Mary Allen
The beautiful Light Golden Retriever makes a fantastic family pet. With their friendly and puppy-like disposition, a great love of people, and beautiful looks, the Golden Retriever is understandably a popular family pet.
Background
A Golden Retriever is intelligent, social, and loyal. The breed originated in an area between England and Scotland and is thought to have originated in the late 1800s. She probably comes from a cross between a Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter, and the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. The Golden Retriever was particularly popular with hunters because of its gentle way of carrying. Cautious as the breed is, he will carry even small birds in his mouth without leaving a trace. The breed was officially recognized in 1911, and around 1956 the first dogs were imported to Denmark. Today, the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world and is in the top five on the list of the most popular dog breeds in Denmark every year.
Temperament
A Golden Retriever is a well-respected family dog because they are accommodating and enjoy being with the family. He adapts to everyday situations with ease. A Golden Retriever wants to be with its family, whether it’s traveling or in daily life. Since Golden Retrievers are often stress-free and relaxed, they are easy to take with you on a day-to-day basis. They are good-natured, confident, and playful. Golden Retrievers mature late. Only when the dog is 3 to 4 years old is he physically and mentally an adult. The playful nature appeals to many families and is one of the reasons the breed is so popular. A Golden Retriever is not normally alert and greets strangers with great glee and enthusiasm. Although a poor guard dog, he makes an excellent service dog. Due to his self-confidence and trainability, he is suitable as a guide dog and therapy dog as well as a companion dog.
A Golden Retriever is a perfect dog for a family with children. However, one should be aware that it is a relatively large playful dog that can be very clumsy at times. Therefore, it can happen that he runs over small children. As with all dogs, encounters between the dog and young children should be supervised by an adult. Even the most good-natured dog can become angry if teased long enough. The breed has had problems with bitches being a bit too “soft” and submissive, and sometimes a bit too inquisitive males that react strongly to other dogs. Targeted breeding within the Danish Kennel Club aims to avoid these extremes.
Level of activity
A Golden Retriever makes a good family pet but is also very active. It is a dog that needs both physical and mental stimulation. The breed is not independent and was bred to stay close to the head of the family.
Grooming
The fur is smooth or wavy and has a water-repellent and well-insulating undercoat. The breed has nice “tabs” on the chest, under the tail, and on the backs of the legs. The coat does not require much grooming other than occasional brushing.
Training
A Golden Retriever is very observant and the vast majority can be trained to roam freely under control and to remain in the yard without a fence. The breed can be trained with friendliness and consistency. Training in short intervals with positive reinforcement is important. Capitalize on the dog’s great desire to carry things by using toys and equipment when training. A good activation is to give the dog small tasks in everyday life. Let the dog carry the breakfast bread home, bring in the newspaper or teach him to get his food. The breed loves water, so swimming is an excellent activity during the hot months.
Height and weight
Male: 56-61 cm
Females: 51-56 cm
Weight: 27-36kg
Color
Golden Retrievers are always solid yellow. The yellow can vary from almost completely white to a deep dark golden hue.
Peculiarities of the breed
Golden Retrievers are bred in two lines: a working line (also: field trial line) and a show line. Only one line is described in the breed standard, but there is a clear difference between the two lines. In addition, there is a line that combines both lines and is called “Dual Purpose”. Working lines are typically bred for working traits, while show lines are bred for appearance, but without completely overriding working traits. Which type is right for you depends entirely on what kind of life you can offer a Golden Retriever. In Denmark, we see mostly show line Golden Retrievers, while in Sweden for example some field trial line Golden Retrievers are bred. The field trial lines are usually significantly smaller, lighter, darker in color, and have a higher activity level.
Golden Retrievers love water – all year round. This means they are exposed to hot spots and water rods, among other things. This can be prevented by thoroughly drying the dog after he has been in the water so that his coat does not remain cold and damp for long periods of time. You could also use a drying pad that absorbs moisture.
Hereditary diseases
The Golden Retriever is a very healthy breed that generally does not suffer from any major health problems. There are some hereditary diseases in this deliberately bred breed. When you buy a pedigree Golden Retriever there you can usually see what the dogs in the lines are tested for and what the result is.
The typical hereditary diseases of the breed are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- OCD (osteochondrosis) epilepsy
- Cataract PRA (progressive retinal atrophy)
It is important to check if there are any Labradors in the pedigree that suffer from these diseases before purchasing a puppy.
Food
You should choose food for your Golden Retriever that meets their needs. It is especially important that the puppy is fed properly during the first year, otherwise, it may develop joint diseases. Choose a food that is appropriate for the dog’s size and activity level. If you are not sure what food your dog needs and how much, you can always contact your veterinarian.
Kind
Retrieving hound
5 Facts About Golden Retrievers
- The Golden Retriever’s friendly and tolerant disposition makes them a fantastic family pet, and their intelligence makes them a capable working dog.
- The breed loves water, so swimming is an excellent activity during the hot months.
- The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
- Slowly growing into adulthood, the Golden Retriever retains the goofy, playful personality of a puppy until they are three or four years old. This can be both appealing and annoying.
- Golden Retrievers love food and will quickly become overweight if overfed. Limit the number of treats, measure your dog’s daily food, and feed them regular meals.