A Full Guide on Golden Retrievers
Bringing home a dog is a big step in a person’s life that requires a lot of careful consideration and planning. From researching temperament, dietary needs, and overall health of a breed, there is a lot a dog owner needs to know. Especially when bringing home a big dog like a Golden Retriever.
Thinking about bringing home a Golden? Here’s what you need to know.
History
The Golden Retriever is one of the most beloved dog breeds in the United States and for good reason. They were bred to be attentive hunting companions, calm, loyal, and even-tempered in the home.
This breed was originally developed in Scotland by a man named Lord Tweedmouth. He bred animals of all kinds from 1835 to 1890 to breed the perfect retriever to hunt with him.
They were bred from Tweed Water Spaniels, which are now extinct, and Flat-coated retrievers to combine their desirable traits. Tweedmouth chose to only breed the yellow puppies and gave the dogs of other colors away to family and friends.
The dogs he bred very quickly attracted attention for their skills in the hunting field as well as for being exceptional dogs to have at home.
The Kennel Club in England officially recognized the Golden Retriever as its own distinct breed in 1911. However, at the time they were classified as “Retriever- Yellow or Golden” before officially being changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.
Quick Facts
- Height: 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
- Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
- Life Span: 10 to 12 years
- Breed Category: Sporting Dogs
- Shedding: Yes
Temperament and Personality
The mark of this breed is its sweet and calm nature. They are eager to please their owners as they were bred to work alongside them when hunting. While they are bred to be good-natured, they still need to be well-trained and socialized to make the most of their temperament.
To properly socialize your Golden, they need proper and early socialization. This means they need to be exposed to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences. This will help them to become more well-rounded dogs.
Golden Retrievers are very loyal, intelligent, gentle, and docile animals. They are easy to train due to their high intelligence and would love nothing more than to make their owners happy. Because they are so smart, they need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them happy and sharp. They will also need a good amount of exercise in order to keep them as healthy as possible and stay on their best behavior.
Goldens are also very well-suited to homes with children and lots of commotion as well as very much enjoy the companionship of other dogs or pets in the house. They love other dogs and, with proper training and introductions, can get along well with cats, rabbits, and other animals.
Health
While Goldens are generally a healthy breed, the most common health issues arise from irresponsible breeding practices. When choosing a Golden breeder, make sure to do some research into their breeding practices.
The most common health issues to look out for include:
- Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that occurs when the thighbone doesn’t fit securely into the hip joint. This can cause pain and lameness in a dog’s legs. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred and you should ask your breeder if your puppy’s parents were screened for hip dysplasia.
- Cataracts: Canine cataracts act as they do for humans. These are cloudy spots in the eye lens that grow over time. They can grow over time, and often do not impair vision.
- Subvavular Aortic Stenosis: This is a heart problem caused by a narrow connection between the left ventricle and the aorta. It can cause fainting or even sudden death.
Care
Golden Retrievers are built for all of life’s adventures. They are the perfect dog to join you on a hike, a jog, tossing a ball in the yard, and more! As stated by their name, these dogs are retrievers at heart so a game like fetch is right up their alley. 20-30 minutes of exercise twice per day should keep your dog happy and help them to stay mellow inside. Without proper exercise, you may begin to notice behavior problems in your pet.
Golden Retrievers are known to be “mouthy” dogs and enjoy having something in their mouths such as a ball, a soft toy, newspaper, or socks.
These dogs grow very fast in the early months of their life and therefore can be susceptible to bone disorders. For this reason, don’t let your Golden run or jump on hard surfaces like pavement until they are about two years old. Grass play is good as are agility courses and Treibball.
This breed has a double coat made up of a water-repellent outer coat and a thick undercoat for warmth. They shed moderately in the winter and summer and heavily in the spring and fall. Daily brushing can help keep some of the hair at bay, but having a Golden means getting accustomed to having hair in your home. They will also need a bath once a month to keep them looking and smelling fresh.
Brush their teeth two to three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria as well as to prevent gum disease and bad breath. On top of this, trim your dog’s nails about once or twice a month if needed. A good rule of thumb is that if you can hear their nails clicking on the floor when they walk, their nails are too long.
Overall, the Golden Retriever is a wonderful addition to a family if you are prepared and know what to expect. If you would be more interested in adopting than shopping for a Golden look into the Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois for more information.