Golden Retriever

Well, I think we all know that a Golden Retriever is a breed of dog.

They were originally made as gun dogs to retrieve shot waterfowl. Examples such as: ducks and upland game birds. They would go along during hunting and shooting parties.

Being the dog they are, they were bred to have a soft mouth to carry the waterfowl so they won't damage it. Also, to instinctively love the water.

They have a dense inner coat to keep them warm. The outter coat is sleek and water repellent, and lays flat against the body. The official color is the golden shades that you often see.

These dogs are highly intelligent. They are being used as guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, hunting dogs, illegal drug detectors, and they are a Search and Rescue participant. Since they are so gentle and loyal, they are also popular family pets.

Golden Retrievers are eager to love and please you! They are also the fourth most popular dog breed to be loved by families(by registration) in the United States, the fifth most popular in Australia, and the eighth most popular in the United Kingdom.

The Golden Retriever was first developed in Scotland and bred by Sir Dudley Majoribanks. For many years, there was controversy over which breeds were mixed to make the Golden Retriever. In 1952, word got out about Majoribanks' breeding records from 1835 to 1890. Something they did find out was, Majoribanks bought a whole troupe of Russian Sheepdogs from a visiting circus.

Over the course of years, guns have improved and terrain has become more difficult to wander. During the 1800s, when the guns were first improved, they could shoot farther distances. With the terrain being rougher, more birds were being left behind due to being hard to find. Because of the firearms being improved, this meant a special retriever was needed. They started breeding to find matches to suit the retrievers temperaments and specialties.

The original cross was that of a yellow-colored Retriever, Nous, with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct but was common in the border country. Majoribanks purchased Nous in 1865 from an unregistered litter of otherwise black wavy-coated retriever pups. In 1868, this cross produced a litter of four pups; these four pups became the basis of a breeding program which included the Irish Setter, the sandy-colored Bloodhound, the St. Johns Water Dog, of Newfoundland, and two more wavy-coated flat retrievers. The bloodline was the exact one Majoribanks was looking for to make the ultimate hunting dog. This version was a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers, one that would still be gentle and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, neither are any other working dog breeds. The ancestry of the Golden Retriever are all the sporting dogs, in line with Majoribanks' goals.

The Golden Retriever was first accepted for registration by The Kennel Club in England in 1903, as Flat Coats-Golden. They were first exhibited in 1908, and in 1911 they were recognized as a breed described as Retriever(Golden and Yellow). In 1913, The Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed was then officially then changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.

The first Golden Retriever brought to Canada was in 1881 by the Honourable Archie Majoribanks. The dog was a female named 'Lady' and she was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1984. These are the first records in these two countries. The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario, now called Golden Retriever Club of Canada was formed in 1958. The Golden Retriever Club of America was formed in 1938.

The first thing I'd like to say is, thank-you so far for listening and I hope you stay to learn some more. Second thing is, there are many appearances of Golden Retrievers.

British: There are still some variations left of the British type. Most likely to be found throughout Europe and Australia. The muzzle(nose) of the British type is wider and shorter, and its forehead is blockier. It has shorter legs, with a slightly deeper chest, and shorter tail. Its features generally make it heavier than the American type.

Males should be roughly between 56-61 cm(22-24 inches) at the withers and females slightly shorter at between 51-56 cm(20-22 inches). Their weight however is not specified in the UK standard. The eyes are known for their roundness and darkness as contrasted with the triangular or slanted.

A Golden Retriever of British breeding can have a coat of shades such as: gold or cream, however red or mahagony are not permissable colors. Originally, cream was not accepted in the UK standard; however, by 1936 the standard was revised to include cream.

An American Golden Retriever is lankier and less stocky than a British type. A male should stand 56-61 cm(22-24 inches) in height at the shoulders, and females should be 51-56 cm(20-22 inches). The coat is dense and water repellent, and comes in various shades of lustrous gold, with moderate feathering. The gait should be free, smooth, powerful and well-coordinated.

The Canadian appearance isn't much different from the American type. The same length with the height and weight but, have a thinner coat than their conformation line counter parts, and they are usually darker in color.

Note: With the American and Canadian types I wanted the borders to match the flags' colors but since you guys wouldn't be able to see white text or border, I went with pink.

As said by their name, their coat comes in light and dark golden colors. The coat and undercoat are water proof and dense, and may be straight or moderately wavy. Although, it usually lies flat against the belly.

I was just reading something and it stated that Goldens coats are supposed to be 'golden, lustrous and rich'. Therefore, that leaves the pure reds and the pure whites out. Cream is an acceptable color though. That I don't understand. It also says that Goldens with pink noses or lack of pigmentation are unacceptable as well. Talk about a tough life eh?

As the Goldens get older, just like you and I(except we don't have fur), their fur will either get darker or lighter. You will especially notice white hair around the muzzle.

Puppy coats are usually much more lighter than their adult coats. Little hint: as a pup, if the tips of their ears are a dark color, this may indicate the color being darker when they're an adult. Another secret: their fur should never be too long because it will irritate them when retrieving game. It could be the general game such as birds, or, it could be a frisbee or a ball.

When under adult age, generally they need less grooming. If you want an adult Retriever to tolerate grooming, I suggest groom him/her when they are a pup anyway. It will be much easier when they're older! Believe me!

Grooming tools include: guillotine nail clippers or nail filers (particularly motored), slicker and pin brushes, and a grooming comb.

Golden Retrievers will do good with a bath every week or two. A positive thing is, if you groom them quickly everyday, they will shed less than the actual amount they are supposed to. When they shed, they shed moderately to heavily. They shed year round but particularly in spring and early summer.

The Goldens are well known for their kind,friendly and confident personality. They aren't known as 'one man dogs' which means they probably won't serve as good guard dogs. They are generally friendly with strangers and the people they know. If you do however, come across a Golden Retriever with aggression problems, it is a major fault in the dog's bloodline. A Golden Retriever should also be willing to do almost anything. Meaning, they shouldn't be timid or nervous. The typical Golden Retriever is calm, naturally intelligent and eager to please.

Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent. They rank fourth in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs. Goldens are following the Border Collie, Poodle, and the German Shepherd dogs. They are also known for their trainability and obedience. Not to mention their patience for children.

When they reach maturity, Goldens will have become active and fun-loving animals with the exceptionally patient demeanour befitting a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Adult Retrievers love to work and have a keen ability to focus on their task. They will work endlessly so you should take their working schedule into consideration.

In a Golden Retriever's hunting heritage, they are known for scrambling in and out of boats due to their love of water. Because they are easy to train, they will most likely excel in an obedience trial. Matter of fact, the first American Kennel Club Obedience Trial Champion was a Golden Retriever. They are very competitive in agility and other performance events.

Note: Harsh training methods are unnecessary! Your Golden Retriever is eager to please you! Just make the training method a little fun and up beat and you will have yourself a well behaved Golden Retriever.

Female Golden Retrievers also make good surrogate mothers. They will take in kittens, and even tiger cubs from the zoo. They can even produce milk without having been pregnant or nursing recently.

Those of us who have dogs would like for them to stay with us forever(well, I'd like to think so). Sadly, just like us, they have a certain life span. A Golden Retriever's life span is 11 to 11 1/2 years.

Golden Retrievers are known to have genetic disorders and other diseases. A disease called Hip Dysplasia is commonly found in the breed. If you are thinking about buying a pup, ask for the pedigree and get it examined by the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals(OFA) or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program(PennHIP).

Sadly, cancer is a big issue in dogs these days. Cancer is something you should watch for in your Retriever as well. The types would be: hemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumour, and osteosarcoma. Another sad fact is, 61.4% of American Goldens were killed because of cancer.

Another type would be Hip and Elbow Dysplasiacataracts. Others would have to be: Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Glaucoma, Distichiasis, Entropion, Corneal Dystrophy, and Retinal Dysplasia.

Two heart diseases called: Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis and Cardiomyopathy.

There are joint diseases too! Which are called: Patella Luxation, Osteochondritis, Panosteitis, and Cruciate Ligament Rupture.

Skin diseases or what some would call 'hot spots' are caused by allergies. Particularly, flea allergies being the most common. There are others called: Seborrhoea, Sebaceous Adenitis, and lick Granuloma. Goldens need to be brushed frequently.

Another would be: Haemophilia.

There is another disease called Lyme Disease but, usually you can't see it until the later stages when there's a kidney failure.

President Gerald R. Ford owned a Retriever and her name was Liberty. Nice name for a President's dog hmm?

Golden Retrievers have starred in many movies and TV shows as well! Here's a list of some of the programs: Air Bud and Air Bud: Golden Receiver, Full House, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco, Fluke, Napoleon, Up, and "The Drew Carey Show".

I have seen a few of these movies myself! I must say, the Goldens in those movies did well! Paws-up for the Goldens!