Golden Information

THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

You may be interested in a Golden Retriever for a variety of reasons:

1.         A family pet.

2.         A hunting dog.

3.         An obedience competitor.

4.         A show dog.

5.         A combination of all the above.

Whatever your objective, YOU, as the dog owner, will be responsible for the care and training that will enable your Golden to fulfill its potential.

If you just want a watchdog, you should not get a Golden Retriever.  Although its size and initial barking might deter an intruder, the typical Golden is adaptable, friendly to everyone, gentle (although physically active), and committed to carry things around in its mouth ...... including the intruder’s flashlight.

If you are a fastidious housekeeper (or live with one), you shouldn't get a Golden.  Most Goldens shed their coat throughout the year, and quite profusely in the spring, in spite of diligent daily brushing.  Also most Goldens love to get wet.  If there is water on your property your Golden will be wet, and possibly muddy, a frustrating amount of the time.

If you want a one man dog, prefer cats to dogs, or aren’t home much, you shouldn't get a Golden Retriever.  Goldens are very people orientated, and aren’t happy as kennel dogs.

Most people prefer to get a young puppy and raise it themselves.  This can be very rewarding, but also time consuming and sometimes frustrating.  Other people prefer a dog that is out of its puppyhood and has already been “civilized”.  This booklet will discuss the pros and cons of both, and how to select a Golden Retriever of any age.

Our hope is that this booklet will help you understand the Golden Retriever, and decide if this is the breed for you.

WHAT IS A GOLDEN RETRIEVER

The Golden Retriever was developed in Scotland and England in the late 19th Century for the purpose of retrieving wild fowl on land or water.  It's physical characteristics and its willing, adaptable, trainable nature make it suitable for many purposes. 

The Golden Retriever is a “natural” dog needing no surgical alterations to ears or tails, and no exotic grooming (as opposed to some terriers, poodles, etc.).  Basic grooming for a Golden should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes a week.

The mature male Golden is ideally 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder, and weighs 32 to 37 kgs.    Bitches, 20 to 22 inches, and weight 27 to 32 kgs.  The Golden has a normal canine structure without distortions of leg, jaw or tail.  The build is sturdy and muscular, but neither massive like a Newfoundland, nor refined like a setter.  The temperament should be steady, adaptable and kind. The head is broad, with well proportioned, well set on ears, and a kind expression.  The coat, which is one of the hallmarks of the breed, is a “double coat” with a thick, weather proof top coat, and a dense, soft undercoat.  There are featherings of longer hair on the backs of the legs, on the front of the neck and chest, and on the tail.  The adult coat may range in colour from a cream to dark gold, and the darker Golden can have a lighter feathering.  A predominate colour of either white or setter red, or white markings on the head, feet or chest, are not desirable, but will have no affect on the dog’s usefulness for work or companionship.  The physical characteristics of the Golden Retriever are described fully in the breed standard, “Appendix B”.

Gender

Temperamentally, there is very little difference between the male and female Golden Retriever.  Neither is harder to house train, and both are equally intelligent and affectionate.  Both are excellent with children, and both make excellent companions.  Problems of aggressiveness which males of other breeds may exhibit, rarely occur in the Golden.