The Golden Retriever: A faithful and versatile companion

The Golden Retriever is a dog breed initially introduced to be used during hunting to remove prey. As time went by, he acquired new skills that allowed him to join in, not only as another member of the household, but also in the performance of tasks outside of this area. If you have already made the decision to choose this breed to be part of your life, here you can learn everything about its customs and behavior so that you can offer it appropriate care.

Medium size .
Weight : Between 25 and 34kg.
Hair type : The internal one is dense and waterproof, while the external one can be straight or wavy
Character : Intelligent, Reliable, Friendly, Kind, Confident
Health : Healthy
Life expectancy : Between 10 and 12 years.

The origins

According to the Kennel Club of Great Britain , we owe the existence and breeding of these dogs to Lord Tweedmouth . He was the one who crossed the smooth-coated retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel, obtaining a light-coated dog.

Later, other breeds such as the Irish Setter and the Bloodhound among other retrievers would be added to the lineage. In 1913 this breed was called the yellow retriever or golden retriever, remaining so until 1920, when it was modified to be known as the Golden retriever. Today, the memory of Lord Tweedmouth and his Guisachan Retrievers is honored through breed-related shows held at his former estate. These shows are attended en masse by people who love these dogs, who consider this place as the birthplace of the Golden.

Physical characteristics of the Golden retriever

Among the characteristics that constitute the morphology of the Golden Retriever is its medium size, where an elongated body predominates in relation to height, covered by abundant golden fur.

Height

In this sense, the height at the withers of males is generally between 56 and 61 centimeters, much greater than that of females, where the height at the withers is between 51 and 56 centimeters. This according to the standard established by the FCI ( International Cynological Federation ) which differs from the AKC ( American Kennel Club ) standard where the height at the withers of the male must be between 58 and 60 centimeters while for females it must be between 54 and 57 centimeters.

Weight

Regarding weight, according to the AKC standard, the male should have a volume of 29 to 34 kilograms, while the female should be between 25 and 29 kilograms.

Head

The proportion of its head maintains harmony with its body, presenting a shape well delimited by a wide skull. Its nasofrontal depression is pronounced, dark in color, with good definition that remains flat throughout its length. Their eyes are medium-sized with a wide separation between them, at whose height the ears that hang over the cheeks are presented on both sides. The muzzle of the Golden Retriever is wide and deep with a length similar to the nasofrontal depression that reaches the back of the head, a feature that gives it a regular and complete scissor bite thanks to the presence of its strong and powerful jaws.

Body

In both the male and the female, the back is short, strong and muscular, while the chest has deep ribs with a pronounced curvature that does not take the shape of a barrel.

Line

Its tail is thick and muscular at the base, inserting at the level of the dorsal line, which gives good stability to its extremities where the anterior ones are straight and with a good bone structure, while the posterior ones are strong and muscular, complemented by legs. round and compact, whose appearance qualifies as what is known as cat's foot.

Coat and color

The Golden Retriever's coat is a unique characteristic of this species that allows it to be distinguished from other retriever dogs. The hair appears as a coat where the inner one is dense and waterproof, while the outer one can be straight or wavy, remaining firmly attached to the body. On the other hand, the fringes of hair are distributed on the neck, the lower area of the tail and the back of the thighs, also appearing, but in smaller quantities, on the back of the front legs and in the area of the belly. As for the color of the coat, it can grow in chromatic varieties ranging from gold to cream, where the fringes can have a lighter color compared to the rest of the body.

Character and personality of the Golden Retriever

A factor that has been decisive in the popularity that the Golden Retriever has obtained has been its temperament characterized by gentleness and intelligence . These qualities are very useful tools in the training process, making it easier for the dog to assimilate instructions.

Thanks to this, the Golden has managed to position itself not only as a domestic dog, but also as a productive element in performing different functions as an assistant in rescue groups, in therapies, as a police dog and also as a firefighter dog. The process of emotional maturation to reach its definitive character is slow, approximately 3 years or a little more. However, being playful is something that will be part of their personality even as adults. This is one reason why it is a highly appreciated dog in families with children.

Predominant instincts

Among the impulses that comprise the nature of the Golden Retriever are those related to hunting, a practice in which they are very well used in the search and obtaining of prey. This generates a reward for effective completion of your work.

However, it is necessary to keep in mind that these instincts are not naturally linked to gratification since, although their behavior shows tendencies towards pursuit and capture, bringing the object or prey to the hunter is not something that is part of the process. implicit in these processes, being necessary to apply a training routine . The Goldens can play for hours without showing any signs of fatigue. This is an element of motivation that can be used to channel your energies and guide them appropriately in the development of certain behaviors. However, it can also be counterproductive in excessively energetic specimens. Along with all this, it is also worth highlighting his ability to swim. It can dive into the water and enjoy it for a long time thanks to the waterproof nature of its fur that protects it from the cold.

Golden Retriever Care

In this section, the Golden Retriever is not a breed that requires a lot of maintenance . To maintain good health it only requires good nutrition, a routine medical check-up with the veterinarian from time to time and a good dose of exercise. And, of course, a lot of affection and attention to their needs, complementing the aforementioned care.

feeding

This should consist of a solid diet after the breastfeeding stage has passed. At this stage it will be provided with all the nutrients required to sustain its development. In this sense, it is best to go to a veterinarian to properly establish a diet according to nutritional needs. During the puppy stage , food is provided between 3 and 4 times a day, also making sure to give him water to keep him hydrated. However, you have to be careful with the portions, since overfeeding can cause obesity in the Golden , so it should be complemented with an appropriate exercise routine to help keep its weight at a stable value.

Coat care and hygiene

Hair brushing should be done once a day, with a metal bristle brush, taking into consideration that these dogs tend to lose a lot of hair, especially during the shedding period. For this reason, if you do not brush frequently, it can cause the shed hair to reach your furniture and clothes or, worse still, end up getting tangled in your body, creating the conditions conducive to the appearance of the dreaded and undesirable fleas. The bath routine should only be done when it is dirty, since frequent cleaning can cause damage to the protective layer of its coat. Make sure you use a shampoo that is specially designed to be used on them. An alternative that is very useful to avoid bathing them frequently is the use of dry shampoo or a damp cloth. It is also advisable to carry out a complete examination of the body in search of any symptoms that indicate a skin disease, as well as parasites.

Exercise and lifestyle

The Golden Retriever is a breed that demands a lot of affection and attention. They can't stand isolation. They must be in constant interaction with people and can become very attached, easily becoming familiar with anyone who is not their owner.

If they do not receive the required attention, they will resort to biting things or digging holes in the garden as a mechanism to combat anxiety. Due to its constant energy, it is necessary to establish an exercise routine that serves as an escape valve to appropriately channel anxiety. It is advisable to take him for a walk twice a day, complementing this action with physical exercise, games or sports.

Education and training of the Golden Retriever

There is no doubt that intelligence is one of the most notable attributes in the Golden Retriever . It is an advantage that can be greatly benefited when it comes to educating and training it.

During the puppy stage you will have to teach him the routine he must follow to urinate. Along with this, the development of other habits that allow them to develop their teeth through the use of toys should also be encouraged. With them you can learn to control the bite appropriately, as well as comply with basic commands such as sitting, lying down and responding to your owner's call. These keys will serve as a preamble to carry out more strict training in their adult stage in which some tricks and exercises can be incorporated that stimulate their motor and cognitive abilities. The key to achieving this is the use of positive reinforcement . With this method, better results are obtained compared to other types of dog training .

The health of the Golden retriever

In general, the Golden Retriever is a dog that has a healthy physical condition allowing it to reach a life expectancy between 10 and 12 years . But for this to be possible it is necessary to take him to the vet periodically (every 6 months in the puppy stage and once a year as an adult). In this way you can ensure that all the organs in your body are functioning properly and also rule out the presence of any symptoms that may indicate the onset of a disease.

Added to this, the veterinarian must establish a vaccination schedule in which he can keep track of all the injections he receives for his immunization. As well as subjecting it to deworming. In this breed there is a propensity to develop hereditary diseases that can reduce the estimated life expectancy. Puppies from pet stores tend to be more likely to suffer from them, as well as those resulting from crossing between dogs whose selection was not carried out appropriately. In addition to these cases, hereditary diseases can also occur in pedigree specimens. They can develop diseases such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, obesity, cancer, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. You may also like: