Golden Retriever

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Golden Retriever
Country of origin Scotland
Nicknames Golden
Yellow Retriever
Goldie
Traits

The Golden Retriever is a large breed of dog, historically developed as a gundog to retrieve shot waterfowl and upland game during hunting.[1] As such they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and an instinctive love of water.[2] Their versatility sees them employed in a variety of roles including illegal drug detection, search and rescue, as hunting dogs and as guide dogs. [3] Its friendly, eager-to-please nature and patient demeanor has also made it one of the most popular family dogs (by registration) in the world today.[4]

Contents

[edit] Description

[edit] Appearance

[edit] British type

There is some variation between the British type Golden Retrievers prevalent throughout Europe and Australia,[5] and those of American lines and these differences are reflected in the breed standards. This type is bigger-boned, shorter, with a more square head and or muzzle and are generally slightly heavier. Males should be between 56–61 cm (22–24 inch) at the withers and females slightly shorter at between 51–56 cm (20–22 inch). Weight, however, is not specified in the UK standard. The KC standard calls for a level topline and straight hindquarters without the slight rear angulation found in American lines.[6][7] The eyes of American line dogs tend to be set further apart than those of English lines and can appear to be slanted and triangular in shape by comparison. A Golden Retriever of British breeding can have a coat colour of any shade of gold or cream, however, red or mahogany are not permissible colours. Originally cream was not an acceptable colour in the UK standard, however, by 1936 the standard was revised to include cream. It was felt this exclusion was a mistake as the original "yellow" retrievers of the 19th century were lighter in colour than the then current standard permitted. As with dogs of American lines white is an unacceptable colour.[8] The British KC standard is used in all countries with the exceptions of the US and Canada.[7] Some breeders of this type in America may import their dogs to improve bloodlines.

[edit] American type

The ideal Golden is athletic, and well balanced. It is a symmetrical, powerful, and active dog. An American Golden is less stocky and lankier than a British. A male should stand from 22–24 inch (58–61 cm) in height at the shoulders, and females should be 21.5–22.5 inch (55–57 cm) at the shoulders. The males weigh 65–75 lb. and the females weigh 55–65 lb. The coat is dense and water repellent, in various shades of lustrous gold, with moderate feathering. Excessive length, lightness, or darkness is undesirable. The gait should be free, smooth, powerful, and well-coordinated.[9] They originated in Scotland during the late nineteenth century and were a mix of the Tweed Water Spaniel, which is now extinct, and the Wavy-Coated Retriever.[10]

Field line Golden Retrievers tend to be smaller and have a less dense coat than their conformation line counterparts.

[edit] Coat and color
Golden Retrievers vary widely in color
Golden Retrievers vary widely in color

The coat is dense and waterproof, and may be straight or moderately wavy. It usually lies flat against the belly. The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard states that the coat is a "rich, lustrous golden of various shades", disallowing coats that are extremely light or extremely dark. This leaves the outer ranges of coat color up to a judge's discretion when competing in conformation shows. Therefore, "pure white" and "red" are unacceptable colors for the Golden coat.[8] The Kennel Club (UK) also permits cream as an acceptable coat color.[6] Judges may also disallow Goldens with pink noses, or those lacking pigment. The Golden's coat can also be of a mahogany color, referred to as "redheads", although this is not accepted in the British show ring.[6] As a Golden grows older, its coat can become darker or lighter, along with a noticeable whitening of the fur on and around the muzzle. Puppy coats are usually much lighter than their adult coats, but a darker colouration at the tips of the ears may indicate a darker adult color. A golden's coat should never be too long, as this may prove to be a disservice to them in the field- especially when retrieving game. [9]

[edit] Temperament

Most Goldens need plenty of exercise, such as dog agility.
Most Goldens need plenty of exercise, such as dog agility.

The Golden Retriever temperament is a hallmark of the breed and is described in the standard as "kindly, friendly and confident".[6] They are not "one man dogs" and are generally equally friendly with strangers and those familiar to them.[11] Their trusting, gentle disposition therefore makes them a poor guard dog.[12] Any form of unprovoked aggression or hostility towards either people, dogs or other animals, whether in the show ring or community, is completely unacceptable in a Golden Retriever and is not in keeping with the character of the breed and as such is considered a serious fault. Nor should a Golden Retriever be unduly timid or nervous.[9] [11] The typical Golden Retriever is calm, naturally intelligent and biddable, with an exceptional eagerness to please. As the name suggests, the Golden Retriever loves to retrieve. Whether the object is a thrown stick, tennis ball, or flying disc, retrieving can keep a dog of this breed occupied and entertained for hours, particularly if water is also involved. Goldens might also pick up and "retrieve" any object that is near to them upon their masters' arrival, all of this lending to their retriever name.[citation needed]

Goldens are also noted for their intelligence, and can learn up to roughly 240 commands, words and phrases. These dogs are also renowned for their patience with children.

By the time they reach maturity however, Goldens will have become active and fun-loving animals with the exceptionally patient demeanor befitting a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Adult Golden Retrievers love to work, and have a keen ability to focus on a given task. They will seemingly work until collapse, so care should be taken to avoid overworking them.

Other characteristics related to their hunting heritage are a size suited for scrambling in and out of boats and an inordinate love for water. Golden Retrievers are exceptionally trainable -due to their intelligence, athleticism and desire to please their handlers- and generally excel in obedience trials. In fact, the first AKC Obedience Trial Champion was a Golden Retriever. They are also very competitive in agility and other performance events. It is important to note that harsh training methods will typically cause Goldens to “shut down,” therefore positive reinforcement is a more effective way to train this breed.[citation needed]

Golden Retrievers are compatible with children and adults and are good with other dogs, cats and most livestock. Golden Retrievers are particularly valued for their high level of sociability towards people, calmness, and willingness to learn. Because of this, they are commonly used as guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and search and rescue dogs. [3]

[edit] Care

Golden Retriever puppies
Golden Retriever puppies

Golden Retrievers are moderately active dogs, and require a reasonable amount of exercise each day, although exercise needs may vary depending on the individual dog and its age. They are a breed that is prone to obesity, even more so than the Labrador Retrievers,[citation needed] and as such the average Golden Retriever should never be treated like a small dog, or sedentary house pet. Some dogs may be too active to be easily exercised by elderly owners.

Goldens should be groomed at least once a week, and every day during heavy shedding. Their coats shed heavily the entire year, and even more excessively during shedding season, which is normally in the spring as the dog loses its thick winter coat. They also need to have their ears cleaned regularly, or otherwise an ear infection might occur. While shedding is unavoidable with Golden Retrievers, frequent grooming (daily to weekly) lessens the amount of hair shed by the animal. Severe shedding resulting in bald patches can be indicative of stress or sickness in a Golden Retriever.

Golden Retrievers are very attached to their owners. Leaving them alone in a room can cause the dog to become very sad and distressed. They have a need to always have something in their mouth, and like to carry things around. They are great athletes and must be walked daily, or they will become restless and anxious. This makes them the ideal family pet.

[edit] History

The Golden Retriever breed was originally developed in Scotland at "Guisachan" near Glen Affric, the highland estate of Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (pronounced "Marʒbanks"), later Baron Tweedmouth. For many years, there was controversy over which breeds were originally crossed. In 1952, the publication of Majoribanks' breeding records from 1835 to 1890 dispelled the myth concerning the purchase of a whole troupe of Russian sheepdogs from a visiting circus.[13]

Improvements in guns during the 1800s resulted in more fowl being downed during hunts at greater distances and over increasingly difficult terrain. This led to more birds being lost in the field. Because of this improvement in firearms, a need for a specialist retriever arose as training setter and pointer breeds in retrieval was found to be ineffective. Thus work began on the breeding of the Golden Retriever to fill this role.[11]

Goldens excel at retrieving in water
Goldens excel at retrieving in water

The original cross was of a yellow-colored Retriever, Nous, with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct but was then common in the border country. Majoribanks had purchased Nous in 1865 from an unregistered litter of otherwise black wavy-coated retriever pups. In 1868, this cross produced a litter that included four pups; these four became the basis of a breeding program which included the Irish Setter, the sandy-colored Bloodhound, the St. John's Water Dog of Newfoundland, and two more wavy-coated black Retrievers. The bloodline was also inbred and selected for trueness to Majoribanks' idea of the ultimate hunting dog. His vision included a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers, one that would still be gentle and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, nor are any other working dog breeds. The ancestry of the Golden Retriever is all sporting dogs, in line with Majoribanks' goals.[3]

Golden Retrievers were first accepted for registration by the The Kennel Club of England in 1903, as Flat Coats - Golden. They were first exhibited in 1908, and in 1911 were recognized as a breed described as Retriever (Golden and Yellow). In 1913, the Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed name was officially changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.

The Honorable Archie Majoribanks took a Golden Retriever to Canada in 1881, and registered Lady with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries. The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario, now the Golden Retriever Club of Canada, was formed in 1958. The co-founders of the GRCC were Cliff Drysdale an Englishman who had brought over an English Golden and Jutta Baker, daughter in law of Louis Baker who owned Northland Kennels, possibly Canada's first kennel dedicated to Goldens. The AKC recognized the breed in 1925, and in 1938 the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed.[14]

[edit] Health

A golden retriever at 15 years old.
A golden retriever at 15 years old.

The median life span for Golden Retrievers is approximately 10 to 13 years. While the breed is recognized for its vitality, many retrievers are susceptible to specific ailments. A responsible breeder will proactively minimize the risk of illness by having the health of dogs in breeding pairs professionally assessed and selected on the basis of complementary traits.

Breeding Golden Retrievers can be profitable for puppy mills and backyard breeders. As a result of careless breeding for profit, Goldens are prone to genetic disorders and other diseases. Hip dysplasia is very common in the breed; when buying a puppy in the US the parents should be examined by the OFA or by PennHIP for hip disease.

[edit] Common diseases

[edit] Other diseases

[edit] Activities

[edit] Dog sports

A Golden Retriever Dock Jumping
A Golden Retriever Dock Jumping

The Golden Retriever's eagerness to please has made them consistent, top performers in the obedience and agility rings. Plus with their excellent swimming ability they are great at dock jumping.Their natural retrieving ability also sees them excel in flyball and field trials.[13]


The first three dogs ever to achieve the AKC Obedience Champion title were Golden Retrievers; the first of the three was a female named Ch. Moreland's Golden Tonka.[19]

[edit] Rescue efforts

Because of the prevalence and prominence of the breed, high demand results in many Goldens being abandoned each year by owners who can no longer care for them. Puppy mills are another source of orphan Golden Retrievers. These dogs, often old or in need of medical support, may end up in animal shelters.

In response to the numbers of orphan Goldens, volunteer organizations work to rescue, care for, and adopt abandoned Golden Retrievers. These rescue groups usually accept dogs from owners and establish agreements with local animal shelters to ensure that dogs will be transferred to their care rather than euthanized. Once rescued, Golden Retrievers are placed in foster homes until a permanent home is found. It is common for rescue groups to screen prospective adopters to ensure that they are capable of providing a good home for the dog. Golden retriever rescue groups have utilized the world wide web to raise funds and advertise rescued Goldens to adopters. The Golden Retriever Club of America has a permanent standing committee, the National Rescue Committee.

[edit] Famous Golden Retrievers

Gerald Ford and Liberty in 1974 in the Oval Office
Gerald Ford and Liberty in 1974 in the Oval Office

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sporting Breeds: Golden Retriever. Animal Forum.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2007.
  2. ^ "Enter The Golden Retriever". Article3000.com. Retrieved on December 7, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Classification: The Versatile Golden Retriever. Buzzle.com. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
  4. ^ AKC Dog Registration Statistics. AKC.org Retrieved on December 7, 2007.
  5. ^ ANKC Golden Retriever standard. ANKC. Retrieved on December 16, 2007.
  6. ^ a b c d KC Golden Retriever standard. UK Kennel Club. Retrieved on November 30, 2007.
  7. ^ a b American and British Golden Retrievers – the same breed? Brighton Goldens.com. Retrieved on December 8, 2007.
  8. ^ a b White Golden Retrievers Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c AKC Golden Retriever standard. American Kennel Club. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
  10. ^ Brief History and Origin of the Golden Retriever Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on February 16, 2007.
  11. ^ a b c Golden retrievers are the best dogs to have. they are well-mannered and respectfulGolden Retriever Extended Breed Standard: Origin of the Breed. ANKC.org.au Retrieved on December 16, 2007.
  12. ^ Canada's Guide to Dogs: Golden Retriever. Canadasguidetodogs.com Retrieved on December 17, 2007.
  13. ^ a b Golden Retrievers: History. K9web.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2007.
  14. ^ History. Golden Retriever Club of America. Cool Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
  15. ^ a b The Golden Retriever Club of America, National Health Survey: 1998-1999 (PDF). The Golden Retriever Foundation. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
  16. ^ a b c Acquiring a Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
  17. ^ a b c d Golden retriever. University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
  18. ^ Project Outline: Golden Retriever Hemophilia A Study 2004-2005. Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on February 7, 2007.by jessi harvey
  19. ^ Golden Retriever Did You Know? AKC.org. Retrieved on December 7, 2007.
  20. ^ Rudd's family a haven of support for Oppostion Leader. Herald Sun. Retrieved on December 3, 2007.
  21. ^ http://landofpuregold.com/famous6.htm
  22. ^ Even Your Dog has a Blog CNN.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
  23. ^ deankoontz.com. Trixie's Monthly Columns. Retrieved on 2007-08-01.

[edit] External links

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