Eternal Sunshine: All About Golden Retrievers
Are you looking for an easy to train and a friendly furry friend? Golden Retrievers or Goldies are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. These medium-large dogs are originally from Scotland and came into existence in the mid-19th century.
They were bred to retrieve fowl from both land and water.
As hunting became less mainstream, people started breeding Goldies to become good companions to their masters.
In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Golden Retrievers, including history, temperament, personality, health issues, etc.
Keep reading to know more
Quick Breed History Lesson: Let’s Get to Know Goldies
Wildfowl hunting was a popular sport among the rich and wealthy Scottish people. However, the existing retrievers weren’t great at retrieving the game from both land and water.
Golden Retrievers were the solution to this problem.
Most experts believe that Goldies are descendants of the now-extinct Russian Trackers. These working dogs are now one of the most common dog breeds and have a dedicated fanbase!
Physical Features: What Does the Golden Retriever Look Like?
Golden Retrievers are one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. However, they’re often confused with Labrador Retrievers.
Goldies are medium-large in size are muscular–after all, they’re working dogs. They have a dense and lustrous Golden coat, which is one of their most recognizable features.
These adorable dogs have a broad head and friendly eyes.
Golden Retrievers come in many shades of Gold. This includes:
- Golden White
- Light Golden
- Dark Golden
- Reddish Golden
As a puppy grows older, the color of his coat changes. The fur is usually lighter around the mouth.
Goldies have black noses and may have blue markings on their tongues!
Height, Weight, and Life Expectancy
Here’s a quick peek at some quick facts you need to know about Golden Retrievers.
- Height: 20-24 inches
- Weight: 55-75 lbs
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years.
As you can probably guess, male Golden Retrievers are usually taller and heavier than their female counterparts.
Keep in mind that a Golden Retriever’s average life expectancy depends on many factors such as his family history, medical issues, food, lifestyle, etc. Some Goldies live past the ripe age of 16!
Here’s All You Need to Know About a Golden Retriever’s Personality
Before getting a dog, it is important to know and understand a dog’s personality traits to make sure they are also compatible with yours.
Why is it important?
If you’re someone who likes to keep to themselves, you will do well with a one master dog like the German Shepherd. A Goldie may not be the best choice for you.
Let’s now explore a golden Retriever’s personality traits!
Friendly, Sociable, and Kind
Goldies make excellent family pets because of their friendly and sociable nature. They’re great with children and other pets. Golden Retrievers love being in social situations and enjoy the company of friends and family.
Intelligent
One of the best things about Golden Retrievers is that they’re extremely intelligent. They pick up on things and are easy to train. Of course, your Goldie might be trying to train you as well!
No wonder why so many Golden Retrievers are service dogs!
Trusting and Gentle
Golden Retrievers are good to strangers and very trusting. They don’t make good guard dogs because they’re extremely outgoing. These dogs are gentle with other creatures and wouldn’t harm another soul.
Active
If you describe yourself as outdoorsy, a Golden Retriever may be the perfect companion for you. These loving dogs will keep up with you on your outdoor adventures such as hikes, walks, etc.
Devoted
Goldies are devoted to their owners or the task at hand. They love to work, and it is extremely easy to overwork them.
All About a Goldy’s Nutrition, Exercise, and Health
This section of the article will go through a Golden Retriever’s nutritional, exercise, and health needs.
Here’s a quick peek.
Nutritional Needs and the Golden Retriever
Goldies love their food, but inactive Golden Retrievers are prone to getting obese. So, make sure your dog is getting the right number of calories.
Golden Retrievers need:
- Between 989 and 1,272 calories per day if they’re sedentary
- Between 1,353 and 1,740 calories if they’re active
A Goldy’s Exercise
Golden Retrievers have high activity needs. They need plenty of exercise to stay mentally and physically fit. If your dog’s activity needs aren’t met, he may develop behavioral issues.
Goldies excel in obedience, agility, and tracking.
A Golden Retriever’s General Health
Golden Retrievers are generally healthy, but, like all dog breeds, are prone to certain issues.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- GDV or Bloat
- Cancer
- Juvenile cataracts
- progressive retinal atrophy
- Heart issues
Training
Goldies are easy to train as they are eager to please you and very friendly. Early socialization is crucial for Goldies to become good canine citizens.
Grooming Your Golden Retrievers
If you have a Goldie at home, you’ll have to deal with all the shedding that comes with him.
Golden Retrievers shed a lot.
Especially as the season changes.
You’ll have to brush your Golden Retriever’s fur at least three to four times a week to avoid mats and knots from forming.
- You’ll need to bathe your Golden retriever once every five to six weeks.
- It’s important to brush your pooch’s teeth three to four times a week.
- Clip your dog’s nails every four to six weeks.
That’s it, folks!
Summing Up
Did we answer all of your questions?
Golden Retrievers are energetic, playful, and intelligent dogs that love going on adventures. These dogs are best suited for people who like to socialize and enjoy outdoor exercise.
These dogs need a lot of love and attention and thrive in social situations.
They do well with families and won’t do well in small apartments. They have high exercise needs and are high-maintenance when it comes to grooming.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, and we’ll get back to you soon!