Golden Retriever

Appearance: What Makes the Golden Retriever Stand Out

The Golden Retriever’s great popularity is down not only to his lovable nature but also to his attractive looks: Golden Retrievers have an exceptionally harmonious and well-proportioned build.

The skull with its clearly defined stop and the dark eyes give the Golden Retriever his typically gentle and friendly expression. Strong muscles and sturdy bones make him an agile and energetic dog.

How Much Does a Golden Retriever Weigh and How Big Do They Grow?

The Golden Retriever is one of the medium-sized dogs. According to the breed standard, males have a shoulder height of between 56 and 61 centimetres. Females are slightly smaller at 51 to 56 centimetres. Depending on sex and size, a Golden Retriever weighs between 30 and 40 kilograms.

What Colors Can Golden Retrievers Be?

The coat colour of this breed ranges from rich gold and soft pale gold to cream. Occasionally, white hairs may appear on the chest.

The Golden Retriever’s medium-length coat is straight or wavy, but never curly. It lies close to the body along the back. The backs of the front legs, the underside of the tail, and the chest and belly areas, however, are heavily feathered.

Good to know: Thanks to their dense undercoat, even extremely cold and wet weather doesn’t bother this retriever.

Field Trial vs Show Line: Differences between Working and Show Lines

In Golden Retrievers, two different breeding lines are distinguished, each with its own goals in terms of physical and behavioural traits.

• Working line (Field Trial): This line is characterised by an athletic and lean build. Dogs from this line are particularly lively and have a strong hunting instinct. They are also highly eager to learn. As a result, this line most closely resembles the Golden Retriever’s original breeding purpose.
• Show line: In this line, the focus is on appearance. The build is more compact and the coat colour noticeably lighter. The coat is also usually much longer and thicker compared to dogs from the working line. Their temperament differs too, as the name “show” suggests: Golden Retrievers from this line are calmer and more relaxed. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy exercise and plenty of activity. For families, they therefore tend to be more suitable than dogs from the working line.

What Is the Difference between a Labrador and a Golden Retriever?

At first glance, Labrador Retrievers and Goldies mainly seem to differ in coat length. The Golden Retriever’s coat is longer and softer than that of the Labrador. Labrador Retrievers also come in brown or black.

Subtle differences can also be seen in the character of the two breeds. The Labrador is slightly more independent and needs even more variety in daily activities than the Goldie.

Golden Retriever Character: Loyal and Eager-To-Learn Bundles of Energy

Like hardly any other pedigree dog, the Golden Retriever is famous for his “willingness to please”. He wants to make his owner happy and is known for his great enthusiasm for learning. He adapts calmly to everyday situations and loves taking part in all his owner’s activities.

What Talents Does a Golden Retriever Have?

Retriever owners jokingly say that a Goldie would be more likely to help a burglar carry valuables out of the house than chase them away. In fact, if they have any protective instinct at all, it is only very limited. This breed is therefore not particularly suited as a guard dog. However, they have other talents:

• Thanks to their eagerness to work and intelligence, these dogs are excellent guide dogs, therapy dogs and assistance dogs.
• Golden Retrievers have a keen nose and an inborn hunting instinct, which means they can also be trained as search and rescue dogs or as sniffer dogs for drugs and explosives.

You’ll find a wide selection of suitable accessories for your Golden Retriever in the zooplus shop:

Keeping a Golden Retriever

This people-oriented retriever is one of the most popular family dogs worldwide. His good-natured and calm temperament, as well as his trusting and playful nature, make him especially popular with families with children.

The friendly Goldie also gets on extremely well with other pets.

Not a Dog for Small Flats

Due to his size and love of movement alone, the Golden Retriever is not well suited to life in a small flat or a kennel. Ideally, your companion should have access to a house with a garden.

How Long Can a Golden Retriever be Left Alone?

Being left alone for long periods is not an option for this sensitive retriever. Instead, let him take part in your life as much as possible and, above all, plan enough time for both physical and mental stimulation.

Find out why dogs are afraid of being left alone and how you can make separation easier for them.

Grooming: A Hairy Business All Year Round

When it comes to grooming, you should pay particular attention to your Golden Retriever’s wonderful coat. He doesn’t just shed during the moulting season. That’s why regular grooming of your dog’s coat is essential.

Brush your dog once or twice a week. This not only prevents the undercoat from matting but also reduces the amount of hair you’ll find on carpets, cushions and the sofa.

You’ll find a wide range of grooming products for your dog in our shop:

Everything Under Control from the Start

In addition to the coat, you should also keep an eye on your Golden Retriever’s eyes, ears, paws and teeth. Check regularly to make sure everything is clean.

It’s best to get your four-legged friend used to these checks from puppyhood. This way, you’ll spot any changes more quickly, and your dog will remain much more relaxed during the routine.

Golden Retriever Nutrition

One of the Golden Retriever’s great passions is food. Compared to other breeds, retrievers have a particularly large appetite for almost anything that comes their way. Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers are therefore prone to becoming overweight. It’s best to ensure the right diet from puppyhood and, above all, stick carefully to the recommended feeding amounts.

In the zooplus Magazine, you’ll find detailed information about Golden Retriever nutrition.

Activity: How Much Exercise Does a Golden Retriever Need Each Day?

The Goldie is a hunting dog and, as such, is very active and needs plenty of training. A monotonous daily walk is definitely not enough. After all, these intelligent retrievers want to be challenged not only physically but mentally too.

In the zooplus Magazine, you can find out everything you need to know about your four-legged friend’s hunting behaviour.

Suitable Dog Sports for Goldies

In addition to short retrieving exercises and search games, various types of sport and training are suitable for the Golden Retriever. Particularly popular, for example, are

• obedience
• agility
• dummy training
• tracking or mantrailing
• working in a search and rescue team

You’ll really delight your water-loving dog by treating him to a swim in a stream, lake or the sea. Golden Retrievers absolutely love swimming. If none of these are nearby, he’ll happily make do with puddles or water from the garden hose.

Health and Life Expectancy: How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live?

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Goldie experienced a real boom. To this day, he remains one of the most popular breeds in English- and German-speaking countries.

However, this boom also had negative side effects. Greedy “backyard breeders” wanted to make quick money from cute puppies. Dogs were bred without planning and without regard for temperament or health. As a result, some breed-typical diseases developed, which some retrievers still suffer from today.

Common Golden Retriever Illnesses

Through targeted breeding selection and strict approval requirements, efforts are being made to reduce the risk of such diseases again. However, the following hereditary conditions still occur more frequently than average in Golden Retrievers:

• Hip dysplasia (HD)
• Elbow dysplasia (ED)
• Epilepsy
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Hereditary cataract (HC)

How Old Does a Golden Retriever Live?

If you choose a Goldie from a reputable breeder and care for your dog appropriately, you can look forward to many joyful years together. A healthy retriever has a life expectancy of twelve to 16 years and can therefore reach a relatively good age.

© zuzule / stock.adobe.com

History and Breeding: Where Do Retrievers Come From?

To this day, many myths and legends surround the origins of the various retrievers. Unlike most other retriever types, however, the history of the Golden Retriever can be clearly traced back to at least 1864.

In that year, the Briton Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (later appointed Lord of Tweedmouth) bought the yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever “Nous” from a shoemaker in Brighton. The male was the only yellow puppy among otherwise black siblings. On his estate “Guisachan” in the north of Scotland, Marjoribanks began breeding dogs.

In Search of the Perfect Retrieving Dog

The aim of his breeding efforts was to create the perfect retrieving dog for hunting wildfowl. In 1868, he therefore mated Nous with the female Tweed Water Spaniel “Belle”. At the time, spaniels were regarded not only as very fond of water but also as tireless retrieving dogs.

Over the following 20 years, Tweedmouth crossed the offspring of Nous and Belle with other Wavy-Coated Retrievers, Tweed Water Spaniels and red Irish Setters. In one line, he even included a sand-coloured Bloodhound.

Official Recognition in 1913

These crosses eventually led to the development of the Golden Retriever as we know him today. In 1913, the breed was officially recognised by the British Kennel Club.

In line with the original breeding goal, the Golden Retriever was initially used for “work after the shot”. His main task was therefore to retrieve shot game. With a soft mouth, he brought the already dead animals back to the hunter.

Tips for Buying a Golden Retriever

If you’re interested in a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure the breeder has carried out all the necessary health checks.

Ask to see the pedigree and, ideally, see for yourself that the parents and siblings are in excellent health. Only buy your puppy from a recognised breeder and take your time to make a careful choice.

A dog that will accompany you and your family for many years is certainly worth the money. In addition, your little bundle of fur will usually already be microchipped, wormed several times and, depending on age, vaccinated at least once.

It’s also always worth enquiring at local rescue centres. Sometimes not only older Goldies but also puppies are waiting there for a loving new home.

© Mikkel Bigandt / stock.adobe.com

Conclusion: A Loyal Companion for Active Owners

With a Golden Retriever, you’re bringing a people-oriented and eager-to-learn companion into your home. He wants to be involved in everything and is always up for fun. Spending the whole day alone on the sofa or in his dog bed, however, is not for him.

With careful selection of a suitable puppy and species-appropriate care, you and your Golden Retriever can look forward to many active years together.

Golden Retriever Profile

Special features:	The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds and delights both beginners and experienced owners.
Character:	friendly, intelligent, patient, good with children
Size:	Males: 56–61 cm Females: 51–56 cm
Weight:	approx. 30–40 kg
Coat:	straight or slightly wavy with a dense undercoat Colours range from rich gold to cream
Coat care:	frequent brushing, sheds heavily
Exercise:	active breed that loves sport and water
Suitable for beginners:	very suitable for beginners and experienced dog owners
Barking:	barks occasionally
Life expectancy:	approx. 12–16 years
Typical illnesses:	prone to hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems
FCI group:	8. Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs
Origin:	Scotland