Photo: Emma’s Golden Retriever, Wolf (© Coquet Vets)
You may know Golden Retrievers by their signature colour, fluffy coat, or their constant happy faces. These water-loving, playful pups were originally bred to retrieve fowl for hunters, but these days, they’re happy in many other roles, too. From playing endless fetch with their owners to working as service dogs to cuddling on the sofa, Golden Retrievers are easily pleased and extremely loveable.
Golden Retrievers were originally bred in 19th-century Scotland as hunting dogs specialising in water and land retrieving. The breed was officially recognised by the UK Kennel Club in 1913 and is now among the most popular dog breeds in the country.
The Golden Retriever shown in the photos above is Wolf, and he belongs to one of our nurses, Emma. He is very cheeky and loves attention! You’ll find him in the staff room giving puppy dog eyes to everyone eating their lunch or tearing apart all our tea towels like they’re his toys!
Golden Retrievers are intelligent, eager to please, playful, active, and highly trainable. They tend to be food motivated and usually get along extremely well with other dogs. Golden retrievers are kind, trusting, and gentle. These traits make them poor guard dogs but excellent family dogs.
A Golden Retriever is a high-energy, active dog who needs daily exercise. The ideal pet parent for this breed of dog is also active and willing to be there for the daily exercise this dog craves. Golden Retrievers enjoy swimming, running, walking, and a good game of fetch.
Golden Retrievers have a dense, water-repellent double coat and shed their undercoat during spring and fall. During the seasonal shedding periods, they may require daily brushing to remove dead fur. For the rest of the year, brushing once a week as maintenance should be enough. Occasional baths will help to keep your Golden Retriever clean, and this can also help to remove shed fur. Like most dogs, Golden Retrievers’ nails should be trimmed regularly, and their teeth brushed to maintain dental health.
Like any breed of dog, Golden Retrievers are prone to certain health problems. Up to one-fifth of Golden Retrievers develop some form of joint disease, such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. Many pet parents opt for pet health insurance, just in case.
Finding a Golden Retriever puppy or adult dog can be as easy as an internet search, but be careful of puppy mills and internet scams. Do your research and ask around about reputable breeders, visit before committing to payment, and trust your gut.
