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The Golden Retriever
Breed Classification: Sporting or Gun Dog
Size: 20-24” in Height Weight: 55-81 lbs.
This breed of dog originated in England in the early 1800’s and bred from a mix of the Tweed Water Spaniel (which is now extinct) and the Wavy-Coated Retriever. The breed was originally bred to retrieve water-fowl and game while hunting. Their ‘soft’ mouths allow them to hold onto the fowl or game they are retrieving causing damage to it. They have an instinctive love of the water and swimming instinct that also makes them an excellent hunting companion. They are intelligent, loyal and biddable, and are also easily trained. There are two varieties of this breed of dog – The American Golden Retriever and the English Golden Retriever. The English variety has a bigger bone structure, is generally shorter, with a more square-ish head and muzzle, and they are slightly heavier. The American type is stockier and lankier. This breed is a larger dog that has a powerful and robust build. Their coats are of long fur that is soft and flat and sometimes has a wavy feathering. The fur color comes in shades of either golden or a cream color, and dense and water repellant. As mentioned, these dogs are well known for their excellent dispositions. They have an agreeable, loving and gentle disposition. They are not ‘one-person’ dogs but are very sociable and love the family environment, which as makes them excellent family pets. They tend not to make good watch dogs or guard dogs because they always seem to get along so well with strangers. Their sociable nature also makes them good with other household pets. This type of dog really does love to retrieve. They can easily be entertained for many hours just retrieving a ball, stick or toy that is thrown for them. They are intelligent and easily trained and are able to learn numerous command phrases. These dogs are obedient and have a strong desire to please their masters. Care should be taken not to over-work these animals, as their sense of pleasing their owners may cause them to continue following orders or working to the point of collapse. Golden Retrievers are often chosen and valued in other working fields besides retrieving. Because of their high level of social skills, their calmness in many situations, and their gentleness, they also are commonly chosen for work as guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs or search and rescue. These dogs, being initially bred as a working-retrieving animal, require an adequate amount of activity and exercise daily. They may be prone to becoming overweight and of obesity if not exercised daily. They do not do well in a sedentary home environment. Also, because of their long furry coats, these dogs need to be groomed and brushed regularly, or at least on a weekly basis. Their hair sheds heavily all year round and excessively during the spring shedding season. Their ears should also be cleaned regularly because they can be prone to ear infections. Since Golden Retrievers are very sociable in nature, they may also be prone to separation anxiety. They can become sad or depressed if left alone too much. From their retriever origins, they tend to like having something in their mouths and a special toy for them to ‘mouth’ and cuddle can be comforting for them.
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