Thinking of getting a Golden Retriever Puppy? Get all the information you need in our dog breed guide to see if a Golden Retriever is the right dog for you.
Fast Facts:
How long will my Golden Retriever live? 10-14 years
What will my dogs energy levels be like? High
How big will my Golden Retriever grow? Height: 56 – 61 cm, Weight: 30-35kg
Will a Golden Retriever be suitable for my family? Golden Retrievers are suitable for most families
What size housing is recommended for my Golden Retriever? Large backyard required
The Golden Retriever has a friendly and intelligent expression with perfect symmetry and superb, flowing movement covering the ground with long, powerful strides. The Golden is a gentle dog with intelligence and a level disposition and because of this is an ideal dog to have as part of the family. They adore children and love to be involved in all family matters, whether indoors or outdoors. They are foremost a retriever and are therefore very orally fixated. Goldens will attempt to drag, pull or carry anything they can fit into their mouths. They also love water and care should be taken to ensure their safety when any form of water is nearby. Goldens are however worriers and great care should be taken during training, ensuring sensitivity is maintained at all times.
Golden Retriever Temperament
The Golden Retriever is a gentle dog with high intelligence and a loving nature, making them an ideal family dog. They adore children and love to be involved in all family matters, both indoors and outdoors.
Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so they often excel in training and obedience, and good behaviour should be rewarded with positive reinforcement and small treats. They are a friendly breed, known to happily greet and play with any dog or person they meet. As they are an intelligent breed, it is important to provide them with lots of toys and activities if you are not at home, otherwise they will resort to finding their own means of entertainment which will usually result in digging and chewing.
Golden Retriever Health Issues
Hip Dysplasia: A common disease where a malformation in the hip joint results in the joint rubbing and grinding. This can lead to irritation, pain and impaired walking ability.
Arthritis: A painful inflammatory condition that is generally characterised by deterioration of the cartilage between the joints.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A group of retinal degeneration diseases that worsens over time and can lead to impaired vision or even blindness.
Golden Retriever Grooming:
Golden Retrievers have a very dense coat, Goldens must be regularly groomed and trimmed. The undercoat, because of its water repellant nature, is extremely thick and must therefore not be allowed to matt. The feathers on his front legs should be trimmed regularly as should the hair between his pads. The hair on the back legs up the hocks needs to be cut close and, again, the feathering under the tail should be trimmed. The tail should be trimmed in a crescent shape. The chest area should be kept relatively short in order to show off the length of neck. The top coat on the body only needs brushing and can be either flat or wavy. Whilst the length of the coat attracts water and mud, this is easily cleaned off once the coat has dried.
Exercise Requirements:
Golden Retrievers require adequate exercise. At least one long walk daily.
At Kellyville Pets, we encourage responsible pet ownership.
CARE GUIDE © Copyright 2016 Kellyville Pets - All information found in this care guide is based upon our own experience. The information provided is not the only information available. In any medical situations, you should always consult your vet, including questions regarding your pet's diet.