Is the Golden Retriever Dog Right For You?
- 1The Golden Retriever dog is most known for their playful, intelligent, and loyal nature.
- 2Their ability to interact well with children and other pets make them a great family dog.
- 3Golden Retrievers were initially bred as hunting dogs but due to their friendly demeanor, they are poor guard dogs.
HISTORY
First bred in Scotland in the late 19th century, the Golden Retriever was the combination of the yellow Flat-Coat Retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel. Initially bred to be a hunting dog, the Golden Retriever quickly became useful in more than just their intended realm of usefulness, being used for a plethora of jobs from service for the disabled, guide dogs, narcotics detection, and therapy dogs. The Golden Retriever was first accepted by the AKC in 1925.
Quick Facts
Size
Large
Lifespan
10-13 years
Hair Length
Long
Male Height
23-24 inches
Male Weight
65-75 pounds
Female Height
21.5-22.5 inches
Female Weight
55-65 pounds
Litter Size
8
Personality
Known for their unmatched kindness, the Golden Retriever has carved out a niche as the ultimate family dog. They are great with children, easy to train, and have seemingly endless amounts of patience. They do require a healthy amount of exercise every day in order to keep from becoming destructive. Also, because of their amicable demeanor, do not expect your Golden Retriever to apprehend any intruders. .
Color
The coat color of a Golden can range from a light cream color, into the yellows, or even into darker golden or copper shades.
Health Concerns
The average life expectancy of the breed is about 12 years. Golden Retrievers require regular exercise. The breed is prone to health problems like:
- congenital eye problems
- skin allergies
- hip dysplasia
Appearance
The Golden Retriever is a medium to large sized dog with medium to long fur. They have a strong, athletic frame with a broad head and a well-proportioned muzzle. On average, an adult Golden Retriever weighs between 55 - 80 pounds and ranges somewhere around two feet high.