The Golden Retriever is a popular breed of dog, originally developed to retrieve downed fowl during hunting. It is one of the most common family dogs as it is easy to handle and very tolerant. They are a low-maintenance dog and thrive on attention, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and regular veterinary check-ups. Golden Retrievers are usually compatible with all people and other dogs. They typically bark when startled, but their friendly nature generally makes them poor watchdogs. Golden Retrievers are particularly valued for their high level of sociability towards people and willingness to learn. Because of this, they are commonly used as Guide dogs and Search and Rescue dogs. ^[1]

Appearance

The Golden should be athletic, well balanced, and symmetrical. Its appearance should reflect its merry and outgoing temperament, and should never look sulky or aggressive. This large breed is similar in appearance to the yellow Labrador Retriever, especially when young. The most obvious difference is the Golden Retriever's luxuriant coat, which varies in shades of goldish yellow.^[2]

Today's Golden Retrievers fall into two groups: English and American. English Goldens are easily recognized by their longer, light cream-colored coats, which sometimes appear white. This type is bigger-boned, shorter, with a more square head and/or muzzle. They are more common in Europe, so breeders of this type in America may import their dogs to improve bloodlines. American Goldens retain the standard of their field-hunting ancestors and appear lanky with a tall body and limbs. Their coats come in much darker shades of gold than the English Golden (similar in color to the Irish Setter). These two types are merely variations of the Golden Retriever breed as a whole, and differ only in aesthetics.

Coat and color

The coat should be dense and waterproof, and may be straight or moderately wavy. It must lie flat against the body and should not be silky, hard, or wooly. 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. Judges may also disallow Goldens with brown or pink noses, though these are very rare. The Golden's coat can also be a 'mahogany' color, referred to as 'redheads' in people. As a Golden grows older, its coat can become darker or lighter tints of brown, along with a noticeable whitening of the fur on and around the face.

Size

Golden Retrievers reach their full height around one year of age and full weight around age two, though they may retain their puppyish nature for life. The height standard is 56 - 61 cm (22-24 ins) at the withers for males, and 51 - 56 cm (20-22 ins) for females. The weight standard is 29 - 34 kg (65-75 lb) for males, and 27-32 kg (60-70 lb) for females. The weight and sizes standards determine whether dogs can compete in sanctioned dog shows; individual Goldens may be larger or smaller, but may not compete.^[2]

Temperament

Typically, Goldens are fairly unruly as puppies. However, once they reach maturity, Goldens remain active and fun-loving while developing an exceptionally patient demeanor, as befits a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Other characteristics related to their hunting heritage are a size suited for scrambling in and out of boats and an inordinate love for cool water. Some poorly bred and inadequately socialized Goldens may have aggressive tendencies, but they are rare. In The Book of Lists, the Golden Retriever is at the top of a list of nine breeds of dogs that are least likely to bite.

They are noted for their affection for people, and their tolerance of children. Because of their gentle temperament they are great therapy dogs to use in hospitals or retirement homes. Most Goldens require lots of companionship to be happy. Due to their intelligence, they do well in obedience trials and make excellent assistance dogs. While they might not do quite as well in field trials as Labrador Retrievers, they are excellent hunters known for outstanding scenting ability. However, many Golden Retrievers will not express their desire to "fetch" until adulthood.

The Golden Retriever loves to retrieve. Retrieving a thrown stick, tennis ball, or flying disc can keep a Golden occupied and entertained for hours, particularly if there is also water involved.

Care

Goldens are very active, and will appreciate as much exercise (and in many cases more) as their owner(s) can provide. Goldens are not as prone to obesity as Labrador Retrievers, but as with any dog their weight should be watched closely. This is especially true for elderly or less active dogs.

Goldens should be groomed several times a week, more when shedding which normally happens in the spring as the dog loses its thicker winter coat.

History

The Golden Retriever breed was originally developed in Scotland, at "Guisachan", near Glen Affric, the highland estate of Sir Dudley Majoribanks (pronounced "Marchbanks"), 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 removed doubt about a romantic story concerning the purchase of a whole troupe of Russian sheepdogs from a visiting circus.

The original cross was of a yellow-coloured dog, 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 bitch pups; these four became the basis of a breeding program which included the Red Setter, the sandy-coloured Bloodhound, the St. John's Water Dog of Newfoundland, the Springer Spaniel, 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, 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.^[1]

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 recognised 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 Hon. 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 AKC recognized the breed in 1932, and in 1938 the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed.^[3]

Health

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

Common diseases in the breed include:

• Cancer, the most common being hemangiosarcoma, followed by, lymphosarcoma, mastocytoma, and osteosarcoma. Cancer was the cause of death for 61.8% of Goldens in a 1998 health study conducted by the Golden Retriever Club of America, making it the breed's most deadly disease.^[4]

• Hip and elbow dysplasia.^[5]

• Eye diseases, including cataracts^[5] (the most common eye disease in Goldens), progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, distichiasis,^[6] entropion,^[6] corneal dystrophy^[6] and retinal dysplasia^[6]

• Heart diseases, especially subvalvular aortic stenosis^[5] and cardiomyopathy are major problems in this breed.

• Joint diseases, including patella luxation, osteochondritis, panosteitis, and cruciate ligament rupture

• Skin diseases, with allergies (often leading to acute moist dermatitis or "Hot Spots"), particularly flea allergies, being most common.^[4] Others include seborrhea, sebaceous adenitis, and lick granuloma.

• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

• Bloat

• Cushing's Disease

• Diabetes (occasionally)

• Ear Infections

• Epilepsy

• Hypothyroidism

• Laryngeal paralysis

• Liver shunt

• Megaesophagus

• Myasthenia gravis

• von Willebrand Disease

• Haemophilia^[7]

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 — large-scale commercial breeding operations sometimes shut down for poor conditions — 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.

Golden Retrievers in popular culture

• Alex from Stroh Brewery Company ads

• Brandon, companion of Punky Brewster

• Buddy in Air Bud and its sequels

• Charlie the Wonderdog from the Australian television series The Late Show

• Chase, mascot of the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball team

• Comet from Full House

• Duke from Bush's Baked Beans commercials

• J.D. from Dead Like Me

• Klaus Von Puppy - Jack McFarland's puppy in the sitcom Will & Grace

• Levi from Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye

• Liberty, pet of Gerald Ford

• Lucy, as seen on Blue Peter

• Mel from Ginga Legend Weed

• Shadow from Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and Homeward Bound II

• Shelby AKA Krypto from Smallville

• Speedy from The Drew Carey Show

• Stogie from Mission Hill.

• Sun Dance, from Adam Sandler's Click

• Trixie Koontz a retired service dog, purported author of Life Is Good, and companion of Dean Koontz

• Tugboat, pet of Tyler Hamilton

• Rowdy, Turk's pet stuffed retriever from the show Scrubs

References

1. ^ ^{a b} The Versatile Golden Retriever. Buzzle.com. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.

2. ^ ^{a b} AKC Golden Retriever standard. American Kennel Club. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.

3. ^ History. Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.

4. ^ ^{a b} The Golden Retriever Club of America, National Health Survey: 1998-1999 (PDF). The Golden Retriever Foundation. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.

5. ^ ^{a b c} Acquiring a Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.

6. ^ ^{a b c d} Golden retriever. University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.

7. ^ Project Outline: Golden Retriever Hemophilia A Study 2004-2005. Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on February 7, 2007.by jessi harvey