Group

Gun Dogs

Origin

The Golden Retriever was first developed in the British Isles, in the 19th century by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks. Marjoribanks liked the yellow colour and acquired a dog of that colour in 1865 and used him on a Tweedwater Spaniel bitch, which was an English retrieving dog, close and curly-coated and a light liver colour. Through structured line breeding over a period of 20 years, and bringing in Labrador, Retrievers, Red Setters, yellow Flat-Coated Retriever and possibly a Bloodhound, the Golden Retriever was developed, and in 1908 became registered and shown as Golden Flat coats until 1913 when the listing was changed to Golden or Yellow Retrievers until, finally in 1920, they took the name of Golden Retriever.

The Golden Retriever is one of the world's leading family companion dogs. The Golden Retriever is also a fine bird dog on both land and in the water. He has an excellent nose and has been used for hunting, tracking and narcotics detection. Because of his great desire to please and capacity for love and learning, the Golden Retriever is also used as a guide for the blind, therapy dog, and service dog for the disabled.

Description

The Golden Retriever's average height is between 22-24 inches (56-61cm.) for a dog and between 20-22 inches (51-56cm.) for a bitch. Their average weight is in between 60-80 pounds (27-36kg.) for a dog and 55-70 pounds (25-32kg.) for a bitch.

The Golden Retriever is a beautiful, sturdy, well-proportioned dog with a feathered, medium-length, cream to golden-coloured coat. The outer coat is water-repellent and the undercoat is dense. They have a broad head with a wide muzzle. Jaws are strong with a regular scissor bite. They have a black nose and very kind brown eyes with dark rims. The ears are medium-sized and pendant and set on at the approximate level of the eyes. They have a long neck, which is clean and muscular and merges into well-laid-back shoulders. They have a long tail, which never curls. They have straight forelegs.

Temperament

Golden Retrievers are loveable, well mannered, intelligent dogs. They love to please their masters. They are very good family dogs, and are patient and gentle with children. They are very loyal and confident. They are friendly to everyone including other pets. They are easily trained, and because they enjoy pleasing their masters, obedience training can be fun.

They make good watchdogs but are very unlikely to attack. They needs to be around people to be happy and are not doing very well when isolated from human contact when they can become mischievous. Some of the Golden Retriever's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. These dogs also love to swim. Golden Retrievers will attempt to drag, pull or carry anything they can fit into their mouths.

Living conditions

They can live in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a medium to large garden.

Exercise

The Golden Retriever needs daily exercise, but likes to retrieve balls and other toys, so exercising is fairly easy. Be sure to exercise this dog well and do not overfeed, as he tends to put on weight.

Health problem

They are prone to hip dysphasia and congenital eye defects. OFA and CERF certification are important from both parents. Parents should also be checked for Von Willebrand's disease and heart problems. Skin allergies are common in Golden Retrievers and require immediate veterinary attention.

Life expectancy

They normally live to 12 years but can live slightly longer.

Grooming

Because of the density of the coat, they must be regularly groomed and trimmed. The undercoat, because of its water repellent nature, is extremely thick and must therefore not be allowed to matt, causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. The feathers on his front legs should be trimmed regularly as should the hair between his pads. The hair on the back legs up the hocks needs to be cut close and, again, the feathering under the tail should be trimmed. The tail should be trimmed in a crescent shape. The chest area should be kept relatively short in order to show off the length of neck. The top coat on the body only needs brushing and can be either flat or wavy. Whilst the length of the coat attracts water and mud, this is easily cleaned off once the coat has dried. Dry shampoo regularly, but bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.