Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever has been for many years at the top of the ranking of our favourite dogs. The good character of the Goldie is recognised and appreciated all over the world, especially in the United States. Versatile at work, affectionate and sociable towards everyone, he is the perfect companion, at work and at home.
Key facts about the Golden Retriever
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Origins and history
Originally from Great Britain, the recognition of the breed is quite recent since it dates back only to 1931; but we know practically nothing of his history. Only legends are known: the most famous one says that in 1858 Lord Tweedmouth bought a couple of Caucasian Shepherds that he had seen working in a circus. Eventually, he kept only the golden puppies to fix the recessive personality of the parents. Another theory argues that the breed originated from the cross between a sandy-coloured dog from St. Hubert (Bloodhound), and a Tweed Water Spaniel that’s now extinct. Other authors still argue that the ancestor of the breed was a yellow dog born from a cross between this water Spaniel and a Flat-coated Retriever.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 8 - Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs
Section
Section 1 : Retrievers
Physical characteristics of the Golden Retriever
Adult size
Female : Between 20 and 22 in
Male : Between 22 and 24 in
Weight
Female : Between 53 and 62 lb
Male : Between 62 and 71 lb
Coat colour
The Golden Retriever’s coat can be any shade of yellow, ranging from cream to dark gold. Some white hair can be seen on the chest, but red or mahogany shades are forbidden.
Type of coat
The hair is mid-length.
The top-hair is flat or wavy with fringes and the undercoat is tight and provides good waterproofing.
The double coat, thick and silky, allows him to be very comfortable and perfectly protected in the water and against bad weather.
Eye colour
His eyes are brown, the edge of his eyelids are dark.
Description
The dog looks balanced, powerful, sturdy and soft at the same time. A well-proportioned dog.
Good to know
In addition to being an excellent hunting, companion, and guide dog, the Golden Retriever is also used by search and rescue teams or by police units to detect drugs and explosives due to his unrivalled tracking capabilities.
Goldens are very well known for their "soft mouth", which enables them to grab a victim's arm without hurting them. In fact, it is said that Goldens can pick up raw eggs without even cracking them!
Temperament
Behaviour of the Golden Retriever
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Is the Golden Retriever right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
The price of a Golden Retriever varies depending on his origins, age and gender. An average of £1000 is to be counted for a dog registered with the Kennel Club.
The average monthly budget ranges between £35 and £45. This includes food and care.
Grooming
Maintenance of this dog’s coat is not difficult but it still requires regular brushing, especially for dogs with wavy fur.
The fur can easily become tangled due to his regular activities, so daily brushing will sometimes be necessary.
In addition, special care will have to be given to his drooping ears so as to avoid and/or prevent any infections.
Shedding
This dog sheds regularly and even more heavily during moulting periods, especially in the spring.
Nutrition of the Golden Retriever
Whether it is dry (biscuit), raw (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or homemade food, the feeding of the Golden Retriever must be adapted to his age, weight, level of activity and physical condition.
He is sensitive and prone to obesity so it will be necessary that you carefully measure the daily rations of this great glutton.
One or two meals should be offered at fixed hours, in a raised bowl if possible to ensure better digestion.
The quality of the dog food is important, especially in the first few months of the Golden Retriever puppy's life. It will be necessary to favour a rich diet to promote the healthy development of this dog.
Health of the Golden Retriever
Life expectancy
The lifespan of this dog can be up to 12 years.
Strong / robust
The Golden Retriever is a sturdy dog that has a good lifespan. According to several surveys, few dogs fail to reach the age of 10 years. These dogs are therefore strong and resistant.
Withstand heat
He is rather durable, but it will still be necessary to offer him fresh water and to renew it regularly during hot weather. He also needs a place to rest in the shade.
Withstand cold
The thick undercoat of this dog and the waterproofness of his coat allows him to withstand the weather, but be careful of freezing temperatures.
Tendency to put on weight
Since he is friendly and cheerful, we often tend to please this dog by giving him some treats here and there. However, it is important to be vigilant because the Golden Retriever is particularly sensitive to becoming overweight and could quickly suffer from obesity.
Contrary to common misconceptions, "chubby" dogs are not healthy dogs. Adjusting daily rations is of prime importance to maintain a good physical condition and to avoid excesses.
Common illnesses
- Predispositions to cancers (hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, localized mastocytoma)
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataract
- Progressive retinal atrophy/Degeneration Ocular Allergies
- Ear infections
- Skin diseases (dermatitis, vitiligo, furunculosis, folliculitis, ichthyosis)
- Hepatitis by copper toxicosis
- Risk of "broken tail" if the tail is not dried well after water contact
Frequently asked questions
Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs?
Golden Retrievers are arguably the best family dogs in the world! They are friendly, gentle, patient, playful - making them excellent companions for kids. This doesn't mean that you should fully trust your dog alone with your children, though. Make sure you always supervise interactions between them.
Find out how to introduce your dog to your baby!
What is bad about Golden Retrievers?
Golden Retrievers may not be for everyone. Though they are incredibly well-tempered, they need a lot of exercise. A happy Golden is outdoors 1-2 hours a day! Golden Retrievers are also very heavy shedders, so if you're a fan of cleanliness, they may not be the breed for you. Finally, their biggest fault might be that they are predisposed to a variety of health issues, and often are taken away from us sooner than we'd like.
Find out what you can do to prevent health issues in your pet.
Is the Golden Retriever a healthy breed?
Goldens are not an unhealthy breed, but they're not a particularly healthy one either. Over-breeding due to their popularity has lead to many health issues making their way into the breed's genetics. This causes them to suffer from health problems ranging from cancer to hip dysplasia. The best way to preserve your dog's health is to get your puppy from a reputable breeder registered with the Kennel Club, and then to give your dog the best possible diet, mental, and physical stimulation as possible!
Find out what kind of food is best for your pet.
Are Golden Retrievers big barkers?
No, Golden Retrievers are a relatively quiet breed. In fact, they’re not very good watch dogs, and they’re terrible guard dogs, since they tend to love everyone, even strangers!
Find out why dogs bark.
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