Golden Retrievers are the 2^nd most popular dog breeds in the United States. The dogs were first bred in Scotland in the 1860-1870s by Lord Tweedmouth. Tweedmouth wanted to breed a dog that would be a companion for hunters but as well as loyal and friendly at home. Different dogs were bred including retrievers and spaniels. Tweedmouth gave the dogs he bred to his friends and family. Each time he experimented, he chose the dogs who were most loyal and calm to further breed. By 1904, a Golden Retriever of Lord Tweedmouth won the gundog league trial. In 1911, Golden Retrievers were officially named and in 1920 the breed was recognized by the kennel club in England. In 1932, the breed was officially accepted by the America kennel club. Golden Retrievers continue to be one of the most chosen dogs as pets throughout the world.

Personality

Loyal, caring, sweet, calm, and intelligent are all words one would use to describe a Golden Retriever. In addition to that, they are eager to please and friendly towards all. Goldens are able to get along with other pets and strangers. They are rarely ever aggressive or disobedient. Like other dogs, they require early training and socialization. Socializing them early on will help them in becoming the true Golden Retrievers that we all know and love. Because of their calm and intelligence, Golden Retrievers are popular dogs chosen to be guides for those who are blind or disabled; many of them are also involved in therapy work. Goldens are the happiest when playing a game of fetch or swimming.

Care

Goldens are heavy shedders. They continuously shed but about twice a year they go through a period of heavy shedding. To minimize the appearance of hair in your home, you can brush their coats 2-3 times per week. During heaving shedding times, you will need to brush daily. Giving them a bath periodically will also help in minimizing shedding in your home. Golden Retrievers need to be walked daily, twice a day is best. If they are not walking twice a day, you will need to ensure they are getting about an hour of robust activity per day. If not exercising enough, Goldens can misbehave! The good news is that it is easy to exercise a Golden. They enjoy being outdoors, jogging, hiking, running, etc.

In general, Golden Retrievers are easy to train; they are obedient and intelligent. Goldens are prone to obesity. A balanced diet and exercise will eliminate weight issues.

Potential Health Problems

A Golden Retriever is generally a healthy dog. During the age of 4-7 months, they rapidly double in size. As this is happening make sure that they are not running around or playing on hard pavements. This can lead to bone disorders. Other health ailments to look out for are elbow and hip dysplasia, eye conditions such as juvenile cataracts, and heart disease. Their ears should be check for infection weekly and their teeth should be brushed frequently.  

Weight and Height

Weight: 55- 75 pounds (25- 34 kg)

Height: 21- 24 inches (53- 61 cm)

Lifespan

The life expectancy of a Golden Retriever is 10- 13 years.

Interesting Facts

• The first three dogs to receive the American Kennel Club (AKC) obedience award were all Golden Retrievers.
• They are one of the most popular dog breeds to be featured in movies.
• They have webbed toes, and love to swim!
• Golden Retrievers are the 4^th most intelligent dog breed (Border Collie, Poodle, and German Shepherd is the top 3)
• They come in different shades- white, cream, and red

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