GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted

AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 3 of 197

Height: 23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (female)

Weight: 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Group: Sporting Group

ABOUT THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It’s all good with the Golden: he’s highly intelligent, sociable, beautiful, and loyal.

Like other intelligent breeds who were bred to work, they need to have a job to do, such as retrieving the paper, waking up family members, or competing in dog sports. A tired Golden is a well-behaved Golden.

There’s one other potential drawback to the breed: He’s definitely not a watchdog. He might bark when strangers come around, but don’t count on it. Most likely, he’ll wag his tail and flash that characteristic Golden smile.

PERSONALITY

The breed’s friendly, tolerant attitude makes them great family pets, and their intelligence makes them highly capable working dogs. A sweet, calm nature is the hallmark of the breed. The Golden was bred to work with people, and is eager to please his owner. Though hard-wired with a good disposition, like all dogs the Golden must be well-raised and well-trained to make the most of his heritage.

Like every dog, the Golden needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they’re young. Socialization helps ensure that your Golden puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

NUTRITION

Recommended daily amount: 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

Some Goldens can become overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. If you choose to give your dog treats, do so in moderation. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.

HEALTH

Goldens are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions:

Hip Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia

Cataracts

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis

Osteochondrosis Dissecans

Allergies

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus

Epilepsy

Hypothyroidism

Hemangiosarcoma

Osteosarcoma

CARE

Like most Sporting breeds, Goldens need plenty of daily exercise. A Golden who doesn’t get enough exercise is likely to engage in undesirable behavior. Goldens make great companions on long runs and bike rides, although consultation with a vet is recommended before starting strenuous or high-impact activities that might cause stress to the dog’s bones and joints. Many Goldens happily get their exercise on hunting trips or at field trials, as well as by participating in canine sports such as agility, obedience, and tracking.

GROOMING

Goldens heavily shed their thick, water-repellant double coat once or twice a year, and they also shed more moderately on a continuous basis. Most of the time, a good brushing-out with a slicker brush once or twice a week will remove much of the dead hair before it has a chance to fall onto the furniture. During times of heavy shedding, these brushing sessions turn into daily affairs. Baths help to loosen the dead hairs, but the dog must be completely dry before brushing begins. Otherwise, Goldens only need occasional baths to keep them clean. As with all breeds, the Golden’s nails should be trimmed regularly.

Source: dogtime, akc.