Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. This breed has gained popularity as a good looking ideal family dog and smart loving companion throughout The United States, UK, Europe, and Asia. Why is the Golden Retriever dog breed so famous? Why do so many dog lovers choose the Golden Retriever over all other dog breeds? Let us explore this amazing breed in-depth. Let us also try to find out if the Golden Retriever is the best breed suitable for you.

This page not only includes precise info, facts, FAQs, Golden Retriever breed standards, and info. for choosing the best Golden Retriever puppy.. but many more insights and knowledge derived from years of experience with owning, training, breeding, and judging the Golden Retriever breed in the show ring.

The Golden Retriever’s friendly, tolerant attitude makes him a fabulous family pet, and his intelligence makes him a highly capable working dog.

Golden Retrievers excel at retrieving game for hunters, tracking, sniffing out drugs, and as therapy and assistance dogs. They’re also natural athletes, and do well in dog sports such as agility and competitive obedience.

Golden Retriever Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let us seek some answers related to the Golden Retriever breed. Are they hypoallergenic (non-shedding) or do they shed a lot? Do they bark a lot? Are they good guard dogs? Are they good family dogs? Good with children? and many more questions that a potential Golden Retriever owner may be concerned about.

Is the Golden Retriever a hypoallergenic (non-shedding) breed?

No. The Golden Retriever is not a hypoallergenic dog breed. Golden Retrievers shed frequently and are not suitable for people with allergies. Golden Retrievers have a double coat – an external layer that is long and shiny, and an inner layer that is much finer to keep them warm and dry. A Golden Retriever bitch will generally blow her coat (shed heavily) 2 times a year with her heat cycle. All other Goldens (neutered and unneutered males and spayed females) will shed heavily throughout the year and will shed even more heavily when the seasons change. Weekly grooming – brushing the topcoat, combing the undercoat, and massaging during baths will help keep hair out of your home. If you are allergic to dog hair and dander yet love the Golden Retriever, you may consider the Miniature Golden Retriever (also called Comfort Retriever) which is a hybrid dog.

Do Golden Retriever dogs bark a lot?

No. Golden Retrievers do not bark a lot. They are smart, friendly, social and may bark a little to get attention but they will not irritate you with constant unnecessary barking. Goldens raised with other watchdogs or guard dogs may occasionally bark at strangers.

Is Golden Retriever a good family dog?

Yes. The Golden Retriever is an excellent family dog. In fact, this beloved breed has the reputation of being the perfect family dog. Goldens are friendly, patient, smart, and eager to please. Goldens are social and friendly with other dogs, pets, even cats. The Golden Retriever dog breed’s social, tolerant attitude makes them fabulous family pets, and their intelligence makes them highly capable of working. Goldens are fairly easy to train and get along in just about any home or family.

Are Golden Retrievers affectionate? Good with kids?

Yes. Golden Retrievers are affectionate. Often, male Golden Retrievers are more affectionate than females. They are very friendly and just want to spend quality time with their family members. Goldens love to cuddle and bring a lot of affection in the family. Golden Retrievers are good with kids. They are one of the best breeds for families with children and babies. Goldens are very tolerant, even-tempered, and loving with children of all ages.

Are Golden Retrievers good guard dogs?

No. Golden retrievers are not guarding dogs. They do not possess guard dog instincts. They do not look intimidating. Also, they do not bark much. Do not count on a Golden Retriever to guard your property or home. They are social and friendly even with strangers. They are neither good guard dogs nor good watchdogs.

Are Golden Retrievers aggressive dogs?

Yes and No. Golden Retrievers are a very friendly breed of dog. Never aggressive. However, Golden can be aggressive. Aggression may be due to fear or shyness, often a result of abusive history and incorrect upbringing. There are several other factors that can make a Golden Retriever aggressive including neglect. Inadequate socialization can also create aggressive Goldens. Golden Retriever can bite too! Biting should be discouraged while training. A Golden Retriever may bite in stressful situations or to defend himself when in pain.

Can Golden Retrievers swim? Do they like it?

Yes. Most Golden Retrievers like to swim. Golden Retriever puppies can start swimming in a bathtub or pool when they are about 4 months old. You can take them to a small pond once they learn to maneuver in the water. Gradually you can take your Golden to larger water bodies. It’s better to train your dog to come when called before taking him to play in large water bodies for obvious reasons.

How much do Golden Retrievers cost? How much is a Golden Retriever puppy?

Golden Retriever puppies cost about $1,200 to $1,500 from a reputed breeder. Some breeders may charge more for a Golden Retriever with top breed lines and a superior pedigree. The cost to buy a Golden Retriever varies greatly and depends on many factors. Expect to pay less for a puppy without papers, Expect to pay a premium for a puppy advertised as show quality with papers.

The cost to adopt a Golden Retriever is around $300 in order to cover the expenses of caring for the dog before adoption.

How long do Golden Retrievers live?

Golden Retriever’s average lifespan is about 10 to 12 years.

Ok, so let’s assume you have chosen the Golden Retriever as the best dog breed suitable for yourself. You have decided to find yourself a Golden Retriever puppy as your next family member. How will you choose the best pup? Let us look at some standard characteristics of the Golden Retriever dog breed which will help you select the right puppy, keep reading. 

Choosing a good Golden Retriever puppy

The definition of the best Golden Retriever puppy depends on your requirements. Your expectations from an adult Golden Retriever can be broadly categorized as follows: Confirmation for show or breeding; obedience; smart dog; companion dog; homely pet.

Although it is tempting to look for all these qualities in one Golden Retriever puppy you are planning to buy, it is almost never possible to find all qualities in a single pup.

If you want your Golden Retriever puppy to grow up to be a champion in the show ring, you should look for confirmation to the Golden Retriever dog breed standards. We have put together a general guideline for selecting an all-around good puppy for you. Our guideline not just includes breed standards, but also gives importance to temperament, appearance, physical details, gait, health issues, grooming needs, and maintenance.

Look for the following characteristics in the parents while choosing a Golden Retriever puppy.

Golden Retriever’s appearance

Golden Retrievers are symmetrical, powerful, active dogs, sound and well put together, not clumsy or long in the leg, displaying kindly expressions and possessing a personality that is eager, alert, and self-confident. Primarily a hunting dog, the Golden Retriever should be shown in hard working condition. Over-all appearance, balance, gait, and purpose to be given more emphasis than any of his component parts.

Golden Retriever’s Temperament

The Golden Retriever is friendly, reliable, trustworthy. Hostility or aggressiveness towards other dogs or people, undue timidity or nervousness in normal situations are signs of faulty temperament in Golden Retrievers. Dogs displaying poor temperament should neither be bred nor be allowed in the show ring.

Golden Retriever’s Size

Height: Golden Retriever Males are 23 – 24 inches (58-61 cm) in height at withers; Golden Retriever females are 21-1/2 – 22-1/2 inches (55-57 cm) in height. Length from breastbone to buttocks slightly greater than the height at withers in ratio of 12:11.

Weight: Golden Retriever dogs weigh in at 65-75 lb. (29-34 kg); and bitches weigh in at 60-70 lb. (27-32 kg).

Golden Retriever’s Coat and Color

The Golden Retriever’s coat should be dense and water repellent with good undercoat. Texture not as hard as that of a short-haired dog nor silky as that of a setter. Lies flat against the body and may be straight or wavy. Moderate feathering on back of forelegs and heavier feathering on front of the neck, back of thighs, and underside of tail. Feathering may be lighter than the rest of the coat. Excessive length, open coats, or limp, soft coats are undesirable. The natural appearance of coat or outline should not be altered by cutting or clipping, other than the trimming of the feet and neatening of stray hairs.

The Golden Retriever’s color should be lustrous golden. Color can include various shades. A few white hairs on the chest are permissible in the show ring but not desirable. Further white markings are faulted except for greying or whitening of the face or body due to age. Any noticeable area of black or other off-color hair is considered a fault in dog shows.

Golden Retriever’s Head

The Golden Retriever’s head should be broad in the skull, slightly arched laterally and longitudinally without prominence of frontal or occiput bones. Good stop. Foreface deep and wide, nearly as long as skull. Muzzle, when viewed in profile, slightly deeper at stop than at tip; when viewed from above, slightly wider at stop than at tip. No heaviness in flews. Removal of whiskers for show purposes optional. Nose: black or dark brown, though lighter shade in cold weather not serious. Teeth: scissors bite with lower incisors touching inside of upper incisors. Full dentition. Obvious gaps created by missing teeth are considered a fault.

Golden Retriever’s Eyes

Should be friendly and intelligent, medium large with dark, close-fitting rims, set well apart and reasonably deep in sockets. Color preferably dark brown, never lighter than the color of the coat. No white or haw visible when looking straight ahead. Dogs showing evidence of a functional abnormality of the eyelids or eyelashes (such as but not limited to, trichiasis, entropion, ectropion, or distichiasis) are to be excused from the ring. Ears rather short, hanging flat against the head with rounded tips slightly below the jaw. Forward edge attached well behind and just above the eye with rear edge slightly below the eye.

Golden Retriever’s Neck

Medium long, sloping well back into shoulders, giving sturdy muscular appearance with an untrimmed natural ruff. No throatiness.

Golden Retriever’s Forequarters

The forequarters should be muscular well co-ordinated with hindquarters and capable of free movement. Shoulder blades wide, long, and well laid back, showing angulation with the upper arm of approximately 90 degrees. Shoulder blade and upper arm (humerus) should be approximately equal in length, setting close-fitting elbows back beneath the upper tip of the shoulder blades. Legs straight with good bone. Pastern short and strong, sloping slightly forward with no suggestion of weakness.

Golden Retriever’s Body

The topline should be level from withers to the croup, whether standing or moving -well balanced, short coupled, deep through the heart. The chest should be at least as wide as a man’s hand, including the thumb. Brisket extends to the elbows. Ribs long and well sprung but not barrel-shaped, extending well to the rear of the body. The loin should be short, muscular, wide, and deep, with very little tuck-up. Croup slopes gently.

Golden Retriever’s Hindquarters

The Golden Retriever should have well-bent stifles (angulation between femur and pelvis approximately 90 degrees) with hocks well let down. Legs should be straight when viewed from the rear. Feet should be medium-sized, round, and compact with thick pads. Excessive hair may be trimmed to show natural size and contour.

Golden Retriever’s Tail

Well set on, neither too high nor too low, following the natural line of the croup. Length extends to hock. Carried with merry action with some upward curve but never curled over back or between legs.

Golden Retriever’s Gait

When trotting, gait is free, smooth, powerful, and well co-ordinated. Viewed from front or rear, legs turn neither in nor out nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. Increased speed causes the tendency of feet to converge toward the centreline of gravity.

Faults observed in the Golden Retriever breed

White markings beyond a few hairs on chest. Dudley nose (pink without pigmentation). Low, hound-like ear-set. Slab-sidedness, narrow chest, lack of depth in brisket, excessive tuck-up, roach or sway back. Cow-hocks and sickle hocks. Open or splayed feet.

Disqualifications:

1. Deviations in height of more than 1 inch (2.54 cm) from standard either way.
2. Undershot or overshot jaws. This condition not to be confused with misalignment of teeth.

Golden Retriever Videos

The Golden Retriever is one of the world’s most popular dog breeds. The breed’s friendly, tolerant attitude makes him a great family member and companion, and his intelligence makes him a highly capable working dog. Golden Retrievers excel as therapy and assistance dogs are natural-born athletes, and do well in dog sports such as agility and competitive obedience. In this video, meet the beautiful Goldens at Golden Meadows Retrievers.

In this Animal Planet video, watch newborn Golden Retriever puppies grow up; from their first breath and learning to walk, to teething and playtime.

If you are considering a Golden Retriever as your next pet here are five things you should know.

Notes from the video – 5 things you should know before getting a Golden Retriever:

1. Originally bred for demanding work, Goldens are active dogs. They require 60-90 minutes of hard exercise daily. The most obvious around the home activity for a Golden is a long game of fetch. Like other retriever breeds, Goldens are naturally “mouthy,” and they’re happiest when they have something to carry in their mouths. Other good sports for the breed are obedience, agility, and dock diving. Despite its wonderful and gentle nature, this is a working breed and working breeds need a job. Absent of a job, activity, or routine you’re likely to see bad behaviors out of your Golden Retriever.

2. Goldens love people! However, this love can lead to excitement, which leads to jumping and other inappropriate behavior when greeting people. Be sure to obedience train and socialize your Golden Retriever. Golden is easy to train and you will reap the benefits of your investment when your dog is full-grown.

3. The Golden Retriever is a very popular breed. The breed’s popularity has led to clueless and reckless breeders churning out Goldens to line their pockets. Many of these dogs don’t maintain the sweet, gentle, nature of the breed. Be sure to research and buy your Golden Retriever from a reputable breeder or locate a healthy one at your local shelter.

4. The Golden Retriever was bred to locate, track, and retrieve game for hunters, as a pet owner of a Golden retriever, it’s an excellent idea to engage these skills in the form of games. From fetching with your Golden Retriever to having him locate obscure items, would do wonders in engaging your dogs mentally and physically.

5. The golden retriever’s coat requires regular grooming to maintain it’s beauty and function. You should bathe your Golden Retriever occasionally. They should be groomed weekly. During their semi-annual shed daily grooming is required. In addition, their ears should be cleaned regularly.

We hope you enjoyed reading about the Golden Retriever dog breed. You may consider sharing your views in the comments section below. Inputs and priceless experiences from dog owners, Golden Retriever breeders, and dog lovers, in general, help us better understand the Golden Retriever breed. Thank you for your interest.