A Brief History of the Golden Retriever:
The Golden Retriever was developed in the late 1800's in the Highlands of Scotland largely by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (later known as Lord Tweedmouth) who had purchased a yellow, wavy-coated male Flat-Coated Retriever born amidst a litter of black pups. This dog was bred to a Tweed Water Spaniel (a breed now extinct) in 1868 and 1871 which resulted in several yellow puppies that became the foundation for the distinctive line. In time, through outcrosses with the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Irish Setter and another Tweed Water Spaniel, the breed evolved into a true gentlemen's hunting companion with excellent scenting abilities, used to retrieve wildfowl on land and in water. By 1911, the Kennel Club (U.K.) recognized the breed as the Yellow or Golden Retriever and, in 1920, the original "Yellow" was dropped and the breed became officially known as the Golden Retriever. The Canadian Kennel Club granted recognition in 1927.
Over the years, the Golden Retriever has become one of the most popular breeds largely due to his temperament and versatile nature. Based on Canadian Kennel Club and American Kennel Club registrations, the Golden Retriever is the second most popular breed in Canada and the U.S., behind the Labrador Retriever.
For a more detailed look at the history of the Golden Retriever, see:
Breed Profile:
The Golden Retriever is eager, alert and self-confident with a kind expression and an outstanding character. He is extremely friendly, reliable, trustworthy and devoted. Any signs of aggressiveness toward other dogs or people, nervousness or hostility are uncharacteristic of the breed. The Golden is NOT a guard dog but a "people dog". He thrives on human companionship and must be allowed to interact with people. This is a dog who is completely devoted to his family, always happy and forever trusting and forgiving.
As with many of the Retriever breeds, the Golden matures slowly, both physically and mentally. At one year of age, he will have reached his full height but will continue to gain weight for the next year or two. Mentally, the Golden will remain a puppy up to the age of two to three and many maintain their playful personality well into their senior years.
As a Sporting breed, the Golden is a wonderful hunting companion, tracking dog, and field trial competitor. His gentle nature and reliable temperament also make him an excellent candidate to work as a guide dog for the blind, assistance dog for the disabled, therapy dog, as well as working in search and rescue, avalanche rescue, drug detection, and others. He is also successful in the show ring, as an obedience competitor, in agility and, of course, he is a remarkable family companion.
Physically, the Golden is an active dog of medium build. He is symmetrical, not clumsy or long in the leg and has a very distinctive friendly and kind expression.
The Golden's coat, one of the distinct characteristics of the breed, is dense, water repellent and lies flat against the body either straight or wavy. He should have moderate feathering on the back of the forelegs with heavier feathering on the front of the neck, back of the thighs and underside of the tail. His colour is a lustrous golden of various shades.
A Word of Caution: In part due to the popularity of the breed, the Golden Retriever is, unfortunately, at risk of irresponsible breeders attempting to cash in. If you are considering the purchase of a Golden Retriever puppy, be especially selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see Things You Need To Know Before You Adopt a Golden Retriever Puppy as well as the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
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Health Issues:
Golden Retrievers, as with other breeds, are susceptible to some health problems, some of a genetic nature, others viral. The Health Related Issues document includes information on some of the known health concerns found in the breed.
If you are considering the adoption of a Golden Retriever puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. This should include, among others, hip x-rays to exclude hip dysplasia and eyes should be checked to see that they are normal and PRA clear. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
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Breed Standards:
- Breed Standards Comparison Chart — A chart which includes the CKC, AKC, UKC, KC and FCI Breed Standards for ease of comparison.
- CKC Breed Standard
- Standard Officiel du Club Canin Canadien
- The Golden Retriever: An Illustrated Commentary On the Breed Standard — From the Golden Retriever Club of Canada
- AKC Breed Standard
- UKC Breed Standard
- The Kennel Club (U.K.) Breed Standard
- FCI Breed Standard No. 111 / 29. 01. 1999/ GB
- The GRCA — Judge's Education
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Study of the Golden Retriever by Marcia Schlehr
Known as the "Blue Book" by those in the breed. Essentially, an illustrated Standard of the Golden Retriever. Emphasis is on the importance of maintaining the qualities that have made the Golden such a versatile, useful, practical dog. Author Marcia Schlehr is a breeder, judge, artist, and writer.
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AKC Golden Retriever Video Published by the AKC
Discussion of the breed standard: good structure and movement, acceptable colors, correct head, size. Developed for breeders, exhibitors and judges.
Video edition, Duration: 20 mins.
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Grooming the Golden Retriever:
Golden Retrievers shed a little throughout the year with heavier shedding twice a year (Spring and Fall). Brushing should be done at least weekly and more so during the heavy shedding periods. In addition, the hair around the feet pads, the ears and tail should be trimmed monthly.
- Grooming a Golden Retriever
- Grooming your Golden
- Grooming — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes Grooming information, tips and techniques, as well as listings of Groomers from across Canada.
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Grooming your Golden Video by Patricia McCoy-Coleman
Instruction and demonstration on all the skills you'll need to groom your Golden Retriever. Instructor is professional handler Patricia McCoy-Coleman.
Edition: 1996 Video
Duration: 35 mins. |
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Training Resources:
The Golden Retriever is intelligent and always eager to please making him easy to train; however, he does require consistent discipline, should be handled carefully with a firm but gentle hand, and always using positive reinforcement methods.
- Training — For information on training your Golden Retriever, see this growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
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Additional Information:
- The Wonderful Golden — As versatile as he is beautiful, the Golden Retriever is a dog of many talents. Not only is he a wonderful companion but he is depended on in so many ways... Read More
- Things You Need To Know Before You Adopt a Golden Retriever Puppy
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — Information on the many sports and activities that you can get involved in with your Golden, including Obedience, Agility, Field Trials, and many more. This section of Canada's Guide to Dogs also includes non-breed specific club listings from across Canada. (Note: For Golden Retriever specific clubs, see the Breed Clubs section.)
- Working Dogs — Canada's Guide to Dogs' section dedicated to the wonderful jobs that dogs are involved in, including Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, SAR Dogs, and many more.
- Is That A Labradoodle? — A must read article regarding "Doodles" and "Poos". These are not "exotic new breeds". Also see the Mixed-Breed Information section for additional articles on the crossing of breeds. This is being included in the Golden Retriever breed section because of what is known as the Goldendoodle — the cross of a Poodle and Golden Retriever. Again, this is not an exotic new breed.
- Live, Love & Laugh with Golden Retrievers
— Honoring our Golden Teachers, Healers, Heroes and Friends This site was created to recognize and celebrate the wonders of the Human-Golden Bond. All aspects of Golden living are explored and every service field and humanitarian effort that our Golden gems are responsible for, with respect to enhancing persons’ lives, is highlighted.
Note: This is a beautiful site of over 1000 pages dedicated to the Golden Retriever — A must see!
