Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have consistently remained one of the most popular choices of pets here in the UK and the world over for many years and for good reason. These dogs boast wonderfully calm natures which paired to their intelligence and trainability make them the perfect choice as family pets. Originally bred to retrieve "game" many Golden Retrievers are still seen in the "field" because they are so highly valued for their working skills.

However it's in the home and workplace that Golden Retrievers really shine they are marvelous with children and other pets. They are renowned for being one of the best breeds used a guide dogs. They excel at other jobs they are asked to do which includes detecting bombs tracking and competing in obedience classes. They are one of the top choices of dogs used in search and rescue situations. They boast loyal and affectionate natures whether they are working dogs or family pets thanks to their loyal and trustworthy personalities.

For a long time the breed's origin was a little confusing but today most enthusiasts believe these lovely "golden" dogs came about all thanks to Lord Tweedmouth who set about producing a gundog capable of retrieving game from water and marshlands. Yellow Retrievers already existed as working dogs in the field but it was the Lord's endeavours that produced the Golden Retrievers we see today.

There is some thought that the ancestors of Golden Retrievers were first seen when they performed in a Russian Circus and that it was Lord Tweedmouth who first saw them when the circus was in town in Brighton during the mid-1800's. The dogs the Lord watched perform had wavy thick coats and they stood at around 30-inches at the withers. Their coats ranged from a cream to light biscuit in colour and the Lord liked the look of them so much he purchased the dogs which he then took to his estate in Scotland where he used his dogs to track down deer and other game.

Later in the early 1950's the Lord's great nephew the 6th Earl of Ilchester claimed that these dogs did not originate from a Russian circus and provided a stud book that had been kept since 1835 proving these dogs had been used on the estate since that date and that the first "yellow" dog had been purchased in Brighton in 1864 from a cobbler. The puppy was one of a litter produced by black wavy-coated Retrievers and was called "Nous".

The first time Golden Retrievers were ever shown at the Crystal Palace was in 1908 by Viscount Harcourt and then a year or so later at Crufts. He started the "Culham" line using dogs bred by the Earl of Portsmouth. The dogs that were exhibited were referred to as "Flat Coat (Golden)" a name they retained right up till 1913 only being called Golden Retrievers in 1920 but they were officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club in 1903.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Golden Retriever a vulnerable breed? No they have consistently been one of the most popular breeds in the UK and elsewhere in the world
• There is a story that Golden Retrievers were originally used as performing dogs in the Russian circus although there is no actual proof of this
• Golden Retrievers adore swimming and like nothing more than to take the plunge whenever they can
• They are one of the best therapy dogs in the world
• Golden Retrievers have a tremendous sense of smell and are known to be brilliant tracking dogs
• They are one of the smartest dogs on the planet
• Their double coats are extremely water-repellent

Height at the withers: Males 56 - 61 cm Females 51 - 56 cm

Average Weight: Males 29 - 34 kg Females 25 - 29 kg

Golden Retrievers are well-balanced powerful looking dogs that boast an intelligent and ultra-kind expression. Their heads are well proportioned in relation to their bodies. They have strong muzzles which are deep and wide with a black nose. Their eyes are deep set and dark brown in colour with black rims and they are set well apart. Their ears are medium in size which dogs hold level to their eyes giving them the kind and intelligent expression the breed is so well known for.

A Golden Retriever's mouth is strong boasting a perfect bite yet Golden Retrievers are very soft mouthed. They have strong muscular necks and nicely formed forequarters with shoulders well laid back. A Golden Retriever's body is well-balanced and nicely proportioned boasting a deep well sprung ribcage and nicely level sleek topline. Hindquarters are strong and muscular with powerful back legs and feet that are very cat-like in appearance.

When it comes to their coat Golden Retrievers have either a wavy or flat extremely water-resistant double coat with a good amount of feathering. The accepted Kennel Club breed colours are as follows:

• Cream
• Gold
• Golden

Gait/movement

When a Golden Retriever moves they do so with tremendous drive and power always being true and straight both in their forequarters and their hindquarters. Every stride is free-moving with dogs covering a lot of ground.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from the breed standard and would judge a fault on how much it affects a dog’s overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.

Male Golden Retriever should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and it's worth noting that a Golden Retriever could be a little taller or shorter and slightly heavier or lighter than stated in the Kennel Club breed standard which is given as a guide only.

To describe a Golden Retriever in a nutshell these dogs are confident by nature as well as being extremely kind and affectionate which is why they have become one of the top choices of family pets the world over having been at the top of the list when it comes to popularity both in a home and working environment. They are not known to be the best watch dogs simply because they are too kind and rarely would a Golden Retriever show any sort of aggression towards people or other animals.

Known to be highly intelligent Golden Retrievers are easy to train and they love working and being given "jobs" to do whether in a home environment as working dogs or out in the field. However they are more relaxed than Border Collies and are quite happy to chill out too. Their kind natures and even temperaments shine through no matter where they are or what they are trained/asked to do.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Golden Retrievers are a great choice for first time owners because they are so biddable and easy going by nature which makes them easy to train. However they hate being left on their own for long periods which means owners need to have enough time to dedicate to their canine companions for them to be truly happy in a home environment.

What about prey drive?

Golden Retrievers are confident laid-back dogs by nature and although they are extremely good working dogs in the field they do not have a high prey drive preferring to get on with other animals and pets they meet.

What about playfulness?

Golden Retrievers remain very puppy-like well into their senior years and thoroughly enjoy playing interactive games. Being so intelligent they learn new tricks extremely quickly which is why they are so good at many canine sports including agility which is an activity they are known to excel at and which they thoroughly enjoy.

What about separation anxiety?

Golden Retrievers are known to suffer from depression if they are left on their own for too long which is why they are better suited to households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they never spend a lot of time on their own.

What about adaptability?

The Golden Retriever is a highly adaptable dog and therefore they fit in to most people's lifestyles. With this said they need enough space to express themselves as they should which means they are better suited to living in houses rather than apartments. There is nothing a Golden Retriever enjoys more than being able to romp around in a secure back garden whenever they can so they can really let off steam.

What about excessive barking?

Golden Retrievers are not "barkers" however any dog that's left to their own devices for long periods of time would show their distress by barking. Because Goldens are known to suffer from separation anxiety when they are left unattended for more than a few hours not only would they suffer from depression but they may start barking incessantly to get someone's attention. It would be their way of showing how unhappy they are about the situation.

Do Golden Retrievers like water?

Golden Retrievers have a real affinity with water and will jump in whenever they can and they are strong swimmers. Their double coats offer them a tremendous amount of protection because they are so water repellent. Anyone who shares a home with one of these lovely dogs should always take great care when walking their pets off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case they decide to leap in.

Are Golden Retrievers good watchdogs?

A Golden Retriever would always tell their owners when strangers are about but thanks to their kind and friendly natures they are not the best watchdogs. Anyone looking for a more impressive watchdog would do better to choose another breed.

Golden Retrievers are extremely intelligent dogs which is paired to the fact they are always keen and eager to please. This makes them ultra-easy to train which is one of the reasons why Goldens excel at so many things including fieldwork. When correctly handled and trained these dogs excel at so many different disciplines and they are frequently used as assistant dogs for the disabled. However Golden Retrievers are sensitive by nature and therefore do not respond well to any sort of harsher training methods or correction. They do respond to positive reinforcement and will be more accommodating and sensitive to this type of guidance and direction.

Golden Retrievers are one of the top breeds to take part in Field Trials. Working Tests Obedience Working Trials Agility Heelwork to Music and Breed Shows all of which they excel at. They are also used as Dogs for the Disabled Hearing Dogs Guide Dogs and Therapy PAT dogs thanks to their intelligence and kind placid natures.

It's all too easy to spoil a Golden Retriever puppy because they are so adorably cute. But their education must start as soon as they arrive in their new home with the first commands they are taught being as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Like all other breeds when Golden Retrievers are socialised from a young age when they are puppies they embrace and adapt to all sorts of different lifestyles. The instinct to "nurture" is very strong in the breed which is a trait that has made them such popular family pets. They are extremely tolerant when around children of all ages. However dogs and children should always be supervised when they are together not because a dog might misbehave but rather because a toddler or younger child might get a little too boisterous around with their canine pet.

Golden Retrievers are also known to be very good around other pets and dogs rarely showing any aggressive behaviour towards them. However it's always a good idea to keep an eye on introductions to new dogs and pets to make sure everything stays calm and friendly although rarely would a Golden Retriever ever instigate a fight preferring to back away and keep their distance.

The average life expectancy of a Golden Retriever is anything between 10 - 12 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

In general Golden Retrievers are healthy and robust dogs but like so many other pure breeds they are known to develop and inherit a few genetic health issues which are worth knowing about if you are thinking about sharing your home with one of these lovely dogs. The health disorders the breed is prone to suffering from include the following:

• Hip dysplasia - tests available and all stud dogs should be hip scored
• Elbow dysplasia - tests available and all stud dogs should be tested clear before being used for breeding purposes
• Eye issues - including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Hereditary cataracts (HC) Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD) Post Polar Cataract (PPC) - annual tests available and all stud dogs should be tested clear before being used for breeding purposes
• Ectopic Ureter

More about Ectopic Ureter

Ectopic ureter is a condition that is also referred to a "wet puppy syndrome" and it is a hereditary disorder that affects Golden Retrievers although the exact way a puppy inherits the problem remains unknown. Tests have been carried out on Entlebucher Mountain Dogs which has established there are 3 ureteric subtypes namely A B and C. These are described below:

• A = Normal
• B = Intermediate
• C = Ectopic

Screening Entlebucher Mountain Dogs before they are used for breeding purposes has seen fewer cases of wet puppy syndrome in the breed over the last 4 years or so. As such Golden Retriever breed clubs in the UK are endeavouring to establish the same ultrasound screening test for the breed with the end goal being to establish if all 3 subtypes are present and to establish if dogs tested as being clinically normal exist in the breed with ectopic type C ureters and which could help identify how the disorder to transmitted. As such the Health Sub Committed of the Breed Council together with the Animal Health Trust have decided to start a project to develop a gene test for wet puppy syndrome in Golden Retrievers.

What about vaccinations?

All Golden Retriever puppies would have had their first vaccinations but it's essential for them to have their follow-up jabs at the right time with the vaccination schedule being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a Golden Retrievers should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A male Golden Retrievers can safely be neutered when they are 6 months old and females can be spayed when they are 6 months old too.

What about obesity problems?

Some Golden Retrievers gain weight after they have been neutered or spayed and it's important to keep a close eye on their calorie intake and the amount of daily exercise they get to prevent obesity. An obese Golden Retriever would be put at risk of developing certain health issues which could end up shortening their lives by several years.

What about allergies?

Some Golden Retrievers are prone to developing allergies which can be triggered by several things and which often prove challenging to clear up. With Goldens and because they have such dense undercoats if they are not thoroughly dried off after being wet the moisture gets trapped and provides the perfect environment for an infection to flare up. However there are various things that can also trigger an allergy which includes the following:

• Environment
• A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
• Seasonal allergies which includes pollen and grasses
• Food which includes certain meats and cereals often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
• Tick and flea bites
• Dust mites
• Mould

Participating in health schemes

Unfortunately Golden Retrievers are predisposed to quite a few hereditary health issues but through careful testing and screening the Kennel Club together with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) the health of the breed has improved over the years. There are 3 health schemes available which all breeders are advised to use when breeding Golden Retrievers which reduces the risks of puppies being born with hereditary condition although it does not eliminate the risk altogether. The schemes available for the breed are as follows:

• BVA/KC eye scheme which covers Hereditary Cataract (HC) Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD)
• It is worth noting that the number of Golden Retrievers with PRA has dropped significantly since the screening programme came into effect.
• It is also worth making a note of the fact there is a DNA test which is a simple cheek swab available for both GPRA-1 and GPRA-2 with kits being provided through the Animal Health Trust website.
• BVA/KC hip scheme - all breeders are advised to have their stud dogs hip scored and the lower a dog's score is the better with the results of tests being included in the Kennel Club registration papers of all puppies
• BVA/Elbow Scheme - all breeders are strongly advised to have stud dogs tested through the scheme which involves 3 X-rays being taken of each elbow. It is worth noting that some breeders believe the risks outweigh any benefits provided by testing a dog's elbows and that hip scoring and elbow testing tend to be done at the same time
• European Eye Scheme – some breeders use this test instead of the BVA/KC test on stud dogs. It includes Hereditary Cataracts Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia and all dogs need to be tested on an annual basis. However the Kennel Club does not recognise the scheme and therefore test results would not be included in a puppy's registration papers

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Currently there are no breed specific breeding restrictions in place for the Golden Retriever.

What about Assured Breeder requirements?

It is mandatory for all Kennel Club Assured Breeders to have stud dogs tested using the following schemes and all other breeders are advised to do the same to ensure good breeding practices:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Eye testing

The Kennel Club also strongly advises all breeders to use the following schemes on any dogs they plan to use for breeding purposes:

• BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
• Females under 18 months must not produce a litter
• Females must not produce more than one litter every 12 months

Other tests that are available for Golden Retrievers which all breeders should use are as follows:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GR_PRA1)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GR_PRA2)
• DNA test - ICT-A