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The Golden Retriever is a British retriever dog famed for its gentle and affectionate disposition and stunning looks. In the late nineteenth century, hunters used this yellow beauty to retrieve their game. However, these intelligent canines have found their place in many other roles throughout the years, including as sniffer dogs, guide dogs, and service companions.
The Golden Retriever is also one of the most popular pet dogs in the UK, almost as desirable as their cousin, the Labrador. They make excellent family companions as they are gentle, loving, tolerant with everyone and highly loyal.
Learn more about Golden Retriever Breed
Meet the Golden Retriever
These medium-sized retrievers weigh between 55 and 75 pounds, with the males being noticeably larger. They usually reach their full height by one year old, standing between 22 and 24 inches tall. However, they can continue to grow and gain weight for another year.
These working dogs are powerfully built, with sturdy, muscular bodies. Their broad heads feature wide-set dark eyes, large black noses, and folded ears. Their cream-coloured double coat is their most unique feature, consisting of a dense, water-resistant outer coat and a thick undercoat.
Their fur can be either wavy or straight with lots of feathering. The majority is on the chest, thighs, and tail, but there will often be some on the underbody and front legs, too. Golden Retrievers can be any shade of cream, yellow, or gold. Interestingly, their coats become paler as they get older.
The Golden Retrieverâs long, thick coat sheds significantly, especially in the spring and autumn. Youâll need to brush them every one to two days to prevent tangles and mats, and you should bathe them once a month or so, too.
Golden Retrievers are prone to ear infections like other floppy-eared breeds, so regularly checking and cleaning inside their ears is vital. They are generally a healthy breed that will live for 12 to 13 years, but this breed has a higher cancer rate than other canines.
The temperament of a Golden Retriever
The hallmark of the Golden Retriever is undoubtedly its friendly and gentle nature. However, itâs their mild temperament, tolerance, and adaptability that makes them a firm family favourite, especially those with young kids, as these pups are particularly fond of children.
Golden Retrievers are very social beings who crave attention from their owners and are super friendly towards strangers. They build strong bonds with their humans, who they will remain loyal to forever. They want to stay with their âpackâ all the time, which, although cute, means you can never leave them alone for too long. In addition, they prefer to stay inside with the family, rather than outdoors on their own.
Goldens are among the most popular breeds, resulting in many inexperienced breeders pumping out these puppies. Unfortunately, their lack of knowledge and experience means many Goldens lose their gentle and friendly nature. Instead, they can be shy or aggressive due to bad breeding. This is why itâs essential to find a good breeder when buying a Golden Retriever.
Goldens can get over-excited when they see people and may jump up. While they do it to be friendly, you should not allow your pup to greet people like this. Luckily, you can easily teach them not to do it with simple obedience training. This is especially important if they are around children. While they are gentle, Goldens are pretty big dogs, so they could accidentally knock over a small kid if they are not well-trained.
As puppies, Golden Retrievers are super playful, and they mature slowly, maintaining this lively nature for a few years. They need daily walks and interactive play, and of course, fetch is their favourite game. Aim for between 40 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise every day. They also love playing in water, so if you live near the beach or a river, they will be in heaven there!
10 reasons to add a Golden Retriever to your family
- They are gentle beings - One of the most common reasons people choose this breed is their kind and trustworthy personality.
- They are incredibly loyal - If you involve your Golden retriever in family activities, they will repay you with endless love, devotion, and protection.
- They are social butterflies - They adore being around humans and are always happy to meet someone new.
- They are beautiful - Their thick, cream coats and adorable faces give these pups a gorgeous and elegant appearance.
- They become best friends with children - They are undoubtedly one of the best dog breeds for children.
- They welcome other pets - If you have other pets or are looking to create a house full of animals, a Golden Retriever will make an excellent addition.
- They are suitable for first-timers - Because this breed is friendly and easy to train, they are a popular choice for people looking for a canine for the first time.
- They will bring you your post - A Golden Retriever is most happy when they have a job to do, So, if you teach them to retrieve your post for you, they will find fulfilment every day.
- They make excellent giant teddies - Their thick fluffy coats and affectionate nature means youâll likely spend many evenings snuggling with them on the sofa.
- They are incredible therapy dogs - Golden Retrievers can take many working roles. Still, one they excel in is as a therapy dog. These intelligent and loving canines can help their owners physically, mentally and emotionally.
Best homes for a Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are lively, confident dogs that thrive in a busy family environment. They donât shy away from noise and activity and love to play with children and help their owners with their chores. They make excellent companions for children and other pets alike and donât tend to experience jealousy of other animals receiving attention.
Because of their size and high energy, they need to be in a home with an enclosed garden. They also need an owner who will involve them in everything they do rather than close them outdoors. These social beings want their humans around often, so they will not be a good fit for a home where everyone is always out.