The Golden Retriever, The Ultimate Family Dog Why This Breed is Perfect for Families

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Large Breed Hip Dysplasia Skin Allergies Golden Retriever

Is the Golden Retriever Dog Right For You?

  • 1 The Golden Retriever dog is most known for their playful, intelligent, and loyal nature.
  • 2 Their ability to interact well with children and other pets make them a great family dog.
  • 3 Golden 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

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    Size

    Large

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    Lifespan

    10-13 years

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    Hair Length

    Long

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    Male Height

    23-24 inches

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    Male Weight

    65-75 pounds

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    Female Height

    21.5-22.5 inches

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    Female Weight

    55-65 pounds

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    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:

More on Golden Retrievers

About Golden Retrievers: Health
Nutrition for a Golden Retriever
How to Clip a Golden Retriever for Less Shedding
Golden Retriever Crate Training 
Golden Retriever Dog Information

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.

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