Suppose you’ve read many of our other dog or cat articles. In that case, you’ll know that we generally like to provide folks with some helpful information about a particular breed of dog or cat so that if they are considering adopting such an animal, they’ll have a better idea if that’s a good idea or not.
Which we feel works out pretty well. The only problem is that this approach doesn’t seem to make all that much sense when we’re talking about the Golden Retriever because, let’s face it, just about everyone has met one of these incredible dogs over their lifetime, and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who has ever had a bad experience with one!
That said…
What many folks who haven’t owned one of these fantastic animals may not know is that they are prone to develop quite a few medical issues, which is why we still decided to write this article so that if you are considering adopting a Golden Retriever puppy or rescue, you can get a little bit better idea of what that might be like.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Golden Retriever Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Original Purpose: Retrieving
Height: 21.5 to 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Dog Breed Classification: Sporting
Origin of the Golden Retriever
Now, while we would all like to think of the Golden Retriever as an “American Dog,” the truth of the matter is that these guys were initially developed in England when, in 1868, Lord Tweedmouth decided to cross-breed a Wavy-Coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel. (1) From there, the puppies from this original litter were then bred with a variety of other breeds, including:
- Black retrievers,
- Tweed Spaniels,
- Several different setter breeds,
- And even the Bloodhound breed.
Until ultimately…
Around 1912, folks settled on what they had created, allowing several dog breed associations to begin “standardizing” the breed and ultimately “recognizing” it as an independent dog breed entirely. This occurred in 1925 when the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the species in the United States. While these dogs were initially valued for their hunting and retrieving skills, it didn’t take much time to become one of America’s most popular companion animals, a title they continue to hold even today!
Physical Characteristics
The Golden Retriever Breed is similar to the Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and Flat-Coated Retriever. He is a midsized dog, big but not too big, heavy but not too heavy. The nice thing about this guy is that despite his size, he is the perfect family dog, regardless of whether you live in a small apartment, condo, or large estate. He’s also a very handsome dog with drop-dead good looks. Much of this results from his great-looking coat, which will come in various shades of gold.
But be warned…
This is a “double coat,” so you’ll want to frequently groom your “Golden” to prevent him from developing knots or tangles and your entire home from being covered in fur! The nice thing is, though, because the Golden Retriever fur is so dense and entirely water resistant, these guys will have no problem keeping up with you in just about any weather condition. So, if you’re looking for a companion to go on long hikes with you or even just on a walk around the block, these guys will work out perfectly for you.
Temperament and Personality
While we’ve already talked a lot about the Golden Retriever’s temperament and personality, it never hurts to mention that these guys genuinely are loyal sweethearts. Loyal and very social, Golden Retrievers are an ideal pet for families with kids of any age. Heck, these guys are pretty much friendly with everyone they’re going to meet, even with strangers!
In fact…
It’s pretty fair to say that the Golden Retriever is a lover, not a fighter, and is likelier to wag his tail at a stranger than be aggressive with them! He is also lovely with other animals, even with cats. This makes him very different from other dogs considered within the hunting or sporting group. While a Golden Retrieve will make an excellent hunting companion, these guys generally perform for you because it makes you happy. They don’t seem to have a natural hunt-and-kill instinct like many other “hunting” dogs.
Which is nice…
This means that any other animals you might have living in the house are not going to be considered “potential” prey by your Golden Retriever and is also going to keep your kids from being chased around the house as well (unless, of course, they want to be in which your Golden will be more than happy to oblige), but remember, Golden Retrieves are also really smart. So, while they may not attack a stranger, they bark at someone approaching. This is why Golden Retrievers often make some of the best “watchdogs” out there.
Common Health Concerns
Golden Retrievers have an expected life span of 10 to 13 years, which is pretty much the standard for breeds of this size. They are generally a healthy breed but susceptible to several ailments.
Here is a list of genetic conditions and health disorders that Golden Retrievers could suffer from:
- Cancer,
- Hip dysplasia,
- Sub-aortic stenosis,
- Elbow dysplasia,
- Osteochondrosis of the Elbow or Shoulder,
- Portosystemic shunts,
- Entropion,
- Cataracts,
- Ichthyosis.
And while many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
Golden Retrievers were developed in Scotland, not England, as Scotland was where Lord Tweedmouth had his estate, Guisachan, in the village of Tomich, southwest of Inverness, very definitely in Scotland. Dudley Marjoribanks (pronounced “Marshbanks”) the first Lord Tweedmouth was from a Scottish, not English, family. So you can say Great Britain, or the United Kingdom, but not England, for the Golden Retriever’s place of origin (although the more specific Scotland is preferred).