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Golden Retrievers are calm, well mannered, and extremely affectionate. They are easy to train as well, very intelligent, and great for those who need a companion. Golden's are also loyal to their owners, lovable, and great with children of all ages.

They also make great watchdogs as well, as they will bark loud and let you know when a stranger is near.

The Golden Retriever was first developed in the British Isles, probably from crosses between a yellow Flat-Coat Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland. In fact the breed was first shown as a golden Flat-Coat. The Golden is one of the world's foremost family companion dogs. Many of the top obedience competition dogs in the country are Golden Retrievers.

The Golden is also a fine bird dog on both land and in the water. He has an excellent nose and has been used not only for hunting and tracking, but also for narcotics detection. Because of his great desire to please and capacity for love and learning, the Golden Retriever is also used as a guide for the blind, therapy dog, and service dog for the disabled.

AVERAGE LIFESPAN

This extremely lovable dog usually lives up to 11 years of age, but with lots of love and attention and fed the right food Golden Retrievers can often live up to 13 years.


BREED CHARACTERISTICS

The Golden Retriever is an intelligent, affectionate dog, both active and powerful, with a kindly expression. The instinct to retrieve is still an important characteristic of the breed, however, the Golden Retriever's willing, adaptable nature and physical attributes make it an exceptionally versatile breed. It has been used in a wide range of activities such as gundog, guide dog for the blind, therapy pet, obedience and show dog.

They are very sociable dogs and need companionship; they are not happy left alone in the back yard for too long and may become destructive. Never allow your dog to roam free unsupervised. Basic training is an important part of responsible dog ownership. Your Golden Retriever will learn to be a better companion, establishing a stronger bond with you and generally acquiring the good manners and obedient responses that will make it a social asset rather than a nuisance. Both male and female Golden Retrievers are easy to house-train.

Weight Height Range

Dogs' height at withers is normally between 56 - 61cms and bitches' between 51 - 56cms. The weight for dogs is normally between 30 - 34kgs and bitches 27 - 32kgs.

Ailments

If you choose your puppy from parents which have both been hip-scored and eye-screened with favourable results, the likelihood of your Golden being susceptible to the hips and eye problems is then greatly reduced. As puppies, without careful exercise management, they can be prone to OCD. In general, Goldens are a healthy breed.

Intelligence

Goldens are extremely intelligent dogs with an intense desire to please. Therefore they make superb candidates for fieldwork, showing, obedience, companionship and assistance for the disabled. Never treat them harshly or harm can be done to their accommodating and sensitive natures.

Show Characteristics

All pigmentation should be preferably black. Coats should not be excessively long, open, limp or soft. Red or mahogany is not allowed. White markings and black hairs are not acceptable. The head is broad and arched with a well-defined stop. Jaws should be strong with a perfect, regular scissor bite. The eyes are medium large, set well apart with dark pigmentation. The ears should neither be small nor large and set on at the approximate level of the eyes. The neck is long, clean and muscular, and merges into well-laid-back shoulders. The body should be well-balanced and short-coupled with deep well-sprung ribs and a level topline.

The forelegs should be straight with good bone and the hindquarters strong and muscular with good second thighs. Hocks must be well let down and straight when viewed from behind. The feet are round and cat-like and the tail set on and carried at back level, reaching to the hocks without curling up at the end.


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