Intelligent, and keen to learn, they were originally bred to retrieve game, but they have readily adapted to new roles as guide dogs for the blind, drug detection work, and competing at the highest level in obedience. However, before you rush out and buy one of these charming and friendly dogs, you need to be sure that the Golden Retriever is the right choice of dog for you, and your family.
Owners of Golden's owe a debt to Lord Tweedmouth of England who first introduced them as a definite breed during the 19th century. Bred with a natural working ability, they were easily classified as members of the Sporting Group. This is a high energy dog, and is going to need plenty of brisk exercise, especially in the early years.
The Golden likes to keep busy. Retrieving a ball on your walks will help him to burn up most of his abundant energy. Keeping them occupied when they are young is important. Trust me, they will find ways to entertain themselves, such as demolishing every shoe you possess.
The Golden Retriever is a large, muscular dog, standing 22 to 24 inches tall, and weighing in at 55 to 80 pounds. They have kind eyes, and a broad head, which may offer a clue as to why they are so intelligent. Coats are quite dense, and colors range from a deep, honey colored gold to a light golden.
They are average shedders so frequent grooming is advisable if you don't want dog hair all over your furniture. To prevent mats from developing brush him through with a good bristle brush, paying particular attention to the area behind his ears.
Golden's will be okay in an apartment providing you exercise them frequently. They need a good daily romp in the park as well as walking on the lead. If your a keen gardener, fence off an area for your dog, as most Golden Retrievers also love gardening. While they are at the puppy stage, they love to dig, and also enjoy chewing up the shrubbery.
Goldens Retrievers are large dogs, and they like to eat. So this is an expense that you need to consider. Healthwise, they are prone to hip dysplasia, and can suffer from eye problems. Skin allergies are quite common, and you should consult your veterinarian straight away if you detect a problem.
This breed make excellent family dogs. They are friendly towards everyone, and kind and gentle with children. Golden puppies are naturally boisterous, and you could find that toddlers may accidentally get bowled over when your pup is playing.
Because they are eager to please their owners this breed is relatively easy to train. You can find a dog training method that works well with a Golden. And you could also arrange to attend obedience classes with him. This will help to socialize him, getting him used to other dogs and people. Training your Golden Retriever when he is a small puppy, is a much better idea, than waiting till he is a 70lb adult and a real handful to control. So is the Golden the right dog for you? There's no doubt that they make loyal and loving family pets, their huge popularity is testament to that. But, popularity can also bring with it its own problems.
A healthy, even tempered Golden Retriever is a real pleasure to own. So, if you've made your mind up to get one of these beautiful dogs, make sure that you choose a reputable breeder to buy your puppy from.
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