Golden Retriever puppy
adopted in Orlando
born 1/28/2022, Golden Red

The Golden Retriever is one of the most easily recognized dog breeds globally, and for a good reason! These gentle giants have even bigger hearts; the affectionate Golden Retriever has enough love to go around. Highly intelligent and energetic, there will never be a dull moment in your home once you welcome your new furry friend.

Weighing 55-75 pounds and a whopping 24 inches tall at the shoulder, this large dog breed grows faster than you could believe! Because of their size, they are at an increased risk for cardio and respiratory conditions; it is essential to keep your pet up to date with their vaccinations and vet visits to maintain their health.

If your family is looking for a dog with much energy and loves playing fetch - hence the name retriever - the Golden Retriever is suitable for you. These happy-go-lucky pups have a lot to offer; their undying loyalty and friendly, playful nature make them the perfect family pet. Golden Retrievers are excellent for the whole family, from small children to seniors, to other cats and dogs.

Contrary to the popular belief that Golden Retrievers are descendants of Russian sheepdogs, they were bred in the Scottish Highlands by one Lord Dudley Majoribanks of Tweedmouth. These dogs were bred over 50 years during the mid-1800s to create the "perfect gundog" that could handle the rugged terrain of the area and the stormy weather conditions. A cross between Majoribanks' yellow retriever and the now-extinct Tweed water spaniel, the Golden Retriever, was formed. 

The Golden Retriever made its grand appearance at the 1908 British Dog Show. The Kennel Club in England finally recognized the Golden Retriever as its distinct breed only three years later, in 1911. However, at this time, the breed was categorized as "retriever - yellow or golden." It was not until 1920 that the breed was officially named Golden Retriever. Over time, these pups made their way to Canada and later America, where the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1932. Their popularity has continued to soar over the years, as they have continued to hold their spot in the top 5 most popular dog breeds in various countries. 

Because of the Golden Retriever's friendly and outgoing disposition, they are often referred to as the "perfect family dog." This playful breed has much energy to spare and much love to give. They are eager to please their owners, making them incredibly easy to train. These slobbery pups are particularly mouthy; make sure to provide your pet with toys to chew on so that they don't start nipping at you instead! Like any dog, proper training from an early age is vital in ensuring your pup grows to be a well-behaved, well-rounded adult. Introduce your pet to new people, new pets, and new experiences to accustom them. 

This breed's unwavering loyalty makes them great companions for life. However, if you are looking for a guard dog that will keep watch, you have come to the wrong place. As loyal as these pups are, they are not ones to deter intruders, especially if that intruder has a little snack for them or gives them a nice pat. Even still, these dogs are exceptionally bright and devoted to their families.

While the Golden Retriever is very active and loves to play, they tend to slow down quite a bit as they get older. They will still need to play and get some exercise, but not nearly as much as they once needed. Later in life, your pet will become more docile and calmer, which is perfectly normal.

One of the great things about Golden Retrievers is how adaptable they are. They do well with loud noises, rambunctious children, and changes in the home environment; this is one of the reasons they are great for large and small families. As long as they are in the company of others, they do just fine. Golden Retrievers very much see themselves as part of the family, so this breed is happiest when surrounded by loved ones who will give them all the affection they could dream of. This is not a breed you should consider if you are looking for an outside dog. 

When properly socialized from an early age, the Golden Retriever will have no problems getting along with cats, dogs, babies, and several other animals. Be sure to teach your pet how to play safely with other smaller animals, as these giants may not know their strength! 

While they are adaptable to various lifestyles (whether it be suburban or urban life), they must have an area where they can get up to an hour of exercise per day. Ideally, your pet will have a yard they can roam around and play in every day to get some of their pent-up energy out. If you are in an apartment complex, this is okay, but you must be able to set aside time to take your pet out for walks or to a park to play. These highly active need exercise just as much as they need food and water.

Three things to note about the Golden Retriever: shedding, shedding, and more shedding. There are certain times of the year when your pet's hair will shed more often than usual; during the summer and winter, their coat sheds moderately, whereas, during spring and fall, they shed significantly. Although their luscious hair is very shiny and beautiful, it takes work! It is recommended that Golden Retrievers are brushed roughly 30 minutes a week, or ideally once a day, to maintain that glorious shine and prevent matting. Daily brushing will help with excessive shedding, but owners should still expect to find pet hair all over any and everything in their homes. 

When preparing to give your pet their first bath, make sure you choose a shampoo that will not only keep their hair smooth and shiny but will also protect the skin underneath. Assuming your pet does not have any skin conditions, your dog will do well with a shampoo containing oatmeal, and Vitamin E. Bathing helps with shedding, especially if done every month - make sure to wait until your pet's hair is completely dry before you begin brushing to prevent irritating your puppy's skin.

In addition to brushing and washing your puppy's hair, it is important to brush their teeth at least twice a week to remove tartar buildup, which may be housing various bacteria that could make your pet sick. If you notice the foul-smelling breath, consider brushing their teeth once daily. Nails should be trimmed once or twice a month. Dogs' nails are sensitive and filled with blood vessels, so if you are uncomfortable trimming your furry friend's nails, take them to a professional to get this done.

Every week or so, examine your pet's ears, keeping a close eye out for any dirt buildup, redness, or foul odor, which can signal an infection. The Golden Retriever's floppy ears allow for an environment where bacteria grow rapidly. Gently wipe their ears with a cotton ball dampened with a dog-friendly ear cleanser to remove dirt. If you notice any sign of an ear infection, take your pet to the vet's office to be professionally examined.

Just as water and food are vital parts of every dog's day-to-day life, exercise is just as important to the Golden Retriever. However, the amount of exercise your pet needs varies depending on their age; puppies do not need nearly as much as adults. A good rule of thumb to follow is the "5-minute rule." The rule states that your puppy has been alive for every month, they need no more than 5 minutes per month. So if your puppy is only four months old, they need no more than 20 minutes of exercise per day. When they are in their puppy stage, they can get their exercise from brisk walks or a few games of fetch.

In general, adult Golden Retrievers need at least one good hour of exercise per day. No two dogs are the same; you may find that your dog can only handle 45 minutes of exercise, whereas another dog may need up to 2 hours of exercise every day. As your pet grows and you learn more about them, you will find out what works for them and what does not. If you are tired of playing fetch and going on brisk walks, try introducing a new exercise method for your dog. Some suggestions are hikes, swimming, or running. 

This intelligent breed does need its fair share of mental exercise too. Another idea is to try playing scenting games or other various mind puzzles, which will enrich your Golden Retriever's mental capabilities. These fast learners are easy to train and live to impress you! They respond well to agility and obedience training by using treats and positive reinforcements. Steer clear from yelling and reprimanding your dog during the training process, as this will result in an uncooperative pup.

Some Golden Retriever owners choose to enroll their pets in agility and obedience training as another form of exercise. This breed thrives in this environment! Not only do these training events allow your dog to exercise physically, but it also allows them to exercise their minds. Above all else, your pet will form a special bond with you through all of this, and after all, all they want is to spend as much time with you as possible.

Since Golden Retrievers love playing and are extremely energetic, it may be hard for them to realize they have had enough. Believe it or not, your pet can be over-exercised! Some tell-tale signs that it is time for a little break include excessive panting, excessive thirst, limping, stiffness, or any other abnormalities in your dog's behavior. It is best to cut back on the exercise for a few days to give your pet a chance to bounce back. Once they have recouped, they will be good to go once more!

A healthy Golden Retriever lives on average 10-12 years. One of the keys to ensuring your pet lives a long, full life is giving them proper nutrition. Like people, each dog is unique and requires its specific diet. A good starting point, though, is giving your adult dog 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food split up into two meals each day. For puppies, you want to start with half a cup at two months old and gradually increase serving sizes each month. Once your pup reaches six months old, you can start serving them 3 cups a day and increase as needed. Typically female dogs require less food than their male counterparts, but only you and your vet know exactly what they need. If you are struggling to find a food your dog responds well to or wondering if they are getting all of the proper nutrients, meet with your vet to get suggestions.

Since Golden Retrievers excel in training, it is likely you may use treats to train or motivate your pet. While this is effective, be sure not to overfeed your dog. Giving your pet too many treats may inadvertently result in unwanted weight gain or even obesity. Golden Retrievers are more prone to obesity than many other dog breeds. If you suspect your pet is becoming overweight, try the hands-on test and the eye test in your own home. 

For this test, you will need to look down at your pet. Place your hands on their back with your thumbs along the spine, and your other fingers faced downwards. Without having to press hard, you should be able to feel (not see) your dog's ribs. If you can't, lower their daily food intake and make sure they get some extra exercise.