Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a verypopular dog breed, originally developed to retrieve downed fowl during hunting. It is one of the most common family dogs as it is easy to handle, very tolerant, and normally very happy and friendly. It is a low-maintenance dog and thrives on attention, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. Golden Retrievers are usually compatible with all people and other dogs. They typically bark when startled, but generally their friendly nature makes them poor watchdogs. Golden Retrievers are particularly valued for their high level of sociability towards people and willingness to learn. Because of this, they are commonly used as Guide dogs and Search and Rescue dogs.

Golden Retriever Appearance

The Golden is athletic, well balanced, and symmetrical. Its appearance reflects its merry and outgoing temperament, and is usually never sulky or aggressive. This large breed is similar in appearance to the yellow Labrador Retriever, especially when young. The most obvious difference is the Golden Retriever's luxurious coat, which varies in shades of goldish yellow.

Today's Golden Retrievers fall into two groups: English and American. These two types are merely variations of the Golden Retriever breed as a whole, and differ only in aesthetics.

English

Golden Retrievers are easily recognized by their longer, light cream-coloured coats, which sometimes appear white. This type is bigger-boned, shorter, with a more square head and/or muzzle. They are more common in Europe, so breeders of this type in America may import their dogs to improve bloodlines. A Golden Retriever of English breeding can have a coat colour in the colour range of all shades of gold or cream, but not including red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on the chest are acceptable.

American

The coat is dense and waterproof, and may be straight or moderately wavy. It usually lies flat against the belly. The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard states that the coat is a "rich, lustrous golden of various shades", disallowing coats that are extremely light or extremely dark. This leaves the outer ranges of coat colour up to a judge's discretion when competing in conformation shows. Therefore, "pure white" and "red" are unacceptable colours for the Golden coat. English Cream is not an acceptable shade of Light Golden for the coat. Judges may also disallow Golden Retrievers with brown or pink noses, though these are very rare. The Golden's coat can also be of a mahogany colour, referred to as "redheads". As a Golden grows older, its coat can become a darker or lighter tint of brown, along with a noticeable whitening of the fur on and around the face.   Golden Retrievers reach their full height at around one year of age and full weight around two years old, though they may retain their puppyish nature for life. The height standard is 56-61 cm (22-24 in) at the withers for males, and 51-56 cm (20-22 in) for females. The weight standard is 29-34 kg (65-75 lb) for males, and 27-32 kg (60-70 lb) for females. The weight and size standards merely determine which dogs can compete in sanctioned dog shows.

Golden Retriever Temperament

Typically, Golden Retrievers are fairly unruly as puppies. However, once they reach maturity, Golden Retrievers remain active and fun-loving while developing an exceptionally patient demeanor, as befits a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Other characteristics related to their hunting heritage are a size suited for scrambling in and out of boats and an inordinate love for cool water. Some poorly bred and inadequately socialized Golden Retrievers may have aggressive tendencies, but they are rare. The  Golden Retriever is at the top of the list of breeds of dogs that are least likely to bite.

They are noted for their affection for people, and their tolerance of children. Because of their gentle temperament they are great therapy dogs to use in hospitals or retirement homes. Most Golden Retrievers require lots of companionship to be happy. Due to their intelligence, they do well in obedience trials and make excellent assistance dogs. While they might not do quite as well in field trials as Labrador Retrievers, they are excellent hunters known for outstanding scenting ability. However, many Golden Retrievers will not express their desire to "fetch" until adulthood.

As the name suggests, the Golden Retriever loves to retrieve. Retrieving a thrown stick, tennis ball, or flying disc can keep a Golden occupied and entertained for hours, particularly if there is also water involved.

Golden Retrievers are very active and require much exercise. They are not as prone to obesity as Labrador Retrievers, but as with any dog, their weight should be watched closely. This is especially true for elderly and less active dogs.

Golden Retrievers should be groomed several times a week, and more during shedding, which normally happens in the spring as the dog loses its thicker winter coat. They also need to have their ears cleaned regularly, or otherwise an ear infection might occur.

Golden Retriever History

The Golden Retriever breed was originally developed in Scotland, at "Guisachan", near Glen Affric, the highland estate of Sir Dudley Majoribank later Baron Tweedmouth. For many years, there was controversy over which breeds were originally crossed. In 1952, the publication of Majoribanks' breeding records from 1835 to 1890 dispelled the myth concerning the purchase of a whole troupe of Russian sheepdogs from a visiting circus.

The original cross was of a yellow-coloured dog, Nous, with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct but was then common in the border country. Majoribanks had purchased Nous in 1865 from an unregistered litter of otherwise black wavy-coated retriever pups. In 1868, this cross produced a litter that included four bitch pups; these four became the basis of a breeding program which included the Red Setter, the sandy-coloured Bloodhound, the St. John's Water Dog of Newfoundland, the Springer Spaniel, and two more wavy-coated black Retrievers. The bloodline was also inbred and selected for trueness to Majoribanks' idea of the ultimate hunting dog. His vision included a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers, one that would still be gentle and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, nor are any other working dog breeds. The ancestry of the Golden Retriever is all sporting dogs, in line with Majoribanks' goals.

Golden Retrievers were first accepted for registration by The Kennel Club of England in 1903, as Flat Coats - Golden. They were first exhibited in 1908, and in 1911 were recognized as a breed described as Retriever (Golden and Yellow). In 1913, the Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed name was officially changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.

The Honorable Archie Majoribanks took a Golden Retriever to Canada in 1881, and registered Lady with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries. The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario, now the Golden Retriever Club of Canada, was formed in 1958. The AKC recognized the breed in 1932, and in 1938 the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed.