Golden Retriever

Size: Large
Other Names: Golden, Retriever
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Sporting
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Sporting
United Kennel Club (UKC): Gun Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Gun Dogs
The Kennel Club (KC): Gun Dogs
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Gun Dogs
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Gun Dogs

Height:

Male: 22-24 inches; Female: 20-22½ inches

Weight:

Male: 60-80 pounds; Female: 55-70 pounds

Color(s):

A variety of colors, including any shade of gold or cream

Coat:

Dense, water repellent, with moderate feathering

Description:

The Golden Retriever originates from a mix of the Tween Water Spaniel, which is now extinct, the Red Setter, and the Wavy-Coated Retriever.  Goldens were developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl and upland game during hunting, and as such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged, and to have an instinctive love of water.  Their intelligence and versatility sees them employed in a variety of roles including illegal drug detection, Search and Rescue, as hunting dogs, and as guide dogs.

Temperament:

The Golden Retriever’s friendly, eager-to-please, and patient demeanor has made him one of the most popular family dogs, by registration, in the world today.  The typical Golden Retriever is calm, naturally intelligent, with an exceptional eagerness to please.  He is renowned for his patience with children, and he is good with other dogs, cats, and most livestock.  He is active and fun-loving animal, who also enjoys sitting quietly for hours.  Some dogs may be too active to be easily exercised by elderly owners.  Golden Retrievers become very attached to their owners, and leaving them alone for extended periods can cause the dog to become very sad and distressed.  Goldens have a trusting, gentle disposition with both strangers and their family, which makes them poor guard dogs.  As the name suggests, the Golden Retriever loves to retrieve.  Whether the object is a thrown stick, tennis ball, or flying disc, retrieving can keep the Golden occupied and entertained for hours, particularly if water is involved.  They often like to have something in their mouth, and will carry things around.  The Golden Retriever loves to work, and has a keen ability to focus on a given task.  Goldens have also been known to become excellent surrogate mothers to different species.  Kittens, and even tiger cubs from zoos, have been well-cared for by Golden Retrievers.  In some cases, a Golden may even produce milk for its adopted orphan, even though it may not have been pregnant or nursing recently.

Training:

Due to their intelligence, athleticism, and desire to please their handlers, Golden Retrievers are exceptionally trainable.  Golden Retrievers respond well to positive and upbeat training styles, and harsh training methods are unnecessary.  Goldens can learn up to roughly 240 commands, words and phrases.

Care & Grooming:

Most Goldens need plenty of exercise, such as daily walks and dog agility.  They are a breed that is prone to obesity, and care must be taken to balance diet and exercise.  When given a task to do, a Golden Retriever will seemingly work until collapse, so care should be taken to avoid overworking them.  Goldens should be groomed at least once a week, and every day during heavy shedding.  They also need to have their ears cleaned regularly to avoid an ear infection.

Shedding:

Moderate to heavy; the water-repellent coat sheds more in spring and fall.

Health:

Golden Retrievers have a high rate of cancer and may also develop hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease, and eye problems.  Choose breeders who screen hips, elbows, heart, and eyes.

Lifespan:

10–12 years

Litter Size:

6–8 puppies