Mary Allen
The Golden Retriever is a British dog breed, created by breeding between the Yellow Retriever and the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. Responsible for this breed is the 1st Baron Tweedmouth, Dudley Marjoribanks, who started breeding his dream dog in 1868.
This breed of dog can be used in many ways.
What Does It Look Like
It is a very beautiful, elegant, medium-sized dog with strong muscles and a golden smooth or slightly wavy coat. The physique is rectangular harmonious. His medium-sized ears drop down to the corners of his mouth.
How Big & How Heavy Will It Be?
A Golden Retriever grows up to 61 cm tall and weighs around 36 kg.
Coat, Grooming & Color
The coat is of medium length and can be slightly wavy or straight. The coat of hair requires daily care.
The color of the fur varies from golden light brown to golden yellow and cream to wheat yellow.
Nature, Temperament
The Golden Retriever is very loyal, loving, patient, gentle, and very affectionate. People are his absolute point of reference and the special ease of handling makes him almost a fulfiller – he reads every wish from his people’s eyes.
This loving nature also makes him a suitable family dog. The Golden Retriever has a good relationship with children because they can do just about anything with them. The Golden Retriever is a friend for the whole family and especially for your children.
He is a loyal and loving companion.
Upbringing
On the whole, a Golden Retriever is easy to train because he pays close attention to human behavior. It is important that you are consistent and do not make exceptions that the dog cannot understand.
This dog does not tolerate too much severity, it then switches to stubbornness. Much more important is praise and sometimes an edible reward.
Once practiced, it should be repeated often so that it becomes permanently anchored.
Suitability
It was originally bred as a hunting dog. Above all, he should retrieve the shot birds from the water. Hence the name “Retriever”: retrieve = bring back. When hunting, he is very eager. The Golden Retriever is a gentle and affectionate hunting dog.
Due to its high level of intelligence and willingness, the Golden Retriever is very often used as a service dog for the handicapped, as a rescue dog, and as a sniffer dog for explosives and drugs.
However, he is not to be used as a protection or guard dog. He is also very open to strangers and in no way aggressive.
The Golden Retriever has also become a very popular family dog internationally.
Posture & Outlet
Keeping them in a house with a large plot of land or a garden is recommended. These dogs need plenty of exercise and activity.
Breed Diseases
This Retriever breed is also prone to hip dysplasia (HD), which, however, can largely be ruled out as a hereditary disease inbreeding.
The Golden Retriever is also prone to elbow dysplasia, abnormal development of the ulna that can lead to paralysis. This disease can be largely prevented by avoiding overuse, especially in puppies (no excessive climbing of stairs, not too long walks, etc.). Of course, the right diet also plays a major role.
Although hereditary cataracts are a disease that can be remedied by a small surgical procedure, this phenomenon can be ruled out to a large extent in advance with good breeding.
Life Expectancy
On average, these dogs reach an age of 10 to 12 years.