The Golden Retriever Information & Personality

What is a Golden Retriever breed?

The Golden Retriever is a popular and beloved dog breed known for its friendly and gentle nature. They are intelligent, loyal, and make excellent family pets and companions.

SIZE: Small

LIFE SPAN:15 Years

WEIGHT:5 Kg

GROUP: Toy Dogs

TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, Cheerful, Gentle, Playful

Introduction:

Are you considering adding a furry friend to your family? Look no further than the beloved Golden Retriever breed. Known for their friendly and loyal personalities, Golden Retrievers have been a popular choice for dog owners for decades.

But there’s more to this breed than just their charming personalities. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the history, characteristics, and pros and cons of Golden Retrievers to help you make an informed decision about whether this breed is right for you. So, whether you’re a first-time dog owner or a seasoned pro, keep reading to learn more about the wonderful world of Golden Retrievers.

Golden Retriever Overview:

The Golden Retriever is a widely recognized breed known for its excellent working ability as a gundog, as well as its popularity as a family pet and companion. Its body is slightly longer than it is tall, with a well-proportioned structure that exudes balance and elegance. The breed’s broad head features a well-defined stop, a wide and deep muzzle, and dark brown eyes that convey a sense of intelligence and friendliness. Additionally, the Golden Retriever has a muscular neck, strong jaws, and a complete scissor bite that contributes to its overall powerful appearance.

One of the defining features of the Golden Retriever is its dense double coat, which is composed of a water-resistant undercoat and a straight or wavy topcoat. This coat can be any shade of gold or cream and is typically marked with heavy featherings on the front neck, underside of the tail, and back of the thighs. The breed’s forelegs are straight and well-boned, while its hindlegs are equally strong and muscular. The Golden Retriever also boasts a well-feathered tail that is carried straight and level with the back.

Overall, the Golden Retriever is a beautiful and balanced breed that is highly regarded for its versatility and natural working ability. With its muscular build, intelligent expression, and friendly nature, it is no surprise that the Golden Retriever remains a popular breed among dog lovers around the world.

History & Origin:

The Golden Retriever has a rich history and origin that can be traced back to the highland deer forest of Guisachan in Scotland. Sir Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, developed the breed 1st Baron Tweedmouth, who meticulously documented the breeding records from 1835 to 1890. Marjoribanks crossed a yellow-colored dog named “Nous” with a Tweed Water Spaniel named “Belle” to produce the first Golden Retriever litter in 1868. These female pups were later crossed with other sporting breeds including the Red Setter, Bloodhound, Newfoundland breed, and Springer Spaniel, to create a highly trainable hunting dog with dynamic and powerful qualities.

The breed was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1911 and was entered in the stud book as “Retriever (Golden and Yellow).” Although the breed was first accepted for registration in 1903 as “Flat Coats – Golden,” the breed was officially named “Golden Retriever” in 1920. The Golden Retriever was introduced to Canada in 1881 and registered with the American Kennel Club in 1894 and Canadian Kennel Club in 1927. Since then, the breed has become one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide, prized not only for their hunting ability but also for their gentle temperament and loyalty as a family companion.

Developing the Golden Retriever is a testament to the dedication of Sir Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks in creating a versatile and trainable breed with excellent hunting abilities. The breed’s popularity has continued to soar over the years, with many families choosing Golden Retrievers as their beloved pets. It is not only a great hunting companion but also a perfect fit for families with children due to their gentle and loyal disposition. Overall, the Golden Retriever is a remarkable breed with a rich history and a bright future.

Golden Retriever Temperament:

• The Golden Retriever is a happy, friendly, and energetic breed with a gentle disposition.
• This breed gets along well with other pets in the household.
• Golden Retrievers are eager to please their owners, making them highly trainable.
• They love to learn new things and are mentally slow maturing, usually reaching full maturity at around three years of age.
• Although not typically aggressive, they will bark at strangers, making them an effective watchdog.

Golden Retriever Training:

The Golden Retriever requires constant human companionship to be happy. It thrives on the affection given by its family and is quite a sociable and lovable dog that can be entertained through fun fetching games such as tossing a stick or a ball to retrieve.

Grooming:

The double coat has moderate grooming requirements; brushing with a firm bristle brush twice a week should keep it in excellent form. This breed sheds on average and should be bathed only when needed.

Health:

The Golden Retriever has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Like other retrievers, it is also prone to certain hereditary diseases. Hip dysplasia is one common ailment in the breed. Certain types of cancer, including the most common, hemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mastocytoma, and osteosarcoma accounts for the most number of deaths among Golden Retrievers. A cataract is the most common eye disease in the breed, along with progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, distichiasis, entropion, corneal dystrophy, and retinal dysplasia. Several other medical issues affect this breed, including:

• Heart diseases such as subvalvular aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy
• Joint problems such as patellar luxation, osteochondritis, and panosteitis
• Skin diseases including “hot spots”, flea allergies, seborrhoea, sebaceous adenitis, and lick granuloma
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
• Bloat or gastric torsion, where the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content
• Hypercortisolism is an endocrine disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood
• Diabetes (rarely seen)
• Ear infections
• Epilepsy
• Hypothyroidism is the insufficient production of an osteitis thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland
• Laryngeal paralysis is a medical condition where the folds of the larynx do not retract
• Portosystemic shunt (PSS), is a bypass of the liver by the body’s circulatory system
• Megaesophagus, or the enlargement of the esophagus caused by failed peristalsis
• Myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease that leads to fluctuating weakness and fatiguability
• Von Willebrand Disease, hereditary coagulation (bleeding problem)
• Hemophilia is a genetic illness that impairs the body’s ability to control bleeding.

Foods that contain wheat, corn, and poultry are the ideal base diet for this breed. Limit the amount of beef as much as possible. Also, the Golden Retriever should be given a diet with the best sources of fatty acids (linseed-, corn- or wheat germ oil) to keep the coat in excellent condition.

Golden Retriever Exercise Needs:

This breed requires an active family and needs to be exercised daily. Daily long walks, a session of play in an open area, or running are some of the best exercises suited for this breed. It is not recommended for apartment life because of its high energy level. It is more suited in a house with a large yard where it can run and play freely.

Children and other pets:

It is excellent with children and very tol

Earn of them, although it can be too boisterous for small children. This breed is well known for its affection for people and makes a great therapy dog.

Pros and cons of the Golden Retriever breed

Here are some pros and cons of the Golden Retriever breed :

Pros:

1. Friendly and affectionate: Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle and friendly personalities and are great with children and other animals.
2. Intelligent: They are highly trainable and eager to please their owners, making them a great choice for first-time dog owners.
3. Active: Golden Retrievers have plenty of energy and enjoy exercise and playtime, making them great companions for outdoor activities.
4. Versatile: They are used as guide dogs for a person who is blind; therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and more due to their intelligence and obedience.
5. Adaptable: Golden Retrievers can adjust to different living environments, including apartments and large homes, as long as they receive enough exercise and attention.

Cons:

1. Shedding: Golden Retrievers have a thick, double coat and shed heavily, requiring regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and shiny.
2. Health issues: The breed is prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, cancer, and eye problems, which can be costly.
3. Size: Golden Retrievers are large dogs and can be difficult to handle for some people, especially if they have not been trained properly.
4. Barking: They may bark excessively if not properly trained, which can be a problem for neighbors.
5. Need for exercise and attention: Golden Retrievers require a lot of exercise and attention to keep them happy and healthy. If left alone for long periods, they may become destructive or develop separation anxiety.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Golden Retriever is a wonderful breed that makes an excellent pet and companion. With its gentle temperament, high intelligence, and eagerness to please its owner, it is easy to see why this breed has remained so popular for over a century. From its origins as a hunting dog to its current role as a beloved family pet, the Golden Retriever has proven itself to be a loyal and devoted companion.

Whether you are an experienced dog owner or a first-time pet parent, the Golden Retriever is a great choice. Just be sure to keep in mind the breed’s high energy level and need for regular exercise and socialization. With the right care and attention, your Golden Retriever will provide you with many years of love and companionship. So, if you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, consider the Golden Retriever breed and experience the joy that comes with owning one.