One of the friendliest dogs around, Golden Retrievers are known for their highly cheerful and outgoing nature. Their sharp intelligence makes them easy to train, and they also do pretty well with children. They are happy dogs who like to share their love with anyone and everyone they meet.
Fast Facts On Golden Retriever
Origin: Scotland, United Kingdom
Weight: Male: 29 – 34 Kg
Female: 25 – 29 Kg
Height: Male: 56 – 61 cm
Female: 51 – 56 cm
Coat: Straight or Moderately Wavy
Skin Colour: Any Shades of Gold or Cream
Life Span: 10 – 12 Years
Golden Retriever Characteristics
Energy Level – High
Exercise Needs – Medium
Playfulness – Very Playful
Affection Level – Very Affectionate
Friendliness With Other Dogs – Very Friendly
Friendliness Toward Strangers – Very Friendly
Tendency to Bark – Moderate
Tendency to Drool – Low
Watchdog Ability – Medium
Guarding Potential – Not Very Protective
Grooming Needs – Moderate Maintenance
Cold Tolerance – Medium
Heat Tolerance – Medium
Veterinarian Visit – Frequent
What Are The Best Foods For Golden Retrievers?
Food For Newborn Golden Retrievers (Birth to 8 Weeks)
Naturally, newborn Golden Retrievers thrive best if they are fed their mother dog’s milk. In a case where it is not available, you can feed them a high-quality powdered milk every 2-3 hours. Below is a list of some of the best foods for newborn Golden Retrievers:
Food For Puppy Golden Retrievers (2 to 15 Months)
Puppy Goldies have a voracious appetite as they are a large breed of dog. They need a good amount of nutrients for healthy muscle and skeletal development. As they are an energetic breed, having an adequate proportion of protein and fats in their diet is highly recommended. Below are some of the best foods for Golden Retriever Puppies:
Food For Adult Golden Retrievers (15 Months to 8 Years)
Grown-up Golden Retrievers would still have that puppy-like enthusiasm and hence need the same nutrition as that of pups. As these breeds love to fetch, they need strong bones and joints to maintain high mobility. Having enough omega-3 fatty acids in the diet can help keep bones and joints in them. Below are some of the foods that serve best for Adult Golden Retrievers:
Food For Senior Golden Retrievers ( 8 Years and Above)
Senior Golden Retrievers need only low-calorie foods as they won’t be leading an active lifestyle. For supporting gentle and healthy digestion, a reasonable amount of fibres are suggested in their diet. The following are some of the top-notch foods that you can feed a mature Golden Retriever:
Are Golden Retrievers Good With Children?
They are one of the best dog breeds that are great around children. The reason for this is their remarkably affectionate and playful nature. Also, their inherent protective nature helps them to build a lovely bond with the babies in your house. One needs to be a bit careful while they are playing, as they can easily knock children out owing to their size.
Do Golden Retrievers Need Regular Grooming?
Yes, they do. Their long and dense hair, if not regularly groomed, can become tangled or matted. One needs to brush the dog’s ears, armpits, legs and tail weekly to reduce the problem of shedding. When the shedding season arrives, mainly around the first week of spring and fall, you may have to do the brushing daily. Using a high-quality slicker brush can effectively clean their double coat.
Do Golden Retrievers Need Daily Exercise?
They are an energetic dog breed that needs 40-60 minutes of active play sessions daily. Obedience training and agility exercises are also regularly needed to keep them mentally stimulated. These dogs love to play fetch, so you can throw around some dog toys to keep them busy and active. Please do not be too harsh while training, as they are a sensitive breed that can become confused.
Are Golden Retrievers Good Guard Dogs?
No, they are not. Aggression and ferociousness don’t come naturally to these dogs, and they are too friendly to attack an intruder. They might bark on finding something suspicious, but can never indulge in a tussle like a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler.
What are the Pros and Cons of a Golden Retriever?
Pros
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Golden Retrievers are one of the best family dogs one can ever have. They are humorous, loving, enthusiastic and affectionate to children as well.
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This is a dog breed that is super easy to train. You can teach your favourite commands and tricks to them in no time.
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Golden Retrievers are extremely friendly with fellow dogs and other animals. You won’t face any problem in their socialisation.
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Golden Retrievers love going to picnics and adventure hikes. They would walk long distances with you with full of zest and energy.
Cons
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Golden Retrievers shed, and they shed a lot. Be prepared to groom them daily during the shedding season.
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Being an active breed, Golden Retriever needs at least 40-60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. Without it, they can become restless and chewy.
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Golden Retrievers are vulnerable to specific health problems like Skin allergies, Hip dysplasia, Hyperthyroidism and Bloating.
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Golden Retrievers are companion dogs who can’t be left alone for a long time. Hence, they are not ideal for people who are working full time and are not at home for most of the day.
Some Interesting Facts About Golden Retrievers
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Golden Retrievers, due to their outstanding sense of smell, are often used by police and armed forces as drug detection dogs.
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They are excellent therapy dogs for older people.
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Golden Retrievers are considered the 4th smartest in the dog kingdom (behind Border Collies, Poodle and German Shepherd).
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They get along great with other animals, even cats.
History of Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland around the middle of the 19th century. During then in Scotland, wildlife hunting used to be a popular sport mainly among the wealthy elite. But the existing retriever dog breeds were inadequate for retrieving downed game from both land and water. It was a necessity as the hunting grounds of the time were dotted with marshy ponds and rivers. For this reason, the best water spaniels were crossed with the existing retrievers, resulting in the creation of the breed today known as the Golden Retriever.
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