC Breed Popularity | Ranks 3 of 197 |
| Temperament/ personality | Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted |
| Average Height | Male: 23-24 inches Female: 21.5-22.5 inches |
| Weight Range | Male: 65-75 pounds Female: 55-65 pounds |
| Energy level | Highly energetic |
| Grooming needs | Moderate |
| Bred for | Retrieving |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years |
History of Golden Retriever
The golden retriever was originally bred to be a ‘bird dog’. It was developed in the Scottish Highlands during the reign of Victoria. Through several generations of clever breeding, the Golden Retriever came forth as an enduring gift to dogkind.
The Kennel Club in England officially recognized the Golden Retriever in 1911. Golden Retrievers were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1932.
Today, Golden Retrievers remain one of the most popular dog breeds, ranking third in the AKC breed popularity list. They continue to prove themselves as a versatile breed and kept as working dogs, hunting dogs, and as an affectionate family companion.
Temperament and Personality of Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are sweet, calm and playful dogs. These multi-talented dogs prove to be great in tracking, hunting, drug detection, search and rescue, dog therapy, and many other functions.
All Golden Retrievers generally share the following personalities:
- People-oriented: Golden Retrievers are eager to please their owners. These dogs love to be around their human companions and make superb family dogs.
- Loyal: The Goldens are fiercely loyal to their owners. They even get stressed if they don’t see their owners for long periods. Goldens are always ready to rescue their owners in difficult situations.
- Playful: Golden Retrievers are playful dogs and enjoy playing with their human companions.
- Intelligent: The Golden Retrievers are incredibly smart and intelligent.
- Versatile: The Golden Retrievers can be trained to do almost anything including hunting, tracking, and much more.
Major Health Concerns of Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are moderately healthy but are prone to few health issues. The health problems that may affect this breed are:
- Hip Dysplasia: It is a genetic progressive disease. Golden Retrievers with hip dysplasia show reflectance in rising, jumping, or running. Deformity of their hip causes pain and lameness on one or both rear legs.
- Elbow Dysplasia: It causes a developmental deformity of the elbows. Elbow dysplasia in Golden Retrievers can cause limping, lameness, swelling, pain, and often leads to arthritis.
- Cataracts: A golden develops a cataract when the lens of the eye clouds. Ths causes blurry vision and difficulty in seeing. The Golden Retriever’s eyes may look cloudy or bluish-grey.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): It is an inherited eye disease affecting Golden Retrievers. Affected Retrievers initially experience vision loss in dim light. PRA can eventually cause complete blindness due to bilateral degeneration of the retina of the eye.
- Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis: It is a heart disease that is hereditary. It is caused by a narrow connection between the left ventricle and the aorta of the affected Golden’ heart.
- Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD): It is an orthopedic problem in Golden Retrievers. This condition is caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints.
- Allergies: Golden Retrievers are prone to a variety of allergies. Goldens may be allergic to dust, pollens, molds, certain foods, and flea saliva.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease: It is a common hereditary blood clotting disorder in Golden Retrievers. Affected Goldens may experience excessive bleeding, even from minor cuts.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: It is caused by the sudden influx of gas and air in the Golden Retriever’s stomach. This causes it to distend and twist.
- Epilepsy: This disease refers to abnormal and uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in your Golden Retriever’s brain, causing seizures.
- Hypothyroidism: A Golden Retriever with Hypothyroidism produces low thyroid hormones. This problem is curable and treated with medication and diet.
How to Take Care of Golden Retriever
Taking care of your Golden Retrievers involves a lot of things including feeding, grooming, training, and exercises.
Feeding your Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers need 2 to 3 cups of high-quality food a day, divided into two meals. Food requirements of a Golden Retriever depends on their age, activity level, and weather.
The food requirements of a Golden puppy change as they grow up. Try to monitor their food as they can easily put on weight.
Training your Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and eager to please, and this makes them very easy to train. These intelligent canines can fairly understand your commands and enjoy learning new tricks. Goldens are extremely sensitive, so punishments will damage their personality.
Here are some of the training that you need to do with your Golden puppy:
- Leash training
- Crate training
- Housebreaking and potty training
- Basic obedience training
Puppy training classes for Golden Retrievers serve as part of the socialization process.
Grooming needs of Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever has a double coat that comes in many shades of gold. The breed has a dense, water-repellent outer coat with a thick undercoat.
- Goldens are heavy shedders and require frequent brushing to keep the fur from flying in the house.
- Golden Retrievers don’t need frequent baths. Give them a bath once a month or when they get dirty.
- Brush your Golden teeth at least two or three times a week to remove bacteria and tartar buildup.
- Trim your Golden’s nails once or twice a month to avoid splitting and discomfort.
- Golden’s eyes should be clear with no redness, swelling, or discharge.
- Golden’s ears should be examined and cleaned every week with a canine ear cleaning solution.
- When you groom your Golden, look inside its mouth and ears for signs of allergies or infection.
Exercise requirements of Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are very athletic and smart dogs. They need regular opportunities to vent their pent-up energy. Exercising your dog is rewarding for both Golden and the owner. Here’s how you can meet your dog’s high exercise requirements:
- Taking them for a long walk.
- Play fetch games
- Play frisbee toss
- Swimming
- Go for jogging
- Hiking
- Teach them to run alongside your bicycle
- Backyard agility
- Give them an assortment of puzzle toys to challenge their brain.
Parting Shot on Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are one of the finest family dogs in the world and get along in just about any home or family. This ever-friendly dog breed will fill your home with joy and happiness.
If you have any questions about Golden Retrievers, please do let us know. We would be happy to help you.