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Golden Retriever
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized

breed of dog. They were historically
developed as gundogs to retrieve shot
waterfowl such as ducks and upland game
birds during hunting and shooting parties.[1]
As such, they were bred to have a soft
mouth to retrieve game undamaged and
have an instinctive love of water. The
golden retriever has a dense inner coat that
provides it with adequate warmth. The outer
coat is sleek and water repellent, and lies
flat against the body. The official colour of
the breed is the varying shades of gold that
are most often seen.[2]
The breed's intelligence and versatility suit
the dogs well for a variety of roles including
guide dog for the blind, hearing dog for deaf
people, hunting dog, illegal drug detector,
and search and rescue participant. Because
of their loyal and gentle temperament,
golden retrievers are also popular family
pets.[3]

Golden Retriever

Traits
Weight

Height

Male

average 65-75 lbs (29-34 kg)

Female

average 60-70 lbs (27-32 kg)

Male

23-24 in (58-61 cm)

Female

21 1/2-22 1/2 in (55-57 cm)

Coat

straight or moderately wavy

Color

any shades of gold or cream

Life span

average 11-11 1/2

Classification and standards

FCI

Golden Retrievers possess a friendly, eagerto-please demeanour, and are the fifth most
popular family dog breed (by registration) in
the United States,[4] the fifth most popular
in Australia,[5] and the eighth most popular
in the United Kingdom.[6]

Group 8

1 History
2 Appearance
2.1 British type
2.2 American type
2.3 Canadian type
2.4 Coat and colour

standard (http://www.google.com

Section 1 /search?q=cache:VFO9NaHYR2EJ:www.fci.be
#111
/uploaded_files
/111gb99_en.doc+site:www.fci.be+%22111+
/+29.+01.+1999%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8)
AKC

Sporting

standard (http://www.akc.org/breeds
/golden_retriever/index.cfm)

ANKC Group 3

Contents

Scotland

Country of origin

standard (http://www.ankc.aust.com

(Gundogs) /goldret.html)
CKC

Group 1 standard (http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com

Sporting /golden/goldenarticle1.htm)
Dogs

KC
(UK)

Sporting
Dog

standard (http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk
/item/108)
Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

3 Temperament
4 Health
4.1 Common
diseases
4.2 Grooming
5 Activities

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6 Notable dogs
7 References
8 External links

History
The Golden Retriever was first developed in Scotland at "Guisachan" near
Glen Affric, the highland estate of Sir Dudley Marjoribanks later Baron
Tweedmouth. For many years, there was controversy over which breeds
were originally crossed. In 1952, the publication of Marjoribanks' breeding
records from 1835 to 1890 dispelled the myth concerning the purchase of a
whole troupe of Russian sheepdogs from a visiting circus.[7]
Improvements in guns during the 1800s resulted in more fowl being downed
during hunts at greater distances and over increasingly difficult terrain. This
led to more birds being lost in the field. Because of this improvement in
firearms, a need for a specialist retriever arose as training setter and pointer
breeds in retrieval was found to be ineffective. Thus work began on the
breeding of the dog to fill this much needed role.[8]

Golden Retrievers were bred

to retrieve

The original cross was of a yellow-coloured Retriever, Nous, with a Tweed

Water Spaniel female dog, Belle.[9] The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct
but was then common in the border country. Marjoribanks had purchased Nous in 1865 from an unregistered
litter of otherwise black wavy-coated retriever pups. In 1868, this cross produced a litter that included four
pups; these four became the basis of a breeding program which included the Irish Setter, the sandy-coloured
Bloodhound, the St. John's Water Dog of Newfoundland, and two more wavy-coated black Retrievers. The
bloodline was also inbred and selected for trueness to Marjoribanks' idea of the ultimate hunting dog. His
vision included a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers, one that would still be gentle
and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, nor are any other working dog breeds.
The ancestry of the Golden Retriever is all sporting dogs, in line with Marjoribanks' goals.[3]
Golden Retrievers were first accepted for registration by The Kennel Club of England in 1903, as Flat
Coats Golden. They were first exhibited in 1908, and in 1911 were recognised as a breed described as
Retriever (Golden and Yellow). In 1913, the Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed name was
officially changed to Golden Retriever in 1920[citation needed].
The Honourable Archie Marjoribanks took a Golden Retriever to Canada in 1881, and registered Lady with
the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries.
The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario, now the Golden
Retriever Club of Canada, was formed in 1958. The co-founders of the GRCC were Cliff Drysdale, an
Englishman who had brought over an English Golden and Jutta Baker, daughter in law of Louis Baker who
owned Northland Kennels, possibly Canada's first kennel dedicated to Goldens. The AKC recognised the
breed in 1925, and in 1938 the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed.[10]
There are also organisations other than clubs dedicated to golden retrievers, such as breed specific adoption
sites.
In July 2006, The Golden Retriever Club of Scotland organised a gathering of Golden Retriever enthusiasts
at the ancestral home of Guisachan House. A photograph was taken by photographer Lynn Kipps to
commemorate the occasion. It captures 188 Golden Retrievers and therefore holds the record for most
Golden Retrievers captured in one image.[citation needed]

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Appearance
British type
Some variations do exist between the British type Golden Retrievers
prevalent throughout Europe and Australia,[11] and those of
American lines and these differences are reflected in the breed
standard. The muzzle of the British type of dog is wider and shorter,
and its forehead is blockier. It has shorter legs, with a slightly deeper
chest, and shorter tail. Its features make it generally heavier than the
American type. Males should be between 5661 cm (2224 inches)
at the withers and females slightly shorter at between 5156 cm
(2022 inches). Their weight, however, is not specified in the UK
standard. The KC standard calls for a level topline and straight
hindquarters without the slight rear angulation found in American
lines.[12][13] The eyes of the European type are noted for their
roundness and darkness as contrasted with the triangular or slanted
composition of their American counterparts. A Golden Retriever of
British breeding can have a coat colour of any shade of gold or
cream; however, red or mahogany are not permissible colours.
Originally cream was not an acceptable colour in the UK standard;
however, by 1936 the standard was revised to include cream. It was
felt this exclusion was a mistake as the original "yellow" retrievers of
the 19th century were lighter in colour than the then current standard
permitted. As with American lines, white is an unacceptable colour
in the show ring.[14] The British KC standard is used in all countries
with the exceptions of the USA and Canada.[13] Some breeders of
this type in America may import their dogs to improve the
temperament and health noted in those bloodlines .

British-type Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever, 8 months old

American type
An American Golden is lankier and less stocky than a British Type.
A male should stand 2224 inches (5661 cm) in height at the
shoulders, and females should be 2022 inches (5156 cm).[15] The
coat is dense and water repellent, in various shades of lustrous gold,
with moderate feathering. The gait should be free, smooth, powerful,
and well-coordinated.[16]

Golden Retriever

Canadian type
The Canadian Golden Retriever's appearance are similar to the
American type in height and weight, and have a thinner coat than
their conformation line counterparts, and they are usually darker in
colour.

Coat and colour

As indicated by their name, their coat comes in light golden colours
to dark golden colours. The coat and undercoat are dense and
waterproof, and may be straight or moderately wavy. It usually lies

American Golden Retriever

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flat against the belly. The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard
states that the coat is a "rich, lustrous golden of various shades",
disallowing coats that are extremely light or extremely dark. This
leaves the outer ranges of coat colour up to a judge's discretion when
competing in conformation shows. Therefore, "pure white" and "red"
are unacceptable colours like black .[14] The Kennel Club (UK) also
permits cream as an acceptable coat colour.[12] Judges may also
disallow Goldens with pink noses, or those lacking pigment. The
Golden's coat can also be of a mahogany colour, referred to as
"redheads", although this is not accepted in the British show ring.[12]
Golden Retrievers vary widely in
As a Golden grows older, its coat can become darker or lighter, along
colour.
with a noticeable whitening of the fur on and around the muzzle.
Puppy coats are usually much lighter than their adult coats, but a
puppy with a darker colouration at the tips of the ears may indicate a
darker adult colour. A golden's coat should never be too long, as this may prove to be a disservice to them in
the field, especially when retrieving game.[16]

Temperament
The temperament of the Golden Retriever is a hallmark of the breed
and is described in the standard as "kindly, friendly and
confident".[12] They are not "one man dogs" and are generally
equally amiable with both strangers and those familiar to them.[8]
Their trusting, gentle disposition therefore makes them a poor guard
dog.[17] Any form of unprovoked aggression or hostility towards
either people, dogs or other animals, whether in the show ring or
community, is completely unacceptable in a Golden Retriever and is
not in keeping with the character of the breed and as such is
Golden Retriever swimming
considered a serious fault. Nor should a Golden Retriever be unduly
timid or nervous.[8][16] The typical Golden Retriever is calm,
naturally intelligent and biddable, with an exceptional eagerness to please.
Golden Retrievers are also noted for their intelligence, it ranks fourth
in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs following the Border
Collie, Poodle, and German Shepherd Dog, being one of the
brightest dogs ranked by obedience command trainability. These
dogs are also renowned for their patience with children.
By the time they reach maturity however, Goldens will have become
active and fun-loving animals with the exceptionally patient
demeanour befitting a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting
blind. Adult Golden Retrievers love to work, and have a keen ability
to focus on a given task. They will seemingly work until they
collapse, so care should be taken to avoid overworking them.

Most Goldens are high energy and

need plenty of exercise, such as dog
agility.

Other characteristics related to their hunting heritage are a size suited for scrambling in and out of boats and
an inordinate love for water. Golden Retrievers are exceptionally trainabledue to their intelligence,
athleticism and desire to please their handlersand generally excel in obedience trials. They are also very
competitive in agility and other performance events. Harsh training methods are unnecessary as Golden
Retrievers often respond very well to positive and upbeat training styles.[18]
Golden Retrievers are compatible with children and adults and are good with other dogs, cats and most
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livestock. Golden Retrievers are particularly valued for their high level of
sociability towards people, calmness, and willingness to learn. Because of
this, they are commonly used as guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and
search and rescue dogs.[3] They are friendly and tend to learn tricks easily.
They are also known to become excellent surrogate mothers to different
species.[citation needed] Kittens and even tiger cubs from zoos are well taken
care of by golden retrievers. In some cases, a retriever may produce milk for
her adopted even though she may not have been pregnant or nursing recently.
[citation needed]

Health

A Golden Retriever puppy

jumps to catch a treat.

The average life span for a Golden

Retriever is 11 to 11 years.[19][20]
Golden Retrievers are susceptible to
specific ailments. A responsible
breeder will proactively minimise the
risk of illness by having the health of
dogs in breeding pairs professionally
assessed and selected on the basis of
complementary traits.

Newborn Golden Retrievers

Golden retrievers are known to have

genetic disorders and other diseases. Hip
dysplasia is common in the breed; when
buying a puppy, the pedigree should be
known and be examined by the OFA or
by PennHIP for hip disease.

Common diseases

A golden retriever at 15 years old

Cancer, the most common being hemangiosarcoma, followed by

lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumour, and osteosarcoma. Cancer was the cause of
death for 61.4% of American Goldens according to a 1998 health study
conducted by the Golden Retriever Club of America, making it the breed's biggest killer.[19] A
2004 survey by the UK Kennel Club puts this number at 38.8%.[20]
Hip and elbow dysplasia afflicting 19.8% of dogs [21] [22]
Eye diseases, including cataracts[21] (the most common eye disease in Goldens), progressive
retinal atrophy, glaucoma, distichiasis,[23] entropion,[23] corneal dystrophy[23] and retinal
dysplasia[23]
Heart disease, especially subvalvular aortic stenosis[21] and cardiomyopathy
Joint diseases, including patella luxation, osteochondritis, panosteitis, and cruciate ligament
rupture
Skin diseases, with allergies (often leading to acute moist dermatitis or "hot spots"), particularly
flea allergies, being most common.[19] Others include seborrhoea, sebaceous adenitis, and lick
granuloma.
Haemophilia[24]
Lyme Disease is unseen until the late stages of kidney failure in the breed.

Golden Retriever Puppy

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Grooming
Golden Retrievers should be groomed at least once a week, and every day during heavy shedding. Their
coats shed somewhat during the year, but are known to shed profusely twice a year. They also need to have
their ears cleaned regularly, or ear infections might occur. While shedding is unavoidable with Golden
Retrievers, frequent grooming (daily to weekly) lessens the amount of hair shed by the animal. Severe
shedding resulting in bald patches can be indicative of stress or sickness in a Golden Retriever.

Activities
The Golden Retriever's eagerness to please has made them
consistent, top performers in the obedience and agility rings. Plus
with their excellent swimming ability they are great at dock jumping.
Their natural retrieving ability also sees them excel in flyball and
field trials.[7]
The first three dogs ever to achieve the AKC Obedience Champion
title were Golden Retrievers; the first of the three was a female
named Ch. Moreland's Golden Tonka.[25]

A Golden Retriever dock jumping

The breed is used in water rescue/lifesaving. It continues in that role

today, along with the Leonberger, Newfoundland and Labrador Retriever dogs; they are used at the Italian
School of Canine Lifeguard.[26]

Notable dogs
Liberty, the presidential pet of President Gerald R. Ford, was a Golden Retriever.[27] The breed has also
featured in a number of films and TV series, including: Air Bud and Air Bud: Golden Receiver, Full House,
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco, Fluke,
Napoleon, Up, Pushing Daisies, and The Drew Carey Show. Cash from "The Fox and the Hound 2" was also
a mix of this breed, as was Cooler from Pound Puppies.

References
1. ^ Sporting Breeds: Golden Retriever. (http://www.animalforum.com/dbreed/spgolden.htm) Animal Forum.com.
Retrieved on November 30, 2007.
2. ^ "Enter The Golden Retriever". (http://www.articles3000.com/Pets-and-Animals/95589/Golden-RetrieverFriendly-Reliable-Trustworthy-Enter-The-Golden-Retriever.html) Article3000.com. Retrieved on December 7,
2007.
3. ^ a b c Classification: The Versatile Golden Retriever. (http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/2-24-2006-89723.asp)
Buzzle.com. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
4. ^ AKC Dog Registration Statistics. (http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm) AKC.org Retrieved on July 20,
2011.
5. ^ "Pedigree Dogs Exposed FAQ" (http://www.rspca.org.au/how-you-can-help/campaigns/pedigreedogs/frequently-asked-questions.html) . RSPCA Australia. http://www.rspca.org.au/how-you-can-help/campaigns
/pedigree-dogs/frequently-asked-questions.html. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
6. ^ "TOP TWENTY BREEDS IN REGISTRATION ORDER FOR THE YEARS 2008 AND 2009"
(http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/7748/Top-20.pdf) . The Kennel Club.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/7748/Top-20.pdf. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
7. ^ a b Golden Retrievers: History. (http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/goldens.html) K9web.com. Retrieved
on November 30, 2007.
8. ^ a b c Golden Retriever Extended Breed Standard: Origin of the Breed. (http://www.ankc.org.au/_uploads

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever

/docs/23114GoldenRetrieverBSE.pdf) ANKC.org.au Retrieved on December 16, 2007.

9. ^ Golden Retrievers: Everything You Need To know. (http://www.goldenretriever-dog.com/) goldenretrieverdog.com
10. ^ History. (http://www.grca.org/history/default.htm) Golden Retriever Club of America. Cool Retrieved on
February 4, 2007.
11. ^ ANKC Golden Retriever standard. (http://www.ankc.org.au/Breed_Details.aspx?bid=86) ANKC. Retrieved on
December 16, 2007.
12. ^ a b c d KC Golden Retriever standard. (http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/108) UK Kennel Club. Retrieved
on November 30, 2007.
13. ^ a b American and British Golden Retrievers the same breed? (http://www.brightongoldens.com
/AboutGoldens.html) Brighton Goldens.com. Retrieved on December 8, 2007.
14. ^ a b White Golden Retrievers (http://grca.org/pec/whitegolden.html) Golden Retriever Club of America.
Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
15. ^ <http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/goldenretriever.htm>
16. ^ a b c AKC Golden Retriever standard. (http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/index.cfm) American
Kennel Club. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
17. ^ Canada's Guide to Dogs: Golden Retriever. (http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/retrievergolden.htm)
Canadasguidetodogs.com Retrieved on December 17, 2007.
18. ^ Golden Retriever. (http://www.fetchdog.com/learn-connect/dog-breed-center/g/golden-retriever/GoldenRetriever/D/lcbreedfactcenter/P/1:5:51:507:5128/I/BR00005128?#facts) www.fetchdog.com Retrieved on
September 16, 2008.
19. ^ a b c The Golden Retriever Club of America, National Health Survey: 19981999 (PDF).
(http://www.goldenretrieverfoundation.org/insidepagesdata/healthsurvey/GRCA%20Health%20Survey.pdf) The
Golden Retriever Foundation. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
20. ^ a b "2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey for Golden Retrievers" (http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download
/1563/hsgoldenretriever.pdf) . Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1563/hsgoldenretriever.pdf. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
21. ^ a b c Acquiring a Golden Retriever. (http://www.grca.org/acquiring.htm#hereditary) The Golden Retriever Club
of America. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
22. ^ [1] (http://www.offa.org/stats_hip.html)
23. ^ a b c d Golden retriever. (http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/breeds/goldenretriever2.htm) University of Prince Edward
Island. Retrieved on February 4, 2007.
24. ^ Project Outline: Golden Retriever Hemophilia A Study 20042005. (http://www.grca.org/health
/hemophilia.html) Golden Retriever Club of America. Retrieved on February 7, 2007.
25. ^ Golden Retriever Did You Know? (http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/did_you_know.cfm) AKC.org.
Retrieved on December 7, 2007.
26. ^ "Bonewatch: The doggy lifeguards that leap from helicopters to save stranded swimmers"
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1306009/Bonewatch-The-doggy-lifeguardsleap-helicopters-save-stranded-swimmers.html) . Daily Mail. August 27, 2010. http://www.dailymail.co.uk
/news/worldnews/article-1306009/Bonewatch-The-doggy-lifeguards-leap-helicopters-save-strandedswimmers.html. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
27. ^ Remarks at a Dinner Honoring William W. Scranton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=4445) - The American Presidency Project at UCSB

External links
Golden Retriever (http://www.dmoz.org//Recreation/Pets/Dogs/Breeds/Sporting-Gundog_Group
/Golden_Retriever//) at the Open Directory Project
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever"
Categories: Sporting dogs | Dog breeds originating in Scotland | Lifesaving
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