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Golden Retriever Dogs
Breed Rating (3 Reviews)
| Appearance | |
| Friendliness | |
| Hardiness | |
| Garden |
History
The Golden Retriever is also a very well known breed. Originally bred by Lord Tweedmouth from Scotland in the mid 19th century, this dog was developed to be able to retrieve game through even the densest undergrowth. After crossing a Newfoundland with a Labrador/ Water Spaniel cross and then later crossing these dogs with Setters, the Golden Retriever was born. They are a strong dog, completely in its element bounding around, with a soft mouth for retrieving game without damaging it. As the name suggests they were born to retrieve and this is what they’ll enjoy doing the most. They are one of the most popular breeds around, especially in Britain where they originate from. Most commonly they are kept as pets, but they are also often seen working as Guide dogs, Hearing dogs for the Deaf and sniffer dogs for finding explosives.
Behaviour
Golden retrievers are a highly intelligent breed. They are loyal to family and make wonderful pets. They are good with children and other animals. They form strong bonds with the whole family and anyone else who comes into the house, unless they are trained to be a guard dog that is. They have a natural need to please everyone around them, this makes them great for training. They seem to perform well in all aspects of competition. Activities such as flyball, agility and field trials will also be great fun for these dogs. They have a love for water and are great swimmers, often used by Water Rescuers.
Golden retrievers are playful, affectionate dogs who’ll be more than happy to fool around with the family. They, as mentioned above, are loving and affectionate dogs. They get on very will with children and are rarely aggressive towards other people. Their seemingly never ending amounts of energy make them suited for long walks. Due to their intelligence these dogs will need a lot of mental stimulation, this can come in the form of toys, but ideal would be a training session of a game of fetch. These dogs will be happiest when by your side. Allowing your dog to carry something in its mouth is ideal, after all it’s what they were bred for.
Retrievers, like many dogs can suffer Canine Hip Dysplasia and allergies can be seen in this breed. They are greedy dogs so food intake should be closely monitored to prevent obesity.
Temperament
These dogs make for a loving and kind pet. Easy to keep and a great addition to the family. They are good with children, cats, strangers, other dogs and most other household pets. It’s fairly safe to say that you can never go wrong with a retriever. That is unless you’re looking for a guard dog, in that case these dogs will be of no use to you.
Very intelligent dogs that are easy to please the Golden Retriever excels in obedience when given the proper training.
Health Problems
Golden Retrievers are prone to conditions including canine hip dysplasia (CHD), elbow dysplasia, cancer, skin diseases, progressive retinal atrophy (degeneration of retina which can lead to blindness), heart problems and luxating patella (dislocation of the knee cap).
Breed Details
- Status: Common
- Life Expectancy: 10 - 12 years
- Weight: 60 - 75 pounds
- Height: Male 22 - 23" Female 21 - 22"
- Rare: No
- Coat: Medium
- Grooming Requirements: More than once per week
- Town or Country: Either
- Minimum Home Size: Large House
- Minimum Garden Size: Large Garden
- Breed Type: Gun Dog
- Size: Large
- Energy Level: Medium
- Exercise Required: Over 2 hours
More to love
Golden Retriever Pictures
Latest Reviews For Golden Retriever (3 of 3)
- Jenna,
My two Goldens are the most friendly, affectionate and lovable dogs you’ll ever meet. They do however have a stubborn streak and are definitely not people pleasers.
- Laura,
Very cute dog breed
golden retriever - Pauline,
I have 2 golden retrievers. They are great with kids and very loyal and loving. They love a muddy puddle and cast their hair all year round. But I still wouldn't be without them.