Golden Retrievers – Everything You Need To Know
Golden Retrievers are incredibly diverse animals that fit the needs of many individuals and families. From hunting to servicing, Golden Retrievers can be trained to fit a variety of circumstances. A Golden Retriever can make a loyal companion to anyone, regardless of how young or old, making them one of the world’s most popular dog breeds.
History & Origin
Golden Retrievers were first called Yellow Retrievers when they first came into popularity. The breed was created in the 1800s by Dudley Marjoribanks, also known as Lord Tweedmouth, who bred a Tweed Water Spaniel with a rare yellow dog who came from a litter of black retrievers. The puppies were the creation of the Golden Retriever as we know it today.
The workability of the Golden Retriever was quickly recognized and the breed was trained for hunting and to perform in dog shows. As the abilities of the Golden Retrievers began to grow, they were trained to perform more and more tricks and acts until they became one of the most versatile dog breeds around.
Appearance
A Golden Retriever has a very classic appearance, each with a golden coat as its name suggests. The shade of golden can vary slightly in different Golden Retrievers, with three standard colors that a Golden Retriever may appear in. The standard colors for a Golden Retriever include dark golden, gold, and light golden. Golden Retrievers have no markings.
Temperament
Golden Retrievers are very smart dogs that enjoy training and caring for their owners. This has made them great dogs for everything from hunting to servicing. Golden Retrievers are frequently used as guide dogs for blind owners. Because of their ability to remember advanced commands, Golden Retrievers are also frequently used in movies and TV shows.
Although Golden Retrievers are incredibly intelligent and obedient, they are still known to be curious and want to explore. They should always be left on a leash when out for a walk and backyards should be completely fenced in before they are let out to run on their own.
Golden Retrievers are very social animals and enjoy being around their owners and other animals. If they are shut off from contact or feel as if they are being ignored by their owners, they may start to show new behaviors and act out in a desire to get attention.
Size
Golden Retrievers are considered large dogs. The male Golden Retriever will grow to be between 23 and 24 inches tall when full grown and weigh between 65 and 75 pounds. The female Golden Retriever will be slightly smaller, growing to 21.5 inches to 22.5 inches in height and weighing between 55 pounds and 65 pounds.
Health
Regardless of previous health conditions and factors, Golden Retrievers will need to make regular visits to the vet. Owners should also look out for signs of parasites, such as fleas or heartworm. While these conditions are easy to treat, spotting them early can make life more comfortable for both owners and dogs.
Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to canine related diseases, such as elbow dysplasia and hypothyroidism, so owners should know the signs and symptoms of various diseases to get the treatment they need as soon as possible. Getting the attention Golden Retrievers need when experiencing one of these diseases is key to experiencing a speedy and full recovery.
Care
Because of their ability to be trained and desire to keep their owners happy, Golden Retrievers are very easy to care for. In many ways, a Golden Retriever will want to take care of their owner just as much as they expect their owners to take care of them.
The biggest requirement for Golden Retriever owners is ensuring their dog is getting enough exercise and social interaction. When a Golden Retriever feels it is not getting the attention it needs, it may begin acting out and behaving in ways inconsistent with the breed.
Feeding
Golden Retriever owners will need to ensure their dog always has fresh water available to them. They will also want to pay attention to the ingredients of the food they are giving their animal to ensure they are meeting all the dietary needs of their Golden Retriever.
Although a Golden Retriever does not have unique needs when it comes to the vitamins and minerals they should be getting in their meals, they will still need a proper formula for their size. Thankfully, dog food companies provide special blends of foods to fit the needs of different sized dogs and certain breeds.
The needs of a Golden Retriever will change as they grow. The amount of food they are given and they frequency they are fed will depend on the age and activity level of the animal. More or less feeding may be needed as the dog ages and matures into its full size.
Owners can discuss the needs of their Golden Retriever with their vet. A vet can inform owners on what ingredients to look for in a dog food and what additives owners should stay away from.
Grooming
Golden Retrievers have a medium coat length but only require an occasional grooming. The medium coat length of a Golden Retriever will need regular brushings to stay shiny and free of knots.
Owners of Golden Retrievers should also regularly trim the nails of their dog to prevent overgrowing and cracking. A Golden Retriever’s ears can become infected if debris, dust, or wax is not adequately removed and cleaned, so owners will need to frequently check their dog’s ears for buildup.
Children
When a Golden Retriever is adopted into a family, they quickly want to feel welcome and will do whatever they feel necessary to please their owners. As very social animals, Golden Retrievers like to be around their owners or other pets and animals.
Golden Retrievers are considered large size animals with medium energy, so while they are may feel fine living in apartments, they will need to be walked frequently to stay in shape and work off their energy.
Because Golden Retrievers want to make their owners as happy as possible and are extremely trainable, Golden Retrievers make excellent companions for aging individuals and people with disabilities.
