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Description |
The Golden Retriever is a
beautiful, sturdy, well-proportioned dog with a feathered,
medium-length, cream to golden-colored coat. (The coat is not suppose to
be red.) The outer coat is water-repellent and the undercoat is dense.
The head is broad, with a tapering, but wide, powerful muzzle. It has a
scissors bite and a clear frontal stop. The nose is black and the kindly
eyes are brown with dark rims. The ears are medium-sized and pendant.
Its neck and thighs are muscular and the chest is broad. |
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Temperament
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These are lovable,
well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily
trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Loyal, confident,
sweet and eager to please. It is active, loving and an outstanding
family dog. Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience
training can be fun. They excel in obedience competitions. Friendly with
everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if
any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good
watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to
be around people to be happy. If isolated from human contact, or left
alone for long periods of time, the Golden Retriever may become
mischievous. They can be over-exuberant and distractible. Some of the
Golden's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection,
agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. These dogs also
love to swim. |
Height,
Weight |
Height: Dogs
22-24 inches (56-61cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (51-56cm.)
Weight: Dogs 60-80 pounds (27-36kg.) Bitches 55-70 pounds (25-32kg.) |
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Health Problems
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Prone to
hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects. OFA and CERF certification are
important from both parents. Parents should also be checked for Von
Willebrand's disease and heart problems. Skin allergies are common in
Golden Retrievers and require immediate veterinary attention. |
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Living Conditions |
This breed will do okay in an
apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors
and will do best with at least a medium to large yard. |
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Exercise
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The Golden Retriever needs
daily exercise, but likes to retrieve balls and other toys, so
exercising is fairly easy. Be sure to exercise this dog well and do not
overfeed, as he tends to put on weight. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 10-12 years |
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Grooming |
The smooth, medium-haired
double coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush,
paying particular attention to the dense undercoat. Dry shampoo
regularly, but bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average
shedder. |
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Origin |
The Golden Retriever was
first developed in the British Isles, probably from crosses between a
yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other
spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland and possibly the Bloodhound.
In fact the breed was first shown as a Golden Flat-Coat. The Golden is
one of the world's foremost family companion dogs. Many of the top
obedience competition dogs in the country are Golden retrievers. The
Golden is also a fine bird dog on both land and in the water. He has an
excellent nose and has been used not only for hunting and tracking, but
also for narcotics detection. Because of his great desire to please and
capacity for love and learning, the Golden Retriever is also used as a
guide for the blind, therapy dog, and service dog for the disabled. |
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Group
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Gun Dog, AKC Sporting |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC,
ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR |
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