Golden Retriever Information

Golden Retrievers are an intelligent dog breed who are eager to please their owners. It is one of the most popular breeds in the United States with traits that make it a useful hunting companion, a perfect guide, assistance and search and rescue dogs. Recognized by its golden-colored coat, this active and energetic breed can adapt to many different life situations.

The golden retriever breed originally came from the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s and was used mostly for hunting. The breed was then crossed with yellow retriever and with the tweed water spaniel which is now extinct in order to create a superb retriever suited to the Scottish climate, terrain and available game. Later integrations of Irish setter, bloodhound, and more tweed water spaniel have made the retriever into the dog we are familiar with today.

Along with his endearing personality, golden retriever also comes the need to exercise every day. These loyal and devoted to water dogs can be very energetic and love to swim. They love being around humans, but are probably not suitable for someone who can not devote much time to their pet. These active dogs thrive on human contact and require daily outdoor exercise which makes them not ideal for apartment living. Golden retrievers love learning new tricks and their retrieving ability makes them great at common dog games like catching a Frisbee or a tennis ball. They are incredibility skilled at agility as well. Golden retrievers have a real passion for life and for everything that they do which makes them great work dogs. Their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners boosts their desire to perform such tasks as finding lost people in an avalanche in search and rescue or put their skills into police work by finding missing persons. Although they are a wonderful breed to train in the skills of being able to offer companionship to those who need assistance, because of their active personality, an untrained golden might not be the best companion for the elderly. On the bright side, they are a great family pet and wonderful with children.

The life expectancy of the average Golden Retriever is around 10 to 14 years. But not unlike other breeds, they do suffer from a variety of health problems. Some of these problems include cataracts, entropion, allergies, thyroid problems, cancer, epilepsy and hip displaysia. One way to reduce the number of health problems that your dog can suffer is to ensure that you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder to ensure that their breeding pairs OFA and CERF certificates showing their dogs are in good health and less likely to pass certain genetic health problems.

Golden Retrievers are generally trusting, docile, sweet nature and loving the ideal family pet and companion. With their friendly temperament and ability to get along with strangers causes them to not be a good watchdog. But the striking golden color and sweet, sweet face, making a golden retriever breed and beautiful to behold and the joy of their own.