Dog
Group:
Sporting 
Golden Retriever Champions
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Breed Description:
The Golden Retriever breed of dog is one of the most popular in the world: a versatile golden or cream colored retriever who excels in the hunting field, as a companion, and also as a service dog. He is mild-mannered and tractable, getting on well with all manner of people and animals. His zest for life and all it brings is legendary and lasting, extending well into the senior years. The Golden Retriever is a powerful, sound and active dog, with a kindly expression and a self-confident, willing and winning personality. His head is broad, slightly arched, and with a deep and wide foreface. His eyes are friendly and intelligent, medium large and dark brown. His ears are rather short, his nose is black or brownish black, and his teeth close in a scissors bite. The neck of the Golden Retriever breed of dog is medium long, merging gradually into well laid back shoulders, giving a sturdy, muscular appearance. His backline is strong and level from withers to slightly sloping croup. His body is deep through the chest, with a well developed forechest and a brisket that extends to the elbow. His loin is short, muscular, wide and deep, with very little tuck-up. His tail is thick and muscular at the base, and carried merrily either level or with a moderate upward curve. The Golden Retriever has muscular front and hindquarters, with strong boned straight legs. Dewclaws on forelegs may be removed, but are normally left on. Feet are medium size, round, compact, and well knuckled, with thick pads. The coat of the Golden Retriever breed of dog is dense and water-repellent, with a good undercoat. His outer coat is firm and resilient, whether straight or wavy. It lies close to the body. There is moderate feathering on the back of the forelegs and on the underbody; heavier feathering appears on the front of the neck, back of the thighs and underside of the tail. The coat on the head, paws, and front of the legs is short and even. The Golden Retriever is a rich, lustrous golden, ranging from light cream to darker honey. The feathering may be lighter than the rest of the coat. With the exception of graying or whitening due to age, any white marking, other than a few white hairs on the chest, is penalized. The Golden Retriever has a smooth, powerful and well coordinated gait. His legs do not turn it or out, and his feet do not cross or interfere with each other.
Temperament:
The Golden Retriever breed of dog is easygoing and mild-mannered, eager to please. He is exuberant and sociable, as well as bright, and understands what is desired of him without much instruction. He is one of the fast learners and most easily trained dogs in the world. He loves family time, and is particularly fond of vigorous outings with his family followed by a good nap on the sofa.
Height:
20 to 24 inches
Weight:
55 to 75 pounds
Health Problems:
Golden Retrievers are susceptible to cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, dysplasia, and subaortic stenosis.
Living Conditions:
The Golden Retriever breed of dog can adapt to apartment living if given sufficient outdoor exercise. He is quite sociable and does not do well kenneled alone in the back yard. On the other hand, he's so pleasant to have around that you probably wouldn't want to anyway.
Exercise:
The Golden Retriever breed of dog needs vigorous exercise. He is athletic and willing, and enjoys all manner of sports and performance ativities. He has a tendency to gain weight, so he really must be given sufficient exercise to be at his best. He loves to hunt, fetch, run and swim.
Life Expectancy:
10 to 12 years
Grooming:
The Golden Retriever breed of dog sheds regularly, and must be brushed several times each week to remove dead hair and keep his fine coat tangle-free. His ears and feet should be checked regularly. He is susceptible to ear infections, and his feet have a tendency to pick up burrs, etc. in the field.
Origin:
The Golden Retriever breed of dog comes from Great Britain. Lord Tweedmouth (Dudly Majoribanks) began a breeding program in the late 1800s to develop a golden-colored retriever as a breed separate from the Labrador and Wavy-Coat retrievers, who were typically black although they had yellow recessives. These dogs began to be called Golden Retrievers in the 1920s. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
