Introducing the Golden Retriever
Find out everything you need to know about the Golden Retriever: its characteristics, its behaviour, its training and how much one costs.
The Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever, the best friend you could wish for
The origin of the Golden Retriever is uncertain. The result of a cross between several breeds of dog (Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, Wavy Coated), it is now one of the most popular breeds in the world. They are brave dogs with countless strengths: from retrieving for hunters to supporting disabled people, to working as emergency response dogs, they are an incredibly versatile breed. Loyal and extremely affectionate, the Golden Retriever is a sociable, friendly dog that will happily shower you with love!
GOLDEN RETRIEVER DOG FACT FILE
This section outlines the unique features of the Golden Retriever breed of dog.
Group
The Golden Retriever belongs to group 8, which includes retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs.
Size
The Golden Retriever is a big dog. They can measure up to 24 inches at the withers and usually weight between 53 pounds and 75 pounds.
Coat length
Golden Retrievers have long, slightly wavy, hair. The undercoat is dense and very thick, offering them excellent protection from the elements.
Coat colour
The most distinctive feature of the Golden Retriever is of course the colour of its coat. The coat is usually a dark gold colour, but it can also be cream or lighter golden brown.
Living environment
Golden Retrievers can adapt to any environment. They will need a garden though so they can stretch their legs whenever they want.
Sociability
Golden Retrievers are very sociable and friendly dogs! They are very people-oriented, perfect pets for children, and get on very well with other animals.
Health
The Golden Retriever' heritage has given it an iron constitution! They are, however, slightly predisposed to allergies and joint problems.
Training
The Golden Retriever is a very gentle breed, which makes it particularly easy to train. They are highly intelligent and are fast learners, as long as they are handled with patient kindness.
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Golden by name, golden by nature!
Golden Retrievers are large, well-balanced and elegant looking dogs. With a golden coat and cheerful face, they're an absolute delight for any dog lover!
Size and weight of the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is one of the larger dogs! Females are usually between 20 and 22 inches, and males up to 24 inches.
As for weight, female Golden Retrievers weigh between 53 and 61 pounds, while males weigh up to 75 pounds.
Golden Retriever pups grow quite quickly. It only takes a few months for puppies to reach 22 pounds. By 6 months, their weight has doubled. By their second birthday, they’ll have reached their adult height and weight.
The coat of the Golden Retriever
Coat length
Golden Retrievers have long, slightly wavy hair with feathering. Their thick, silky locks have a very dense undercoat, perfect for swimming.
The undercoat also keeps them warm in cold temperatures and bad weather.
Coat colour
The Golden Retriever's coat is a key feature of the breed. There are very few permitted colours for the Golden Retriever. The Kennel Club allows any shade of gold or cream, but never red or mahogany.
Coat care
The Golden Retriever doesn't have a particularly difficult coat to maintain, but it does require a certain amount of attention. With their long hair and thick undercoat, Golden Retrievers shed all year round, with even more hair piling up when they moult in the spring and autumn. To keep them comfortable and keep your home looking its best, they need regular brushing, ideally every day.
They do have a self-cleaning coat, but love water so much that they never turn down the opportunity for a bath. One bath every three to four months is enough, as they tend to have sensitive skin. It's best to bath them when they really need it.
Other characteristics of the Golden Retriever
Physical features
The Golden Retriever is a balanced, well-proportioned dog. The head is well chiselled and broad, with a forehead the same length as the muzzle. They have deep, round, dark brown eyes. Their side set ears are at eye level. The body is long, balanced and athletic, with well-developed musculature. Lastly, they have a long, thick, feathered tail.
TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR
What is the temperament of the Golden Retriever?
Very loyal, protective and affectionate, Golden Retrievers are easy to live with and excellent company.
Golden Retriever category
There are currently no fewer than 400 breeds of dog, divided into 10 groups. Each group is made up of breeds with shared features.
The Golden Retriever belongs to group 8, which includes retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs. This group includes 22 breeds ranging from Cocker Spaniels and Labradors to English Springers. Dogs in this group are hard workers and fantastic hunters! As the group name implies, these breeds are capable not only of retrieving game, but also of hunting prey, thanks to their highly developed instincts and remarkable intelligence. They are biddable, gentle and affectionate dogs.
Golden Retrievers are both water dogs and hunting dogs. These industrious dogs are tireless and utterly devoted to their owner.
Behaviour of the Golden Retriever
A firm friend
Golden Retrievers are delightful to have around. They are easy to live with and have a very calm temperament. These extremely affectionate dogs love to be loved. Golden Retrievers are brimming with love and kindness. They need an owner who is with them most of the day to give them the attention they need to thrive. Even so, they do have an independent streak that needs to be respected.
A very sociable dog
The Golden Retriever is well known for being friendly and big-hearted. They get on very well with people and are comfortable with strangers. They also enjoy making friends with other dogs and animals. Golden Retrievers are also terrific pets for children, thanks to their famous kindness and tolerance. Despite their natural friendliness, it's still important to work on their social skills from an early age.
The Golden Retriever's living environment
A golden shadow
The Golden Retriever will adapt to living just about anywhere: in a flat or house, in the city or the countryside. To keep these dogs happy the only essential factors are love and attention from their owners, who they will follow absolutely everywhere. They need to be taken for at least two walks a day, each lasting around half an hour.
A hunting dog
Although highly adaptable, Golden Retrievers are still hunting dogs with keen instincts. So it's a good idea to have an outdoor space for them to satisfy their thirst for adventure and run off some steam! Golden Retrievers seriously love water. They'll relish taking a dip, with or without their owner, in the sea, lakes, rivers and even deep puddles!
Training the Golden Retriever
A very biddable dog
The Golden Retriever is an easy breed to train. Their superior intelligence allows them to concentrate and memorise commands easily. Their training should be based on communication, understanding and rewards. They are very responsive to learning through play! Although gentle and easy-going, Golden Retrievers can have a stubborn side. If they are ordered to do something they don't want to do, they won't be very cooperative.
A properly trained Golden Retriever has excellent recall and is easy to walk off-lead. It’s still worth getting them with a GPS dog tracker just in case, so you don't lose track of them if they do get lost or run off.
More than just a dog
Their excellent listening skills make Golden Retrievers perfect guide dogs! Along with Labradors, they are the preferred breed to be assistance dogs for people who are blind or disabled. They are also excellent emergency response dogs and great hunting companions.
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HEALTH & NUTRITION
How to take care of the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is an extremely healthy breed of dog. Taking care of your Golden Retriever every day will help prevent illness and infections.
The health of the Golden Retriever
Illnesses
Golden Retrievers are an extremely healthy breed. These are hardy dogs that are rarely ill. They are, however, prone to skin conditions. They may develop allergies, eczema, itching or redness at some point in their lives. Also, like other large dogs, they may suffer from hip dysplasia or aching joints. Lastly, Golden Retrievers tend to have sensitive ears and may suffer from frequent ear infections (especially if they swim a lot).
Golden Retrievers have a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years.
Routine care
To take the best care of your Golden Retriever, you need to take them for regular veterinary check-ups throughout their life to make sure they are vaccinated, wormed and flea treated when needed.
As well as medical check-ups, you need to take care of your dog at home too. Their coat should be brushed every day to keep it shiny and tangle-free. Plus, you need to clean their ears once a week to prevent infections, as well as cleaning their teeth to prevent tartar from building up and keep bacteria from spreading. Lastly, make sure their claws are well clipped to avoid problems or injuries.
The Golden Retriever is not a hypoallergenic breed.
Feeding the Golden Retriever
Daily requirements
Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers have specific nutritional needs. It's important for Golden Retrievers to have a balanced diet that is rich in protein and vitamins, to keep them fit and well! We recommend feeding your Golden Retriever top-quality kibble. If they are very active you can supplement their diet with any red or white meat that is low in fat, making it an excellent source of protein.
Golden Retrievers are well known for their love of food! They can be very greedy, sometimes eating so much they have stomach ache. It's important to feed them at set times and only give them as much as they actually need.
BREEDING OR ADOPTION & COST
What does a Golden Retriever cost?
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, but there are a few things you should think about before you bring one home.
How to choose your Golden Retriever
Finding the right breeder
Before adopting a Golden Retriever, there are some important points to consider. First and foremost, you need to check that the breeder is reputable. This means visiting the breeder before adopting a puppy to check the dogs' living conditions and behaviour.
Then you need to check the puppy and its parents are all healthy. Breeders have a duty to be honest with you about the puppy's health and any illnesses its parents may have.
Lastly, you must have your dog microchipped by the age of 8 weeks old and have their details registered on a relevant database like Petlog or Animal Tracker. This is a legal requirement in Great Britain and you could face a £500 fine if you don't comply. Your vet can microchip your dog for a small fee, alternatively any Blue Cross centre will do it for free.
The price of a Golden Retriever
A Golden Retriever can be a fairly affordable dog compared with some other breeds. The price varies depending on a number of different things, including lineage, pedigree, the breeder's reputation and the age of the dog. Golden Retriever puppies currently cost anywhere from
to
from a breeder.
There are also other costs to bear in mind like veterinary fees and food. This comes to around
to
a year.
Which dog breed is right for you?
Which dog breed is right for you?
Take the test to find out!
Choosing a dog that matches your personality and lifestyle will ensure your well-being and his!
