Quick Facts:

Group classification: Sporting
Country of origin: Scotland
Date of origin: late 1800s
Weight (M): 55 to 75 lbs
Height (M): 23 to 24 inches
Weight (F): 55 to 65 lbs
Height (F): 21 to 22 inches
Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years

The Golden Retriever was developed in the Scottish Highlands in the late 19th century by Lord Tweedmouth, who wanted a retrieving dog that was suited the conditions of the Highlands. The dog was used chiefly for hunting. Due to improvements in gun design during the 1800s, more birds were shot during hunts and at greater distances from the shooters. The birds fell into difficult terrain and were often lost to the hunters. The situation required the breeding of a superior retriever to address this situation. Working between 1835 and 1890, he bred a yellow retriever with a dog found on his estate, the Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed that is now extinct. Later on, the Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and more Tweed Water Spaniels were combined to create the modern Golden Retriever breed.

General Description

The Golden Retriever is an active and powerful dog. It has a kind expression and is eager, alert, and self-confidant. It is usually used for hunting, so it has been bred for soundness and agility. It has a dense and water-repellant coat, which may either be straight or wavy in appearance. There is usually feathering on the front of the dog’s neck, back of the thighs and underside of the tail. The coat is a rich golden color of varying shades, with the feathering sometimes lighter than the rest of the coat.

Temperament

Golden Retrievers are social and friendly dogs, so they make excellent companions and are relatively easy to train. It is active and energetic, but can adapt to many kinds of living conditions as long as it receives daily exercise. The dog’s coat sheds on a seasonal basis, so it needs regular brushing. Golden Retrievers become very attached to their owners. They can become anxious if left alone in a room. They may become obsessed with carrying around a favorite toy, but this varies with the particular dog.

Health and Care

Golden Retrievers require daily exercise. They tend toward obesity, so they need to be active and given daily walks. The dogs should be brushed once a week at least, and during its seasonal shedding period, it must be brushed more often. They need to have their ears cleaned on a regular basis. Hair between the pads of their feet and around their ears should be trimmed every month. The toenails should be cut monthly as well to avoid orthopedic problems as the dog ages. Golden Retrievers are prone to hip disease as are any large dogs.

Golden Retrievers do not require an extraordinary amount of grooming. Weekly coat brushing is recommended, plus trimming hair between pads of the feet and around the ears once a month. This lowers the risks of encountering a matted coat, hot spots, and infected ears. Cutting back toenails monthly will prevent toenails so long that your dog rocks back on it's paws, possibly causing orthopedic problems as it ages.

Interesting Facts

Golden Retrievers made their first appearance in show at the Crystal Palace show in England in 1908.

The American Kennel Club registered its first Golden Retriever in 1925.

Pets4You offers listings of Golden Retriever breeders with puppies for sale.