Golden Retriever Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Training and More

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. That is to say, their friendly and tolerant attitude makes them good family pets. And, their wisdom makes them decent working dogs. Also, they are very good at retrieving quarry for hunters. And, tracking, sniffing out contraband for law enforcement agencies as well. Moreover, they are good as service dogs. In addition, they are also natural athletes who excel in canine sports such as agility and competitive obedience. You can train them to get along with almost anyone. And, they are very suitable for children and very protective of their human beings. To sum up, If you want a loyal, caring, and smart companion, this breed is a very good pick for you.

Pictures of Golden Retrievers

The History of the Golden Retriever

Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth developed the golden retriever breed in the Scottish Highlands during the reign of Victoria. Furthermore, during the 50 years from 1840 to 1890, Tweedmouth kept detailed breeding records. And, he did that to create an ideal bird dog for his use at Guisachan Manor in the Inverness Highlands, Scotland. In addition, Tweedmouth wanted a dog suitable for the rainy climate and rough terrain of the area, so he crossed his yellow retriever with a now extinct Tweed water spaniel dog. Also, he added Irish setters and bloodhounds to the breeding process.

The Kennel Club of England officially recognized the Golden Retriever as a unique breed in 1911. However, At that time, they put them under the class of Golden, Yellow, or Retriever. And, In 1920, they officially changed the name of the breed to the Golden Retriever. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1932. Today, the Golden Retriever has become the second most popular dog breed in the United States.

Personality

The Golden Retriever is famous for its loyal and obedient nature. This dog is also a sports lover and he is eager to spend a day in the field. It is important not to ignore the active nature and strong physique. That is to say, It causes behavior problems, so they need to perform daily physical and mental exercises.

Most of them are eager to have fun and they also like to learn. In addition, they are mostly calm at home and enthusiastic when they get an invite to some playtime. Their achievements in competitive obedience are remarkable. Also, they particularly like games involving the retrieval of objects and they carry them in their mouth.

The Size of the Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever Males weigh 65 – 75 pounds and they are 23 – 24 inches tall standing. And, the breed’s Females are usually between 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall standing and they weigh 55 – 65 pounds. Also, they usually establish their maximum height when they are one year old. And, they gain their full weight by the age of two years old.

Health

The Breed is usually a healthy one. Breeders will screen their golden puppies to check their health, including for Eye diseases such as juvenile cataracts. And, uveitis and progressive retinal atrophy. Also, certain heart diseases, including valvular aortic stenosis. And, elbow and hip dysplasia as well. We at Dog Breeds Finder recommend using Dog Leg Braces for mild cases of the elbow and hip dysplasia. In addition, you should check their ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection and teeth should be brushed frequently.

Training the Golden Retriever

As with all dog breeds, It is best to socialize them are an early age and to take them to puppy training classes. And, In the age range of seven weeks to 4 months, gently exposing them to a variety of people, places, and situations is important. That is to say, It will help them grow into an adult dog that adapts well to situations and decent as well.

In addition, Puppy training courses are part of the social process and can help owners learn to recognize and correct any bad habits that may develop. Obedience training strengthens the bond between you and them. And, they are very happy at pleasing their owner. Also, they are outgoing, loyal, and love to please, which makes them easy to train.

Care and Exercise

The Golden Retriever loves playing outdoors and if you like hiking or jogging, they will be happy to join you. And, if you want to throw a ball in the backyard, they will be happy to be your partners. Usually a 20 to 30 minutes of exercise, twice a day makes them tired. This will make them more chill when they are back indoors. However, active relaxation can lead to behavioral problems. Golden Retriever dogs naturally have a bad breath. And, they are happiest when there is something to carry in their mouths such as balls, soft toys, newspapers, and many more.

If you want to raise golden retriever puppies, you need to be especially careful. These dogs grow very rapidly between the age of four months to seven months and are therefore prone to bone diseases. That is to say, Do not let your Golden Retriever puppy run and play on very hard surfaces until they are at least two years old. However, Playing on the grass is fine. And, wait for their joints to get their full form.

Grooming

Goldens severely shed their thick double coat once or twice a year. And, their shedding is mild most of the time. In most cases, you can remove their hair by brushing them once or twice a week. Also, by doing that you can remove many chunks of their hair can before they fall on the furniture. During periods of massive shedding, you need to make sure to brush them very often. Also, Bathing them helps loosen their dead hair. And, before brushing them make sure that they are completely dry. As for their nails, you need to trim them regularly when they are getting long.