Owning a Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are considered one of the best family dogs. They do well with children and have been known to play a protective role if needed. Their easy going temperament and joyful playfulness meshes well with children’s high energy level. It is common to be greeted at the door when coming home and then followed around the home as the exhibit why they are considered one of the best companion pets.

One of the most important ways to promote good health for a Golden Retriever is keeping them active and occupied. Training a Golden Retriever is a great way to start. They are thought to be one of the more intelligent breeds and making training less complicated. Their intelligence and need to be occupied lower the amount of times commands must be repeated. Golden Retrievers are considered very obedient and adaptable. They do well on road trips and instances where the maybe introduced to new surroundings. They quickly get along with new people and other animals they meet.

Although they are considered very active dogs and enjoy the company of their owner, Golden Retrievers are also very quiet, calm and realize when their owner may need some alone time. It’s as though the can sense the mood in a situation and immediately change their behavior to match the tone.

Finding activities to entertain and provide exercise for a Golden Retriever is not a difficult task. They enjoy many of the stereotypical “dog activities” including fetch, hiking and tug of war. They love the water, especially diving in and fetching floating toys. It would not be shocking if an internet search revealed a local social group for Gold Retriever owners that get together to take their dogs swimming.

Golden Retrievers also enjoy indoor games as well. This helps keep them active and occupied on days when the weather is not pleasant. Some have been trained to help clean up around the house. If a certain box has been designated to be their toy box they can be trained to put their toys away during clean up time. These dogs are also big fans of hide and seek games. Having them go on a hunt for their special treat or food bowl excites them and allows for them to use there excellent ability to seek out items by scent.

Hunting is another great activity for Golden Retrievers. Even though they are considered more of a family dog today, historically they were considered great hunting dogs. Training a Golden Retriever to hunt maybe a little more difficult, but if a hunting group can be found the activity will provide an excellent opportunity to get out into nature and be active. Their amazing patience and excellent memory make them a great choice for bird hunting where long periods of time may pass without movement and the need to remember where the bird fell after being shot.

When fully grown, Golden Retrievers can be anywhere between 50 and 70 pounds. Taking into account their slower metabolism when compared to other breeds, it’s important to ensure your pup’s diet corresponds with their activity level; this will help avoid obesity and any related health issues.

For adult Golden Retrievers choose a diet designed for large dogs. Make sure the food is made with natural ingredients and has no artificial additives. It should be rich in proteins that come from chicken, fish and meats. Foods high in calcium and phosphorus will help keep joints healthy.

Larger kibble bites are beneficial for larger deep-chested breeds. Unfortunately, eating smaller bites at a faster pace can lead to the uncomfortable condition known as bloat and should be treated by a veterinarian immediately as it can become a life-threatening emergency. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to combat this altogether. Feeding your pup multiple times throughout the day with smaller portions instead of one large meal will help reduce their food intake and make digestion easier. Furthermore, adding water to the food to soften it and providing fresh water regularly will also aid in digestion and help prevent against bloat.

Keeping an eye out for obesity is important. An overweight Golden Retriever can suffer from diabetes or orthopedic problems, and obesity can exacerbate elbow and hip dysplasia common in the breed. While obesity develops over time, rapid changes to a dog’s weight should signal a need for a veterinary check-up: both a gain in weight with no change to diet or activity, as well as unexplained weight loss, could be signs of underlying issues such as cricopharyngeal dysfunction – a genetic disorder requiring medical attention and potentially surgery.

Food allergies may be present in Golden Retrievers, with corn, wheat and soy being the most common causes. If a dog is gnawing at a certain spot and fleas are ruled out, the culprit could be food-related allergies which appear on the skin as a rash or hair loss. A veterinary professional will suggest a hypoallergenic diet and gradually reintroduce ingredients one at a time to identify any allergens until symptoms no longer present themselves.

All dog breeds have certain health issues that owners must be able to detect and know what to do when a problem arises. Being aware of what is more common in a Golden Retriever will allow for the owner to respond in a timely manner, which will help keep their dog healthy. Scheduling recommended check ups will also assist in maintaining good health. A healthy Golden Retriever will be the obedient, caring, active and lovable dog, which is the reason that most own one specifically choose this breed.

August 26, 2019January 18, 2023

What to Consider When Adopting a Golden Retriever Puppy

Doing thorough research is an essential part of the adoption process when considering a Golden Retriever puppy, just like any other pup. While many know that they are lovable, gentle and loyal dogs who get along great with children, there are some important details to consider when deciding on welcoming a golden retriever pup into your family. After all, those friendly neighbors and dog walkers may not be aware of the full extent of what comes with golden retriever ownership.

Life with a Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden retrievers are high energy working dogs, and they are young for a very long time; about four or five years. One golden retriever owner found this out too late, because she didn’t do her research:

Diane, a lonely apartment dweller, decided to adopt a puppy. She’d seen and heard what wonderful pets golden retrievers make. Whenever Diane saw a golden retriever assistance dog, it was quietly sitting next to its owner in the library, or doctors office. She decided a golden retriever puppy was for her so she looked in the classifieds and found one for sale by a backyard breeder. Since she lived in an apartment, she bought the runt of the litter, a blond female cutie she named Sugar. On the way home, Diane bought lots of toys for her new puppy.

Soon, Diane discovered the joys of golden retriever puppies and their abundance of energy that kept them playing from sunrise to sunset. From running and jumping – even on people – to fetch and tug-of-war, these playful pups provided endless entertainment. As Diane’s seventy-pound pup jumped around, she was reminded that this breed may not be the most suitable for her lifestyle; but regardless, she could not help but appreciate their lively personalities and enthusiasm for life.

Things to Consider when Adopting a Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden retrievers are working dogs and need to be working all the time.
Golden retrievers are high energy dogs.
Golden retrievers are very social dogs and want to be with people all the time.
Golden retrievers need lots of exercise.
Golden retrievers need to start obedience training as soon as possible.
Golden retriever puppies will be in the puppy stage for a very long time.
Golden retrievers do not become calm until they grow out of the puppy stage.

Golden Retrievers as Apartment Dogs

Despite their size, Golden Retrievers can make great apartment dogs when given the proper environment. Taking them to the local dog park twice a day allows these beloved pups to get the exercise they need while also providing opportunities for socializing with other doggos. This lifestyle may require extra effort from stay-at-home parents or retirees, but it’s still possible. Alternatively, adopting an older golden retriever could be another great option for those living in apartments.

Golden Retriever Puppies – the Ideal Living Environment

A loving home with school-age children and a large backyard makes the perfect setting for a golden retriever. They become an integral part of the family, taking part in any activity that they can! Whether that’s camping, playing soccer, or curling up on the couch to watch some TV – these canine companions seek out companionship from their owners and are always looking for ways to be involved. Even if their owner is single or retired, golden retrievers can still make great pets. All it takes is some obedience training so the pup can understand basic commands, regular socialization with other dogs and people, and plenty of stimulation. With all that in mind, a golden retriever can be an incredibly calming presence in any home.

March 27, 2019January 24, 2023

The Golden Retriever: These Happy Dogs Are a Great Addition to Any Family

These Happy Dogs Are a Great Addition to Any Family

The golden retriever is a gorgeous, stocky built dog with a great personality. One of the most common family pets in the United States, they are known for their beautiful water resisting coat, which can range from a very light beige to dark gold. Originating from Scotland, this sporting breed was used there for hunting purposes. These days though, they are more often a family companion, and are one of the most popular dog breeds.

Playful Family Pets

Goldens are energetic dogs, in need of daily vigorous exercise to keep them happy. They are gentle by nature and are perhaps the best dog for small children, with their endless patience and tolerance. They can get a little rambunctious while playing though, and like to roughhouse with older kids. Always ready to play, they are perfect for athletic, active families. Goldens especially love to play ball, and are always ready for a game of catch. With their heavy coats, they also love to play in the snow, and are very fond of swimming as well. Easy to train and housebreak, golden retrievers are anxious to please and cooperative, and will learn tricks and commands quickly. If looking for a guard dog, though, look elsewhere. These dogs love everyone and are not reliable for protection. In fact, they are more interested in making friends with everyone than protecting their owners. Fairly quiet, they will usually only bark if a strange animal or person enters their territory.

A Few Negatives

Every dog has it’s faults, and golden retrievers are no exception. On the downside, they love to chew and carry things around. This is a habit that needs to be broken while they are puppies, as even adults love to chew up just about anything if allowed the opportunity. The only other negative aspect of owning a golden retriever is that they are nearly continuous shedders. They will often shed even in the coldest winter. Frequent brushing is the best way to keep the shedding to a minimum, and they usually enjoy it tremendously. These people lovers also do not like to be alone, and can get into mischief when left inside by themselves. Households where someone is home frequently during the day are best for them, as they will thrive on attention.

Health Issues

As these dogs age, there are a few health problems that golden retriever owners should be aware of. Cataracts can develop, as well as hip and elbow dysplasia. Cancer is on the rise in recent years, with lymphosarcoma being one of the most common types being seen. It is important to feed golden retrievers a healthy diet and give them frequent exercise, as they tend to become overweight in old age. An active, healthy lifestyle will also help to prevent medical problems as they grow older.

April 27, 2017January 18, 2023

Training Your Golden Retriever

History of the Golden Retriever

With a noble and distinguished history, Golden Retrievers have been beloved by families since Lord Tweedmouth brought Nous home in 1865. After being bred with Belle, the yellow pups created a unique line of retrievers that were officially recognized as the Golden Retriever breed by the AKC in the mid-1920s. They remain a popular choice for loving owners today.

Goldens were originally bred for the purpose of being biddable, as well as very calm and sensible, for using them as hunting dogs. These popular dogs excel in obedience competitions and as show dogs, as well as for tracking and service. In fact, several organizations train Goldens, Labs, and Lab-Golden mixes almost exclusively, including Paws With a Cause, Canine Companions for Independence, and Assistance Dog International.

Perfect Family Dogs

Their patient nature makes Goldens the perfect family dog as well. They’re great with kids and enjoy spreading their love around the entire family. They may not be your best choice if you’re looking for a guard dog, however, since they basically love everybody.

They do need plenty of good healthy exercise for avoiding weight gain and boredom. Exercise also helps them with maintaining their rather large frames. So, to keep them in good condition, Goldens require one or more long brisk walks, runs, or jogs every day. And, since they are, after all, retrievers, games of fetch are one of their favorite exercises, however, they also love swimming as well.

Golden Retrievers are consistently ranked among the top five dogs in the United States for popularity. There are numerous very good reasons why that is, including:

Wonderful temperaments
Very gentle with children
Easy to train
Reliable
Hard workers
Always in demand as search and rescue and assistance dogs

25 Reasons Why Golden Retrievers Are Superior Dogs

Importance of Training

With all of these positive attributes and impressive history, it’s easy to see why Golden Retrievers are so eager to please and easy to train. And, training for these beautiful animals is a very important part of their lives. Goldens should definitely have some important basic behavior training. This includes learning the proper response to verbal commands like “drop it”, “down, stay”, and “come”.

Your Golden especially needs training for properly and reliably responding to those three commands, since they can be used for averting disaster. In fact, any one of them could end up saving your beloved Golden’s life at some point. Training sessions with your Golden should always be fun for you both, involving only positive reinforcement of the kind of behavior that you want your dog to exhibit. In addition, all training sessions should always have a positive ending. Safety and a long happy life are, of course, your main goals with your Golden but good behavior and reliable actions from him are some of the additional benefits of dog training.

Positive Reinforcement Behavior Training

The fact is that positive reinforcement could involve a number of things, such as social rewards, treats, or toys. Research has found, however, the answer to the question of whether they prefer food or praise, the majority of dogs preferred either their owner’s praise over food or liked them both equally.

The best case scenario is that your Golden is successful at learning to quickly and reliably respond to your commands each and every time no matter where you both may be and regardless of whatever is happening around you. Before getting started with the actual training, start first with one simple word to remember and that word is “fun”.

The key to this type of training is making sure that your Golden really wants to perform the behavior involved rather than feeling that he or she is forced to do it. Therefore, using anything that will get your dog willingly into the game of positive reinforcement behavior training is great. You always want to make it appear that you and your Golden are about to be having lots of fun. You can do this by using treats and toys, as well as playful body language and a soothing playful voice.

Learn How to Apply Positive Training for Puppies

Recall Command

The “come” command, aka the recall command, may seem simple but it can be one that is a bit challenging when you’re trying to teach it to your Golden. This is because you should only be using this command if something good will be happening to your Golden when he or she responds to the command, not if you plan to scold or do anything else that your dog won’t find enjoyable. In the event that your Golden is already aware that a scolding is at the other end of that “come” command, then you’ll have to change your recall command to something else, like “now” or “here”.

Using a cheerful tone of voice when you call your Golden is an important part of their training. Even in difficult or stressful situations, it is necessary to remain optimistic as this will encourage your pup to come back home. Panic or anger may discourage them from returning, so focus on staying positive.

When teaching your Golden a recall command, it is important to know when to use the command and when to avoid it in order to ensure success. During the learning process, try to avoid using the command while your pup is engaged in an enjoyable activity as this could lead to an undesired response.

In any situation where it’s possible that your Golden may not come when called, it’s crucial that you don’t provide an opportunity for him to fail. Just go to him calmly and snap the leash to his collar. In addition, it’s important to bear in mind that some dogs have a tendency to block everything out while having great fun sniffing the great outdoors. So, until the time comes that your Golden reliably responds to the recall command, never assume that he’ll come when called if he’s off-leash. Better safe than sorry, so keep him on a leash until you are completely sure that he will respond to your recall command no matter what.

The Drop It Command

Teaching your pup the drop it command is essential for their safety. Not to mention, it makes for a much more pleasant experience when playing fetch or any other game with your Golden. When training, you can use a positive reinforcement technique such as trade-offs between the item in your pup’s mouth and a treat in your hand. This can help establish good behaviors and make learning the command simpler.

Here are the basic steps involved in teaching the drop it command to your Golden:

Hold your Golden’s favorite toy in your hand, telling him to take it from you. Let him play with it for a few minutes prior to beginning training, but don’t let him play with it so long that he starts getting bored with it.

While he has it in his mouth, hold a treat in front of his nose. Then, give him the treat when he drops the toy.

Repeat as often as necessary until he responds reliably.

Now, hold a treat close to his nose while clearly and convincingly adding the verbal drop it command.

Following a few repetitions, hold the treat in front of his nose, gradually increasing the distance when he responds to the command.

Follow all of this up by using the command without a treat, praising him when he drops the toy.

Down/Stay Command

Let’s say your Golden runs out your front door and then is lucky enough to make it across the street in one piece. If you were to give him a come command, it would cause him to run back into traffic to obey you. That’s when the down/stay command is such a critical part of your dog’s learning. He’ll respond immediately to your down/stay command and then you can run to him, snapping his leash on his collar and bringing him back to safety. In addition, this is a must-have command when you have a big friendly dog who loves greeting everybody by happily jumping on them.

Here are the basic steps for teaching this command:

Take your Golden to a familiar spot where there will be no distractions. Stand in front of him and look him in the eye, giving him your full attention.
Give him the down command, tempting him into position using a treat. Don’t give it to him yet but let the treat come in contact with his nose as he is lowering himself.
When he is in the down position, use the stay command and follow it with some treats for preventing him from leaving his position.
Starting with a five-second stay, teach your Golden Retriever the release command and reward them for a job well done with a special toy or treat. Encouraging positive associations between toys, treats, and staying will help your pup remember the desired behavior.
Gradually lengthen the down/stay time by two-second increments while simultaneously decreasing the rewards given after each successful stay. This will help your pup develop reliable responses, even without treats or toys as a reward.
Don’t increase the distance between your Golden and you until he performs consistently in close work. If he breaks his position when the distance is increased, turn your back on him while you hold his treat in your hand and say something along the lines of “oops” or “uh-oh”. Then, you’ll need to allow him a minute or two for putting together the connection between cause and effect prior to trying again.
Gradually reducing both the toys and the treats until he’s only receiving them intermittently upon responding appropriately will complete the learning of this command.

When to Start Training Your Golden

From an early age, puppies with short attention spans can start picking up simple commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “down.” Formal training should begin at around six months of age, when your pup will be more receptive to it than before.

Your Golden is inclined to want to follow the pack leader and, guess what? That’s you. They can sense your level of confidence and, if it’s low, they’ll just take over and control you instead of the other way around. This can lead to some bad behavioral issues, including but not limited to chewing, anxiety, leash-pulling, and excessive barking. So, be the pack leader and show your leadership qualities at all times with your dog. Gentle but firm all the way is the key to training your Golden.

From the very beginning of your pup’s training, demonstrating your leadership abilities is extremely important. This will guarantee that your Golden grows into a confident and balanced pet, and is well-behaved throughout their life. Consistency is key to being an effective leader so make sure you apply it from the start.

Everything You Need to Know at Each Stage to Ensure Your Cute and Playful Puppy (Your Puppy Month by Month)

With Your Golden Retriever Puppy Month by Month, new pet owners have access to all the knowledge and advice they need to ensure their pup’s growth into a healthy and well-adjusted companion. Veterinarians, trainers and breeders join forces to provide answers to any questions asked or not asked – such as… Learn more about the book

The Complete Golden Retriever Handbook

“Having been a golden breeder for 40 years I bought several copies to keep on hand to pass out to puppy buyers, but I now realize I need to buy more copies… This book is ideal for first time (and even experienced) golden owners, people who foster goldens & new golden breeders or exhibitors,” HELEN DORRANCE, AKC BREEDER OF MERIT, TEXAS, USA Learn more about the book

How to Train Your Golden Retriever in 30 Days or Less

If you want to train your golden retriever quickly but have never trained a dog or have struggled to raise a dog, then keep reading….
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April 20, 2017February 11, 2023

25 Reasons Why Golden Retrievers Are Superior Dogs

Should You Get a Golden Retriever?

1. Super Friendly

If you have been looking for the best friendly pet to bring into your family, then you should think about Golden Retrievers. There are many reasons why Golden Retrievers are superior to other dog breeds, and one of the reasons they make everyone fall in love with them is because they’re super friendly. They will let you in close and will become your best friend. They love playing with you and don’t get angry often. Their easy-going personality is something you will appreciate, as is their eagerness to please you and your family. And that is why you should own a Golden Retriever.

2. They are Quiet

A golden retriever is a type of a large-sized breed of a dog that is usually calm and quiet, easy to train from basic to advanced levels of obedience. They have an enormous love for water and games with familiar faces. The golden retriever is a breed of dog with a long coat and a denser inner coat that offer them enough warmth in the outdoors which probably contribute to their calm and quiet nature. It’s gentle and friendly nature makes it unsuitable as a professional guard dog. However, it is quiet, calm and very lovable, thus making it one of the most popular dogs in the history of the United States.

3. They are Eager to Please

There are some pets out there who are simply a mess, or those that are very clingy and take up a lot of attention, time and energy of their owners. Not the Golden Retriever! This particular breed of dogs are so intelligent that they are always looking for ways to please their owners and make them happy. Goldens will always ensure that you enjoy having them around. They will willingly and enthusiastically obey your commands (with proper training, of course) and always be there for you when you need them, be it during happy or sad times.

4. Great with Children

Most children love dogs, but not all dogs love children. If you have kids, you would definitely want a pet that is friendly and playful; one that is able to offer good company for your children. Golden Retrievers are not only cheerful around children, they are equally gentle as well. Not only that, their intelligent nature means that a Golden Retriever would know how to look over, protect or even save kids and newborns, should the need arise.

5. Sweet and Loving

There are many reasons for a person to choose a Golden Retriever as a pet, and one of those reasons is the fact that they’re sweet and loving. If you are looking for a kind of dog who is going to love you after a long day’s work, or on pretty much any occasion, there is no other like the Golden. Eager and enthusiastic, a Golden Retriever is known to put on its part hats and celebrate with you when you are happy, and step in to cheer you up whenever you are feeling downsome- definitely a reliable, 24/7 furry friend.

6. They Get Along with Other Pets

When a new pet is brought into a home, it is important that the pet gets along well with the family. Intelligent and gentle, Golden Retrievers are quick to warm up to your other household pets, including cats or other smaller animals. Their calm nature will also mean less, or no “furry quarrels” at home. In addition to the good company, Golden Retrievers will often help you look out for pets too. Golden Retriever Training Tips

7. Their Sense of Smell is Impeccable

Golden Retrievers are amazing dogs who are intelligent, enthusiastic and playful. This breed of a dog has a keen sense of smell as well. Although less relevant as a household pet, this unique talent explains why you often see Golden Retrievers at the airport, border crossings and seaports, where they help in tracking down fugitives, or cracking drug trafficking etc.

8. Hardworking

Dogs are known to be man’s best friends for the longest time. Many keep dogs for security, company and companionship; and dogs work hard to “earn their keep” over the decades. Outstanding as they are, Golden Retrievers are typically more hardworking and attentive than most average dog breeds, allowing them to excel in more advanced tasks like hunting, tracking, detection of narcotics, search and rescue, as well as to guiding the blind. Regardless of the task at hand, you can always expect a Golden Retriever to give it all its got.

9. Highly Adaptable Pets

Fancy a pet that can adapt to any surroundings as good as you can? The Golden Retriever is tolerant towards the hot and cold, and wouldn’t mind accompanying you on one of your work or road trips. They are not fussy pets either, and will be easily contented staying indoors or outdoors on a typical day. Their ability to adapt to any given environment is one of the quality that makes them stand out.

10. They’re Attentive to Their Owners

Golden Retrievers were bred to be attentive towards its owners- one of the breed’s biggest strengths. Fully attentive and enthusiastic, these furry companions are eager to please and will bond closely with their masters. Goldens make faithful companions. If you want togetherness, you will enjoy the attention your canine will give you. He will follow you from room to room and sit with you in the kitchen. This is the best dog to bond with as it is downright needy in its desire for human attention.

11. Playful

Golden Retrievers are playful, radiant and energetic, making them a favorite companion among kids and adults alike. As Goldens are intelligent, they pick up fast how certain games and toys are played, and will be in the game before you know it.

Do “terrestrial” games bore you? Fret not, for you will have plenty of time to play and bond with your pooch as well in the water, considering how Goldens are adventurous and love the water!

12. They’re Sporty Companions

You don’t have to worry about your dog not being able to keep up with you as you jog in the park or as you hike a mountain. As a large and sporty breed, Goldens love to exercise; after all, they were bred to hunt in the old days. In fact, you cannot expect a Golden Retriever to live a sedentary lifestyle as the athletic canine would require a daily exercise of at least half an hour. The fact that the Golden Retriever thrives in a sporty environment makes them the perfect exercise friend. Golden Retriever Training Tips

13. Strong

Golden retrievers are symmetrical, powerful dogs bred for tough working conditions. Its body consists of muscular, well-coordinated forequarters that enhance its agility immensely. The hindquarters are broad and muscled with equally strong rear pasterns to make up for a solid base and sturdy gait altogether. The medium-length neck merges gradually into the muscular shoulders and its strong back is one of its visible attributes. All said, Golden Retrievers have well-balanced bodies and it’s not hard to see why it ranks among the most popular hunting breeds globally.

14. Famous

The Golden Retriever does not require much introduction because it is already well known thanks to its long list of wonderful personalities. Apart from being one of the most popular dogs among the regular Joe, Goldens are often starred in TV series and are happily owned by celebrities and even Presidents like Gerald R. Ford. Wouldn’t it be awesome to own an amazing dog loved by so many?

15. They’re Great Hunting Dogs

One look and you can tell that a Golden Retriever is meant for hunting. It possesses an extremely eager personality to begin with; it’s like it just wants you to give it the go-ahead to pounce onto something. In regards to its comprehensive appearance, the dog is extremely powerful with a balanced gait that gives it an edge while out in the wild. It isn’t long in the leg, or clumsy. The hindquarters in particular are strongly muscled and broad, with well angled stifles to complement. It’s simply a highly active dog, bred for hard working conditions such as hunting and it’s not that hard to see why.

16. They’re Full of Energy

This superior breed of dog has great energy and endurance. The reason why they’re full of energy is because in the early days when the breed was developed, they were used to spending long periods of time outdoors, often working for their masters at strenuous activities that required physical effort and stamina.
The fact is that they thrive on activities like this because they’re full of energy. The flip side to this is worth pointing out here too. If their exercise needs are not met in the context of their high levels of energy, this dog can become destructive, especially if he is a young dog and kept in a confined space. The simplest way of putting it is to say that the Golden Retriever is primarily an dog for outdoors because they’re full of energy instinctively due to their breeding and experience.
Whether or not you can meet their exercise and stamina needs is worth considering carefully before you decide to have this superior dog as a pet.

17. They Love the Water

Having a natural affinity for water is one of the characteristics that makes Golden Retrievers such a superior breed of dog. This is because they can be trained to assist people doing work in or near water such as retrieving waterfowl as a gun dog.
The fact that they love the water is also a positive factor when considering a Golden Retriever as a pet. Long jogs and hikes may not be a thing for everyone to keep fit and in shape. All you have to do is take advantage of the fact that Goldens love the water and let them swim in a nearby lake or in the sea to get all the exercise they need. The Golden Retriever’s thick water-repellent coat keeps his body warm while swimming which comes so naturally to this superior animal.

18. They have Beautiful Coats

Most of us look not only for pets but rather for beautiful pets. Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, most would prefer to opt for an aesthetically better pet as a lifelong companion. This is where the Golden Retriever shines. This amazing canine does not need its long list of wonderful attributes to amaze you, as its brilliant and outstanding coat would do the job.

Golden Retrievers are known for their lustrous, distinctive fur coats that come in different shades of gold, which are fairly easy to maintain with regular grooming. Gloating and attractive, a Golden Retriever will surely compliment the beauty of your home, in addition to being an amazing companion.

19. They have Noble Stature

Most pet owners love the attention their pet gets, and would certainly be delighted to know that Golden Retrievers are bound to “turn-heads”. Golden have a noble stature and are very easy to notice since they stand out from other breed of dogs, thanks again to the attractive and glistening fur.
The maximum height of a male Golden Retriever is 24 inches whereas a female is typically 23 inches, so expect your pooch to stand out, particularly among a sea of common poodles and pugs.

20. They have soft mouths

Golden Retrievers are superior dogs because they are loving and playful. They have soft mouths (or rather, tongue) and are certianly not shy to use them. So expect plenty of licks and kisses from this lovable and eager canine.

21. They Live Long Lives

More often than not people have always preferred to have pets that will be their companions for a longer period of their lives. That is why many prefer Golden Retrievers as their pets as they are generally healthy and can live up to 10-12 years, on top of their already impeccable list of attributes. This will ensure that many more years of sweet and memorable moments with your companion. In addition, Golden puppies will ensure that the joy in your home continues.

22. They’re Obedient

With the exception of the young and exuberant, Golden Retrievers are typically obedient who learn quickly and thrive on pleasing their owner. This is very important because their size and strength would make them difficult to manage if they are disobedient.
To get the best from your Golden Retriever, it is important to train him from early age to respond appropriately to your commands- a pretty simple task considering the dog’s temperament and high intelligence.
However, it is also a good idea to let a Golden use it’s own initiative sometimes rather than always being obedient. An example of this would be to let him wander freely in a natural park or on a secluded beach where he won’t disturb other users. Although not advisable for young dogs or puppies, this is a good idea for older Goldens because the innate loyalty and obedience of this superior breed means they will come back to you with no difficulty at the end of the day.

23. They’re Easy to Train

Golden Retrievers ranks fourth on a scale of measuring trainability for obeying commands and well deserves that reputation. They are so easy to train because they are (i) intelligent and are avid learners; ; and (ii) very eager to impress their owners, which is why Goldens always give their best in learning.
When you are training a Golden Retriever to learn a specific task or activity, you can expect to have to use fewer repetitions of your command as compared to training a lesser dog breed.
In addition, Goldens like being kept occupied and indeed need this as a stimulation.

24. They’re Fiercely Loyal

Golden Retrievers are fiercely loyal to their owner or master. This is an instinct that is learned from the environment they were bred in and for. Spending time with your Golden Retriever whether he is a pet in your home or part of your workforce will foster a fierce loyalty in your dog and forge a bond that both you and your dog will benefit from.
The loyalty of a golden retriever will be clear in its performance as a watch dog. They will bark at strangers as a form of loyalty but are generally aggressive because it is not in a Golden’s nature. However, there are many stories of Golden Retrievers rescuing their owners in difficult or dangerous situations thanks to its combination of intelligence and loyalty.

25. They’re Well-Mannered

Who doesn’t love a well-mannered companion? With proper training, Goldens can learn and understand what their masters love or hate, as well as how to behave in front of unfamiliar people, making them even more effective companions than they already were. It is always an added advantage to have a pet that does not paint a bad picture in front of your friends and family.

Should You Get a Golden Retriever?