Golden Retrievers are an exuberant Scottish gun-dog of great beauty. They are the quintessential family pet, but are also known for their hunting and fieldwork, as guides for the blind, and also search and rescue dogs. Golden Retrievers are known to be among the lowest barkers and plus they do not have bad breath. Every golden retriever has its unique traits and characteristics. They are very versatile and are among the favorite dogs to be welcomed into homes. Golden Retrievers or golden as they are fondly called were developed in the 1860s with an immense love for the water and the desire to retrieve.
Following are the characteristics of golden retriever which makes them such a loveable breed of dogs and a great family dog.
Golden Retrievers are known for their good behavior, trustworthy and outgoing nature. They are always willing to work with the people they are bonded with. In short, they are always ready to please their families. Golden Retriever is a big dog measuring up to 23 to 24 inches in height for males and 21.5 to 22.5 inches in height for a female. Their average weight ranges from 29 to 34 kilograms in male and 25 to 29 kilograms in a female. They have a dense water-repellent coat with a rich shade of golden coloring. A puppy’s coat is always lighter than what it will be when it is an adult. It is advised to look at the ear of a puppy to determine what shade it will be when it grows up.
Golden Retriever loves to chew because of their soft mouth. Like Labradors they too can carry two or three eggs in their mouth without cracking its shell. They have webbed feet which makes them such good swimmers. Golden Retrievers have some health problems like hip dysplasia which can be quite painful and will require medical help. It is advisable to consult a vet if your dog shows any signs of discomfort.
Golden Retrievers are versatile but it is a big dog that will require a lot of activity. They adapt anywhere, even in an apartment as long as they are regularly and properly exercised. They have a life span of 10 to 12 years. There is also a problem of cancer in the breed. Lymphosarcoma is common in Golden Retrievers, so make sure to get a good line.
Golden Retrievers need to be groomed regularly. you need to brush them often to take out the knots, which can lead to matting. Golden Retrievers are very easy to train. They love kids. It is their eager nature to please which makes them such a favorite among families. But remember they can be mouthy and a biter. So training them early is a must to inhibit them from biting. They are not a guard dog- they would probably tell the intruders to take everything as long as they play with them.
Jokes aside, there is probably no other better pet than Golden Retriever for your family and kids. It is their versatility and their good behavior which makes these dogs so popular in the family circle.
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