Golden Retriever
| Recognized By: |
ACR
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AKC
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ANKC
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APRI
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CKC
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CKC
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FCI
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KCGB
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NKC
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NZKC
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UKC
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| AKA: |
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| Mispellings: |
Retreiver, Retriver |
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Caring for a Golden Retriever
Feeding: Care should be taken not to over feed a Golden Retriever as they tend to put on weight rather easily.
Living with a Golden Retriever
Temperament: Golden Retrievers are friendly, reliable, and trustworthy dogs. Golden Retrievers get along well with other dogs and should not show any aggressiveness or hostility towards other dogs or people in normal situations.
Shedding: The Golden Retriever is an average shedder.
Grooming: The Golden Retrievers' smooth coat is easy to groom with a firm bristle brush. While brushing extra attention should be paid to the dense undercoat. Golden Retrievers should be cleaned with a dry shampoo regularly and bathed only when necessary.
Exercise: The Golden Retriever should be taken for long daily walks or jogs. They love retrieve balls and other toys.
Living Conditions: Golden Retrievers can do okay in an apartment if given ample exercise. They are active indoors and should have at least a medium-sized yard in which to run.
Golden Retriever Appearance
Appearance: The Golden Retriever is a powerful and active dog with a sturdy appearance. The Golden Retriever should have a kind expression and eager personality that that demonstrates self-confidence and alertness. The Golden Retriever is primarily a hunting dog and the appearance should display this.
Size: Male Golden Retrievers should be between 23-24 inches in height at the withers, while females should be 21½-22½ inches tall. The body length of a Golden Retriever from the breastbone to point of buttocks should be slightly greater than their height. Adult male Golden Retrievers should weigh 65-75 pounds while females should weigh 55-65 pounds.
Companionship: The Golden Retriever is one of the world's most notable family companion dogs.
Head: The head of a Golden Retriever should be broad, slightly arched and not demonstrate any prominence of forehead or occipital bones.
Nose: The Golden Retriever's nose should be black or brownish black in color.
Eyes: The eyes of a Golden Retriever should give a friendly and intelligent feel. They should be of medium to large size and have dark, close-fitting rims. They should be dark brown or medium brown in color.
Ears: The ears of a Golden Retriever should be rather short with the front edge attached well behind and just above the eyes. The ears should fall close to cheek. When the ear is stretched forward its tip should just cover the eye.
Muzzle: The muzzle of a Golden Retriever should be straight in profile and blend smoothly into skull.
Teeth/Bite: The Golden Retriever should have a scissors bite.
Neck: The neck of a Golden Retriever should be of medium length and merge gradually into the shoulders. The neck should give a sturdy and muscular appearance.
Body: The back of a Golden Retriever should be strong and level whether standing or in motion. The body should be well balanced with a deep chest. The brisket should extend to elbow. The ribs should be long and well sprung, not barrel shaped and extend towards the hindquarters. The loin should be short and muscular with very little tuck-up.
Forequarters: The front legs of a Golden Retriever should be muscular and coordinated with hindquarters, but capable of free movement. The shoulder blades should be long with the upper tips close together. The upper arms should be about the same length as the blades with the elbows beneath the upper tip of the blades and close to the ribs. The front legs should be straight when viewed from the site. The dewclaws may be removed, but normally are not.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters of a Golden Retriever should be broad and muscular. They should appear straight when viewed from rear.
Gait: The Golden Retriever should have a smooth, powerful and well coordinated gait. When in motion the legs should turn neither in nor out and the feet should not cross or interfere with each other.
Feet: The feet of a Golden Retriever should be of medium size and round in shape with thick knuckles and pads. The excess hair can be trimmed to show the natural size and contour of the feet.
Tail: The tail of a Golden Retriever should be thick and muscular at the base and follow the natural line of the croup. The tail should be carried merrily and always in action. The tail should be level or have a moderate upward curve.
Color: The Golden Retriever should be a rich, lustrous golden color. Various shades are possible. The feathering may be a lighter color than rest of coat.
Coat: The Golden Retriever should have a dense and water-repellent outer coat with good undercoat. The outer coat should be firm and neither coarse nor silky. It may be straight or wavy. There should be moderate feathering on back of forelegs and on underbody. The front of neck, back of thighs and underside of tail should be heavily feathered. The coat on head, paws, and front of the legs should be short and even.
Golden Retriever Facts
Category: Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Life Expectancy: The Golden Retriever has an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Characteristics: Golden Retrievers are considered one of the top obedience competition dogs in the country. They also make fine bird dogs on both land and in the water. They have excellent noses and have been used for hunting, tracking and narcotics detection. They are intelligent, eager and very loving dogs as such they make wonderful guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, and service dogs for disabled individuals.
Golden Retriever Health
Allergies: Skin allergies are common in the Golden Retriever and should be tended to immediately by a veterinarian.
Health: The Golden Retriever is prone to hip dysplasia as well as congenital eye defects.
Golden Retriever History
History: This breed was developed in the British Isles. It is believed that the first Golden Retrievers were most likely crosses between a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland and possibly the Bloodhound. This breed was originally shown as a Golden Flat-Coat.
