Golden Retriever Breed Standard
The Golden
Retriever is divided into two groups, primarily based on their
appearance. The first group is the English, and they are shorter,
bigger-boned, and tend to have longer coats that are lighter in
color. The American group tends to be lanky with longer limbs, and
have characteristics that are more similar to the origins of their
breed.
Their broad heads are connected to wide muzzles. They have brown
expressive eyes and a black nose, and as they mature, their chests
become broad and their bodies become muscular, and their tails are
always wagging.
Generally, a Golden Retriever is filled with confidence and that
comes through by the way they carry themselves. They appear strong
and athletic, and their body is symmetrical. Their peaceful attitude
and affectionate personalities are apparent in their posture and in
the way they interact with their humans.
Coat Description
The Golden Retriever has a double coat. The outer coat is soft, feathery, and can be straight or wavy. The undercoat allows the Golden to repel water and stay warm in extreme cold, and then will shed throughout the year, but more in the spring. This gives the Golden Retriever coat a versatile quality, since the coat allows for the Golden to be comfortable in virtually any season of the year. Shedding can be managed by putting some time aside throughout the week to keep up on grooming, and if your dog is likely to spend the majority of it's time indoors, it may be a good idea to invest in a good vacuum cleaner to clean up any hair missed in your grooming routine.
History
This highly
intelligent and social dog has a history that traces back to the
late 1800's, where written records indicate that Lord Tweed mouth of
developed them. His desire was to produce a dog that was skillful in
hunting and tracking, as well as retrieving waterfowl. In addition,
he wanted a hunting partner that was beautiful to watch work. It is
believed that the breed began by crossing a yellow dog with the
now-extinct water spaniel, and through the years, the breed has
evolved into a dog with popularity that has stood the test of time.
Golden Retrievers are not believed to have been brought to until the
1890's, and they were not presented in dog shows until the 1920's.
Temperament
Outgoing and
social, the Golden Retriever makes a loyal family pet. Their sweet
dispositions make them patient and gentle with children and they are
generally tolerant of other pets. It is important to remember that
they are excitable as pups, and can accidentally knock children over
while playing. Aggressiveness in well-bred Golden Retrievers is not
common, but improper breeding can raise the chances of aggression
issues. Instead, these dogs are people lovers who prefer to have as
much human contact as possible, and can tend to get themselves into
trouble if they are frequently left alone. Being forced from their
family members for long periods can result in a very unhappy Golden
Retriever that could suffer from separation anxiety. Golden
Retrievers do not make the best of guard dogs. They will bark at
strangers, but seem to be more interested in meeting and making
friends with them than they are defending their family against them.
They are affectionate, loving and loyal, and try hard to please
their people.
Golden Retrievers have a high energy level. These fun loving dogs
enjoy nothing more than to play fetch or retrieve a stick during
play, and their love for water makes for not only interesting play,
but also plays a part in their strong hunting skills.
Their high level of intelligence enables them to excel in obedience
training. They are often trained and used as service dogs to the
blind and disabled. Their friendly and affectionate personalities
also make them ideal visitors for retirement homes and allow them to
be effective therapy dogs.
Health Problems
Some of the most common health problems found in Golden Retrievers are:
Hip Dysplasia
Cataracts
Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a skeletal issue that leads to extreme discomfort,
swelling, arthritis and even lameness. The high demand for this
breed has often led to poor and unhealthy breeding practices, and a
lot of the health issues a Golden Retriever may face can be genetic.
Other health issues that can affect Goldens can include:
epilepsy
skin allergies
inherited heart disease.
Recent studies and surveys have indicated that cancer is rapidly
becoming the most common cause of death for Goldens, the most common
types being Hemangiosarcoma and Lymphosarcoma. While genetic factors
also play a role in cancer illnesses in Golden Retrievers,
environmental causes are also a big cause of different cancers.
It is imperative that you find a trustworthy vet in your area and be
active in the health care of your dog. Keep up on the immunizations
that are recommended, as well as any shots that are required by your
community. Establish a strong relationship with your vet and good
communication skills, and talk about changes that you can make in
regards to care, lifestyle and diet that can help your dog live a
long and happy life. Be informed as to warning signs of illness, as
well as what steps you should take in case of an emergency with your
Golden Retriever.
Grooming
The Golden
Retriever's double coat is important to brush on a daily basis. Many
Golden owners complain about how much their dogs shed, particularly
in the spring months. A strong brush will be your most prized tool
when combating dog hair on your furniture, clothes and carpeting.
Trimming can be done on occasion.
Their nails should be trimmed on a regular basis. Long nails can be
very uncomfortable for the dog, and painful if your dog happens to
jump on someone. In addition, regular nail care can prevent
uncomfortable issues with the shape of their feet. Sometimes a dog
owner is lucky and has a dog with clear nails, making it easy to
determine where the quick is. The quick helps you know how short the
nail should be cut. If you are one of the many pet owners that have
dogs with dark nails, the rule of thumb is to cut the nail even with
the pad of the foot, and it is never a bad idea to make sure you
have styptic in your first aid kit, just in case there is bleeding.
If you are intimidated by nail trimming, make sure you ask your vet
to do it for you.
Golden Retrievers have floppy ears that fold over. This as well as
the activity level of the dog can allow it to be susceptible to
yeast and bacterial ear infections. Because of this, it is important
to be on the watch for any signs indicating an infection, such as
head shaking or scratching, and know how to clean their ears
carefully. Be prepared to visit your vet for a diagnosis when an
infection is suspected as this can be an uncomfortable condition
that, if untreated, could cause long term issues with the ears or
the hearing.
Shampooing with a mild shampoo is a great way to combat "doggy"
odor. If you have a Golden with sensitive skin or allergies, chances
are, your vet can recommend a shampoo that can clean effectively yet
prevent your dog's skin from being irritated. In fact, it is
possible that there are shampoos available that can improve allergy
discomfort!
Exercise
While a youthful Golden Retriever is not as prone to weight issues as other breeds, it can still be a concern for older dogs as they become less active. They are an extremely active breed, and exercise is an important part of their daily care. They must be provided adequate room and time to play, beyond their outdoor potty breaks. Allowing them to retrieve balls, throwing sticks or Frisbees for them, giving them opportunities to play and socialize with dogs as well as a nice walk are all wonderful ways to ensure your Golden Retriever is well exercised. Some other activities your Golden may enjoy include swimming, hiking, jogging or biking. Mental exercise is also important. These dogs are eager to please, and enjoy having jobs to keep them busy and gain approval. Creating fun games or interesting things for your dog to do will keep them entertained and prevent them from becoming bored.
Training
Golden
Retrievers are known for being an easy breed to train. They are
excited to learn, eager to please, and their high intelligence
allows them to learn behaviors and tricks quickly. Most dogs from
this size benefit from obedience training, and a good program that
allows them to socialize with other dogs is an added bonus.
Goldens Retrievers are easy to train to do jobs. Golden Retrievers
have been trained to work with Police to locate drugs, excel in
agility training and enjoy learning how to perform tricks.
Golden Retrievers are popular candidates for training to become aid
dogs. Their quick minds make them ideal for guiding the blind, and
the training for this job begins when they are puppies. They are
also trained to do other wonderful things for people such as
uplifting the sick, and entertaining the aging.
It is important to begin teaching basic commands such as sit, come,
stay and heel. The sooner these basic commands are mastered, the
easier it will be to manage your dog as it grows and as you are
training progresses.
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