Last updated on September 11th, 2021
What is a Golden Retriever?
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breed. They are smart, loyal and ideal family companions. It is a medium-large gun dog. Golden Retriever is a well-balanced, medium sized, sturdy dog breed.
The “retriever” refers to the breed’s capacity to retrieve shot game undamaged due to their delicate mouth.
Content Overview
- History
- Appearance
- Coat and color
- Characteristics
- Temperament
- Personality
- Health & Problems
- How to take care
- Puppy Information
- Grooming needs
- Friendliness with Kid’s, Family & Other Dogs
- Can we left Golden Retriever alone at home?
- Things to consider adopting a puppy
- Advantages & Disadvantages
History
It was originally bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. In Scotland they were used primarily as hunting dogs. The Scottish estate people needed a dog that could retrieve birds either on land or in water because their hunting grounds had many ponds and marshes.
During the early 20th century, they were introduced to North America as both a hunting dog and a companion. It was officially recognized by the AKC in 1925.
Appearance
Eyes: They have round eyes. The color of the eyes is brown though dark brown.
Ears: The ears are generally medium in size. Their ears are hang down close to the cheeks and silky to the touch. It has quite large and floppy ears. Ears are close to cheek.
Head: The head is broad with a straight muzzle that is in direct proportion to the head size.
Neck: It has muscular neck. The neck rises powerfully from the shoulders and arches slightly as it tapers to join the top.
Chest: The chest is deep and strong.
Body: Golden Retriever has large, strong, and athletic body. It has well-balanced, sturdy, strong, and muscular body.
Muzzle: Golden Retriever’s muzzle ought to be straight in profile and mix easily into skull.
Teeth: They have a scissors bite.
Nose: Nose is black or brownish black in color.
Gait: The Golden Retriever should have a powerful, well coordinated and smooth gait. When in motion the feet should not interfere with each other and the legs should turn neither in nor out.
Tail: Tail is thick and muscular at the base. The tail should be carried merrily and always in action. The tail have a moderate upward curve.
Legs: Golden Retriever legs are long in length.
Coat and color
Golden Retriever have wavy, and straight coat. They have thick, water-repellent external coat with a thick undercoat. The fur feathers on the back of the front legs and underbody, with heavier feathering on the chest, back of the thighs, and tail.
Coat comes in a golden, light golden, and dull golden color. Golden Retriever puppies start to develop grown-up hairs around three to four months of age, beginning at the tail and after that gradually moving up the body.
Adult Golden Retriever has classic double-coat. Internal hairs tend to be somewhat darker in color compared to the undercoat hairs. This transition stage of hair development usually finishes when he is around 1.5 year old.
Characteristics
Weight & Height
Male | Female | |
Weight | 30–34 kg | 25–32 kg |
Height | 56–61 cm | 51–56 cm |
Breed basic Characteristics
Grooming requirements | Medium grooming |
Litter Size | 4-12 puppies |
Coat Color | Cream, Golden, Dark Golden, Light Golden |
Lifespan | 10 – 12 years |
Suitable For | other dogs, older people, pets, and children |
Purpose | Guard dogs, Therapy dog, Service dogs |
Health concerns | Allergies, Dental Disease, Infections, Obesity, Cancer |
Breed Type | Sport dog |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Energy Level | Active |
Temperament
Golden retriever is an intelligent, friendly, reliable, trustworthy, confident dog breed. This breed has a sweet, gentle, people-pleasing temperament. They doesn’t have sturdy guarding nature.
They’re very active, nice family pets and are continuously happy to travel on a walk. They become unhappy once they aren’t with their people. Golden retriever is simple to train.
They’re good with children or family and rarely aggressive and rarely bite.
Personality
Golden retriever has kindly and friendly expression. They love large families and small kids. Don’t expect him to protect you and your home. Golden retriever likes to live more time with family member.
They like to chew toys. Golden retriever is incredibly good and likes to have fun. They’re fearless searching dogs. Golden retrievers are sensible with alternative animals and dogs. They have variant physical and mental stimulation.
Health & Problems
1. Dental Problem
Dental Issue progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth.
In case you don’t avoid or treat dental ailment, your canine may lose her teeth and be in threat of harm to her liver, kidneys, joints, and heart.
Clean your dog’s teeth routinely. In case you notice any symptomes consult along with your vet immediatly.
Symptom:
- Sensitive Teeth
- Bleeding or Sore Gums
- Bad Breath
- Jaw Pain
- Dry Mouth
2. Obesity
This may be a nutritional malady that’s defined by an excess of body fat. Weight may be a serious disease which will cause joint issues, stomach related clutters, back torment, metabolic, and heart illness.
Allow them diet food and regular exercise. Consult along with your doctor.
Symptom:
- Abdominal sagging
- Bigger and rounder face
- Excessive panting
- Tiredness
3. Lymphoma
Lymphoma may be a type of cancer that affects Golden Retrievers. Cancer is the leading cause of death in mutts. This illness makes the body form irregular lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell.
Since white blood cells can be found all through the body, this cancer can show up almost anywhere.
Symptom:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Increased thirst and urination
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Fever
4. Hip dysplasia
This could be a condition that affects a dog’s socket. Hip dysplasia starts once the puppy remains young and physically immature.
Hip dysplasia is associate abnormal formation of the socket which can eventually cause gimp and inflammatory malady of the joints in its more serious kind. A while surgery required to manage this.
Symptom:
- Decreased activity and range of motion
- Difficulty or reluctance rising, climbing stairs, jumping, running
- Lameness in the hind end
- Loss of thigh muscle mass
5. Atopy
Atopy create due to insect spit, bugs, molds, trees and nourishment. In addition, dogs will have allergies to grooming item, food, and natural irritants, like spores or insect nibbles. Atopy makes your puppy skin itchy.
Symptom:
- Redness of the skin
- Rashes
- Inflammation
- Hair loss
How to take care
Always feed your dog with high-quality food
Feed your pup total and adjusted Food. Ask your dog’s veterinarian or inquire the dog’s breeder on the best food to feed your Golden retriever canine. It is important critical to consider your dog’s age when choosing a canine nourishment.
Implies In case your Golden retriever may be a adult, at that point he will require a standard adult food.
In case your golden retriever could be a puppy, at that point he will require extraordinary puppy food.
Feed your golden retriever depends on his age.
Puppy Age | How many times should you feed? |
8 to 12 weeks | 4 times per day |
3 to 6 months | 3 times per day |
6 to 12 months | 2 times per day |
After 1 year | 1 time per day |
Provide them bounty of clean and new water. Fill the stainless steel bowl or plastic or ceramic bowls with new water.
Good food for Golden Retriever
- Cooked eggs
- Lambs and Chicken
- Turkey
- Fish and Beef
- Yogurts
- Cooked sweet potatoes, sliced, Baby carrots
- Rinsed canned, green beans
Bad food for Golden Retriever
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Avocados, Grapes
- Raisins Yeast
- Walnuts, almonds, pecans, and macadamia nuts
- Onions, garlic, and chives
Exercise need:
Golden retrievers are energetic dogs so they require regular activities or exercise. They will need up to 1 hours of good exercise per day. Puppies only need five minutes of exercise for every month it has been alive.
Means 2 month puppy need 5 minute exercise per day and 3 month old puppy need 10 minute exercise per day. Include Walking, Running, Jogging, Playing games. Mature Golden retriever will need more exercise than older ones.
Golden Retriever as a swimmer
Golden retrievers are great swimmers. Their relatives were bred to retrieve fowls and other game from lakes and streams. They loves to play with the water.
You may take your golden retriever to a lake or let him swim in your pool if you have one. Just make sure that the water is secure for your golden retriever and observe him at all times.
Swimming will make their mind new and entertain.
Give toys to them
They are intelligent dogs. Give your golden retriever bounty of stimulating toys. Always select toys that don’t harmed them.
Toys give comfort when they’re feeling nervous. Toys can even help avoid your puppy from creating certain problem behaviors.
You’re able to give them a puzzle toy it’ll increase your golden retriever problem solving skills.
Grooming needs
How often you should bath?
Bathe your Golden Retriever once a month. Begin by washing his head. Bath them with warm water. Begin from the neck in bathing process towards the tail.
Scrub in circular motions along with your finger until the shampoo reaches the undercoat. Do not use human shampoo always use standard dog shampoo.
Rub the body parts gently. Clean with warm water. Wipe their body with a soft towel.
Brush your pup regularly:
Brush your pup regularly Golden retrievers have long coats that will either be wavy or straight. They require standard brushing to decrease shedding and avoid tangling.
Brush your canine from a young age and make brushing a part of your every day schedule. You’ll also use common bristle brush, wire bristle brush, and a greyhound comb.
Remove tangles from your golden retriever’s fur. Brush all parts of your golden retriever. Brush stomach, his back, sides, chest, tail, and ears every day.
Ear’s, Nails, and Teeth:
Ear’s: Begin by washing the outer ear with warm water. The goal is to urge rid of any dirt or wax from the outside ear only. The insides of the ear may be clean with a cotton swab or ear adhere. Utilize a dog’s ear cleaner.
Nails: Gently hold the paw and cut exclusively the top of the nails. In case the nails are dark, you may accidentally cut one too brief. Trim the nails with standard nail clippers.
Teeth: Teeth Cleaning Brush your golden retriever teeth two to three times per week. Never utilize a human toothpaste or human brush for your dog’s teeth.
Puppy Information
Golden Retriever puppies have a short attention span. They require a variety of activities to burn off energy. Puppies love to communicate and focus sharply on its manner of communication.
Puppies are smart, Obedience, loyal dogs, and love to please people so they are easy to train. Leave a puppy with its mother and litter-mates until it’s 2 month of age and then you can take him or her home to live with you.
Golden Retriever puppy takes 18-24 months to fully train. Reward Your Golden Retriever puppy For Good Behavior
Puppy price
Golden retriever puppy will cost between $1500 and $3500.
How to train Golden retriever Puppies
Age | Training |
0 to 6 Months | Socialization, Train your pup not to bite, Potty training |
6 to 18 Months | Train with basic command come, go, fetch, drop, sit, stay, retrieve, etc. |
18 to 24 Months | Train with challenging dog tricks, off-leash training, responding to hand signals |
Behavior training:
Learn them basic commands like “sit”, “come”, “leave it”, and “stay”. This command are important to help you manage your and your dog safety. Give them Obedience training. Always treat calmly with them.
Give them regular food. Regular feedings will lead to regular times when your canine should eliminate. Take your puppy outside regularly on a regular plan.
Stop biting:
Always keep a close eye on your puppy to prevent accidents. Once your pup bites you, pull again your hand and say aloud, “Ouch” or “No”.
Offer dogs any gentle toys to chew. Golden retriever pup bite when they see people, and that they sense vulnerable. And at that time, as soon as their teeth return, and they feel pain.
If the biting come to be excessive, you’ll need to be compelled to want action.
Crate training:
Try to use a crate or a small room with the door closed or blocked off by a baby gate. Provide them their own bed.
It will keep your puppy safe when you cannot watch her and keep your puppy away from children or other dogs. Keep crate in a comfortable temperature out of direct sunlight and far from fireplaces and radiators.
Potty training:
Starts to provide them potty education after they are 4-6 months old. Give your Golden retriever pup their personal dog bathroom.
Some dogs may take up to a year for this coaching. Let determine them in the canine bathroom a minimum of every 2 hours.
Friendliness with Kid’s, Family & Other Dogs
Golden Retrievers are sweet, playful dogs that love being portion of a family. They are awesome with kids. They become soft and tender around kids and little children.
Golden Retriever can also play harsh and tumble with older kids, adults, and other pooches, as well. They are companion dogs. Golden Retriever get along well with another dog.
Goldens like to be chased, and cavort around the house and the yard, and that’s regularly best done with energetic children. Teach your children keep suitable behavior around dogs.
They will develop a beautiful bond with a new baby within the family.
Can we left Golden Retriever alone at home?
The answer is “Yes”. You can left Golden Retrievers alone for 3 to 6 hours every day and the maximum for 8 hours. They should have access to freshwater, food, and a bathroom when left alone.
Give them some toys it will make your dog mind fresh.
How long you can leave your golden retriever alone it depends upon their age.
Age | How long you can leave your golden retriever? |
8 to 10 weeks | 1 hour |
2 to 3 months | 2 hours |
After 4 month | 4 hours |
After 18 Months | 6-to-8 hours |
Staying alone for long periods of your time indeed so cause some mental hurt to some dogs. Golden Retrievers can hate to be left alone. However with the correct training you must able to live them alone.
Living them alone for long time it’s a bad plan. It’ll build your dog’s nature erratic and aggressive. Ask yourself however is the pet feeling after you are going.
Golden Retrievers likes to pay time with their owner thus attempt to spend a lot of time with them.
Things to consider adopting a Golden Retriever puppy
- Adopting a puppy is additionally a big responsibility. It’s a choice you want to make carefully. It’d facilitate if you detected a puppy.
- This could be a huge breed. So adopt puppy after considering about your house space capacities.
- Don’t leave your Golden Retriever alone for more than 4-5 hours a day.
- They require one or two hours of exercise per day.
- If you’re doing not have time to continually prepare, socialize, and exercise these dogs, you have to be not adopt this dog.
- Ask the breeder regarding the breed’s history and justify why one puppy is considered pet quality. In contrast, another isn’t discussing what health problems affect the breed and thus the steps she takes to avoid those problems.
- Never buy a puppy from an irresponsible and less intelligent breeder.
- Observe the health of the puppies and their condition. Look at the knowledge of the Stockman (breeder) by inquiring them a few questions on the breed.
- Behave with them steadily. Tell your companion or family to treat them well.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- They are very loyal
- Golden retriever is good with kids and family
- Likes to have fun, be active, and play outside.
- Golden retriever is smart and active.
- They excellent for first-time dog owner.
Disadvantages
- They need lot of exercise
- Golden retriever not barky or bitey.
- They are not great at being alone at home all day.
- Due to large size Golden retriever required more food.
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