GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Breed Group: Gundog

For full breed standards, visit UK Kennel Club or American Kennel Club

Average height: 51 - 61 cms (20 - 24 in)

Average Weight: 25 - 34 kgs (55 - 74 lbs)

Coat Length: Medium

Life Span: 10 - 12 years

Colours: cream, yellow or gold

HISTORY

The first Lord Tweedmouth is credited as the founder of the breed with a yellow dog bred from black Wavy Coated Retrievers crossed with the Tweed Water Spaniel. This mating produced four yellow puppies. Later additions to the rootstock included the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter and the resultant yellow Retrievers became popular in the Border Counties. Eventually, the breed was recognized by The Kennel Club as a “yellow” or “golden” Retriever in 1913. When the Golden Retriever Club was established in 1920 the official breed name was changed to the Golden Retriever. Lord Tweedmouth and his Guisachan Retrievers are still remembered today and the Guisachan estate is occasionally used as a location for Golden Retriever shows and is revered by breed enthusiasts as the home of the breed.

L.E.G.S.

Using the L.E.G.S.® model, our breed descriptions offer insights into typical behavior based on Genetics, Learning, Environment, and Self.

Knowing the sort of 'job' a breed was created for can offer valuable insights into the type of life dogs of that breed would most enjoy. But bear in mind, they are all individuals, treat the following as an indication of breed tendencies – not a prediction.

Shedding

minimal <> considerable

Grooming

minimal <> likely to need professional grooming

Barking

relatively quiet <> very vocal

Predatory behaviour around other pets/livestock

low<>high

Response to strangers

happy to greet everyone <> very wary

Affectionate with family

not at all<>very cuddly

Playful

serious<>very playful

Focus on handler (bond)

independent thinker<>very biddable

Excitable/Impulsive

very calm<>easily aroused

Motivated

laid back<>obsessive

Easy to care for

suitable for inexperienced<>challenging

Exercise needs

minimal<>hours daily

Off-lead exercise needs

happy on lead<>needs plenty of freedom

Enrichment needs

basic<>needs challenges

WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR GOLDEN RETRIEVER

They're fun-loving – always happy to join in with any activity you might have planned
They're cooperative – bred to work closely with people, they love being part of the 'team'
They're outgoing – they love meeting people of all ages and get along with other animals
They love to play and can be really goofy
They're adaptable – they can turn their paw to most things (gundog work, picking up in the field/marsh/trialing, scent work, trick training, search and rescue, service and therapy dogs, walking companion, cafe/pub date)

WHY THEY MAY BE HARD TO LIVE WITH

They're active – their physical needs can be a bit much at the end of a long day if you're not out for hours every day
They love water and muddy puddles almost as much as they love you
They leave a thin carpet of golden hair on your floors
They love to welcome your guests with something in their mouth – usually one of your shoes

YOUR GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY HIGHLIGHTS

Goldies are social butterflies who love to meet people and dogs: given the opportunity, they would have a busier diary than you do. They tend to think that everyone is a friend they haven't yet met, and can get themselves in trouble with people or dogs who are less enthralled with their enthusiasm. They mean no harm and can usually be persuaded to have a bit of decorum as they mature, as long as you get the training in. Sitting and watching the world go by can be a hard skill for these dogs to master, but it's well worth the time and effort spent in teaching them to 'do nothing'.

YOU MAY NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP WITH:

Excitability or impulsivity
Over-enthusiastic greeting behaviors when meeting people (jumping up)
'Stealing' socks, shoes, and anything else that they might find valuable - this can result in resource guarding
Having a faulty 'off-switch'

YOUR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL KEY

Fulfill their genetic craving for partnership and adventure through games, sports, and outings
Create satisfactory experiences and exercise in the outdoor environment so you can enjoy the indoors with them
Provide ongoing and higher education opportunities for them to satisfy their learning potential
Recognize your part in creating a harmonious relationship with such an incredibly cooperative and adaptive companion—grab your hiking boots, mountain bike, or running shoes and get out there!

UPBRINGING

Golden Retrievers are happy-go-lucky puppies who generally take most things in their stride. Goldies aren't usually as clingy as some of the other gundog breeds but can experience FOMO: they want to be wherever the fun stuff is happening.

Puppy-proofing your home is a must because they'll happily pick up anything they can get their mouths on so they can proudly parade it around and show you how clever they've been. Provide plenty of soft toys (often the bigger the better) for them to hold and carry so that you don't have to keep looking for that missing slipper, shoe or sock. Don't be tempted into a game of chase with them over stolen items. Goldies can become masters of the 'keep away' game if you're not careful.

Some working lines can be more sensitive and prone to 'spooky' barking so care needs to be taken not to overwhelm them when they are going through a spooky phase.

LIFESTYLE

These dogs love to be involved in all aspects of your life and make excellent companions to go exploring with. A show line Golden may be more content with long walks in the park, meeting their friends, and playing than their working cousins but they still like to have a busy schedule. If your working Golden doesn't get to fulfill their role on a shoot, you'd better make sure you're fit and ready for some serious outdoor adventures interspersed with high IQ brain games and lots of social engagements.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

They love rolling in muddy puddles, swimming, carrying as many toys in their mouths as possible at once, and scent work.

EDUCATION

Working Goldens are like sponges when it comes to learning. They have a strong desire to learn new things and love to problem-solve. Left to their own devices they're likely to get bored and go looking for their own entertainment - a self-employed hunter can get into all sorts of mischief. They're usually top of the class and like to show off their skills to anyone watching. If you're predictable and repetitive with the training games you play, they may become frustrated, lose their motivation or take things into their own paws and play the game without you. They'll certainly keep you on your toes with their ability to pick up new skills - it can be challenging to keep these dogs mentally stimulated without them becoming learning addicts. The show or pet dog lines are usually just as keen to learn new skills but have a little less intensity in how they go about things.