About The Breed
The Golden Retriever is a versatile and remarkable breed, and no doubt, one of the most popular and beloved breeds in the world. Understandable given the fact that Golden Retriever puppies are some of the world's most adorable fluff balls! Self-confident, friendly, intelligent, kind, reliable, trustworthy, active, and eager are words that come to mind in speaking to the Golden temperament. Developed as a sporting gun dog, the Golden quickly became known as a loyal and wonderful house companion as well. Goldens have a strong need to be close to their humans and tend to be very gentle with and gravitate towards children.
Keen and biddable, Goldens can be trained quickly with proper techniques. They enjoy learning tricks and tend to offer the behaviors to their owners seeking praise and rewards. Food and toy drives vary from individual to individual, but both typically work with most as rewards. Above all, Goldens seeks your praise and approval, as they are have a strong desire to please. A lot of Goldens display their intelligence in silly, clown-like antics and sense of humor. Definitely a breed that will keep owners on their toes!
This is what we consider a general description of the Golden Retriever. It is important to talk with your breeder about the temperament of their dogs, puppies, and bloodline as there can be variations. For example, most of the breedings we undertake are of higher energy and drive, and would not be suitable for the first time dog owner.
While generally, Goldens are a hardy breed, their average lifespan has dropped to 10-12 years in the last two decades. Popularity of the breed, indiscriminate breeding, and failure to screen for hereditary illness have all placed a role in that fact. Hereditary issues include hip and elbow dysplasia, several eye diseases (Particularly P.U.), heart disease, NCL-5, Ichthyosis, Degenerative Myelopathy, epilepsy, and swallowing disorders. While this is not an all-inclusive list, these are our top priorities in our program.
Genetics and health issues are extremely complex, and it is impossible to eliminate problems with 100% perfect health. What we can do is make educated and informed decisions to do all we can to help avoid issues in our dogs. The most serious issue facing the breed today is cancer, particularly hemangiosarcoma. Many issues facing Goldens, cancer included, also have environmental factors that play a part. We can help advise you on steps you can take as an owner to do all you can to help improve the odds your dog will not be affected, such as safe environmental choices, proper diet, and exercise.
Goldens are a high shedding dog with a dense double coat. Frequent brushing, weekly nail trimming, monthly to bi-monthly bathing (depending on activities) and trimming are needed. A golden should be kept “natural” with trimming only being made to ears and feet.
A Golden’s protective coat should never be shaved, unless in extremely neglected, matted situations or for ease of care for the senior dog. Being a “floppy-eared” breed, cleaning to the inner ear can also be done at bath-time, or as needed. All dogs will benefit from frequent teeth cleaning. Your vet can help, but it is very easily done with simple dental tools. Feeding a raw, muscle meat meal, such as chunked beef heart or tongue occasionally, does wonders to remove tartar.
Golden Retriever originated in the Highlands of Scotland in the late 1800s and owed its development to the AKC in 1925.
Lord Tweedmouth is credited for developing the breed, and started keeping a meticulous stud book starting around 1835. The first Goldens were exhibited in 1908.
The Golden Retriever is a versatile and remarkable breed, and no doubt, one of the most popular and beloved breeds in the world. Self-confident, friendly, intelligent, kind, reliable, trustworthy, active, and eager are words that come to mind in speaking to the Golden temperament. Developed as a sporting gun dog, the Golden quickly became known as a loyal and wonderful house companion as well. Goldens have a strong need to be close to their humans and tend to be very gentle with and gravitate towards children.
Keen and biddable, Goldens can be trained quickly with proper techniques. They enjoy learning tricks and tend to offer the behaviors to their owners seeking praise and rewards. Food and toy drives vary from individual to individual, but both typically work with most as rewards. Above all, Goldens seeks your praise and approval, as they are have a strong desire to please. A lot of Goldens display their intelligence in silly, clown-like antics and sense of humor. Definitely a breed that will keep owners on their toes!
This is what we consider a general description of the Golden Retriever. It is important to talk with your breeder about the temperament of their dogs, puppies, and bloodline as there can be variations. For example, most of the breedings we undertake are of higher energy and drive, and would not be suitable for the first time dog owner.
While generally, Goldens are a hardy breed, their average lifespan has dropped to 10-12 years in the last two decades. Popularity of the breed, indiscriminate breeding, and failure to screen for hereditary illness have all placed a role in that fact. Hereditary issues include hip and elbow dysplasia, several eye diseases (Particularly P.U.), heart disease, NCL-5, Ichthyosis, Degenerative Myelopathy, epilepsy, and swallowing disorders. While this is not an all-inclusive list, these are our top priorities in our program.
Genetics and health issues are extremely complex, and it is impossible to eliminate problems with 100% perfect health. What we can do is make educated and informed decisions to do all we can to help avoid issues in our dogs. The most serious issue facing the breed today is cancer, particularly hemangiosarcoma. Many issues facing Goldens, cancer included, also have environmental factors that play a part. We can help advise you on steps you can take as an owner to do all you can to help improve the odds your dog will not be affected, such as safe environmental choices, proper diet, and exercise.
Goldens are a high shedding dog with a dense double coat. Frequent brushing, weekly nail trimming, monthly to bi-monthly bathing (depending on activities) and trimming are needed. A golden should be kept “natural” with trimming only being made to ears and feet.
A Golden’s protective coat should never be shaved, unless in extremely neglected, matted situations or for ease of care for the senior dog. Being a “floppy-eared” breed, cleaning to the inner ear can also be done at bath-time, or as needed. All dogs will benefit from frequent teeth cleaning. Your vet can help, but it is very easily done with simple dental tools. Feeding a raw, muscle meat meal, such as chunked beef heart or tongue occasionally, does wonder to remove tartar.
Golden Retriever originated in the Highlands of Scotland in the late 1800s and owed its development to the AKC in 1925.
Lord Tweedmouth is credited for developing the breed, and started keeping a meticulous stud book starting around 1835. The first Goldens were exhibited in 1908.