Starting in the early 1800’s Golden Retrievers were used for hunting. Golden Retrievers became popular at the end of the 19th century in England. The first Golden Retriever won a field game in 1904. A Field Game is an obstacle course or game that challenges a dog in many ways.
Golden Retrievers were first shown in the Crystal Palace in England. Some travelers took Goldens over to America. The Golden Retrievers were first seen in America in the 1890’s. Today, Golden Retrievers are successful in field trials, hunting, obedience, companions for the blind, and they serve as great pets.
Read the full History of the Golden Retriever breed.
Golden Retrievers were first shown in the Crystal Palace in England. Some travelers took Goldens over to America. The Golden Retrievers were first seen in America in the 1890’s. Today, Golden Retrievers are successful in field trials, hunting, obedience, companions for the blind, and they serve as great pets.
Read the full History of the Golden Retriever breed.
The Golden Retriever's Coat
The typical coat of a Golden Retriever is a rich golden color. This rich golden color can vary from a light yellow to a burnt sienna red which is a rusty-red color. The golden color comes in many shades and every shade is beautiful. Golden Retrievers are good for hunting because the fur is water repellent and is neither dense nor silky, they are good dogs for rough conditions.
Golden Retrievers shed! Make no mistake about it. If you are not prepared to vacuum hair off your floor, furniture, and clothing, it might be a good idea to check out a different breed. There is no "shedding" season... they shed all year long. However, a daily quick brushing will help lessen the amount of hair, but nothing will eliminate it altogether.
Visit the Grooming page for more information and tips!
Golden Retrievers shed! Make no mistake about it. If you are not prepared to vacuum hair off your floor, furniture, and clothing, it might be a good idea to check out a different breed. There is no "shedding" season... they shed all year long. However, a daily quick brushing will help lessen the amount of hair, but nothing will eliminate it altogether.
Visit the Grooming page for more information and tips!
Personality
Golden Retrievers are friendly, reliable and trustworthy. They aren't usually shy or nervous. They are lovers of people and other dogs. One of the greatest things about owning a Golden Retriever is having it be nice with kids. A mature Golden knows not to play too hard with kids. As a child and its Golden grow up, they create a special bond. This is very beneficial for the child. Even though Golden Retrievers love children, kids need to know that if they scare any dog it might snap at them.
A Golden Retriever puppy may not be the best choice for families with small (under 5-6 years old) children. Goldens are friendly and gregarious and will jump on you just to show how much they love you, especially when you come home from being gone for a while. Of course, training can alleviate this problem, but until that training is complete, the puppy/young dog will jump on you. Jumping on a small child is usually not acceptable in most families. A lot of breeders refuse to sell puppies to families with small children because when the puppy knocks the baby down, the baby cries, and the puppy gets put in the backyard indefinitely. That's when the problems start... the puppy gets bored, starts to chew, dig, jump over the fence, etc. The dog is deemed a "problem" and a lot of times ends up at a shelter or rescue. If you are not prepared to let the Golden live with your family, please consider a different, more independent breed.
Golden Retrievers are just that -- retrievers! So, don't be surprised if your Golden retrieves everything... dirty laundry, remote controls, shoes... anything that's not put up. You can look at it as a great way to be forced to become a very tidy housekeeper, or it can make you crazy. Decide which way your family would lean. Sometimes that retrieved article comes back in not-so-good shape, like destroyed. Some Goldens are worse than others about this. Goldens usually outgrow the chewing/ destroying phase as they get older.
Additionally, Golden Retrievers are NOT watch dogs, or at least, not protective watch dogs. They will bark to let you know an intruder is outside... or that the wind is blowing, or a kid on a bicycle just went by. But as far as protecting you from such an intruder, don't count on it. They will want to play with him and be his new best friend. Some Goldens are barkers and some are not. Depends on the individual dog.
A Golden Retriever puppy may not be the best choice for families with small (under 5-6 years old) children. Goldens are friendly and gregarious and will jump on you just to show how much they love you, especially when you come home from being gone for a while. Of course, training can alleviate this problem, but until that training is complete, the puppy/young dog will jump on you. Jumping on a small child is usually not acceptable in most families. A lot of breeders refuse to sell puppies to families with small children because when the puppy knocks the baby down, the baby cries, and the puppy gets put in the backyard indefinitely. That's when the problems start... the puppy gets bored, starts to chew, dig, jump over the fence, etc. The dog is deemed a "problem" and a lot of times ends up at a shelter or rescue. If you are not prepared to let the Golden live with your family, please consider a different, more independent breed.
Golden Retrievers are just that -- retrievers! So, don't be surprised if your Golden retrieves everything... dirty laundry, remote controls, shoes... anything that's not put up. You can look at it as a great way to be forced to become a very tidy housekeeper, or it can make you crazy. Decide which way your family would lean. Sometimes that retrieved article comes back in not-so-good shape, like destroyed. Some Goldens are worse than others about this. Goldens usually outgrow the chewing/ destroying phase as they get older.
Additionally, Golden Retrievers are NOT watch dogs, or at least, not protective watch dogs. They will bark to let you know an intruder is outside... or that the wind is blowing, or a kid on a bicycle just went by. But as far as protecting you from such an intruder, don't count on it. They will want to play with him and be his new best friend. Some Goldens are barkers and some are not. Depends on the individual dog.
NOW... if you've read all the bad things about Golden Retrievers, the most important thing is this -- A Golden Retriever will bring joy and love into your home. There is nothing sweeter than a golden retriever loping across the yard with a big smile on its face bringing you it's beloved tennis ball to throw, and throw, and throw.... Then later, that same goofy Golden will want to lay with its head in your lap while you watch TV. There's nothing sweeter.
BUT BEWARE -- Goldens are addictive! Kind of like potato chips - bet you can't have just one!
BUT BEWARE -- Goldens are addictive! Kind of like potato chips - bet you can't have just one!
Important Information
The people who are associated with this web site, strongly recommend that you buy a Golden Retriever puppy only from a reputable breeder who, as a minimum, provides copies of hip, elbow, eye, and cardiac health clearances for both sire and dam of the litter. The articles and links on this site should provide you with information about those clearances and other important information about the Golden Retriever and types of breeders to look for. We encourage puppy/dog buyers to thoroughly evaluate health and temperament of any puppies/dogs offered for sale or placement.
A reputable breeder will give you a copy of hip, elbow, eye, and heart clearances on both the sire and dam of their litters. Information on health clearances can be found here.
ASK FOR A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATES ON BOTH THE SIRE AND THE DAM. DO NOT accept a report from a veterinarian.
The maker / keeper of this web site and all breeders listed herein, take no responsibility whatsoever for any puppies/dogs that you may acquire through this web site. The maker / keeper of this web site and all breeders listed herein (other than the breeder from whom you acquire a puppy or dog) are not responsible for any breeder’s sale practices and sales contracts, nor will the maker / keeper of this web site or any breeders listed herein (other than the breeder from whom you acquire a puppy or dog) be involved in any manner in contract disputes between puppy buyers and breeders. Availability of puppies and conditions of sale are at the sole discretion of the individual breeder. Buyers are encouraged to take as much time as necessary to locate a reputable breeder from whom they feel comfortable purchasing a puppy, and to investigate breeders and their puppies thoroughly before committing to a purchase. You are not obligated to purchase a puppy from the breeders listed herein.
BUYER BEWARE! Protect yourself.
A reputable breeder will give you a copy of hip, elbow, eye, and heart clearances on both the sire and dam of their litters. Information on health clearances can be found here.
ASK FOR A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATES ON BOTH THE SIRE AND THE DAM. DO NOT accept a report from a veterinarian.
The maker / keeper of this web site and all breeders listed herein, take no responsibility whatsoever for any puppies/dogs that you may acquire through this web site. The maker / keeper of this web site and all breeders listed herein (other than the breeder from whom you acquire a puppy or dog) are not responsible for any breeder’s sale practices and sales contracts, nor will the maker / keeper of this web site or any breeders listed herein (other than the breeder from whom you acquire a puppy or dog) be involved in any manner in contract disputes between puppy buyers and breeders. Availability of puppies and conditions of sale are at the sole discretion of the individual breeder. Buyers are encouraged to take as much time as necessary to locate a reputable breeder from whom they feel comfortable purchasing a puppy, and to investigate breeders and their puppies thoroughly before committing to a purchase. You are not obligated to purchase a puppy from the breeders listed herein.
BUYER BEWARE! Protect yourself.
