Who doesn't love Golden Retrievers?

From his friendliness to his ability to search, he is a beloved dog around the world.

Find out more about these bigeyes: how the breed came about, characteristics and main health care.

provenance

The Golden Retriever breed appeared in Great Britain in the 19th century, arising from a mixture of the Water Spaniel, Newfoundland and Irish Setter dog breeds.

It is said that the person responsible for the breed was Lord Tweedmouth.

At a time when there was a heightened interest in search dogs, Lord Tweedmouth made crosses to obtain a dog that could search dense vegetation, swim in cold water and perform rescues.

The Golden Retriever breed was then recognized in 1912.

With their departure to America, they became quite popular there.

First as a hunting dog and later as a pet, show dog and even competing in obedience trials.

Features

Size:
Male dogs of the breed usually measure between 56cm and 61cm and their weight varies between 26kg and 31kg.
Females of the breed measure between 51cm and 56cm and weigh between 25kg and 27kg.

Coat:
Their fur is golden or cream colored. It varies between smooth and wavy.
The undercoat is dense and waterproof.

Average life expectancy:
Golden Retrievers have an average life expectancy of between 10 and 13 years.

Behavior

It is one of the most beloved breeds by animal lovers, because they are so gentle.

They tend to be obedient and that's why they are an easy breed to train.

It is a dedicated, affectionate and very protective animal, which makes it an excellent family dog.

Also due to the fact that it is an intelligent breed, it is highly requested for roles as a rescue dog, therapy dog or even as a guide dog for blind people.

But there is one profession for which the Golden Retriever is not well suited: securing the home from strangers. This is because, even for people he doesn't know, he is usually very docile.

When we have a Golden Retriever we have to be aware that this is an energetic dog, so it needs to exercise daily.

He also doesn't like to be alone, so living in an apartment where he doesn't go out for a long time is not the ideal situation for this bigeye.

If we want a little friend of this breed at home, we have to be aware that we need to have time and energy for him.

Health

Overweight:
This is a dog that loves to eat, so it has a natural tendency to increase its weight, with sterilized animals suffering the most from the weight problem.
It is also necessary to be careful with their weight when our Golden is over 6 years old, as they tend to exercise less, which can increase their weight.
Excess weight can bring other problems, such as joint and cardiorespiratory problems.
So, in addition to them loving exercise, we should do it in order to control their weight and give them a good quality of life.

Joints:
This breed can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia.
These joint problems can be hereditary and degenerative, which can cause pain to our little friend and make him walk strangely.

Heart disease:
Golden Retrievers tend to have a heart disease: dilated cardiomyopathy.
We must consult with our veterinarian and give our dog adequate food in order to prevent the onset of the disease.

eye problems:
Cataracts can be one of the problems that can appear in Golden Retrievers.
They are usually hereditary and can cause vision problems.

Other care that we must have with our bigeyes:

• A beautiful and fragrant coat, with regular brushing and dry cleaning, gives our little friend a good appearance and health;
• Half an hour of walking and daily sunbathing are the best for the longevity and well-being of animals of this breed;
• Feed with characteristics that guarantee easy digestibility and prevent weight gain.