Who Should Own A Golden Retriever?

One of the most popular breeds in the United States, the Golden Retriever is both intelligent and gentle, making it an ideal choice as a pet for families with young children.

But those looking for a dog to guard their home should consider a less genial breed, as the outgoing Golden is as likely to show affection toward a stranger as its owner, making it fairly ineffective as a guard dog. Too, those who live a less active lifestyle would be better off choosing a less athletic dog, because the Golden loves to run and swim, and would be thrilled living near the beach or somewhere with a big back yard with room for lots of games.

Golden Retriever Training Advice

The fourth ranked dog on Stanley Coren’s “The Intelligence of Dogs,” the cheerful, eager-to-please Golden is easily trained, especially so since it learns quickly when taught with repetition and reward-based techniques.

Goldens love to spend time with their families, and are at their best when they are able to live in the house rather than in the yard, where they tend to get lonely without the companionship of their family. Because of this social quality, Goldens make wonderful therapy dogs, and are also well suited as guide dogs for the blind.

History and Appearance

Originally bred for hunting waterfowl, the Golden Retriever’s roots go back to Scotland, and the contemporary Golden Retriever’s ancestors are all sporting dogs. That waterfowl hunting background is reflected in the dog’s long, water repellent coat, which requires a certain amount of grooming on the part of its owner because of its undercoat. But the silky topcoat, which can range in color from cream to dark blonde, is not likely to knot with regular grooming.

Possible Health Problems

Golden retrievers have a life span of 10 to 12 years, and when properly bred, are generally healthy, but because of the breed’s popularity, the dog is often bred in puppy mills, which can cause a host of unsuspecting illnesses. When selecting a Golden, a visit with a vet to eliminate any unforeseen problems would be a good idea. Even dogs from a good breeder traditionally suffer from some problems. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common health concerns among the breed, so make sure your Golden gets enough exercise (a daily jog or playtime at a dog park) so that he doesn’t gain too much weight. Too, a well-exercised dog is less likely to develop behavioral problems from lack of activity. Goldens love to chew, so make sure your puppy has lots of toys to play with, and learn to love playing fetch, as that will likely become your pet’s favorite game, aside from swimming.

Golden Retrievers can range in size from 55 to 75 pounds, according to the AKC. Male dogs are slightly larger than females.

Notable Goldens:

Duke, the cagey dog hoping to encourage the Bush family to reveal its secret recipe for baked beans, is a Golden Retriever, as was Speedy on “The Drew Carey Show,” Trixie, the beloved dog of author Dean Koontz, and Liberty, the dog of former president Gerald Ford.

Fast Facts:

• Goldens range in size from 55 to 75 pounds, and their coats can range in color from cream to dark blonde.
• Goldens are ranked fourth on Stanley Coren’s “The Intelligence of Dogs.”

• Goldens are active dogs, and require a lot of exercise to maintain their playful, joyful spirits.
• Genial Goldens tend to get along well with other dogs.

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