This article will take you through everything you need to know about the Golden Retriever breed, covering it all, from critical information to fun facts.
Everybody loves Golden Retrievers, and it’s not hard to see why!
This friendly, enthusiastic dog consistently ranks among the top 5 breeds on the American Kennel Club’s annual list of most popular dog breeds.
The Golden Retriever gets its name for its ability to bring back or ‘retrieve’ the game hunted for sport.
Their soft mouths allowed this breed to carry the game around without damaging it.
The Golden Retriever breed loves to be on the water and is extremely comfortable in this sort of environment as well.
They are happy dogs that are the ideal pets for families and children. Like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers are excellent guide dogs and therapy dogs.
Golden Retriever – The Breed
The Golden Retriever is considered a medium-sized dog. This breed of dog is muscular and robust. Golden Retrievers have thick, long coats.
Their inner skin helps them stay warm, while their outer coat serves the functional purpose of repelling water. The outer coat lies flat against them.
As the name of the breed suggests, these dogs have coats that come in three colors, that is, golden, blonde, and yellow.
As is commonly seen with most dog breeds, Golden Retrievers have variations found in different countries.
Breed Variations…
British Golden Retrievers
This type is characterized by a broader skull and front body.
They also tend to have slightly lighter-colored coats.
American Golden Retrievers
Dogs that fall under this type are generally lankier than their British and Canadian friends.
They are also slightly less muscular.
Canadian Golden Retriever
In contrast with the other major types, this breed has a thinner coat that’s usually darker in color.
Overall Breed Facts
According to the American Kennel Association, the average weight for this breed is 65 to 75 pounds for males and 55 to 65 pounds for females.
In terms of height, male Golden Retrievers generally stand at 23 to 24 inches, while females are around 21.5 to 22.5 inches.
Regarding life expectancy, this breed lives between 10 to 12 years on average.
Golden Retrievers Origins
Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland. Chronologically, this dog breed began when Queen Victoria ruled over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Hunting for sport was shared amongst the Scottish upper class — especially hunting for wildfowl that lived on the water.
However, an issue commonly arose the inability to retrieve this fowl from the water once hunted.
Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth, is the person who developed the breed in the Scottish Highlands.
Lord Tweedmouth has kept detailed records of breedings to create the perfect gundog he could save at his estate in the Highlands of Inverness-shire.
According to these records, Lord Tweedmouth searched for a breed of dog suited to the rainy weather and rough terrains of the Scottish Highland.
From a lineage point of view, Golden Retrievers are thought to be a mix of Yellow Retrievers, now extinct Tweed Water Spaniels, Irish Setters, and Bloodhounds.
The breed began appearing at dog shows in Britain around 1908 and found its way to the United States via Canada at roughly the same time.
The American Kennel Club classifies dogs into seven groups.
Dogs are assigned a group based on the original work that each breed was developed to perform.
Golden Retrievers belong to the Sporting Group.
Similar to what is mentioned above, dogs like terriers and hounds were initially bred to help hunters while they captured feathered games for sport.
Much like other dogs from the Sporting Group, Golden Retrievers can attribute their muscular bodies to the hunting capabilities of their ancestors.
What to Expect
Simple answer – expect joy!
Golden Retrievers are one of the most straightforward pets, especially for families with children.
They are easy to train and are inherently obedient.
They are comfortable with both country living and suburban households.
They love running around and playing and require a fair amount of daily exercise for their physical and mental well-being.
They are gentle, kind, and loyal dogs, making them less than ideal as guard dogs.
However, don’t be surprised if you see these intelligent pups feature as members of search and rescue teams.
Golden Retriever Temperament And Needs
This breed of dog has kindness as its stand-out quality. The American Kennel Club describes Golden Retrievers as intelligent, friendly, and devoted.
They are known to be extremely patient with children, which is why they’re perfect as family pets.
They also get along with other pets, so if you’re worried about a dog that doesn’t get along with your house cat, consider bringing a Golden Retriever into your home.
Golden Retrievers shed quite a bit, so cleaning up can be a process.
Brushing them twice a week helps in preventing fur from accumulating around your house.
Golden Retrievers are not fussy eaters and require everyday exercise to stay fit and healthy.
Personality Traits
Golden Retrievers are a breed that can be described with a range of positive adjectives such as happy, outgoing, loyal, loving, kind, trusting, caring, and friendly.
Adaptability and Trainability
Golden Retrievers are not difficult to train at all.
On the contrary, their intelligence means that they are instinctively obedient and tend to take very well to training, especially when it involves positive reinforcement.
They do not require harsh conditioning, and care should be taken to ensure this is avoided to prevent a negative mental impact.
Fun Facts
There are plenty of famous Golden Retrievers, including:
- Liberty, President Gerald R. Ford’s pup.
- Victory, President Ronald Reagan’s pet dog.
- Bailey, U.S Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Golden Retriever, also featured in her presidential campaign.
Golden Retrievers are also a Hollywood favorite, playing roles in iconic movies like Air Bud and Homeward Bound.
Conclusion
The shortcut to happiness lies in the wagging tail and the gleeful smile of a Golden Retriever.
To have one in your family is to have a loyal, loving, and devoted best friend.
