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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 10 2007, 11:44 PM EDT | Teeny^_^ | 7 words added |
| May 25 2007, 9:19 PM EDT | budde | 8 words added, 8 words deleted |
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Add a photo of your dog to the Golden Retriever Picture Gallery
Golden Retrievers are friendly, alert dogs that aim to please. They are happy to love and be loved. A simple gesture from their owner, such as patting their head or scratching their ear, is usually enough to make them ecstatic.They love to play and have fun.
History of the Breed
The Golden Retriever was bred in Britain as the perfect bird dog, particularly water fowl. This hardy, strong swimming breed is believed to be a result of crossing spaniels, setters, Newfoundland, and possibly even a Bloodhound.
When registered by the Kennel Club of England in 1903, they were identified as golden flat coats. Golden Retrievers have a keen sense of smell, which makes them useful for tracking, drug detection and hunting.
Physical Description
"Beautiful" is one word that comes to mind while looking at this breed. Covered in shades of gold, this breed has a medium-length coat. A sturdy build, muscular thighs and legs, a broad head and chest, and a strong jaw line add to their attractiveness. They weigh anything between 55 to 75 pounds and are twenty to twenty-four inches high.
The Golden’s outer coat is water-repellent and they have a thick undercoat. Their brown eyes are expressive and gentle. Their nose is black (sometimes fading to pink in the winter,although some dogs' noses stay pink all year round), their long tail is never curled, and their ears dangle like pendants.
Grooming and Exercise Needs
Grooming is important for this breed because of their long hair. Unless combed properly and regularly, their hair gets tangled and knotted. Regular brushing and shampoo baths will help prevent excessive shedding. The grooming routine should also include:
- Checking ears for infection
- Trimming nails
- Checking the body for ticks, fleas, and skin problems.
Being sporty by nature, Golden Retrievers need plenty of exercise. They are fond of retrieving games, so a great way to make them run is to throw a ball for them to fetch. They also love to swim, so getting your dog into the water is a great way to give
him some high-intensity exercise. They are ideal companions to take on hikes, treks, and jogging trips.Temperament
Cheerful and steady-tempered, Golden Retrievers were bred to work closely with hunters in the field,making them great companions. Their desire for human interaction is strong, whether it is with adults or children. Pack animals by nature, they get a sense of security being around their people.
Don’t opt for a Golden Retriever if you can’t offer it a place in your home. Left alone, outside, or in a yard, your pet will become unhappy. A perfect companion for all family activities, this breed is best suited for loving homes where it is treated like a member of the family.
Potential Health Problems
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye disease (namely CPRA),entropion,ectropion, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, SAS, and cancer (mostly Lymphoma and Hemangiosarcoma).American Kennel Club Category
Golden Retrievers belong to the AKC Sporting group of naturally active, well-rounded, and alert dogs that are known for the instincts in water and woods. Members of this group include pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels.
Life Expectancy
The average life span of this breed is ten to sixteen years.
Choosing the Right Puppy
The day has finally come to choose your new member of your family you need to put alot of thought into which pup is for you. I would advise you though to not go for the back or front pups when you are choosing because if at the back it may have some kind of un-happyness and when older he/she may become agressive to other dogs however the pup at the front may become to over excited and attention seeking!
Links
See thousands of Golden Retriever images on GoogleCheck out the largest site in the world on Goldens
Golden Retrievers on WikiFido
See the Golden Retriever Picture Gallery
