Information About the Golden Retriever Breed

Before acquiring a Golden Retriever it is important to determine if a Golden Retriever is the correct / suitable breed for you, your household and your lifestyle.

Also Visit:

Choosing a Breeder

Breeding

Health Concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

Why a Golden Retriever is NOT the perfect dog

Basic Questions to answer before deciding

BEWARE!!

Overview

The Golden is a medium-to-large size dog who requires a good bit of space indoors and out.  Everything about the dog is big, including his hairy paws, which will track mud and dirt onto your floor.  His happy wagging tail will sweep your prized glassware from low-standing table tops.  His natural curiosity will lead to rows of nose prints on the glass above your windowsills.  Given a single opportunity, he will claim at least two couch cushions or your easy chair.

The world's friendliest dog, the Golden Retriever is also counted amongst the most talented and popular of companion dogs.  Renowned for it lustrous golden coat, his buoyant personality and his lusty desire to hunt, the Golden Retriever makes an ideal pet dog for young and old alike.  His winning ways and easy-to-train temperament account for his great popularity and success in every field.

The youngest and most beautiful of the retriever breeds, the Golden Retriever was originally developed as a waterfowl dog.  Although still an admirable shooting dog, the Golden today spends more time romping with the family than in the duck blind or the field.  Often considered the ideal dog to hunt over, compete with or just live with and hug a lot, the Golden has something to offer the sportsman, dog fancier or professional dog lover.

PART OF THE FAMILY

IRREPRESSIBLE RETRIEVERS

COMPANION DOGS

HAPPY BOISTEROUS BREED

NATURAL LOVE OF WATER

A REWARDING COMPANION

DIFFERENT TYPES OF RETRIEVERS

The Breed Standard

In all purebred canines, a "Breed Standard" has been adopted by various kennel clubs in the world.  In South Africa, the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) has a specific breed standard for the Golden Retriever.  Please visit their website on www.kusa.co.za for more information, or alternatively contact us for more information.  It is true that many countries has different breed standards for the same type of dog - for example the American breed standard for the Golden Retriever differs from the South African or United Kingdom.   It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the breed standard to be able to ascertain whether you are purchasing a purebred Golden Retriever if you are not familiar with the breed.

Part of the Family:

Remember that your cute, fluffy puppy will grow into a large vigorous dog, who will need looking after for up to 15 years.  Like a child, it depends on you to provide its nutrition, education and overall well-being.  Consider the amount of time you can dedicate to your dog, the space available in your home, the cost of veterinary attention and most importantly, your dog’s essential food requirements – Goldens are among the dog world’s greatest eaters!

A Happy and Boisterous Breed:

A BOUNCING “HALLO” – If Goldens are not trained early in life to keep all four feet on the ground, you and your friends can expect a very warm welcome from this friendly but sometimes clumsy breed.  Choose a Golden only if you can accept such affection and the odd broken object caused by its wagging tail.

IRREPRESSIBLE RETRIEVERS – Goldens are natural retrievers who can not resist picking up stray items, especially those with an interesting odour.  Consider a Golden only if you are prepared to be extra tidy, or if you are amendable to having shoes, socks, and even under garments presented to both family and friends!

A Natural Love of Water:

Although now a popular pet, Goldens were originally bred to work outdoors, retrieving in rivers and thick undergrowth.  Therefore, no stream or dirty puddle can be passed without investigation, requiring you to clean your dog and your car on a regular basis

A Rewarding Companion:

If you want a good natured, sociable dog, then a Golden Retriever is ideal.  Selective breeding has created this potential, but it is only through appropriate training that these desirable traits can be developed.  The Golden Retriever is a lively dog that enjoys the exhilaration of outdoor activity as much as it does the relaxation of being at home.  By nature, the Golden is generally placid and friendly seeking the company of other dogs or people for frivolous play.  It is this affectionate, even temperament which draws most people to the breed, but if you require guarding services rather than companionship, choose another breed.

Caring for Your New Puppy:

Training should start as soon as you arrive home. Have one set of rules for all the family and stick to them. Puppies, like young children, need routine and firmly established ground rules. Goldens are good with children, but make sure your children are taught to be caring and responsible with dogs. A puppy is a living, breathing real-life creature, not a toy and should be treated with respect.

Your Children and Your Puppy:

• Provide the puppy with its own bed and do not allow the children to disturb the puppy when it is sleeping. The bed should be the puppy's own private space where it can rest unmolested. A cardboard box makes an excellent 'starter' bed and can be replaced with a slightly larger version when chewed. Always make sure there are no staples that the puppy could swallow.

• Do not allow young children to pick up the puppy. Make sure they are sitting on the floor and then the puppy can be placed in the child's lap for a cuddle. Do not allow very young children to play with the puppy unsupervised.

• Do not allow children to become over excited around the puppy. This means no screaming, no jumping and no fighting.

• Do not allow young children to feed the puppy or disturb the puppy while it is eating.

• Do not allow yanking, pulling or tugging, a young puppy's bones are delicate and not properly formed until it is several months old. Damage done at this stage could have disastrous effects for the rest of the puppy's life.

The First Night:

• The first night is always a little fraught. It will be the first time your puppy has been separated from his mother and siblings, so expect him to cry a little and do not be unduly alarmed when he does so.

• Be calm and matter of fact, do not excite the puppy and make sure it has relieved itself before putting it to bed.

• Most breeders will have given you a small piece of blanket with the scent of his family on it, that you can put inside his bed and which will help to settle the puppy.

• Provide a warm comfortable blanket such as Vet Bed, which is hard-wearing and easily cleaned.

• Place the puppy's bed in a comfortable, warm place that can be easily cleaned, such as a kitchen or utility room. Dogs are den animals and so prefer their bed to be tucked in a corner.

• Some puppies will already be 'paper trained' by the breeder. A couple of sheets of newspaper near the door into the garden will give your puppy an idea of where to 'go'. Don't expect him to be clean overnight.

• Don't make the mistake of taking the puppy to bed with you, you will make a rod for your own back!

House Training:

As a rule Goldens learn quite quickly and although at times it seems as though they will never be clean, most are by around four monThs. Puppies are not really capable of controlling bladder function much before this time, so anticipation and vigilance on your part is of prime importance. Dogs are creatures of habit and like to 'go' in the same place.

So as soon as you arrive home with your new pup carry him straight to the spot in the garden and stay with him until he has performed, then make a fuss of him, then he can go and explore his new home.  The odd accident is an inevitable part of house training your puppy, so be prepared to experience it. Remember, prevention is better than cure! View accidents as a lack of vigilance on your part.

Times to watch are after a meal and a sleep. Take the puppy outside to his spot in the garden. The use of a key word like 'Hurry up,' helps. The actual words are irrelevant, it's the association of the act and repetition that matters. You can use any word that you wouldn't be embarrassed for the neighbors to overhear! An eight-week-old puppy can spend a penny for England, so be warned.

Types of Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are often mistaken for Labrador Retrievers and vice versa.  Because of their similar nature, many people refer to Goldens as "Golden Labradors" or "Long-Haired Labradors".  In truth, they are two completely separate breeds of dogs that originated from two complete different continents.  To illustrate the difference in appearance, herewith some pictures (obtained from the UK Kennel Club):

Country of Origin - Scotland

Various shades of gold or cream

The Labrador Retriever

Country of Origin - USA

There is NO link between the Golden Retriever & the Labrador Retriever. Although they look very similar, they have no common ancestors and originated from completely different types of dogs. They also have very different temperaments. A lot of people think these dogs are variations of each other - a "Long Haired Labrador", "Short Haired Labrador", "Golden Labrador", Long Haired Retriever", "Guide-Dog", "Gundog" = all of which are non-existent! :)

Labrador Retrievers are registered in three colors: black (a solid black color), yellow (anything from light cream to "fox-red"), chocolate (medium to dark brown)

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Country of Origin - USA

Three basic colors are generally seen in the breed: Brown which includes all shades from a light cocoa (a silvered brown) to a deep bittersweet chocolate color; sedge which varies from a reddish yellow through a bright red to chestnut shades; deadgrass which takes in all shades of deadgrass, varying from a faded tan to a dull straw color. Historic records show that some of the deadgrass shades can be very light, almost white in appearance, while darker deadgrass colors can include diluted shades of brown called ash, that appear as either gray or taupe. The almost white and ash/taupe/gray shades are not commonly seen, but are acceptable.

The Flat Coated Retriever (Black & Liver)

Country of Origin - Europe

There is also NO link between a Flatcoat and a Golden Retriever. Although a Golden Retriever was known as a Flatcoat in the 18th Century, these are also two separate breeds.

The Flat-coat's colour is either solid black or solid liver (a deep, rich brown), more commonly the former.

The Curly Coated Retriever

Colour Variations - The only acceptable colours for the Curly Coated Retriever are solid black and solid liver (brown).

Country of Origin - Europe

Country of Origin - Nova Scotia

Color is any shade of red, ranging from a golden red through dark coppery red, with lighter featherings on the underside of the tail, pantaloons, and body. Even the lighter shades of golden red are deeply pigmented and rich in color. The Toller should not be buff or brown. Although very rare, there are chocolate/liver brown Duck Tollers.

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Last Updated:  04/12/2012 09:53:54 PM