Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever cannot be too highly recommended as a breed to suit all the family. It will romp with the children, enjoy a day's shooting with the man of the house and happily accompany the mistress on a shopping trip or for a session at the dog training club.

This is a trustworthy breed whose individuals are happiest sharing the fireside with their family. They love to retrieve and will enjoy nothing better than carrying the newspaper home or wandering around the house with an old, chewed slipper. They are often used as guide dogs (seeing eye dogs) for the blind.

Origin and history.

There is some controversy as to the origin of this breed. Did it, as many believe, develop from a troupe of Russian shepherd dogs found by Lord Tweedmouth performing in a Brighton circus in 1860, or did it begin with a litter of golden-haired pups of retrieverlspaniel ancestry born on his Scottish estate? Romanticists believe the tale that Lord Tweedmouth was so greatly impressed with the Russian shepherd dogs that he brought the entire troupe and bred from them, adding Bloodhound blood to develop the nose.

Golden Retriever Puppies

Good points

Excelent gundog
Gentle with children
Sound temperament
Readily trained
Loyal

Take heed

No drawbacks known

Size

The average weight in good hard condition should be: dog 70-801b (31.8-36.3kg); bitch 60-701b (27.2-31.8kg). Height at shoulder: dog 22-24in (56-61cm); bitch 20-22in (51-56cm).

Exercise

Needs at least an hour's exercise every day, free runs and ample garden. A large, fenced-in yard is a virtual necessity.

Golden Retriever Information

General appearance

Should be a symmetrical, active, powerful dog, a good level mover, sound and well put together with a kindly expression, not clumsy or long in the leg.

Colour

Any shade of gold or cream, but neither red nor mahogany. The presence of a few white hairs on the chest is permissible. White collar, feet, toes or blaze should be penalized. Nose black.

Head and skull

Broad skull, well set on a clean and muscular neck; muzzle powerful and wide; not weak-jawed; good stop.

Tail

Should not be carried too gaily or curled at the tip.

Feet

Round and cat-like, not open or splay.

Golden Retriever Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

Regular brushing will keep the coat in good condition.

Feeding

Recommended would be 20-330z (587-936g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added, or 3-5 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to 1/2 cup of hot or cold water.