Golden Retrievers: From Puppyhood to Adulthood – A Comprehensive Guide

Ready to grow your family by one new furry member?

Getting a new dog is an exciting time, but there’s much to consider. Temperament and trainability, health concerns, and diet are all considerations when choosing which breed is right for you. And whichever one you pick, you’ll need to be prepared.

When it comes to family pets, golden retrievers find themselves at the top of the list of most popular breeds. Considering their friendly personality, training needs, and family-friendliness, it’s not hard to see why!

Origin of the Breed

This retriever breed was developed in Scotland by the fittingly-named Sir Dudley Moribank. Sir Dudley created the breed because he wanted a more athletic, hardier hunting, and smarter dog. Crossing yellow retrievers with tweed water spaniels resulted in the goldens we know today.

The AKC officially recognized the breed in 1925. It was during the 1970s that the golden retriever came to prominence thanks to President Gerald Ford’s family dog, Liberty. Today, these long-haired retrievers are one of the most popular in the US.

Behavior and Personality Traits

Goldens were bred specifically for an even temperament, to obey commands, and accomplish tasks. The result was a breed famous for its friendly disposition, intelligence, and desire to please. It’s well known that goldens make family pets as these dogs are exceptionally social, patient, and gentle with children.

Remember, however, these dogs were originally designed to be working dogs. As such, golden retrievers trend toward very intelligence and athleticism and typically find themselves on the high end of the energy spectrum. Goldens can easily become bored, resulting in destructive behavior such as chewing if not properly exercised or stimulated mentally.

Caring for Golden Retrievers

Like every dog breed, goldens have care requirements specific to their unique physical, mental, and emotional needs.

Training Your Golden

Your new golden will come ready and eager to learn, especially if you’ve brought home a puppy. As an intended working dog, your pup is incredibly intelligent and will likely learn commands quickly. Combine a few repetitions of each task with positive reinforcement paired with tasty treats and your dog should catch on to the desired behavior quickly.

Don’t mistake and easily-trained dog with one who doesn’t require much training. Because goldens are so intelligent, social, and energetic, they require significant exercise and stimulation. The breed might be less than ideal for owners who lack the commitment for everyday training and exercise sessions.

Specific Health Issues

When you bring home your new fluffy family member, consult with a veterinarian to discuss evaluating your pup for breed-specific health concerns. As larger dogs, goldens are at a higher risk for certain conditions, especially those surrounding joint and heart issues.

• Hip or elbow dysplasia
• Heart disease
• Ear infections
• Cancer
• Hypothyroidism.

Goldens are amazing dogs that make fantastic family pets. They do require lots of attention and care, but the effort is rewarded through a lifetime of love, affection, and social media-worthy antics. If you’re considering adding a golden to your life, stop by your local rescue organization to learn more about finding the pup for you.