All About a Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds in America. They’re lovable family pets and excel at obedience training. They also make great service dogs and love to play fetch.
Read on to learn all about a golden retriever, including how much exercise they need. This active, affectionate breed is ideal for pet parents who can provide them with daily vigorous activity.
History
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, and for good reason. They’re affectionate, intelligent, and easy to train. But how did this beloved breed come to be? Like many other breeds, the golden retriever was developed as a working dog. Specifically, they were used to retrieve game from the field or water. Their history dates back to the 19th century, when they were developed in Scotland as a hunting dog. The breeding process involved crossing retrievers with water spaniels and other sporting dogs. The goal was to create a dog that could successfully retrieve game in the wet and rough conditions of the Scottish Highlands.
Today, the golden retriever is known for their beautiful, lustrous coats, which can range from gold to red. Their soft, golden-colored fur is very thick and can withstand cold temperatures. This is because the coats are actually made of a mixture of hair, oil and fat. The mixture allows the hair to expand and contract as needed, depending on the temperature. In addition, the fat helps to keep the dog warm by trapping heat in its cells.
The breed came into being as the result of a series of matings that took place in the late 19th century. The first of these breeding's was performed by Dudley Marjoribanks, the first lord Tweedmouth, at his Guisachan estate in Scotland. In 1868, he bred a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever named Nous to a Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle. The resulting puppies, which were named Crocus, Cowslip and Primrose after a trio of yellow flowers, are credited with being the founding fathers of the golden retriever breed.
Marjoribanks was passionate about his work, and he meticulously documented all of his breeding's and kept picture of a golden retriever records for his reference. These records allowed him to identify the best mates for his dogs and determine the best lines of development for the new breed. In 1908, he brought the puppies from these original matings to a Kennel Club show, where they generated much interest. He showed them as “Any Variety Retriever,” but they were referred to by others as yellow flat-coated retrievers.
Temperament
Golden retrievers are incredibly affectionate, playful, and eager-to-please dogs. They're also highly intelligent, which enables them to learn quickly and develop the strong bond with their owners that makes them such cherished family pets.
Despite their docile temperaments, goldens are active dogs that require plenty of exercise. They're especially fond of running, playing fetch, and spending time with their families. They're also popular as hunting companions, service dogs for people with disabilities, and therapy dogs.
Due to their double coats, which consist of a short undercoat and a longer layer of hair, goldens shed moderately throughout the year and heavily during the spring and fall. They may need daily brushing during these times, as well as frequent baths. A professional groomer is usually necessary to keep the breed's dense, water-repellent coat looking healthy.
Because they were bred to hold birds in their mouths, goldens have soft mouths and rarely bite out of aggression. However, they can become excited and agitated if they don't receive enough daily exercise and mental stimulation. To prevent this, it's important to teach your golden retriever to walk on a leash and not let them run loose, especially in busy areas or neighborhoods.
One of the main reasons that goldens make such great service dogs is their sensitivity and willingness to work for others. These attributes also allow them to excel in obedience and agility training. These versatile dogs are equally at home as bird dogs, family pets, and service dogs for the blind and disabled.
Golden retrievers are typically good with children, though it's important to teach them early on to accept the rough play that comes with kids—pulling their ears, grabbing at their paws, and shouting their names. They're also a great choice for families with other pets, as they're friendly and accepting of most animals. However, be cautious of introducing new pets to goldens as they can sometimes have allergic reactions. If you're planning on getting a golden retriever, it's a good idea to get pet insurance in case of any unexpected medical needs. Some of the most common health issues that goldens face include hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus), osteochondrosis, and cataracts.
Health
Golden retrievers are among the most popular dogs in the world, but that doesn't mean they don't have health issues. They are prone to joint problems like hip and elbow dysplasia and have higher rates of heart diseases such as subaortic stenosis. They are also more likely to develop cancers such as hemangiosarcoma and osteosarcoma. Keeping up with routine wellness care can help you spot and catch these diseases early and minimize their impact.
These dogs are incredibly intelligent and can understand complex commands, making them a natural for training and assistance work. They are also emotionally and socially intelligent, allowing them to quickly bond with their human companions. This combination of cognitive and emotional intelligence makes them great candidates for therapy and guide dog work.
Goldens need plenty of exercise and can benefit from long walks, jogs, and even swimming. They have a thick, beautiful coat that needs to be brushed twice a week (more frequently during shedding season) and bathed occasionally.
The floppy ears of the golden retriever are susceptible to infection and it is best to regularly clean them with a solution designed specifically for dogs. Because they are so prone to this condition, it's important that you take them to the vet as soon as they develop red and itchy ears with any sort of discharge.
Like other breeds, golden retrievers are prone to certain genetic health problems. Up to one-fifth of goldens develop hip or elbow dysplasia, and they have a higher rate of heart disease, including subaortic stenosis. This condition is a narrowing of the aorta, which carries blood away from the heart.
Goldens also have a tendency to develop hemangiosarcoma, which is a type of bleeding tumor. Hemangiosarcoma typically develops in the spleen, but it can form in other organs as well. Luckily, it is treatable with chemotherapy, and it's often caught during regular wellness testing, which includes blood and ultrasound.
Training
Golden retriever puppies are eager learners and can be taught a variety of tasks. They respond well to positive reinforcement training, especially when it is combined with food rewards. Goldens are also known for their love of play, so incorporating fun games into your training sessions can help reinforce good behaviors and teach new ones. Recall is another important command to train your dog, as a strong recall can keep them safe in potentially dangerous situations. It's best to start training recall in a controlled, fenced-in area and then gradually work your way up to more distracting environments.
Like most puppies, golden retrievers require a lot of exercise to help them release their boundless energy. They can get destructive and overly excited if they don't have enough physical or mental activity. This is why it's important to have an active lifestyle and train your puppy during the day so they can spend their free time exploring and playing with their humans instead of destroying things.
During the first three months of life, goldens go through a period that experts call the "social period." This is a critical time for canines when they need to be exposed to as many stimuli as possible. It's important to introduce your puppy to different people, places and dogs during this time. This will help them develop into a confident, friendly and obedient adult.
Puppies also need to be taught basic commands and manners during this time. They should be taught to sit and lie down when asked. It's also a good idea to practice calling your pup's name right before they eat or go out on their daily walks so that they learn to associate their names with specific activities.
This is a good time to teach your dog how to walk on a leash, which will be an important skill throughout their life. It's also a great time to establish your family's rules and expectations for your dog, including when they can come and go from the house, what their boundaries are with strangers and how they should behave around children.
Golden retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds in America. They’re lovable family pets and excel at obedience training. They also make great service dogs and love to play fetch. Read on to learn all about a golden retriever, including how much exercise they need. This active, affectionate breed is ideal for pet parents…