Golden Retriever Dog Info: History, Care, and Training Tips

Golden Retriever

One of the most jovial dogs around, Golden Retrievers are known for their highly cheerful and outgoing nature. They are exceptionally intelligent that makes them learn tricks faster and are often used as guide dogs because of it.

Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed

Size:

Varies

Weight:

30-43 kg

Age:

9-13 years

Origin:

Germany

Type:

Pure

Group:

Herding

Characteristics of the Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are cheerful dogs who will do anything to please people. Also, they are exceptionally intelligent and will learn tricks faster than you could ever imagine. This special trait has made them good guide dogs, who just simply aces in vigilance purposes. An amazing trait of Golden Retrievers is that they get along well with children, making them great family pets. These dogs do well in all climates, something that has made their popularity very high in recent decades here in India and around the world.

Kid Friendly

Territorialism

Trainability

Intelligence

Pet Friendly

Tendency to bark

Energy Level

Affection Level

Cota

As the name implies, Golden Retriever's hair has a golden yellow tone colour, with a dense and semi-long coat type. Though they don't usually form knots, you do need to brush their hair frequently. You may consider bathing your Goldie once every month as it will help him to maintain good hygiene. Also, avoid using human shampoo and use only dog shampoo to cleanse their skin and coat, as the former can throw the skin's pH balance out of whack. When it comes to combing their hair, you may consider using a bristle, pin or slicker brush that will effectively prevent the problem of matting and tangling. Regular brushing does wonders in keeping excellent hair health. Lastly, feed them a diet rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that will keep their coat healthy and shiny.

Taking Care of a Golden Retriever

The main care that must be taken with a Golden Retriever dog is with regard to its fur. As they have a thick coat, they may suffer from dermatitis and other skin problems, especially in the scorching heat of the summers. Hence, it is absolutely necessary to brush their fur frequently and give them regular baths. Water activities are a lot of fun for the goldies and can be fundamental to the health of these pets. An exercise like swimming helps in muscle strengthening, heart health and also in weight maintenance. Talk to your pet's veterinarian to see if he is able to perform this type of exercise. Your dog will surely love it!

Health

Golden Retrievers started becoming famous in recent decades and the huge demand for them led to inappropriate cross between their specimens. This practice ended up causing several health problems in these dogs. If you have a Golden Retriever, you need to pay special attention to problems such as: hip dysplasia - which affects the pet's hip, causing pain and mobility problems -, elbow dysplasia ("wrong fit" of the elbow joint) and eye diseases, especially cataracts. Skin problems such as allergies and dermatitis are also common, mainly due to the Golden Retriever's dense coat and love of water (they need to be dried thoroughly after bathing and swimming).

Curiosities

Golden Retrievers, due to their outstanding sense of smell are often used by police and armed forces as drug detection dogs. They are also considered the 4th smartest in the dog’s kingdom (behind Border Collies, Poodle and German Shepherd). Goldies are among those dogs who get along great with other animals, even cats. Also, owing to their highly intelligence, they are super-easy to train.

Intelligence

Dogs of this breed are considered to have great intelligence. In addition to being often used as therapy dogs and guide dogs for the blind and people with physical disabilities, the Golden Retriever is an obedient dog. Despite being very active, he manages to be fine at times when he needs to calm down. They learn tricks and pranks easily, especially if they involve searching and bringing things in with their mouths. They are capable of performing clever tricks especially when it comes to competitive obedience. As a dog that is very eager to please, he will also want to learn the tricks and rules just for that.

Temperament

The Golden Retriever is one of the most docile and friendliest dog that exists today. He is known for being naturally devoted to his family, always enjoying pleasing those he loves. At times, the dog can be agitated, especially if they are not given their daily physical and mental exercises, Golden Retrievers love to play and gets along very well with children and other dogs. In spite of that, socialising the pet from a young age is essential for him to be always so receptive, otherwise he can get protective and not like it when other animals approach their human parents.

Lifetime

As mentioned earlier, Golden Retrievers are suffering from a variety of health issues. To ensure the best for your dog, it is good, if possible, to do a genetic mapping of his dog, which can help him live longer. Currently, the life expectancy of this breed is between 10 and 13 years.

History of Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland around the middle of the 19th century. During then in Scotland, wildlife hunting used to be a popular sport mainly among the wealthy elite. But the existing retriever dog breeds were inadequate for retrieving downed games from both land and water. It was a necessity as the hunting grounds of the time were pocketed with marshy ponds and rivers. For this reason, the best water spaniels were crossed with the existing retrievers, resulting in the creation of the breed today known as the Golden Retriever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Golden Retrievers Good Guard Dogs?

No, they are not. Aggression and ferociousness don’t come naturally to these dogs and are too friendly to attack an intruder. They might bark on finding something suspicious but can never indulge in a tussle like a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler.

Do Golden Retrievers Need Daily Exercise?

They are an energetic dog breed who needs 40-60 minutes of active play sessions daily. Obedience training and agility exercises are also regularly needed to keep them mentally stimulated. These dogs love to play the game of fetch and therefore you can throw around some dog toys to keep them busy and active. Please do not be too harsh while training as they are a sensitive breed who can become confused.

Is it OK to Have a Golden Retriever in a Hotter Region?

Yes, it is absolutely fine to have them in hotter region. However, you have to ensure that you are not exerting him heavily in the heat, as they can develop skin problems like red skin and dermatitis.

Are Golden Retrievers Fine to be Kept With Children?

They are one of the best dog breeds who are great around children. The reason for this being their remarkably affectionate and playful nature. Also, their inherent protective nature helps them to build a lovely bond with the babies in your house. One needs to be a bit careful while they are playing as they can easily knock children out owing to their big size.

Do Golden Retrievers Experience Shedding of Hair?

Unfortunately yes, they do. They shed all year around in small amounts, but twice per year in spring and autumn, Brushing their hair regularly can reduce their shedding to a fair amount.

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