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The Golden Retriever is a dog breed developed in 1850’s Scotland. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1932. Intelligent, gentle-natured and very affectionate, Golden Retrievers have become one of the most popular and loved breeds in the world. They are generally calm and loyal, easy to train, and extremely eager to please their humans. They make excellent pets and family dogs, are exceptionally tolerant of children, and always keen to accompany family members in a range of activities.
Goldie's typically get along well with children, and they often do fine with pets too.
Goldie's need attention and affection and dislike being left alone for long periods of time. If you work long hours or can't spend enough time with your golden, this may not be the breed for you.
Well-bred golden retrievers are typically strong and healthy and have a life span of 12-13 years. Receiving a quality, healthy golden retriever puppy begins with choosing a quality breeder!
Golden retrievers are intelligent and receptive to training at an early age. Their eagerness to please makes them quick to learn daily routines, basic commands and fun games.
Goldie’s are smart, loving dogs who want and need to spend lots of time with their humans. Fun-loving freethinkers, golden retrievers take well to training when it’s done in a positive manner with lots of food, rewards, praise, and play.
Golden retrievers are known to have several genetic health conditions like hip displaysia, so purchasing your puppy from a reputable breeder is important. Conscientious breeders work hard to health screen their breeding dogs to assure strong, healthy puppies with the lowest risk of future health problems.
Buying a cheap puppy from an amateur breeder may seem like a good deal at first, but often you’ll wind up spending thousands more on vet bills and care due to health problems.
Golden retrievers need plenty of daily exercise to keep them at their best and to avoid becoming overweight.
Short walks and/or play time in the yard will not only keep your goldie happy and healthy, but it will help you stay in shape too!
Make sure you choose a quality puppy food for the first 12 months and feed three times a day (morning lunch and dinner).
After 12 or so months, you can graduate your puppy to a quality adult food and reduce to two feedings a day (morning and dinner time).
Food quantities vary depending on the dog and depending on the food so use the food label as a guide and then add or subtract from the amount based on your puppy’s activity level and hunger.
Goldie’s should NOT have their hair cut or shaved in the traditional grooming sense. Their long, flowing coats are part of the breed standard and serve to keep them warm in winter and actually help to keep them cooler in summer. It is ok to ‘trim’ the hair around their hind quarters for hygiene and also to trim hair that grows between their toes and pads. If your groomer wants to do a lot of cutting, shaving or shaping, find another groomer!
They are average to heavy shedders. Their hair should be brushed frequently to reduce shedding and keep their coat healthy. They should be bathed about every 4-6 weeks. If they get muddy or dirty in between bathing, just spray them down with fresh water from a garden hose and towel them off. Don’t over-bathe as that will remove needed oils that keep their skin and coat healthy. It is wise to begin bathing/trimming at a young age to get them used to standing on a table, having their nails trimmed and having a blow dryer used to dry their fur.