Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are known for their wonderful temperament and placidity, making them a popular choice for a family dog.
This sporting breed originates from Scotland and were bred as bird dogs - in particular for hunting fowl. Their natural working nature now makes them excellent service dogs for those that are disabled and as search and rescue dogs.
Golden Retrievers usually reach their physical maturity peak by the time they reach the age of two. Their mental capacity continues to evolve until they are at the age of three. It is important during this time that a Golden Retriever puppy is socialised to stimulate their retrieving drive.
How big do Golden Retriever dogs get?
This medium sized dog breed may differ in size depending on gender.
Male Goldens typically reach 58-60cm in height and a healthy weight will fall between 29 and 32kg. Female Goldens fall just a bit shorter at 53-56cm fully grown and 25-29kg for an optimal weight.
How long do Golden Retrievers live?
Given the right care and attention, this popular dog can live between 10 and 13 years of age. With continuous research and advanced care, we’re even seeing some outlive that!
What do Golden Retrievers look like?
You may recognise a Golden Retriever from their, you guessed it, golden coats. This water repellent mane is long and sometimes wavey, that varies in shades of golden - from cream-like to white.
They have a long feathery tail as well as feathering around the chest, neck and legs. Their heads appear strong and broad with their ears small in comparison.
They are high shedders but their grooming needs are moderate. Brushing around once a week will keep their coat manageable.
What are the personality traits of a Golden Retriever?
Golden Retrievers are slower to mature than some other dog breeds - we saw at the beginning of this article that their mental maturity can take up to three years!
To be completely truthful, these sunshine dogs stay young at heart for the majority of their lives, making them very popular with kids. They love to play fetch (their retrieving nature!) and exercise in general - they are an active breed of dog.
Their mental and physical exercise or training should be between one and two hours a day. Lack of exercise for Golden Retrievers may lead to problems such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
They are big people pleasers which makes them easy to train with rewards based training being a popular choice and generally respond well to obedience training too. They love companionship and have a strong loyalty to their families. They are also highly sociable which is part of the reason why they make for good family dogs.
Golden Retrievers love to swim and be playful - they also have goofy tendencies.
They can however become destructive when bored - most commonly known for their desire to chew!
We also wouldn’t count on them too much as a guard dog either, they lack any guarding instincts!
Which diseases are Golden Retrievers prone to?
Diseases in dogs can be related to many things - genetics play a big part, the way they are cared for and their nutrition are just a few other things to consider.
Golden Retrievers are more prone to cancer than other breeds. In fact, studies show that it falls at around a 60% chance, making them one of the most prone breeds in the world.
Common inherited diseases that Golden Retrievers may experience are joint related - arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia - or eye related - cataracts. These can be kept a close eye on or even prolonged with preventative care. Joint supplements like Hip + Joint for Dogs help to keep your dog's joint lubricated and healthy as they age.
Goldens are susceptible to environmental allergies which commonly show in the form of skin diseases - making them itchy and often causing ear infections too. You may more recognisably know this as hotspots, (atopic dermatitis).
Supplements high in omega 3 help to build allergen barriers and minimise external allergies that may be associated with seasons. Dry, itchy, flaky skin can be a thing of the past with Skin + Coat for Dogs!
Being a deep chested dog breed also means that Golden Retrievers are more prone to bloat, (GDV). This is a condition where the stomach swells with gas and twists itself. If left untreated can be fatal.
Other problems such as dental, parasites and liver that may appear during a Golden Retrievers life - just like other dog breeds. Keeping your dog's gut health up to scratch will have an onset of positive effects in protecting against other common diseases. Use Probiotic for Dogs to help balance your dog's gut bacteria and strengthen their immune system.
It’s important to be aware of when things just aren’t right. It is also important to know which ones are more likely, (as above), this will help you to care for a Golden Retriever in the best possible way.
A Golden Retriever may be the perfect fit for you and your family with their loving and loyal nature. Knowing your dog breed inside out is crucial when it comes to raising a dog. If you already have a Golden and have any concern, always consult with your vet - it’s better to be safe than sorry!
If you’re wondering whether a Golden Retriever is the best dog breed for you, consider the information in this article along with further research. With a new Golden in the family, you'll never have a dull moment!
