Red golden retrievers characteristics, History, Health, Photo

One of the most popular dog breeds in our time, the Golden Retriever literally stays on the screens. These dogs constantly appear in films and advertisements, work as canis therapists in specialized clinics and nursing homes.

Such popularity is no coincidence. It is difficult to find a kinder and more affectionate dog than the Golden Retriever. Intelligence, accuracy in contact with people, cheerful character allowed these dogs to firmly take their place in the heart of both urban and rural residents.

The Golden Retriever is an ideal dog for those who do not need the protection of the territory or person but need a cheerful family friend. However, dogs of this breed are active and recover quickly in the absence of stress. This increases the load on the heart and the musculoskeletal system, so such Goldens do not live long, suffering from obesity all their lives.

Golden feels great both in a city apartment and in a private house. Seasonal moulting can be a problem in the apartment, during which the dog loses a lot of hair and needs daily brushing.

A real paradise for such a dog is free content in the countryside. Golden, although not able to protect the property and the owner, has a low, serious voice, scaring off ill-wishers with barking.

The current breed standard No. 111 was adopted by the FCI on July 26, 2009. There is also the AKC standard describing the breed as seen by American breeders. American dogs are brighter, fitter and slightly taller than European ones.

Reliability, ability to work, intelligence, lack of aggression towards people and dogs or shyness are the main qualities of the golden retriever. The desire to bring a thing to the owner in these dogs is innate and only polished by special training. Actually, the breed is named for its purpose – to find and bring prey.

It is curious that on the continent the continental cops have always performed the function of feeding the beaten game from the water. For a long time, the main job of retrievers has been to find the wounded game and serve it, for which the dogs needed a lower instinct.

In addition, such dogs had to be tireless, strong, loving to work in the water. For successful work, retrievers also required keen eyesight and soft diarrhea – that is, the ability to minimize damage to the game during its delivery to the hunter.

Goldens are dogs with a well-expressed sexual type. Males are more massive, larger-headed and larger than bitches. Bitches are more feminine, with more elegant heads and lighter bones.

Goldens are dogs of a somewhat elongated format, their format index ranges from 106 to 110. This means that the oblique body length exceeds the height at the withers by 6-10%.

Dogs of this breed are very friendly. They are characterized by an affectionate expression and a confident, benevolent attitude towards people. Nervous, aggressive and cowardly individuals should be excluded from breeding regardless of their conformation.

The coat of these retrievers should be dense, have a well-developed undercoat and repel water. On the tail and limbs, it forms a feathering, longer on the chest, body, ears. The FCI standard allows golden color in all shades, except for bright mahogany and too light, almost white.

Golden’s head should be quite massive, well-sculpted, with a pronounced, but not abrupt transition from the forehead to the muzzle. The skull is slightly convex and somewhat rounded at the sides. The muzzle is straight, long, well filled under the eyes. The nose is black, the muzzle tapers somewhat towards the nose, the lips are of medium density, dry, tight-fitting.

The eyes should be large, round, dark, set wide and deep, with a calm and friendly expression. The eyelids are dry, tight-fitting and well-pigmented. The ears are located just above eye level, drooping. Their base is wide and the tips are rounded.

The fur on the edge of the ears forms a characteristic fringe. Teeth white, large, complete. The absence of P1 and M3 is considered a disadvantage, but not a vice.

Golden’s neck should be of a high cut, muscular, powerful, without signs of dampness – folds and dewlap. Ideally, the length of the neck is the same as the length of the head. The position of the neck depends on the correct structure of the shoulder girdle of the dog’s limbs.

The forelegs are strong, straight and parallel, well boned. The lengths of the scapula and shoulder are equal. The pasterns are short and strong.

Golden’s chest should be of good width and depth. It is believed that a man’s hand should be placed freely between the forepaws along with the first toe.

As for the girdle of the hind legs, the loins of these dogs should be short and well-muscled. The inclination of the pelvic bone relative to the horizontal is about 30 degrees. The angle of the hip joint is straight. Metatarsus are short and vertical.

Feet are round, with a short hoop, “feline”, well-knit. The tail continues the line of the back, up to the hocks. There should be no bend at the end of the tail. Temperamental dogs can lift their tail above the level of the back, but the tail must be correct.

The movements are sweeping, free.

Wool with straight or wavy hair close to the body. The undercoat is dense, waterproof. Soft, harsh or silky coats are undesirable.

The golden color gradually darkens with age. It shouldn’t be deep red. A warm golden tone is preferred.

Vices:

• Amble, heavy trot.
• Overshot, undershot, slanted jaw.
• Barrel-shaped rear posture.
• A wolfish, logged tail, thrown in a ring over the back.
• Narrow, overly short or long, straight or sloping croup.
• High back, straight back, long metatarsus, the disproportion of the lower leg and thigh.
• Kozinets, free elbows.
• Small or bulging, light eyes, damp eyelids.
• Sheep, swan, deer neck, suspension.
• Fleecy, poorly pigmented nose, upturned or drooping muzzle.
• Narrow jaws.
• White spots on the legs, blaze on the head, white-collar.
• Malice, aggression, cowardice
• Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism in males.

Those who are considering purchasing a Golden Retriever should understand that this is a hunting dog that requires regular exercise. And this is not only about physical activity. Training has a positive effect on these dogs, they become more balanced and attentive, self-confident. That is, a retriever’s brain must work as often as its body.

A warm family atmosphere is very important for Golden. These dogs are very worried about quarrels, they can be stressed if their beloved owners leave them for a long time. They need to be gently taught to be alone at home from an early age. It is very good if Golden is not the only pet in the house.

 Dogs of this breed are sociable, quickly find a common language with other dogs. It is important to choose the right companion for your golden. An aggressive dominant dog will constantly try to educate this soft and docile dog, which will negatively affect its character.

It is better if two Goldens live in the same house. Dogs of other hunting or decorative breeds, balanced service dogs with a low and medium level of intraspecific aggression are not bad.

Dogs of this breed are not characterized by aggression. Moreover, they are very friendly to both people and dogs. This property has been supported by leading breeders for centuries. That is, Golden is incapable of real protection of his apartment or house.

He is ready to interact with any people and will never become a good watchman. At the same time, Goldens can give voice, detecting strangers. But this is the maximum that these dogs are capable of in terms of protection.

Another characteristic of golden retrievers is the need for close contact with the owner and gentle training. Army methods are not suitable for these dogs. They learn much better from positive reinforcement and positive emotions. The use of harsh training, punishment, strict collar and other antediluvian means of training can lead to a complete loss of contact with the dog, after which its training will be very difficult, and sometimes impossible.

The emphasis on non-conflict and exterior data has led to the fact that there are many cowardly dogs in the breed. Life with such a dog will bring little pleasure to the owner, so if the mother of your prospective puppy is nervously hiding from you and does not want to communicate, it is better to take the baby elsewhere.

Cowardly, insecure puppies grow up even in the absence of proper socialization. However, a strong nervous system allows such babies to become well-balanced dogs over time, while puppies that are cowardly from birth will not improve.

It is often difficult to achieve proper concentration from Golden. These dogs are too distracted by toys and treats, while they are easily lost, go after strangers. Therefore, obedience classes with Golden should be started as early as possible, seeking maximum attention to yourself with the help of positive encouragement.

And, of course, all retrievers love water. Such is their nature – after all, these dogs were bred to feed the beaten game out of the water. It is not always convenient that a washed and combed Golden flops into the water of a dirty pond. Therefore, near the water, Goldens need to be controlled, taken on a leash or occupied with a game or a treat.

The Golden Retriever is a shedding dog that requires regular brushing, especially during periods when their coat is actively changing. The spring molt is especially pronounced, during which the dog sheds abundant winter coat.

Golden puppies are often more plump than adult dogs and lighter in color. The abundance of puppy down is not a disadvantage. By the age of two, it is completely replaced by an adult elastic and elastic wool, to which buries and other seeds, do not cling.

Show Goldens need a special haircut that emphasizes the dog’s merits and hides its shortcomings. After special training, every owner can trim a golden for participation in the exhibition, who will spend his time attending the master class. Otherwise, your golden retriever will have to get a groomer’s haircut, and the procedure is not cheap.

Providing your dog with enough solid food does not require special grooming for his teeth. However, when feeding on soft foods and feeds, plaque is more likely to be on the teeth. It is removed weekly with a special toothbrush and powder or paste. Lemon or tomato juice can be used to soften plaque before brushing.

Goldens feel great both in a city apartment and in a private house. Indoor dogs should walk more in order not to gain excess weight and keep fit. Dogs living in the yard need more frequent grooming. This is especially true for show dogs. Hunters’ dogs for participation in exhibitions need rest periods to acquire show condition.

Golden Retrievers are big food lovers. Therefore, their diet is tedious to carefully monitor. Fat retrievers, although they look like touching teddy bears, often suffer from heart and musculoskeletal problems.

Allergies are common among dogs of this breed. Therefore, their diet must be coordinated with the veterinarian. It is important to consider that the majority of modern veterinarians are ardent supporters of ready-made feeds.

This has nothing to do with the high quality of life of dogs living on ready-made feed. Rather, feed manufacturers often hold specialized veterinary seminars, which are always attended by advertising managers promoting their brands.

The correct diet of a dog cannot consist of porridge with boiled meat. It is better to give meat raw or lightly scalded. It is a separate food product, so it is better not to mix it with other dishes. An excellent dish for a dog is vegetables, raw or stewed with vegetable oil. It can be zucchini, carrots, apples, pumpkin.

Many dogs enjoy eating raw fruits and tomatoes. Vegetables are fed separately. Another dish can be low-fat cottage cheese with yogurt, yogurt or kefir. You can add a quail or chicken egg to the curd. Chicken eggs are given no more than twice a week. Quail in the amount of two to three pieces can be given daily.

A puppy at the age of 2-3 months eats 4 times a day. At the age of 4-7 months – 3 times a day. Then the dog is transferred to two meals a day. A natural diet involves the use of vitamin supplements. They should not be overused. An excess of calcium and vitamins in the body is much more harmful than a deficiency.

Ready-made food, with all its convenience and attractiveness, cannot be considered the best option for a dog. Of course, at the moment there are brands that do not contain cereals and can be used for allergic dogs. Such feeding is convenient for those on the job, but not ideal for the dog.

Natural food and feed should not be mixed in the same bowl. The dog must have free access to drinking water. If your dog does not drink much, you can add water to the food. However, you should not soak the food – in this case, tartar will form on the dog’s teeth very quickly.

Golden Retriever puppies are active, very friendly and funny dogs. Their coat is lighter and softer than that of adult dogs, which should be considered when choosing a dog.

They should not be shy and hide when strangers appear. Contact and friendliness are the main breed characteristics of Goldens, and they appear already in puppyhood.

When choosing a puppy, it is important to know exactly what the purpose of acquiring it is. And of course, before going for a baby, you need to read the breed standard so as not to be a victim of scammers from dog breeding.

Pet-class dogs sold “on the sofa” may have a smaller bone, a simpler head, with extensive patches on the chest and legs, or too red in color (which is undesirable for a European dog, but encouraged, for example, in the USA).

However, such a golden will be an excellent companion, therapist and athlete, although he will not become a star of exhibitions. He must have all the necessary documents, puppy registration and vaccinations by age. Buying an undocumented puppy is fraught with the acquisition of a dog that only vaguely resembles the breed.

If you want your Golden Retriever to become a successful show dog, you shouldn’t buy a small puppy. A responsible breeder will never give you guarantees that a show dog will grow out of a two-month-old toddler.

Therefore, if you want to get a guaranteed champion – buy an adult titled dog. If you want a promising puppy, get it at the age of 6-7 months, when the dog’s teeth have already changed and the exterior has formed.

Goldens are dogs that are easy to train. The main problem is that many of them are very distracted by various stimuli and, at the sight of food, are able to forget about the owner and his commands. The concentration on the owner in puppies of this breed begins to form from a very early age.

Do not expect security qualities from your golden. This breed is not intended for protection. Its elements are the field and the forest, the supply of game from the water, the transportation, fiddling with children and other dogs. The retriever’s love in the water is very strong, these dogs bathe selflessly.

The popularity of the breed always gives rise to a lot of legends, most of which, upon closer examination, are not documented. This happened with a golden retriever. For a long time, they wrote about the breed that it comes from Russian circus dogs, allegedly acquired for a lot of money by the author of the breed, Dudley Margeribanks, who later became Lord Tweedmouth. The fact that this version is untenable became apparent as soon as the book of Lord Tweedmouth, published by his descendants, was published. In it, he carefully documented his breeding, wrote down where and when the dogs that participated in the creation of the breed were acquired. Naturally, she was not talking about any Russian circus dogs.

But there is a mention of a yellow dog named Nous, received from a shoemaker for debts. The dog was the only yellow puppy in a litter of black curly-haired dogs. He was a good hunter in Gisachen, where he was taken for breeding. Later he was mated to a female soft-haired water spaniel. 4 females from this mating marked the beginning of a new breed. Their names were Ada, Primula, Crocus and Lily of the Valley. Curiously, Lord Tweedmouth has carefully pursued the Lily of the Valley line, tracing its descendants for 20 years. To improve hunting abilities, Irish Setters and primitive hunting retrievers with wavy hair participated in breeding. A little later, the blood of sand-colored cops rushed in.

Lord Tweedmouth’s puppies were gifted to people interested in the breed, who would like to participate in breeding and hunt with their dog. Gradually, the breed spread, separate lines appeared. There is no information about whether they crossed with the lord’s dogs.

The wavy-coated retrievers that helped shape the early Goldens were also the ancestors of the modern smooth-haired retrievers. Most of them were black. They are believed to be the descendants of St. John of Newfoundland’s dogs brought from Maeriki and setters. Thus, it can be said that modern Newfoundlands and Landseers have common roots in retrievers. And it is to them that these dogs owe their love for water. The soft-coated water spaniels that helped create the Goldens are now an extinct breed. The first Goldens registered in the studbook of England were Brass and Copper, descendants of the Tweedmouth dogs.

Golden Retrievers can be considered excellent companions, hunters, guide dogs, as well as lifeguards and nannies.

The Golden Retriever is the second most popular breed in Europe among dog clubs, including recognized as competitors of Labradors;

The retriever can be an excellent healer since in most countries these dogs are in schools where they teach children with cerebral palsy and other mental disabilities;

· Thanks to the love of Romanian President Ceausescu for his retriever, this dog received the rank of colonel, and also drives a limousine and eats individual food.

Goldens are frequent guests on film sets in different countries. The star in fairy tales, films for children and adults. Thus, Prince Wendel from the Tenth Kingdom turned into a golden retriever, and the faithful Bailey from the film “The Life and Purpose of a Dog”, based on the book of the same name by Bruce Cameron, was also Golden. Photogenicity, the ability to grasp new skills on the fly, turned the golden retriever into a successful fashion model.

There are a lot of guide dogs and therapy dogs among the Goldens. Retrievers can detect cancer by smelling air from their lungs or feces. These dogs are indispensable in nursing homes and for children with special needs. They help people with autism feel more confident in the outside world.

Oriented towards owners, completely devoid of aggression towards people and their own kind, Golden Retrievers remain reliable and reliable helpers of people.

The minimum cost of a golden retriever puppy without special exhibition prospects is $ 300-400. A young and promising show dog will cost the owner $ 700-1000. Like all fashionable breeds, Goldens are frequent guests in bird markets, where they are sold without documents. A beautiful and pedigree Golden will never grow out of such a puppy. This should be understood by someone who saves on purchasing and hopes for a miracle. The main thing is that a dog, bought cheaply and disappointing the owners with its appearance, does not end up on the street as a result, replenishing the ranks of useless mongrels.