Friday, October 24, 2008

The Golden Retriever - Facts About Golden Retrievers

By Wendy Pan

As one of America's most popular family pets, the golden retriever has stolen the hearts of owners all across the nation. When looking for a devoted and family oriented pet, the golden retriever is an excellent choice. Here are some facts about golden retrievers:

The golden retriever is of European decent and was bred for hunting and retrieving game birds and waterfowl. It is believed that the breed was developed by crossing the flat-coated retriever and the tweed water spaniel, along with other various breeds of the same group over time. The golden retriever is a medium size dog with an average height of 21 to 24 inches, and an average weight of 60 to 90 pounds, with the males weighing in at 10 to 15 pounds heavier than the females.

The golden retriever has a dense inner coat that provides them with adequate warmth. The outer coat is sleek and water repellent, and lays flat against the body. The official color of the breed is the varying shades of gold that are most often seen. Due to the thickness of the coat, regular, frequent grooming is required, perhaps on a weekly basis.

The facts about golden retrievers dispositions are that they are both intelligent and affectionate. The golden retriever makes an excellent companion dog for families with children. The breed adapts quickly to new situations and tends to be very energetic. They are of the sporting group, thus requiring a lot of regular exercise. Daily walks or jogs will benefit the dog's health and happiness. They also enjoy activities such as swimming, playing, running, and as the name suggests, retrieving.

Other important facts about golden retrievers include a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Common health problems include hip dysplasia, congenital eye defects, allergies, and Willebrand's disease, which is a heredity coagulation abnormality cause by a deficiency of a multimeric protein. With regular check ups, these problems can be detected and treated early, and even prevented, to ensure your pet has the longest and healthiest life possible.

The golden retriever can also be shown and trained to compete in agility contests. The breed is recognized by the AKC, the UKC, the FCI, the CKC, the SKC, the WWKC, and the FIC. The AKC has a general appearance standard of symmetrical, powerful, and graceful. They must be able to express confidence, eagerness, and alertness. They must have balance and gait. If any of these qualities are not apparent, the dog is considered faulty, thus effecting its overall score, and even its capability to be shown.

With the breeds popularity, it has gained its reputation as hunting partner, companion, and helper. The golden retriever has become famous in the fields of search and rescue, therapy, service, and law enforcement, making it one of the most versatile breeds of its kind. When searching for a pet, this breed is an excellent choice, as long as you know the important facts about golden retrievers, so you can see if one would be right for your family.


Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about facts about golden retrievers, please visit Why are Golden Retrievers Such Great Dogs for current articles and discussions.

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