~ The Golden Retriever ~

This highly intelligent and social dog has a history that traces back to the late 1800s, where written records indicate that the man responsible for this illustrious breed was, Lord Tweedmouth of Britain. His desire was to produce a dog that was skillful in hunting and tracking, as well as retrieving waterfowl. He developed them to be capable of pushing through heavy foliage and swimming in cold water for long distances, to gently retrieve game. He desired that they were loyal, kind, spirited, and energetic. He also wanted a dog with a love for water and the ability to retrieve. Golden Retrievers are the embodiment of beauty and brains. In addition, he wanted a hunting partner that was beautiful to watch work. It is believed that the breed began by crossing a yellow dog with the now-extinct water spaniel, and through the years, the breed has evolved into a dog with popularity that has stood the test of time.

Golden Retrievers were brought to America in 1900 and first recognized as a distinct breed in 1912, and they were not presented in dog shows until the 1920s. They went quickly from being a well-liked hunting dog to a fashionable show and obedience dog, to an extremely popular pet. Famous Golden Retrievers include Gerald Ford's dog “Liberty” and Dean Koontz's dog “Trixie Dean Koontz” wrote two books from her perspective and gave her writing credits, making her the world's first dog author!

The Golden Retriever is divided into two groups, primarily based on their appearance. The first group is the English, and they are shorter, bigger-boned, and tend to have longer coats that are lighter in color. The American group tends to be lanky with longer limbs, and have characteristics that are more similar to the origins of their breed.

Their broad, rounded heads are connected to wide muzzles, with short ears, round feet, and thick, plumed tails. They have expressive, kind brown eyes and a black nose. As they mature, the Golden Retriever has a shoulder height of 20-24 in and weighs 55-75 lbs. their chests become broad and their bodies become muscular, and their tails are always wagging. Generally, a Golden Retriever is filled with confidence and that comes through by the way they carry themselves. They appear strong and athletic, and their body is symmetrical. Their peaceful attitude and affectionate personalities are apparent in their posture and in the way they interact with their humans.

The Golden Retriever has a double coat which comes in various shades of cream or gold (it should not be red). The outer coat is soft, and feathery, it can be straight or wavy. The undercoat is undercoat is thick, soft, and weather resistant, it allows the Golden to repel water and stay warm in extreme cold, and then will shed throughout the year, but more in the spring. The tail and legs have longer hair. The Golden Retriever sheds heavily. This gives the Golden Retrievers’ coat a versatile quality, since the coat allows for the Golden to be comfortable in virtually any season of the year. Shedding can be managed by putting some time aside throughout the week to keep up on grooming, and if your dog is likely to spend the majority of its time indoors, it may be a good idea to invest in a good vacuum cleaner to clean up any hair missed in your grooming routine. The Golden Retriever requires daily and thorough brushing with a firm bristle brush. They should be dry shampooed regularly, and bathed only when absolutely necessary with a mild shampoo. They are prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and skin allergies. It is important to not over feed the Golden Retriever, as they have a tendency to gain weight.

The Golden Retriever is very noble, self-confident, sensitive, intelligent, and adaptable. The Golden Retriever is a gorgeous, large, and energetic breed. Golden Retrievers are sturdy, strong, well proportioned, and kind, known for their adeptness at hunting and their strength of character. Golden Retrievers bark infrequently, but do bark when startled, making them poor guard dogs. The Golden is perceptive and agile. They are well known for their hunting capabilities on land and in the water. They are one of the world's most popular pets and make great companions.

Golden Retrievers are loveable, polite, and highly intelligent. They exude charm and confidence. They are sweet, eager to please, and devoted family companions. Golden Retrievers easily get along well with their family, friends and companions, but can be belligerent with unknown visitors. They do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time or they will become mischievous and destructive. They have a tendency to be overly exuberant and distractible. They get along especially well with children, with whom they are always gentle and patient. They are also friendly with other dogs and other household pets.  In fact, they are friendly with everyone. They tend to bark as a form of greeting. The Golden Retriever is not well suited for a two career family as they require an inordinate amount of human interaction and companionship. The Golden Retriever is simply loving and loveable!  

 The Golden Retriever requires daily and thorough brushing with a firm bristle brush. They should be dry shampooed regularly, and bathed only when absolutely necessary with a mild shampoo. They are prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and skin allergies. It is important to not over feed the Golden Retriever, as they have a tendency to gain weight.

Outgoing and social, the Golden Retriever makes a loyal family pet. Their sweet dispositions make them patient and gentle with children and they are generally tolerant of other pets. It is important to remember that they are excitable as pups, and can accidentally knock children over while playing. Aggressiveness in well-bred Golden Retrievers is not common, but improper breeding can raise the chances of aggression issues. Instead, these dogs are people lovers who prefer to have as much human contact as possible, and can tend to get themselves into trouble if they are frequently left alone. Being forced from their family members for long periods can result in a very unhappy Golden Retriever that could suffer from separation anxiety. Golden Retrievers do not make the best of guard dogs. They will bark at strangers, but seem to be more interested in meeting and making friends with them than they are defending their family against them. They are affectionate, loving and loyal, and try hard to please their people.

 Golden Retrievers have a high energy level. These fun loving dogs enjoy nothing more than to play fetch or retrieve a stick during play, and their love for water makes for not only interesting play, but also plays a part in their strong hunting skills.

Their high level of intelligence enables them to excel in obedience training. They are often trained and used as service dogs to the blind and disabled. Their friendly and affectionate personalities also make them ideal visitors for retirement homes and allow them to be effective therapy dogs.


The Golden Retriever has a double coat that is water repellent and weather resistant. The outer coat is firm, resilient, and can be wavy or straight. The tail and legs are feathered with longer hair. The under coat is dense and soft in texture. The coat color is rich, lustrous, and varies in shades of cream to gold. The Golden is a heavy shedder. The Golden Retriever's double coat is important to brush on a daily basis. Many Golden owners complain about how much their dogs shed, particularly in the spring months. A strong brush will be your most prized tool when combating dog hair on your furniture, clothes and carpeting. Trimming can be done on occasion.

Their nails should be trimmed on a regular basis. Long nails can be very uncomfortable for the dog, and painful if your dog happens to jump on someone. In addition, regular nail care can prevent uncomfortable issues with the shape of their feet. Sometimes a dog owner is lucky and has a dog with clear nails, making it easy to determine where the quick is. The quick helps you know how short the nail should be cut. If you are one of the many pet owners that have dogs with dark nails, the rule of thumb is to cut the nail even with the pad of the foot, and it is never a bad idea to make sure you have styptic in your first aid kit, just in case there is bleeding. If you are intimidated by nail trimming, make sure you ask your vet to do it for you.

Golden Retrievers have floppy ears that fold over. The ears should always be kept clean. This as well as the activity level of the dog can allow it to be susceptible to yeast and bacterial ear infections. Because of this, it is important to be on the watch for any signs indicating an infection, such as head shaking or scratching, and know how to clean their ears carefully. Be prepared to visit your vet for a diagnosis when an infection is suspected as this can be an uncomfortable condition that, if untreated, could cause long term issues with the ears or the hearing.

Shampooing with a mild shampoo is a great way to combat "doggy" odor. Skin allergies may occur, and should be examined by a veterinarian immediately. If you have a Golden with sensitive skin or allergies, chances are, your vet can recommend a shampoo that can clean effectively yet prevent your dog's skin from being irritated. In fact, it is possible that there are shampoos available that can improve allergy discomfort!

The Golden Retriever is particularly easy to train. They are excited to learn, eager to please, and their high intelligence allows them to learn quickly. They excel in obedience and are popular therapy and service dogs. They have many talents including competitive obedience, narcotic detection, agility, and performing tricks. Golden Retrievers can learn many tricks and will remember what they are taught for the rest of their lives. As they learn very quickly and are extremely adaptable, making them perfect for therapy or service jobs. They are very sensitive to harsh treatment, so excessive strictness is not recommended. Most dogs from this size benefit from obedience training, and a good program that allows them to socialize with other dogs is an added bonus, and is recommended.

As Golden Retrievers are popular candidates for training to become aid dogs. Their quick minds make them ideal for guiding the blind, and the training for this job begins when they are puppies. They are also trained to do other wonderful things for people such as uplifting the sick, and entertaining the aging.

It is important to begin teaching basic commands such as sit, come, stay and heel. The sooner these basic commands are mastered, the easier it will be to manage your dog as it grows and as you are training progresses.

 While a youthful Golden Retriever is not as prone to weight issues as other breeds, it can still be a concern for older dogs as they become less active. They are an extremely active breed, and exercise is an important part of their daily care. The Golden Retriever requires daily exercise, as they have above average needs for exercise, although they will adapt themselves to the exercise habits of your family. They will do okay in an apartment dwelling provided they are sufficiently exercised. They must be provided adequate room and time to play, beyond their outdoor potty breaks. The Golden Retriever requires frequent human interaction. They enjoy play sessions with their family, retrieving balls and other toys, throwing sticks or Frisbees for them, giving them opportunities to play and socialize with dogs as well as a nice walk are all wonderful ways to ensure your Golden Retriever is well exercised. Some other activities your Golden may enjoy include swimming, hiking, jogging or biking. Mental exercise is also important, it should be challenged with obedience lessons or allowed to retrieve or play active games. These dogs are eager to please, and enjoy having jobs to keep them busy and gain approval. Creating fun games or interesting things for your dog to do will keep them entertained and prevent them from becoming bored. Golden Retrievers tend to be more active in the morning and at night than in the middle of the day.