Golden Retriever: description, care and maintenance of the breed, prices for puppies, reviews from owners

One of the most popular breeds all over the world is the Golden Retriever. They are ideal for families with children, athletic young people and even active retirees. This is a good-natured, calm dog, very smart and loyal. She will become a reliable friend, companion, hunting assistant or nanny for children. But these dogs also have disadvantages. Before getting this breed, you need to study its description, pros and cons, and reviews from owners.

Breed traits

Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)

This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepherd, English Cocker Spaniel, Beagle.

Photos of golden retrievers will help you understand what they look like:

Golden retriever on the lawn Golden retriever

Golden retriever with a toy

Golden retriever in the water

History of origin

The hunting passion forced the English of the 19th century to disappear for days in the wilds of the forest in search of game. But getting the ducks out of the lake was problematic; the hounds were not up to the task. Soon the Scottish valleys were filled with shaggy creatures with golden fur, thanks to Lord Dudley Marjoribanks.

An avid dog breeder carried out long and purposeful breeding research in order to breed a breed capable of rushing into the water after a bird, easily overcoming heather thickets. The blood of a tweed spaniel, bloodhound, and labrador flows in the golden's veins.

The dogs quickly gained fame in many countries; they appeared in Russia in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

General characteristics of golden retrievers

The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog that loves people and is ready to serve its owner and carry out any assignment. And the only thing he needs in return is love and affection. These dogs love children very much and get along with all family members and other pets. They are loving, sociable and cheerful. They need to always be in the center of attention, help the owner, and participate in all matters.

Golden retrievers are one of the few dogs that are suitable for canistherapy. They work in hospitals, hospices, help people recover from psychological trauma, and have a beneficial effect on children with developmental disabilities. They are also called “shaggy antidepressants”; they sense a person’s condition and help relieve stress. These dogs become excellent guides for the blind and disabled; they are very loyal and strive to help their owner.

Even without special training, a retriever will rush to help a person in trouble. These are excellent rescuers: they pull out drowning people, look for people under the rubble. Suitable for work in the police and customs.

Pros of the breed

Golden Retrievers are dogs that make ideal companions, good hunters, nannies for children and guide dogs. They love people so much that they will never rush, although they will protect their owner. Goldens, as their owners call them, are ready to serve a person all day long, fulfilling all his desires. And high intelligence and sensitivity allow them to guess even the facial expressions and mood of the owner. Representatives of this breed have many more advantages:

• they are very friendly, good-natured;
• sociable, cheerful, flexible;
• not aggressive, never enter into conflicts, get along with all pets;
• patient, quiet, never bark over trifles;
• due to its medium size, it can be kept in a city apartment;
• devoted, faithful, very attached to the owner and family members, love to help them and serve;
• smart, quick-witted, obedient;
• have good reactions, are able to make independent decisions, thanks to which they often save people in critical situations;
• have sensitive hearing, a keen sense of smell, can be used in hunting and in police service;
• treat children well, tolerate all their tricks, can become a nanny for them or a playmate;
• are not prone to dominance and manipulation.

Cons of the breed

Despite its many advantages, this breed is not suitable for everyone. The retriever will cause inconvenience to homebodies and quiet people, as it is quite active and sociable. And those who are away from home for a long time are not recommended to have these dogs because they cannot stand loneliness. Golden has a few more disadvantages:

• They shed heavily and are not suitable for allergy sufferers;
• Quite long, thick coat requires serious care and may smell like a dog;
• prone to overeating, picking up food on the street;
• love to swim, can climb into any body of water, even puddles;
• quite active, with a lack of attention they can spoil things and dig up the garden;
• There are no protective qualities at all, they are friendly towards strangers.

An interesting video about golden retrievers will help you learn more about their advantages and disadvantages:

Video: The Golden Retriever is a breed devoid of aggression. This is the friendliest dog

Video: Golden Retriever is one of the best breeds for families with children

Video: Pros and cons of the Golden Retriever breed

What kind of work does the breed do?

To get prey, the dog is able to wade through dense thickets of bushes. Jump into cold water after her.

The Golden Retriever dog breed copes not only with finding game during the hunt.

Goldens detect the presence of explosives and narcotic substances at airport controls.

Since a sensitive sense of smell helps in finding missing people, dogs are used by the police and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

For families with children, disabled people, and pensioners, Goldens are suitable as companion dogs.

Retrievers are not suitable for guarding because they are kind and sociable by nature.

Directors film goldens in movies and videos. For example, famous films:

• “Marley and Me”, produced in the USA;
• "The Road Home" produced by the USA;
• "Napoleon" made in Australia.

Dogs participate in competitions and show exhibitions.

Retrievers are also used in boarding schools for children with mental illnesses.

The kindness and sensitivity of dogs help sick children adapt. Goldens:

• calm down;
• reduce stress;
• relieve aggression;
• transfer their positive energy to the sick child.

Golden retriever dog: photo.

History of the origin of the Golden Retriever breed

The Golden Retriever breed was developed in Great Britain in the mid-19th century. At that time, bird hunting was popular, and there were few dogs that could bring shot game or swim into the lake after a fallen bird. The breed was bred by Lord Tweedmouth.

According to one version, he acquired several dogs from a traveling circus, which amazed him with their intelligence. But from the studbook records from Lord Tweedmouth's estate it can be seen that the breed used was the Tweed Water Spaniel, a now extinct breed. These dogs were crossed with retrievers, Labradors, Irish setters, bloodhounds and small varieties of Newfoundland.

As a result of breeding work, by the beginning of the 20th century, a dog with an unusual golden coat color appeared. She was smart, resilient, and not afraid of water. She could find shot game in any thicket and brought it to the owner without damaging it with her teeth. In 1913 the breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club. She was named golden or golden retriever. The first word is related to the color of the coat, and the second is translated as “bring.”

Gradually the breed became popular in Europe. Since the 30s, they began to breed it in the USA. There, preference was given to individuals with a brighter, more saturated coat color. These dogs were used less and less for hunting; they became companions. The breed came to Russia only at the end of the 20th century. Since 1991, the golden retriever has become popular in our country.

Reviews

Catherine. Golden named Atlant

What, you can’t take away the dog’s enthusiasm and fun! I tried to take part in the exhibition with him, but he was just fooling around. The next year I had to turn to professionals who taught both him and me methods of education. A very affectionate dog and beautiful. We can rarely walk down the street without at least one admiring exclamation following us!

Insomnia. Golden named Venya

I never thought it was possible to become so attached to a dog! This is a true friend, companion, ally. In addition, with such an active dog, it won’t take long to lose weight. But his boundless love for all people does not allow him to be subordinated to one master; this would be convenient for his upbringing. Plus, Venya is such a kind dog that he’s not much of a guard. Well, he’s not evil, and he’ll never be that way.

Description of the appearance of the Golden Retriever breed

The Golden Retriever is a dog of medium height and strong build with luxurious wavy hair. He has a fairly recognizable attractive appearance. Thanks to their natural charm and desire to serve people, retrievers often appear in films and advertisements.

Standard

The first breed standard was adopted in 1913. Golden Retrievers are dogs of medium height, harmoniously built. They belong to large breeds. The height of a male dog can reach 61 cm, and weight – 41 kg. Bitches are slightly smaller, weighing on average 25-35 kg.

Head

The head is quite large, proportional to the body. The skull is convex, the muzzle is elongated, but not narrow, gradually tapering towards the nose. The transition from forehead to muzzle is well defined. The lips are black, the upper one hangs slightly, but does not form jowls. There are small folds at the corners of the mouth. The jaws are strong, the teeth are large, and the bite is scissor-shaped. The nose is quite large, black, the nostrils are wide and mobile.

The eyes are large, round, deep and wide set. The color is dark - from light to dark brown. The eyelids are black and close-fitting. The look is smart, friendly, attentive. The ears are medium in size, set above the eye line. They are wide at the base and rounded at the tips. Hanging along the cheeks.

Torso

The neck is muscular, of medium length, set high. There are no folds or loose skin on the neck and chest. The body is harmonious, rectangular in shape - the height at the withers is greater than the length. The muscles are well defined. The back is straight, the withers are clearly visible. The loin is convex, the croup is rounded, slightly sloping.

The chest is deep, the ribs are rounded, the stomach is tucked. The tail is thick at the base and set low. It is of medium length and lowered when at rest. Even an excited dog never throws it on its back.

Limbs

The limbs are muscular, strong, straight. Elbows are pressed, shoulder blades are pulled back. The pasterns of the forelimbs are short. The hindquarters are widely spaced. The hock joints are set low. The paws are round, the pads are large, the toes are gathered into a ball. Dogs move easily, confidently, gracefully. They are hardy and can run for a long time.

Photos complement the description of the appearance of representatives of the breed:

Golden retriever red color

Red golden retriever

Golden retriever

Coat and colors

The coat is thick, smooth, pleasant to the touch, and of moderate length. Has water-repellent properties. The hair lies tightly to the body, the undercoat is dense and fluffy. The coat can be straight or slightly wavy. It is longer on the chest, ears, back of the limbs, tail and body.

The main color of the Golden Retriever ranges from cream to gold. The colors are milky, dark gold or white. There may be lighter fur on the legs, tail and belly, and a small white spot on the chest. Black, brown or bright red color, spots of a different color are unacceptable.

Varieties

In 1954, a breed standard was adopted, which defines the main features of the appearance of these dogs. But some breeders distinguish three types of retrievers: American, Canadian and European.

• English or European dogs have more massive paws and a wide skull. Their color is lighter, there are almost white dogs. This type is common in Europe.
• American Retrievers are dogs with a graceful, athletic build. The coat color of this type is darker and may be red.
• Canadian Golden Retrievers are the tallest breed. They have a slender build and a rich, dark coat color. Canadian retrievers are not so popular; they are almost never found in Europe.

Photos of breed varieties:

English Golden Retriever

Canadian Golden Retriever

American Golden Retriever

European Golden Retriever

Differences from Labrador

Due to their common ancestors, the Golden Retriever is somewhat similar to the Labrador. But he has longer hair, a graceful build and light coloring. Labradors are larger, more powerful, and their coat is short and coarse. The color can be red or black.

The photo shows how a Golden Retriever differs from a Labrador:

Golden Retriever on the left, Labrador on the right

Golden Retriever on the left, Labrador on the right

Pros and cons of the breed

Golden Retrievers are ideal family dogs. They cannot live without communicating with people, they are very vulnerable. This breed requires affection, love and patience. They are distinguished by their delicacy: they will never impose their company. They enjoy playing with their relatives and other animals and adore children. Suitable for active owners who can devote enough time to the dog and pay for medical care.

Personality of the Golden Retriever

Now Goldens occupy first place in the rankings of the most popular breeds in the world. They can charm anyone with their balanced nature, intelligence and good nature. These pets do not have any conflicts at all; they remain calm in any situation and do not get into fights. And for a Golden to rush at a person is impossible. But in a dangerous situation, they are able to fight back even a serious opponent, because they are a strong, tough and resilient dog.

The Golden Retriever is people-oriented, ready to serve and help them. He tries to be useful, to participate in all the affairs of the owner, to accompany him. It is no coincidence that this dog is the best companion. But golden cannot become a guard or watchman, he loves all people. This dog is not characterized by suspicion and aggressiveness.

This is also one of the most popular breeds for canistherapy; with its kindness, gentleness and optimism, the dog helps people regain the joy of life, get rid of aggression, and restore health. Owners of Goldens note that they have a lot of positive energy, which they are ready to share with people.

The Golden Retriever is the best pet for families with children. He loves kids, tolerates all their tricks, and protects them. Golden will never hurt or harm a child. This dog is characterized by unusual softness and accuracy, which cannot be found in other animals. He can become a nanny and best friend for a child.

It is possible to note the following character qualities inherent in the Golden:

• good nature;
• equilibrium;
• devotion;
• non-conflict;
• agreeableness;
• sociability;
• tolerance;
• responsibility;
• curiosity;
• delicacy;
• intelligence;
• good memory;
• endurance.

This dog is sanguine by temperament. She loves active games, swimming, jogging. She constantly needs the communication and attention of her beloved owner, without him she will be very bored. Goldens do not tend to dominate; they get along well with other pets and are ready to obey humans. But thanks to their high intelligence, they are able to make independent decisions: in a dangerous situation, this dog will rush to the rescue even without the owner’s command.

Features of training

Golden Retrievers are very intelligent dogs that are easy to train. According to research by scientists, they are in 4th place out of 133 in terms of intelligence among dogs. Because of their intelligence, they grasp everything on the fly, quickly learn commands, and understand the gestures and facial expressions of their owner. But training your pet needs to start from an early age.

From the first days of arrival in the house, the puppy should begin to learn the rules of behavior. Retrievers are very active and playful, so without proper training they can cause a lot of problems. It is especially important to teach the commands “sit”, “come to me”, “no”, “place”. On the street, you need to teach him to walk nearby, not pick him up from the ground, and stop on command. It is immediately necessary to prohibit jumping on people's hands and paws on a person, because an adult Golden is a fairly large dog.

It is important to be consistent in upbringing; prohibitions must be observed by all family members. You need to be patient, you cannot shout at your pet, much less use physical punishment. Goldens are quite touchy, this can lead to psychological trauma. When training, be sure to use encouragement, affection and treats. This pet quickly understands what is required of it, so it will try to follow the command and please the owner.

If you get a retriever to help you hunt, you can start training at 5-6 months. The puppy needs to be taken out into nature often, taught to fetch, swim, obey when whistled, and lie still. It is advisable to conduct such training under the guidance of an experienced dog handler.

These dogs are easy to train, so they are often used for work at customs and in the police. Thanks to their sensitive sense of smell, they can search for drugs, explosives, and other illegal substances. Goldens are also used in rescue teams. They are easy to teach agility, freestyle and other dog sports. And because of their attractive appearance, they are often featured in advertising and movies.

The characteristics of the golden will be complemented by an interesting video:

Video: Golden Retriever. Characteristics of the breed.

Video: Golden Retriever - All about the breed

Video: Golden Retriever description of the breed! All about the dog breed!

Education and training

Golden retrievers have good memory and developed intelligence. They are easy to train and, like a sponge, absorb new knowledge.

Since goldens grow very quickly and weigh up to 40 kg in adulthood, they must be taught basic commands from puppyhood. At 6-7 months you can take them through a general training course or UGS.

If a golden retriever was taken as a hunting assistant, the appropriate skills are instilled in him from childhood. The puppy is often taken out into nature and the ability to search for and present prey is practiced using dummies.

When the baby masters this skill, he begins to be attracted to real hunting. From the age of six months, goldens can be taught swimming and obedience using a whistle. And from the age of 12 months, the golden retriever begins to be trained for endurance.

Features of keeping golden retrievers

Despite the fact that goldens were bred as hunting dogs, they now live quietly in a city apartment. But they need long walks, preferably in a park or dog park. These pets need plenty of running; they love outdoor games. You need to walk with an adult pet twice a day for at least 1-1.5 hours.

It is not advisable to keep a retriever in a kennel or even more so on a chain; constant communication with a person is important for him. You should not deprive your pet of your attention; out of boredom, he may begin to chew furniture and things. On average, dogs of this breed live 10-12 years, but if you properly care for your pet and create favorable conditions for it, it will live longer.

Care

The main problem with caring for retrievers is their thick coat. They shed profusely; even daily brushing does not help to get rid of fur on furniture and things. Therefore, it is better not to get such a dog for allergy sufferers. During the molting period, it is recommended to comb your pet 2 times a day. Use a slicker brush, a rubber mitt or a brush with stiff bristles. You can moisten the animal's fur with a special solution: 1 glass of water, 1 glass of vodka, 2 tbsp. l. vinegar, 1 tsp. salt. It will make combing easier and help get rid of dog smell.

Between molts, it is enough to brush the retriever a couple of times a week. You can slightly shorten the hair on the back of the limbs, on the tail; it is advisable to regularly trim the hairs between the toes and on the ears. It is not recommended to bathe a dog more than once a month; in summer it is better to replace bathing with swimming in open water. Goldens love water and enjoy swimming.

Eyes and ears do not require special care. It is enough to inspect them several times a week and wipe them if necessary. If your pet does not eat dry food that naturally removes plaque, he needs to purchase special chewing bones or brush his teeth. This will help prevent the formation of tartar. You also need to regularly trim your pet's overgrown claws, as they can cause him discomfort.

Nutrition

You can feed your golden with both natural food and dry food. It is advisable not to overfeed, these dogs love to eat and are prone to weight gain. The wrong choice of diet can lead to allergic diseases, dental problems, and the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the fur.

When feeding natural food, at least 50% of the daily diet should be meat, the rest - cereals, vegetables, and dairy products. Adult dogs should not be given milk; only puppies up to 3-4 months need it. You need to feed your pet 2 times a day, the richest food should be given in the evening.

It is better to cook thick porridges in meat or bone broth with vegetables. Give lean meat: beef, turkey, rabbit. Its amount is 10-20 g per 1 kg of dog weight. Offal in small quantities, once a week you can give eggs, sea fish without bones. Fatty, salty foods, tubular bones, sausages, baked goods, and sweets are prohibited. With this feeding, it is recommended to add vitamins to the food.

When choosing dry food, you should give preference to the super-premium and holistic class. Goldens are prone to allergies; it is better to choose special brands designed for this breed. Orijen, Canidae, Innova, Acana, Applaws, Grandorf, Farmina Natural & Delicious, Belcando, Pronature Holistic are suitable.

Health

Goldens' health is not very good; they are characterized by many different hereditary pathologies. And if not properly cared for, they are prone to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and allergies. Congenital diseases of retrievers include:

• hip dysplasia;
• retinal atrophy;
• hypothyroidism;
• cancerous tumors;
• blood clotting disorder;
• epilepsy;
• diabetes.

To protect your pet from infectious diseases, you need to get all vaccinations on time. The first vaccination is carried out by the breeder; it is better to buy a puppy with a veterinary passport. It is also necessary to deworm your pet 3-4 times a year, and treat it against external parasites in the warm season.

Care

The main problem is shedding, which requires brushing twice a day, so allergy sufferers and fans of sterility should abandon the idea of ​​having such a companion. The rest of the time, this is done less often, bathed once a month, slightly trimming the fur, especially between the toes and near the tail.

Eyes and ears are cleaned when they become dirty. To remove plaque, use a brush; special treats will also help.

How to buy a golden retriever puppy

Experienced dog breeders recommend buying a dog from a kennel or a reputable breeder. Puppies inherit the diseases and temperament of their parents, so you need to study not only all the documents, it is recommended to get to know the mother. What is important is the conditions in which the animals are kept and how they behave.

The enclosure should be clean, the dogs should be well-groomed, have smooth hair without bald spots, and no unpleasant odor. The eyes and ears are clean, without discharge, the stomach is soft. All this indicates that the puppies are healthy. Experts also recommend paying attention to the baby’s behavior. He must be active, inquisitive, not cowardly and without signs of aggression.

A purebred retriever puppy in Moscow will cost from 25,000 rubles. If the price is less, there may be something wrong with the pedigree or health. Show-class puppies used for breeding will cost from 60 thousand rubles.

The photo shows what Golden Retriever puppies look like:

Golden retriever puppies

Puppy

Golden retriever puppy

Puppy

European golden retriever puppy

English Golden Retriever puppy

To decide to get a Golden, you can watch another video:

Video: Golden Retriever everything about the breed. Interesting Facts.

Video: Golden Retriever - Interesting facts about the breed.

Video: Choosing a breed - golden retriever - character and behavioral characteristics.

Golden Retrievers are the best family dogs. They are kind, affectionate and smart, love children. Therefore, they become ideal companions for all family members. They can be kept in a city apartment; the breed is suitable for anyone who can pay attention to a pet. Fans consider the Golden to be a unique dog with artistry, natural charm and a peaceful character.

Diseases

From the description of the Golden Retriever, it is clear that he is a cheerful, active, energetic animal, but as a result of hereditary predisposition he may suffer from:

• retinal degeneration;
• hip dysplasia;
• oncology;
• hypothyroidism;
• heart ailments.

In addition, there is a risk of obesity, arthritis and dental inflammation. Annual vaccination is required.