Golden Retriever

Origin

Golden retrievers have been around for centuries. They date back to the 1800s to the Scottish Highlands. The breed was developed by a man called Lord Tweedmouth, who was interested in cross-breeding a flat-coated retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel – a dog that did not survive much longer. He perfected the craft of creating a golden retriever by later crossing a bloodhound with an Irish setter and another extinct tweed water spaniel.
Today the golden retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the world. Not only is this dog popular as a companion and dog for families, it’s also popular for being obedient. Their intelligence makes them the number one choice for service dogs for elderly people and those who require dogs that can do the difficult work on their behalf. They are also commonly used as guide dogs for those without sight. Even though this animal has been around centuries, it’s one that’s only been recognized since 1925.

Temperament

Golden retrievers are known for their wonderful temperament. They are calm, lovable and have good manners. They are intelligent and charming, which means you can teach them just about anything and they will win you over from the start. They are very easy to train, gentle with children and they are very devoted to their owners. Other qualities these beautiful dogs possess are an eagerness to please and a fun-loving, energetic attitude. This is a dog breed that will never tire of playing catch or running around the yard with the kids.

Though it is a bigger dog, the golden retriever is not an attack dog. This is not a dog that is going to guard, as it has no guarding instinct. However, it will bark loudly and aggressively when it thinks that there is danger approaching or there is someone approaching your home or yard. They are very competitive dogs, which makes them great teammates. They’re also very friendly, and that is with everyone. There is no person that a golden retriever won’t try to befriend, and that means they’re slightly intrusive dogs that will get in your face and beg for some love and attention.

These dogs need to be placed in families that have strong leadership skills. Without frequent exercise and time spent outside, they become very bored and restless, and can become prone to displaying less than desirable behavior. They’re not guard dogs, but they make great watch dogs. They also excel at hunting and tracking, performing and swimming.

Size

There is a significant difference in the sizes of male and female golden retrievers. You can expect a male to be approximately 22 to 24 inches tall while a female is a little smaller, maxing out around 20 to 22 inches tall. As far as weight is concerned, the golden retriever male will likely grow to be around 60 to 80 pounds or 27 - 36 kilos while a female is more likely to stick around 55 to 70 pounds or 24 - 32 Kilos

Health

Golden retrievers are cancer-prone animals. They are very likely to develop a type of cancer call mast cell tumors, and they are also prone to something called hip dysplasia. It’s not uncommon to find out that a golden retriever suffers from Von Willebrand’s disease, heart issues and even eye defects. They are commonly subjected to skin disorders. These are dogs that gain a lot of weight very quickly, so it’s important that their owners not overfeed their golden retrievers.

Living Conditions and Exercise

Golden retrievers prefer a lot of space to run around, but they will do all right in a small space if they are exercised on a regular basis. These are very active dogs that require frequent exercise to prevent them from gaining weight too rapidly. Moderately active inside, they will go crazy outside and need at least a medium-sized yard in which they can run around and enjoy.
These are dogs that require a long walk at a brisk pace at least once per day. They are good for jogging, running and biking, which might make exercising them easier to fit into your own schedule. These dogs are very lovable, but they will become depressed-like if you do not get them outside to exercise regularly. They are also prone to obesity if they are not exercised regularly, so it makes sense to get them outdoors on a regular basis. Retrievers are very fond of retrieving, hence their name. You will do well by these dogs to take them outside where they can fetch and retrieve sticks and balls and play with the family.

Life Expectancy

Golden retrievers tend to live anywhere from 10, 12 to 15 years. Some might live longer and some might not live this long. It all depends on the health of the animal and the conditions in which it lives.

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Different types of golden retrievers

There is some confusion about whether Golden Retrievers come in different varieties.

The short answer is yes. But the distinction is more nuanced. Simply stated, there are two ways that Golden Retrievers can vary from one other. The first is by “type.” There are three different varieties of this dog: Canadian Golden Retrievers, British or English Golden Retrievers, and American Golden Retrievers.

The differences between these three are minimal. They are mostly physical (for example, there are differences in their coat types) and have emerged naturally over the course of breeding. They have no real effect on the temperament or health of the dogs.

Canadian golden retriever

The Canadian Golden Retriever looks somewhat different from the other two Goldens. Its hair is generally shorter and thinner than its counterparts’ coats. It is also not as feathery as the other two types.

These dogs might stand taller than the other varieties by as much as two inches. This makes this dog the most different among the three.

British golden retrievers

British or English Golden Retrievers have long, feathery cream coats that are characteristic of the breed. They are somewhat smaller than the Canadian variety, but not by much.

The difference between the British and American types of Golden Retrievers are small. They have similar sizes and coats. Their temperaments are roughly similar as well.

The largest difference between these two varieties is their physical build. British Goldens will have a broader skull and more powerful forequarters. They will also have rounder, darker eyes.

American golden retrievers

American Golden Retrievers are lankier and less muscular than the other varieties. Their coats are also typically dark golden, darker than their British cousins. They are just as long and wavy though.

Where their coats are darker, the American Golden’s eyes are generally lighter. They are also triangular or slanted-shaped rather than round.

What to expect from all varieties

No matter which variety you choose, Golden Retrievers have similar temperaments. In general, you can expect a dog that is:

• Loving

• Affectionate

• Attention-seeking

• Athletic

That being said, when you think of a Golden Retriever, you likely think of an American or a British variety. This is because of the long wavy coats that are characteristic of the breed.

The golden color and shades

The second way that Golden Retrievers can vary from each other is by color. Goldens are known for their luscious locks that come in a shiny golden color.

There is very little color variation between Goldens. Unlike Labradors, which come in three very distinct colors, Goldens tend to stay within a limited spectrum.

In general, there are three classifications of gold,

These include:

• Light Golden, including cream colored

• Golden

• Dark Golden (but not red)

This spectrum is strict, especially for show dogs. If a dog falls outside of this color range, it cannot compete or be registered with the American Kennel Club.

Despite the desirability of the gold color, there are dogs that fall outside of this range. You can find Golden Retriever colors varying from pure white, mahogany, to even sometimes black! They are not as common, but they can be found.

The beauty of these colors is that it is hereditary. Goldens will only have puppies within the same color spectrum. You can generally guess the color of the dog based off of the parents. They are not like Labrador litters where you can find all three colors.

So, if you are looking for a redhead or a pure-white Golden, you should find a reputable breeder for that exact shade. Keep in mind though that puppies with darker ears will generally have darker coats.

Conclusion

While there are different “types” of Golden Retrievers, the differences are mostly cosmetic. You can find both different colored options as well as different varieties. They might vary in size and shape, but they won’t vary in their loving demeanor kind-heartedness.

The truth is, no matter the color or type, a Golden Retriever will be the perfect pet for your family. They are smart, fun, and easy to take care of and train. They will quickly become your new best friend and will be a companion for years to come.