Golden Retriever Dog | History, Domestication, Physical Traits, Breeds, & Facts
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It is a great companion animal as well as a working dog. He is a medium-sized dog known for his golden coat.
Where do Golden Retrievers come from?
They were originally bred in Scotland in the late 1800s by Lord Tweedmouth to catch birds, especially waterfowl shot while hunting. Therefore, they are excellent and patriotic retrievers. They also have a soft mouth that allows them to carry the game without damaging it. The original Golden Retriever was a hybrid of several dog breeds, including the Tweed Water Spaniel, Yellow Retriever, Bloodhound, and Irish Setter.
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How big do they get?
Golden Retrievers are about 22 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 75 pounds at full maturity. Females are usually slightly smaller than males. Their golden coats are dense and waterproof. Their coat can be straight or slightly wavy. They have a lifespan of about 11 years.
Work Dogs
Like many other dogs, Golden Retrievers were first bred to work. Originally, they were hunting dogs, but due to their intelligence, obedience, and desire to perform, they were used in other areas as well. They love to work, but also have the patience to sit back and wait when needed. Today they are used as guide dogs for the blind, search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, hearing dogs for the deaf, and they remain a popular hunting dog.
As Pets
Due to the good behavior of Golden Retrievers, they are very popular as pets. As a rule, they are smart, calm, lovable, athletic and always want to please. They tend to be gentle with children and other animals and are usually easy to train. However, because they are very docile and non-aggressive, they are not the best house-keeping dogs as they are generally good with people, including strangers.
Interesting Facts about Golden Retrievers
The first three champions of the American Kennel Club were the Golden Retrievers.
They starred in the movie Air Bud the dog.
President Gerald Ford has a Golden Retriever named Liberty.
There are British, Canadian and American versions of the breed.
They are known to take care of other animals, even kittens!
They are considered the fourth most intelligent dog breed.