Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in Canada. This intelligent, loyal and friendly breed can fill diverse roles with ease as a family dog, therapy dog, hunting companion and guide for the blind. Good natured and beautiful, the Golden Retriever dog is a real crowd pleaser.

Temperament of a Golden Retriever Dog

Golden Retrievers are known as world-class family dogs whose sweet, puppy-like temperament makes them a joyful playmate to people of all ages. Loyal, trustworthy and eager-to-please, these dogs are typically easy to train. Goldens are part of the Sporting Group, so they are hardworking and need (and love!) exercise to burn off energy.

Characteristics of the Breed

Behind the friendly eyes of the Golden Retriever lives an intelligent mind and sweet temperament. Eager to please, Goldens are easy to train and love hearing praise when they master a new skill.

Goldens are also high-energy and can perform tasks like waterfowl retrieval for hours on end. Because they were bred to assist on the hunt, keep them well exercised and busy to avoid undesirable behavior.

Overall, this smart, outgoing and good-natured breed makes him a trustworthy leader in a number of fields. Golden Retrievers serve important roles such as search-and-rescue dogs, guides for the blind, hunting partners and beloved family dogs.

How Long Does a Golden Retriever Live?

10 to 12 years

Colours

The Golden Retriever dog gets his name for his beautiful and lustrous golden-colored coat. Its golden hue can range from dark to light golden, but is always a shade of gold.

Does the Golden Retriever Shed?

Goldens sport a thick, water-repellant double coat. They shed heavily one or two times a year, and moderately on a continuous basis. Brush your Golden Retriever a few times a week to keep shedding under control.

Common Health Conditions

Golden Retrievers are a generally healthy dog breed. Screening for elbow and hip dysplasia, eye conditions and certain heart diseases is recommended, however. As with other drop-eared breeds, check your Golden’s ears for infection regularly.

Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

When choosing the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, consider his size, activity level and life stage. Without adequate exercise, Golden Retriever dogs are at risk of becoming overweight. You want to select a food that will help him maintain his ideal body condition long-term.

Here are a few foods that we recommend for Golden Retrievers:

• Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Large Breed Formula
• Purina One SmartBlend Large Breed Adult Formula
• Purina Pro Plan SPORT 30/20
• Pro Plan FOCUS Adult Weight Management Large Breed

Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

Puppies of all breeds have specific nutritional needs. Golden Retrievers are no exception. Because they may take more time to mature than smaller breeds, Golden Retrievers may need puppy food until 18 months to 2 years of age. Look for a puppy food formula with DHA to nourish brain and vision development. Formulas with antioxidants will support a puppy’s developing immune system.

Some foods you may want to consider for your Golden Retriever puppy include: 

• Purina One SmartBlend Healthy Puppy
• Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Large Breed Puppy
• Puppy Chow

History of the Breed

The Golden Retriever was first bred on the estate of a Scottish aristocrat named Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth. Beginning in the 1840’s Tweedmouth began breeding his “Yellow Retriever” with the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. Over time, Irish Setters and Bloodhounds were also added to the bloodline.

The Golden Retriever was developed over 50 years and several generations. This “ideal gundog” was widely admired by sport hunters and show fanciers alike who instantly appreciated the Golden dog for his skills on the hunt, beautiful coat and sweet temperament.

Facts About the Golden Retriever Dog Breed

• The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular of the 194 dog breeds recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). 
• The Golden Retriever was developed in Scotland during the reign of Queen Victoria.
• Goldens have been featured in recent TV commercials for brands like Subaru and Budweiser.
• Golden Retrievers are often successfully used in field trials, hunting and obedience competitions.
• The “Air Bud” movies feature Golden Retrievers as the stars.
• The breed was first registered with the AKC in 1925.
• Swimming and fetching are two of the Golden Retriever’s favorite activities.