The Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of those dogs that are popular in the world today as a family pet.  It has a gentle, amiable disposition and is known for its non-aggressive tendencies.

The Golden Retriever was originally bred to retrieve water-fowl and game while hunting. They have a ‘soft’ mouth that can hold onto the game they are retrieving without damaging it. They have also been bred to have an instinctive love of the water.  They are intelligent and very trainable, all of which makes them excellent in the hunting-retrieving area. This breed originated in England in the early 1800’s from a mix of the Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) and the Wavy-Coated Retriever.

This breed of dog is a larger type, with a powerful robust build.  Their fur is fairly long and is soft and flat, sometimes with a wavy feathering. The color of these animals comes in shades of either golden or a cream color. Their coat is also dense and water repellant.

There are two types of Golden Retrievers – The American Golden Retriever and the English Golden Retriever. The American variety is less stocky and lankier than the English version.  The English variety has a bigger bone structure, is generally shorter, with a more square-ish head and muzzle, and they are slightly heavier.

As mentioned, this breed of dog is well known for its excellent disposition.  Their temperament is agreeable, loving and gentle.  They are also not known to be ‘one-person’ dogs, which as makes them excellent family pets.  They do not, however, make good watch dogs or guard dogs because they tend to get along so well with strangers.  But, their gentle, loving natures and patience make them excellent with children. Their sociable nature also makes them good with other family pets.

This type of dog really does love to retrieve.  They can spend many hours joyfully retrieving a ball or toy when thrown for them. As puppies they are energetic and playful. As well, they are intelligent and highly trainable, able to learn many command phrases easily. They are obedient and have a strong desire to please their masters.  Some care should be taken not to over-work them, as they may continue following orders or working to the point of collapse.

Golden Retrievers are often chosen and valued in the working field, not only for retrieving but for others duties.  They are commonly used as guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs and search and rescue dogs because of the high level of social-ability, their calmness and gentleness even in the worst of circumstance, and their intelligence and ability to learn.

These dogs, being trained as a working-retrieving animal, are moderately active and need do require being exercised daily.  They can be prone to obesity if not given the appropriate amount of exercise, and should not be considered for a sedentary home environment.  Because of their long fur, these dogs need to be groomed and brushed on a weekly basis.  They shed heavily all year round, and excessively during the shedding season in spring.  Their ears also need regular cleaning as they can be prone to ear infections.

Since Golden Retrievers are such sociable animals, they can also be prone to separation anxiety or can become sad or depressed if left alone too often. They like to have something in their mouth and a special toy for them to ‘mouth’ and cuddle can be comforting for them. Also, because of the active natures, these dogs should be walked regularly or they may become restless and anxious. 

The Golden Retriever is one of those dogs that are popular in the world today as a family pet.  It has a gentle, amiable disposition and is known for its non-aggressive tendencies.

The Golden Retriever was originally bred to retrieve water-fowl and game while hunting. They have a ‘soft’ mouth that can hold onto the game they are retrieving without damaging it. They have also been bred to have an instinctive love of the water.  They are intelligent and very trainable, all of which makes them excellent in the hunting-retrieving area. This breed originated in England in the early 1800’s from a mix of the Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) and the Wavy-Coated Retriever.

This breed of dog is a larger type, with a powerful robust build.  Their fur is fairly long and is soft and flat, sometimes with a wavy feathering. The color of these animals comes in shades of either golden or a cream color. Their coat is also dense and water repellant.

There are two types of Golden Retrievers – The American Golden Retriever and the English Golden Retriever. The American variety is less stocky and lankier than the English version.  The English variety has a bigger bone structure, is generally shorter, with a more square-ish head and muzzle, and they are slightly heavier.

As mentioned, this breed of dog is well known for its excellent disposition.  Their temperament is agreeable, loving and gentle.  They are also not known to be ‘one-person’ dogs, which as makes them excellent family pets.  They do not, however, make good watch dogs or guard dogs because they tend to get along so well with strangers.  But, their gentle, loving natures and patience make them excellent with children. Their sociable nature also makes them good with other family pets.

This type of dog really does love to retrieve.  They can spend many hours joyfully retrieving a ball or toy when thrown for them. As puppies they are energetic and playful. As well, they are intelligent and highly trainable, able to learn many command phrases easily. They are obedient and have a strong desire to please their masters.  Some care should be taken not to over-work them, as they may continue following orders or working to the point of collapse.

Golden Retrievers are often chosen and valued in the working field, not only for retrieving but for others duties.  They are commonly used as guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs and search and rescue dogs because of the high level of social-ability, their calmness and gentleness even in the worst of circumstance, and their intelligence and ability to learn.

These dogs, being trained as a working-retrieving animal, are moderately active and need do require being exercised daily.  They can be prone to obesity if not given the appropriate amount of exercise, and should not be considered for a sedentary home environment.  Because of their long fur, these dogs need to be groomed and brushed on a weekly basis.  They shed heavily all year round, and excessively during the shedding season in spring.  Their ears also need regular cleaning as they can be prone to ear infections.

Since Golden Retrievers are such sociable animals, they can also be prone to separation anxiety or can become sad or depressed if left alone too often. They like to have something in their mouth and a special toy for them to ‘mouth’ and cuddle can be comforting for them. Also, because of the active natures, these dogs should be walked regularly or they may become restless and anxious.