Golden Retriever
Description: The Golden Retriever is a powerful, active dog, sound and well balanced. The Golden Retriever possess a personality that is eager, alert and self-confident. A Golden Retriever is an ideal sportsman's companion, family pet, gundog, guide or service dog. Gentle with children, the Golden Retriever enjoys the endless attention that children provide. The Golden Retriever loves to swim and should be allowed to do so whenever possible. Though they will adapt well to a kennel environment, they prefer human companionship and are not happy in solitude.
Other Names: Yellow Retriever
Height: 20 - 24 in.
Weight: 60 - 80 lb.
Color: Any shades of gold or cream.
Coat: Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense, water-resistant undercoat.
Temperament: The Golden Retriever is responsive, alert, well-mannered, playful.
With Children: Yes, the Golden Retriever usually does well with children, best if supervised with younger children as they can be pushy with their affection.
With Pets: Yes
Special Skills: Field sports dog.
Watch-dog: Medium
Guard-dog: Low
Care and Exercise: The Golden Retriever sheds a fair amount and should be groomed weekly with a firm bristle brush or comb. Bath as needed. The Golden Retriever needs long daily walks and the opportunity to run freely.
Training:
Learning Rate: Very High, Obedience - High, Problem Solving - Medium.
Activity: Moderate - High
Living Environment: A home with a fenced yard is essential either in the country or city for the Golden Retriever as they will adjust to either environment as long as daily exercise is given. A Golden Retriever does not do well as an apartment dog, nor as a companion for the elderly as they are a very active breed. An owner of a Golden Retriever needs to be willing to give them the attention they require.
Health Issues: Hip dysplasia, hereditary cataract and epilepsy.
Life Span: 10 - 12 years
Litter Size: 6 - 10
Country of Origin: Great Britain
History of the Golden Retriever: It is said that Lord Tweedmouth saw a troupe of eight Russian sheepdogs performing in a circus in the seaside resort of Brighton in England. He was so impressed that following the show purchased all eight dogs. The Golden Retriever history is then documented by handwritten records of Lord Tweedmouth. In 1868, Lord Tweedmouth mated a Tweed Water Spaniel to a yellow retriever and this resulted in the foundation of the definitive yellow breed now known as the Golden Retriever. In 1881 Lord Tweedmouth's son took two yellow retrievers with them to their family's Texas ranch.
First Registered by the AKC: 1925
AKC Group: Sporting
Class: Gundog
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 8), KC (GB), UKC
