Golden Retrievers

About the Breed

Among America’s most popular dog breeds is the Golden Retriever, an exuberant Scottish gundog of great beauty. Besides hunting and field work, they guide the blind, perform search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not on duty. A Golden Retriever is a sturdy, muscular dog of medium size, renowned for its lustrous coat of gold. Breed hallmarks are the broad head, short ears, and straight muzzle, along with friendly and intelligent eyes. The Golden Retriever moves with a smooth, powerful gait, and its feathery tail is carried with a merry action, as breed fanciers say.

There are some of the best records of the Golden Retriever’s development in the books kept by the gamekeepers at the Guisachan estate of Lord Tweedmouth in Inverness-Shire, Scotland, between 1835 and about 1890. Lord Tweedmouth’s great-nephew, the sixth Earl of Ilchester, historian and sportsman, released the records in 1952. According to their findings, the stories handed down from generation to generation are true. A Golden Retriever is an outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dog, and relatively easy to train. Even as adults, they maintain a playful and joyous attitude. Playing outside is a favorite activity for these energetic, powerful gundogs. It’s natural for a breed designed to retrieve waterfowl for hours on end to enjoy swimming and fetching.  

Faith is an excellent service dog because of her ability to communicate with us. Golden retrievers are well suited for many types of jobs because they are so smart and in tune with their people.

Monticello Ranch

Health

A responsible breeder screens their breeding stock for health conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia, pigmentary uveitis, and progressive retinal atrophy, as well as certain heart conditions, such as subvalvular aortic stenosis. Goldens are generally healthy dogs. It is important to check the Golden’s ears weekly for signs of infection and to brush his teeth regularly.

Grooming

It is common for goldens to shed heavily once or twice a year, and they also shed more moderately on a continuous basis. One or two brushings a week with a slicker brush will usually remove most of the dead hair before it can fall onto the furniture. The brushing sessions become daily affairs during periods of heavy shedding. Baths help loosen dead hair, but dogs must be completely dry before brushing. To keep them clean, Goldens only need occasional baths. Goldens’ nails should be trimmed regularly, as with all breeds.

Exercise

Goldens need plenty of exercise on a daily basis, just like most Sporting breeds. It is more likely that a Golden will engage in undesirable behavior if it does not get enough exercise. It is recommended to consult a vet before beginning any strenuous or high-impact activities that might stress the dog’s bones and joints, such as long runs and bike rides. Hunting trips, field trials, agility, obedience, and tracking are some of the ways Goldens get exercise.

Training

Puppy training classes and early socialization are recommended for all breeds. By gently exposing the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between the ages of seven weeks and four months, the Golden will develop into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult. As part of the socialization process, puppy training classes help owners recognize and correct bad habits that may be developing. The bond between dog and owner is strengthened by obedience training, since a Golden loves nothing more than to please his owner. It is very easy to train Golden Retrievers because they are outgoing, loyal, and eager to please you.

Golden Retriever FAQ’s