Talk:Golden Retriever

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More refs would help, especially in the health and history sections. More about care should be added (e.g. grooming needs, more on exercise, dog sports, training etc). --Pharaoh Hound (talk) 14:11, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Older entry

--62.252.64.15 09:31, 24 August 2005 (UTC)From a duplicate article at Golden retriever - for review and merging:

Golden Retrievers are a popular breed of medium dog kept as pets. They evolved in Scotland after Lord Tweedmouth crossed the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel with a wavy-coat yellow retriever in 1868. In 1908, the breed was first exhibited in England, but it was not granted a separate breed status until 1913. In 1920, the name was changed from Retriever (Golden and Yellow) to Golden Retriever. Golden retrievers were first registered in Canada in 1927.

The breed is regarded as obedient and easy to train. For this reason, they are often used as service dogs, and also as gundogs. It is a breed commonly used as guide dogs for the blind. Golden Retrievers are usually friendly with people and other dogs, making them good family pets, but unsuitable as guard dogs. However, their loud bark means they may be kept as watch dogs. Whilst retrievers adapt well to living in a kennel environment, they prefer companionship.

The dogs vary in colour from pale cream to deep gold. They have an average height of 51-61cm and an average weight is 25-36kg. Their litters usually range from six to ten and they can be expected to live ten to 12 years. The most common health problems with this breed involve cataracts, epilepsy and hip problems.

[edit] External link

DMOZ listing of websites about Golden Retrievers

You know, this image depicts a retriever whose coat is not too golden. Though undoubtedly a member of the breed, I feel it would be better if someone could provide a photo of a dog more exemplary of the breed. Kent Wang 07:54, 26 Apr 2004 (UTC)

That is quite a pale one - but still within the specification for the breed (I took the photo at a dog show). More importantly, this was one of my first efforts at taking dog photos and is not as clear or large as I would like. If we get a better (and darker coated) image, this one will do to show the variation in the coat colours though. -- sannse (talk) 09:14, 26 Apr 2004 (UTC)

I agree. I have on my "list of photos to get while hanging out with dogs" a photo of a Golden with a dark coat. I think it's useful to show the variations in coats because sometimes they look like entirely different breeds! E.g., would be good to have a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever because they look very similar to Goldens and, although some Flat-coat breeders in the U.S. apparently euthanize their yellows, many people do keep them as pets and they're still purebred. Elf | Talk 03:14, 28 Apr 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Retriever vs Lab

I've got a Labrador Retriever (guide dog in training) and the article for that breed is very unrepresented compared to the Golden, perhaps we could expand? Sorry, I'm new to Discussions on Wikipedia so I hope this comment is ok! User:PopUpPirate

This comment is fine. Wikipedia encourages people to expand articles! Please do! Find accurate info about the breed of any kind, write it in your own words, and add it to the Labrador Retriever article. All the dog articles grow based on who happens to drop by Wikipedia (like yourself), who has an interest in what, what seems more relevant at the moment perhaps based on the development of related articles, or on any other random factor. So have at it.  :-) Elf | Talk 04:28, 29 Jan 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Size and Weight

The article currently says they reach their full height at one and their full weight at two. I agree that they stop growing around one, but when they reach their full weight is a function of how they are fed and exercised. All dogs will gain weight if they are overfed, and many are. The only weight gained after year one should come from muscle mass built from strenuous exercise and higher protein diets. Comments? Wpjonathan 19:04, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

I agree both with your comment about how they should be gaining weight and the observation that that is generally complete around age 2. I don't know that we need to add "unless the dog is overfed and becomes fatter over time." How about something like "...full height at one but continues to mature in in muscle mass and bone structure for roughly another year"? Elf | Talk 20:02, 17 February 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Removing some photos to gallery

This article is starting to collect an overload of photos that don't add anything new. I'm removing a couple to here. Elf | Talk 21:22, 19 March 2006 (UTC)

A patient Golden

Golden Retriever (5 years old), very gentle

[edit] Blind Golden Retrievers

Umm I cant seem to find some Blind Golden retrievers on this web page

[edit] Small edit

I removed the word "paradoxically"--whomever used it clearly does not know what it means. The fact that very light or very dark Goldens are disallowed is in no way "paradoxical", though one could make a case for it being contradictory (it would be a weak and pedantic argument, however.) --Lode Runner

[edit] Images

Is it just me, or is this page becoming overloaded with unencyclopedic, unattractive photos. For example this one, this one (this photo was previously removed, though put back by an IP), and this one. In my opinion, those photos dont't illustrate the breed well, and are cluttering up the page layout. Thus I am removing them, and I may remove this one. Pharaoh Hound 15:19, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

  • One more thought, are there any images of a golden just standing? Pharaoh Hound 15:26, 27 June 2006 (UTC)
  • I can get a photo of my Golden Bellamy standing at point if anyone would like to see one standing properly... --Allie 02:20, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
  • Those pictures are nice Retriever pictures,just because they don't reach 'YOUR' Standards doesnt mean that other people wont like them,It appears to me you only know a small amount of information looking at your plan of how many dog pages you wish to change,May I advise using wiki to just browse at dog breeds and allow the more intelligent of people edit pages?
  • First of all, there is no need for personal attacks, at any rate I have learned that most personal attacks are from angry people who feel strongly about an issue and are overreacting. Thus they don't bother me in the slightest, however I advise that you read the civility guidelines. Now then, as for the images, they are all poorly lit, composed, and none of them give a very good idea of what the breed actually looks like, not for lack of good examples of the breed, but for want of composition and lighting that lets one see what the dog looks like. Ask any other Wikipedian who is knowlegable of the standards for image, they will tell you that these images are useless and unencyclopedic. --Pharaoh Hound (talk) 11:50, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Swamp Collie

Just a note. I initially thought that was a bad edit, but then did a search and actually there are hits for swamp collie in reference to Goldies. --Bcsr4ever 08:23, 5 September 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Color

I agree that the golden retriever on this page just doesn't look so golden. The gold color of a retriever reflects the way the dog has been properly well taken care of. The dog looks okay in the photo so it definetly is not malnurished, but I've seen retrievers that have a nice cold complextion to them


[edit] Headline text

[edit] Images (round two)

Once again, this page is overloaded with images. Therefore, I'm taking the liberty of removing a two of the worst ones. The image I'm removing are:

Bad lighting, very unappealing to look at

bad lighting, low res, not very encyclopedic

I've also found an image for the infobox with a golden standing, and I have added it. --Pharaoh Hound (talk) 14:00, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removed Pictures

The image of the retriever sitting on a chair watching TV had been inserted under the title “Temperament” and in support of what was stated in that section “They are natural clowns” I believe it does illustrate this aspect of the breed very well.

As far as being “Unappealing” or “Unattractive”: This is your personal opinion, which is very welcome, but from offering your opinion to freely removing material based on it there is a big difference. If everyone removed material from Wikipedia because they “don’t like it”, there would be nothing left, or every article would be butchered.

This is an article about dogs, not photography. Lighting or any other “deficiencies” can be fixed. I believe your intolerance is taking away more than what is providing to this article. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Calyponte (talk • contribs) .

  • Perhaps I sometimes remove what some might call excessive amounts of photographs, but my view is that for such an insanely common breed wikipedia shouldn't need poor quality photos. This article has quite a few photos, and I removed those ones because there were so many photos that they were clogging up the page layout, if there had been no need to remove photos, I wouldn't have. I'm going to start a gallery to further tidy up the page layout. --Pharaoh Hound (talk) 13:58, 11 November 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Temperament

I think that

"Today's Golden Retrievers fall into two groups: show dogs and field dogs. The Goldens in the show group are generally bigger-boned, longer, and heavier. The champagne color and long flowing coat are highly prized in the show ring. On the other hand, field Goldens tend to be smaller, longer legged, and be a more reddish shade. These two strains derive from champion Goldens from the 1960s. Gold Rush Charlie moved the show Goldens toward their present characteristics, while Holway Barty greatly affected the field group. Contemporary breeders attempt to unite these two strains into the all-purpose Golden Retriever."

should not be under the temperament section. Unfortunately, I am no K9 expert, and I would rather have someone with more knowledge put it where it really belongs. 68.127.209.93 04:47, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Pharaoh, can you please tell me why you have reverted back to having the above quote in the temperament section. It obviously does not belong there. And it would be nice if you justified your reversion. I am going to have to put it back to appearence section, as it seems like that is where it belongs. Delmet 05:31, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

  • My mistake, I didn't realise I was reverting that out. My sincere apologies, and I shall avoid doing so in the future. --Pharaoh Hound (talk) 13:08, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
    • No problem. Mistakes happen. Delmet 21:42, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "Yellow Retriever" fails Google test

"The Golden Retriever is a popular breed of dog, often affectionately known as a Yellow Retriever." ---- I've never heard the expression "Yellow Retriever". It gets only 624 Google hits. http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Yellow+Retriever%22 ("Golden Retriever" gets 1,850,000 hits.) - IMHO, this doesn't even justify including the term as "sometimes known" or "occasionally known". Therefore, deleting from article. If you wish to revert, please justify here. Thanks. ---- 201.51.211.130 12:30, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree. YR is not common.--Counsel 19:01, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Images - 3

A Golden puppy chasing its tail

A 3 months old Golden Retriever

A bandaged golden retriever

A mischievous golden puppy

A golden puppy in bed

A golden puppy just enjoyed his big meal

In my opinion, these six images as they currently appear don't seem to be suitable. While first one is a matter of personal opinion, I have legitimate concerns about the other shots. The second one seems a little too close, and doesn't give more information compared to the 2-month old (on the article). Third image seems to place focus on the bandage rather than the retriever. 4-6 appear to be the same dog. Okay to remove? --Sigma 7 05:59, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

I have no problem with removing those. In fact, the gallery appears to be a lot attracting unuseful photos. Perhaps it should be removed? --Pharaoh Hound (talk) 13:57, 25 January 2007 (UTC)


for my opinion// i think they are very loveable and easy to handel. r.neely. ontaro

[edit] Temperament Change

This is rare. Is it worth mentioning? http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/guide-dog-in-puppy-mauling-frenzy/2007/03/21/1174153161861.html 203.213.7.133 21:00, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

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