HWT Featured Breeds -- The Golden Retriever

The golden retriever was created in the mid-1800's in Scotland as an upland game and waterfowl retriever, with a heavy coat for crashing through thick brush and breaking ice to retrieve fallen game. In the past 50 years, the golden's popularity has ballooned and now resides as the second most popular dog in America (according to AKC registration statistics). Known for his friendly personality and beautiful coat, the golden is recognized the world over as a wonderful family pet, guide dog for the blind and emotional or physically handicapped, narcotic detecting and search-and-rescue dogs, respected hunters, brilliant obedience trialers, and popular show dogs.

The breed's popularity is it's only downfall.

Unscrupulous breeders have perpetuated goldens with genetic physical diseases, temperament problems and also created a wide margin of accepted colors, shapes, and sizes. While some deviation in physical attributes makes a good conversation piece, it can often be difficult to recognize a golden who really "is." Regardless of their varying looks, goldens are still acknowledged as one of the best family companions.

1. Energy level (running room/backyard/appartment) Running room.

2. Good with children under 5? Maybe: Young goldens can be too active for young children. While aggression is uncommon, an active young golden can easily knock a
small child over. Families with young children (under 5), should only consider an older dog who is calm and docile around children and ensure the dog is protected from the child also.

3. Good with children over 5 & under 10? Yes.

4. Good with children over 10? Yes.

5. Ease of care (grooming etc): Goldens do require a good amount of grooming. During the summer they shed profusely. Matts can form in the hair if it is not brushed out. Ear & skin infections can become a problem if those areas are not cared for regularly. Skin, food & flea "allergies" are common, but a good diet and a clean environment can all but eliminate that. Luckily, goldens usually do not mind a bath and they dry quickly.

6. Housebreakability Very good. Goldens do NOT do well as "outside dogs" and owning a golden means sharing your living quarters. However, young goldens are notorious chewers and a crate is an absolute must.

7. Life limiting disorders (lets be honest) Cancer rates are very high for golden retrievers. Cancers of the skin, bone and lymph are most common.

8. Non-life limiting disorders (skeletal faults/epilepsy etc): Prevalence of hip dysplasia is high. Other skeletal disorders include elbow dysplasia and OCD. Epilepsy, thyroid difficiency, PRA, cataracts, SAS, entropion/ectropion, arthritis are common.

9. Length of average life span: 10-14 years.

10. Trainability: Goldens are extremely intelligent dogs who learn VERY quickly. Although not great "problem solvers," goldens are very quick to pick up on commands. They flourish under a training schedule of positive reinforcement and are generally very food, play and fetch-motivated.

11. Less than lovely breed quirks: Shedding. Need for exercise and training. Drooling to a certain extent (and those nose-prints on car windows). Puppies can be pure hell! :-) Goldens are slow to mature and one can only be considered an adult at 3-4 years of age.

12. Average weight/size Males: 22-24", 65-75 lbs Females: 21-23", 55-65 lbs One should note that although these are the ideals, goldens vary widely in height and weight. Those on the small end can be 20" and 50 lbs, while big ones can be 26" and 100 lbs.

13. Personality: Goldens have wonderful personalities. Affectionate, goofy, eager, outgoing, intelligent, intuitive, all describe the golden's temperament. They are generally patient with children and have a high pain tolerance. They are trusting and do not lose faith in humans easily! :-) They are always ready to go for a ride or walk or swim, or just take a nap and snuggle, or play-wrestle in the living room. Goldens can be taught a
magnitude of tricks which they love to show off for the slightest bit of attention. A well-trained, mature golden is like a person who doesn't speak English and without an mean bone in his body! They generally get along very well with other dogs and are extremely adaptable to new homes and people. It is important to remember, however, that a good deal of training, excercise and socialization is what makes most great goldens so easy to live with.