Every time when see a Pedigree commercial or any other TV show with the huge golden furry balls that makes you want to hug and cuddle them all day long. A golden ball of fur is an apt simile to describe a Golden Retriever! The Golden Retriever is one of the most intelligent and lovable dog amongst all the other breed dogs. So what is the thing that when we see a Golden Retriever we can’t help but say ‘Aww’; here is a 101 about Golden Retrievers!
Golden Retrievers are natives of Scotland and were bred there in the mid-19th century. They have then found itself in various parts of America, England, Canada, etc. These dogs are considered in the ‘Large’ dogs’ category and weight around an average of 40 Kgs. They are very active and love retrieving things. Along with the color of their coat and their habit of retrieving they have been named as ‘Golden Retrievers’. In the earlier days they were the best companions for hunters. They used to retrieve the birds that had been shot down by the hunters.
Golden Retrievers have an average height of around 13 inches and live up to 12years. They have two coats of fur. The inner coat keeps them warm and the outer coat assists them to swim efficiently. They do have a lot of shedding issues especially in the summer season. There is not a garment in your closet you will find without a golden hair on it. This makes grooming or regular combing of the fur a must in case of this breed. The regular combing ensures that the false hair is entangled in the tooth of the comb rather than the pockets of your clothes! They are born swimmers and can swim swiftly and are very agile. They are a dog who love the outdoors unequivocally and love running around. They have a peculiar habit of sniffing anything and everything. They can thus wander off in the process. Hence they need to be confined within boundaries.
These dogs are the most loved and favored pet. They have a very patient and amicable temperament. They have a high tolerance towards humans and other animals. They have very high tolerance towards toddlers. Hence, you will never find a Golden Retriever snapping at a toddler who is probably pulling his tail, ears or even sleeping on him. They are very loving and will do anything to gain attention. Unlike most dogs that become lethargic after the adolescent stage; Golden Retrievers on the contrary are very active or maybe sometimes even hyper-active. This will keep you on your toes and they do require that kind of exercise to keep them fit and healthy.
Golden Retrievers are very intelligent and highly trainable. Although they have a very short span of attention, they have a tendency to understand and act according to the situation it is in. you will never find a Golden Retriever dancing around barking when there is someone who is not well in your house. It will always be the silent companion and will probably be lying down next to who is sick. This caring nature of Golden Retrievers makes them useful as guide dogs as well. They are trained to help blind people to do their daily chores without much hindrance. They make amazing companions for people who are depressed and have incurable ailments. They always manage to bring a smile and hope for such people.
So if you’re planning to get a Golden Retriever, you should be mentally prepared to be physically active. As a puppy they are usually while with a little fur. They are very active as puppies and you should make the most of this time to train them efficiently. Since they are intelligent, they learn and grasp quickly. Their original color sets in after two years. In between this time you will find the fur going from beige to dark golden color eventually. They are extremely understanding and are very loving. They however don’t make a good watch dogs for the same reason. They would be probably wagging their tail to the robber rather than shooing him away. They have a tendency to be very passive around new people and will never be aggressive. Although they don’t make good watch dogs, they are very alert and vigilant. Any anomaly in the environment they are the first to raise an alarm. Like a coin is two sided, so does the Golden Retriever have a flipside. When tempted or lurked into an adverse situation, you will find that the hair on their back stands and they will not back down a fight.
Dogs are believed to leave paw prints in our hearts forever. And Golden Retrievers just have a way of engraving them deeper. They are truly selfless and are over-flowing with unconditional love. There is not a day that goes by when I come home and don’t find my three year old golden retriever super happy and elated just to have me come home. He is my best friend and has truly taught me so many wonderful life lessons; he continues to teach me now too! The bond we have is an unbreakable thread. His intelligence appalls me and his understanding melts my heart away. The journey of life is definitely sweet with a dog but it is the sweetest with a Golden Retriever!