Golden Retriever - The Loyal Companion
Posted by SAMRIDDHI PANDEY
Golden Retriever - The Loyal Companion
CONTENTS
1. Introduction2. Physcial Overview
3. Pointers to Skim Through
5. Personality and Behaviour
6. History
7. Physical Overview
8. Care and Health
9. Vet for Life
10. Precise Health Problems
12. Food Habits for Golden Retrievers
13. Skin and Fur
14. The Ultimate Conclusion
Introduction:
Today we are going to discuss in detail the most revered and famous breed of dog. This breed is nationally ranked number 3 in the United State of America, according to the American Kennel Club in terms of its popularity and its been used as a poster boy for many pet brands since ages!
Basically, no matter which country you reside in, this breed has always thrived in the mainstream. This is the most domesticated breed when it comes to dogs. Their popularity in contrast with other breeds of dogs is unbeatable.
These are indeed the most familial breed. They are well adjusted to almost every family they are adopted in. Their exuberant and adorable looks, shining colour, lovable face, furry bodies, short ears, apologetic eyes and most of all their friendly behaviour towards any living creature are some of the unique selling points.
This cute and adorable creature is known as the Golden Retriever.
Choosing an animal to adopt or to buy can be overwhelming. Especially if we do not have the right information. But still, the happiness that these godsend creatures shower in our normal life, is something which is indeed priceless.
In order to make this journey easier for you, we connected with the country’s top veterinary students to help us collect all the right information one would need to have while deciding on a new pet dog. A decision that's as important for you, as it is for the life you are bringing home.
Physical Overview:
The Golden Retriever comes under the category of a medium-sized dog. They are sturdy and muscular in their build. They are most famous for their dense and luxurious coat of gold colour, from which they lavishly derive their name.
They have a slight broadhead, with the most intelligent eyes. This breed is the common standard for almost every household. Who are either planning to get a dog or already have one.
Their friendly behaviour and personality is very well-known. As it goes for the Pet Industry, Golden Retrievers are the most sought for the same. In fact, any person who is thinking of becoming a pet parent initiates their search for a perfect breed of dog through this breed.
Their friendly and tolerant attitudes make them the default choice for any household. Be it kids or any older person, they bond with almost everyone. They are quite intelligent when it comes to their training. They are highly capable of executing a command. They are obedient and as a result, become the best of companions with their pet parent for the rest of their lives.
They are easy to train and are great with almost every human being. They are smart, loyal and obedient companions.
Besides the domestication aspect, Golden Retrievers are also used by various legal authorities and armies across the world. Their precise smelling power makes them the ideal choice to bust any illegal substances. Their athletic build and agility are wholly used by the armies around the world to counter uncertain attacks on the battleground.
Psychologically, Golden Retrievers are also used as therapy or service dogs. They provide the best support and love for any person who might be suffering from anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders.
With such versatile use, naturally, Golden Retrievers are the most famous breed. They are adorable, lovable, have fluffy coats which are shining and luxurious, have short ears, the most apologetic and adorable face, tolerant behaviour and personality, shining medium-sized tail, completely obedient and most of all, are the best companion material for life.
Pointers to Skim Through:
Here is the most important stuff about Golden Retrievers, presented in the least complicated manner. These pointers are the general overview of this breed and would help you make the correct decision. Here we go:
1. Space, Big or Small
This breed is relatively medium in size. When it comes to dogs, Golden Retrievers are not well adjusted in cramped apartments. Any person who is thinking of getting a Golden Retriever must have ample space for them. This breed might get irritated or aggressive if they do not get their own personal territory. It is highly advisable that Golden Retrievers do get their own space, for sleeping, eating and other personal things. They are the most famous domesticated dogs. Thus, their tolerance level in terms of being an apartment dog is unbeatable. But within such a premise, they do require a decent amount of space. So, a pet parent should keep this in mind.
2. How Tolerant are They
Golden Retrievers are the most tolerant breed ever. They will execute your command to the letter. Any sort of overcrowding in terms of family members of friendly visitations will not dither them to get cranky or aggressive under normal circumstances. They are absolutely great with kids of all ages. The daily chores of a household can be easily executed without many problems around them. They can be petted in almost all positive forms, and by almost all human beings around them. Even a friendly visit by your relatives and close friends would not spook them to behave unusually. In fact, it is because of this very nature that Golden Retrievers are the most famous breed of dogs to adopt. So, one should not have any problems in this area.
3. I am a Working Individual, and I Live Alone
If you are an individual who is out for the majority of the day due to office or other work, then this might be the best choice for you. Golden Retrievers can be easily left alone on their own. Sure, this is considering the fact that such absenteeism from the pet parent is not for a prolonged duration and is part of their regular routine. This breed can fend on its own for almost 5 – 7 hours easily. But some precautions have to be kept in place when they are left alone. Dog-proofing the house would then be the utmost priority. As Golden Retrievers are curious creatures, you may find your furniture or clothes destroyed if they are not properly guarded. They can be provided with Squeaky Toys or any other material thing, which can keep them busy, aiding them when they are alone. Also, such durations of absenteeism should not be prolonged in high frequencies. This might create a mental health problem for your dog, ranging from Separation Anxiety and loneliness, depression due to the same. Therefore, leaving them alone is a viable option, but it should be executed with caution. Both in terms of dog-proofing and keeping them mentally healthy.
4. Work from Home and Golden Retrievers
As has been already mentioned previously, Golden Retrievers are the most tolerant and friendly creatures. Their loveable personality would never come in between you and your work. This successfully applies when you are stuck at home and executing your office work during these days. Your adorable companion would comfortably find a spot and will settle there without creating any chaos. You can execute your professional work, while your pet companion would shower their love in their own subtle manner. In simple words, a Golden Retriever would never come in between you and your work. They are the most tolerant and friendly breed, and this would perfectly reflect when you are working from home.
5. Weather Conditions
Various breeds of dogs have various requirements in terms of the weather around them. With globalisation, people tend to adopt dogs who are alien to their regions. Thus, they are then required to keep the weather conditions for such dogs at a comfortable pace for their quality of living. But when it comes to Golden Retrievers, such requirements are pretty much straightforward. This breed is perfectly comfortable in a cool and dry environment. If you live in the parts of the country that can get really hot and humid, your Golden will need to be kept in air conditioned or cooler parts of the house. Extreme cold or brisk or hot conditions should be avoided. In extreme cold conditions you can get warm jackets or Clothing to counter such extreme cold-weather conditions. And for extreme heat conditions, you can adjust your surroundings in such a manner, so as to keep your pet companion in cool areas for the majority of the day and away from the heat. But generally, Golden Retrievers do not have any special requirement when it comes to weather. Also a general tip here, never attempt to trim your dog's hair in summers or hot weather conditions. Contrary to the mainstream belief, the hairs actually help to keep them cool in such warm weather conditions.
6. Seniors and Kids
Golden Retrievers are the most lovable creatures on this planet. This breed is the epitome of being the most tolerant and friendly beings ever. If anyone is planning to get a Golden Retriever and they definitely do not have to worry about their kids or other family members at home. In fact, these little fluffy creatures would become their best of friends in no time. There is absolutely no threat from a Golden Retriever of any sort if treated with love and care from the beginning. This even applies to kids of any age, and even to veteran family members. All that this breed requires is love and care from the humans around them. Such humans can come in any shape or size and most of all, in any age. Their friendly and adorable nature and personality is the topmost reason for their fame amongst pet parents.
7. Golden Retriever and Other Breeds.
Needless to say, the friendly and tolerant nature of a Golden Retriever also applies and extends to any other breed of dog. The other breed might have their own reservations in terms of dealing with the Golden Retriever, but the latter would never attack or behave unusually or aggressively around other breeds, until and unless they are extremely provoked or have a reason to sense danger. Any dog would naturally attack if they sense a danger that is eminent in nature. In such situations, even a Golden Retriever is bound to attack in their self-defence. But generally, this breed is famous for its friendly attitude towards other animalistic creatures. They will be at their best friendly and adorable behaviour till an extreme point is reached. And by definition, pet parents having Golden Retrievers have not reported any sort of incidents. Thus, you can safely adopt any other animal in your household with a Golden Retriever around and can even provide them with a Shared Toy like a Ball, so that they could have something to bond over. Furthermore, such bonding should be supervised in the initial days, as fatal behavioural issues may arise and invite unwanted injuries from either side. With constant supervision, such attempts can be thwarted actively.
8. Unannounced Guests/Relatives.
Golden Retrievers are the most neutral beings in terms of having any strange face around them. By neutral, we mean that their reactions would be at most minimal, and not at all threatening towards such strange faces. Thus, these strange faces can safely include your Guests, Relatives, Friends, etc. In fact, a Golden Retriever is bound to express their happiness by bonding with such strange faces. As a Pet Parent, you will never have a problem with unannounced guests or relatives stepping into your home. Sure, if such Guests or Relatives want to keep their distance from your adorable pet, then you may use a Leash or move them to their safe spaceto keep your Golden Retriever at a distance from them. But if there are no problems on the other hand, then your pet companion will never pose any threat to such Guests or relatives.
9. Cleanliness and Golden Retrievers.
Golden Retrievers are extremely famous for their looks as well as their friendly behaviour and personality. The latter has been explained above in much detail. The former, whose adorable and lovable looks are also in great demand. Their very name comes from their luxuriant and thickly coated fur, which comes in various shades of gold colour. This very physical quality makes them stand apart from other breeds. But, as their fur is thick and dense, there is a huge amount of shedding of hair. Therefore, proper Grooming and Skin Care is absolutely important for Golden Retrievers. A pet parent with this breed should prepare themselves with excessive shedding of body hair. This has nothing to do with their ill-health. The fur of a Golden Retriever usually sheds and grows in bulk. Proper grooming and skincare just make sure that it is not happening frequently and that unwanted ticks or fleas are not invited. But ultimately, in terms of cleanliness, more than a decent amount of dog hair should be expected from a Golden Retriever.
10. Frequent Vet Visits
Like most other breeds, Golden Retrievers are required to be updated with their routine check-ups and vaccinations. This breed generally has a healthy life. The overall physical and mental care they recieve decides the wholesome quality of their life. While it’s true that Golden Retrievers are adorable animals, their physical health should not be ignored. This can be easily deduced from their unusual behaviours, aggressiveness, irritating feelings, excessive drooling, being lazy or dull, etc. Frequent vet visits would not be there for sure if you keep your pet’s surroundings clean and hygienic. Furthermore, if you have any concerns about the smallest of things, then getting sane advice from your vet is highly recommended. But in case of any major health scare, like genetic health diseases or a rare problem, a vet has to be consulted as soon as possible. But this is a rare possibility. Besides that, some basic problems are Ticks, which are very common in dogs but can be very well presented with a good range of tick-repellent sprays, creams and medicines, all available here. For starters, a good doggy-comb is the best investment! Also, you can check out the Real Pet Care Challenge, an active initiative by Petpedia.in to ensure your dog’s holistic mental and physical care!
11. Basic Food Habits for Golden Retrievers.
Like any other breed of dogs, Golden Retrievers are also required to steer away from such foods which are permanently a BIG NO for any dog. Such food, no matter what breed of dog your companion might be, has to be kept clear of. The general list is as mentioned:
Obviously, this list is not all-inclusive. One can easily find the desired detailed information about the same on a simple search on the internet. But remember, before making any firm decision, do consult your designated vet before feeding your Pet Companion. Furthermore, if you are still in doubt, then the best bet is to order dry and wet dog food tailor-made especially for Golden Retrievers.
12. Walking the Dog.
This is rather a common one. When any person desires to become a pet parent, they are already familiar with this habit of a dog. Walking is required for most breeds of dogs. Likewise, a Golden Retriever here is also included. Your pet companion is required to get at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise daily based on their lifestyle and age. This could be in the form of walking, running, jogging or a simple mentally stimulating activity at home. Although, running and jogging are recommended when your Golden Retriever hits the 12-18 months mark. Walking should be initiated as early as possible. Walking your dog opens up their world. That is the only time your Golden Retriever would have to explore uncharted territories. New smells, people, other animals, other pets, etc. would refresh their mind respectively. And physically, they would be healthy. Therefore, all pet parents must prepare to step outside with their adorable pets. In their early ages, Body Harnesses and Body Leashes can be used to control them, in terms of walking beside you.
13. Not a Security Dog
By definition, Golden Retrievers are the friendliest of all. Thus, any stranger or an uninvited guest in your home might invite some barks from your companion, but that would be all. Sure, if provoked, your pet companion might do some damage in their self-defence. But this would be a rare occurrence. Remember, a Golden Retriever is a family dog. They take very little time to bond with almost anyone. Therefore, if you are thinking that a Golden Retriever might turn out to be a good security dog, then you should reconsider.
14. Home Needs
We have fairly established till now that Golden Retrievers are the most compatible family dogs. They are fun-loving, adorable, cute, lovable, friendly and are tolerant to almost every living being. They adjust well to their environment. They are the most common breeds when it comes to adopting dogs. Having said that, it is important to note that various little things in their surroundings would make a huge difference in their care. They will help your pet companion have a decent quality of life. Such Home Needs are required for the same. Therefore, here is a list of tangible things which every pet parent should install or purchase for their Golden Retriever:
But Still, Why a Golden Retriever?
We fully understand one’s scepticism. Having a pet dog is a huge decision. While it is true that Golden Retrievers are well known by almost everyone, there are still some doubts in people’s minds. Loving a pet because of their behaviour and adorable looks is one thing, but actually adopting them as part of the family and caring for them is another.
The responsibility of getting a dog does not end just by adopting them. No matter what the reason might be. Giving them a decent and quality life is inherent, one any person desires to be a pet parent. Therefore, such a decision should be taken with utmost care and considerations.
Such considerations include the time that you can give to your pet companion, the budget which you have to spend on them, other family member’s approval for the same, the amount of space you have in your apartment, whether you can juggle work and responsibilities of a dog together, whether you have the power and means to be emotionally available to your pet if you can keep up with their routines check-ups and vaccinations and numerous other things.
Thus, considering everything mentioned above, it can be very well concluded that a Golden Retriever will be a very well-adjusted member of your family if you wish to adopt one.
Budget and time are always on the pet parent’s side. If one can spare these two elements in general, then a Golden Retriever will definitely excel in all the other areas. As has been mentioned above, this breed is very versatile to adjust to its environment. This not only includes their physical surroundings, but also the emotional connection which this breed easily executes with other human beings and animals.
Besides all this, Golden Retriever is one of the top 10 breeds in the United States of America. This breed has this adorable feature to retain their puppy-like features till at least 4 years of their life, or even longer. A Golden Retriever would always be beside you. Be it the house chores or any small gathering in your house, you will always find your adorable companion wandering here and there, wagging its tail, and making themselves comfortable near you.
Conclusively, every breed has its own pros and cons. But Golden Retrievers are famous for their versatility. If someone is looking to be a pet parent, then their initial searches are always for a safer bet. This safer bet is connected to word of mouth. And by this standard, most people are already aware of Golden Retrievers as being the best breed out there.
Moreover, training a Golden Retriever is a treat on its own. Unlike other stubborn breeds like a Beagle, Golden Retrievers are much easier to train. And once they are trained, they will be the most loyal companion out there. From fetching the newspapers to catching balls or eating treats in style, their training will always be a treat for any pet parent. Even the process is fun. Once you see the progress happening, you will be heavily motivated to continue for good. During all this, your Golden Retriever would definitely become a part of your family.
Thus, we hope that you are now adequately convinced to get a Golden Retriever. Now, let’s take a look at their overall Personality and Behavioural traits.
Personality and Behaviour at a Glance:
Each dog has its own perks when it comes to its distinctive personalities. Their behavioural output is connected with the inherent nature they are born with. Therefore, here is a generalised list of Personality and Behavioural traits of a Golden Retriever:
Their personality is the sum of the experience they accumulate from their own exposure to the outside world. Therefore, the pet parent should always expose their Golden Retriever to various new environments in a safe and sound manner. New animals, smells, places, sounds, humans, activities, etc. should be an inherent part of their life.
History at a Glance:
For all the history nerds out there, who are interested in the origins of this breed; here are some pointers to skim through that would help you understand the same:
Physical Overview:
As we have already mentioned above, Golden Retrievers are the most friendly and adorable breeds. Talking about their physical traits, a Male Golden Retriever can attain a height of at least 23 to 24 inches and can weigh at most between 145 Kgs to 160 Kgs. This is of course, in proportion to the care they are getting, both physically and mentally.
In contrast, a Female Golden Retriever can attain a height of at least 21.5 to 22.5 inches and can weigh at most between 121 Kgs to 145 Kgs. Again, this is akin to the amount of care they are receiving, both physically and mentally.
They are technically bred for Retrieving goods (hence, the name). they officially come under the Medium Length in terms of their universal sizes of dogs. They are mostly available in various shades of Golden Colour, which is their unique quality. They are also known as Bird Dogs, Rescue Dogs, Retrieving Dogs and Service Dogs. The American Kennel Club classifies them as Sporting Dogs in their official records.
They have floppy ears which are drooping down and they are medium in size. Their golden coloured, luxurious coat of fur is mostly water-repellent and might be wavy in shape or flat. Their coats are highly thick and give a luxurious look in their overall stature. Such luxurious hairs or weatherings are also present on their necks, legs, under tail and thighs. This is the reason why Golden Retrievers shed most of their body hair.
The shape of their head is mostly strong and broad. Their ears, as mentioned above, are medium in size, and are in a sitting-down position, resting high on their heads. Their Life Expectancy almost varies from about 10 to 13 years of age. This is highly correlated with the amount of quality care they receive, both physically and mentally.
Care and Health:
Golden Retrievers are generally considered to be decently healthy. But like any other breed, they are prone to infectious diseases, various health problems, and do require their routine check-ups and vaccinations. Thus, with good care by a pet parent, and an awesome diet, your Golden Retriever might never get sick. But with an off chance that it does, one should always be prepared to have some knowledge about it beforehand.
Another important point to mention here is that since this breed is the most famous and is in the mainstream for all the pet lovers out there, it is also an unfortunate fact that there is a parallel black market for the same. Here, the Golden Retrievers are forcefully bred in unsanitary conditions with the only goal to make some extra bucks. Also, most Golden Retrievers bought through these channels might be bred artificially (mix-bred). Thus, it is highly recommended that a pet parent should always adopt or purchase them from an authentic and recognized source.
Vet for Life
A vet is a person who will have an important position in your life when you become a pet parent. We do understand that love, attention, care, etc. by any pet parent is natural for their pets. But these are not the only things that would give your pet companion a decent quality of life. Their physical needs have to be properly fulfilled. This also includes ailing their pain or any other health problems or long or short-term diseases. Since this is a medically professional diagnosis, a vet is always required to make sure that such uncertain incidents are all accounted for. Therefore, here are some general points regarding your ideal vet
This designated vet should be avoided to be changed, unless highly impossible to do so. The reason is that once your pet companion becomes familiar and comfortable with a certain vet, then any kind of diagnosis or prognosis done by such a vet would be easily executed. Some animals hesitate with a new face. It is much better to have a friendly face in emergencies, than an entirely new one. (LINK to PET CARE CHALLENGE)
Precise Health Problems:
Here are some common health problems which might occur in your Golden Retriever. These can be either genetic or due to some other conditions. If you come to know about any such problems with your doggo, then you should contact your vet as soon as possible. Here is the list:
Needless to say, one should not worry about such diseases. These might feel overwhelming at first, but these are rare occurrences. Just like in human beings, a disease does not give an ultimatum of any sort before settling in. But when it does, the best bet is the best doctor and care out there for the same. The same is for your pet companion. Giving them the best quality care would avoid major diseases and health problems in bulk. But if unfortunately, some disease doses kick in, then basic knowledge for the same is important.
General Care
Golden Retrievers are physical powerhouses. They are built for action. If your daily life’s schedule consists of running or jogging, then your pet companion would be a great addition. They are ever ready to go outside. As their name goes, they love to retrieve stuff. Therefore, the famous catch and throw game will be their favourite pass-time.
Physical exercise is important for a Golden Retriever. When they are tired after the same, they are much calmer and resolved in their behaviour. Lack of exercise in a prolonged manner can make them lethargic, lazy, doozy, aggressive, inattentive, dull, etc. Any of these odd behaviours would be the first sign that your companion needs its share of exercise.
Also, Golden Retrievers love to have some random stuff in their mouth. As it is in their nature to fetch and retrieve things, a Golden Retriever should be given a Doggy Toy or any other homemade non-hazardous thing, which they can play with. Besides that, they would be more than happy to fetch your newspaper, socks, clothes, etc. They are just built like that.
A Golden Retriever Puppy grows really fast. Their size immediately increases. But this is natural in this breed. Just make sure that your adorable puppy is not jumping around on hard surfaces. As their bones are soft initially and might get deformed. These precautions have to be taken till the age of 1 to 1.5 years. Also, their vaccinations, medicines, routine check-ups, etc. should be taken care of without any slacking off.
Food Habits for Golden Retrievers
A fully grown Golden Retriever should ideally be fed two meals a day, which would be given in a twelve-hour gap. These meals should be moderately heavy, nutritious and not fully dry. Late night meals should be avoided. Any physical exercise should be avoided at least for one hour, before and after giving them their meals.
Never ever overfeed your Golden Retriever. By definition, this breed is a chowhound. What we mean by this, is that they will eat whatever they are given. This can lead to excessive eating. Thus, no food should be given to them twenty-four hours a day. Their feeding bowl should be filled only when it’s time for their respective meals. Unnecessary giving them extra food without any strict schedule would make them overweight and obese.
Food should not be left throughout the day for them. This tactic of strictly giving them meals at a particular time is a part of their training. This makes them your lovable but obedient companion. The food portions which should be given depends on individual Golden Retrievers. An exact and a sane amount should be consulted by a pet parent with their designated vet.
There is one simple test to check if your Golden Retriever is overweight or not. Simply, while you are looking down at them, place your hand on their waist, and run your fingers along their spine. At the end of the line, press softly, without any force. You should be able to feel but NOT SEE their ribs. If you cannot feel their ribs on a simple and soft pressing, then your Golden Retriever may be overweight. This can be simply treated by continued physical exercise and changing their diets in a controlled manner.
If you have a Golden Retriever Puppy, then the general rule is to feed them low-calorie but high-quality food, rich in proteins and other crucial vitamins. As they grow to their full size, their portions a day are also increased. They have to be fed at least 3 – 4 times a day, in a controlled and strict manner. This is strictly adhered to when your Golden Retriever is a pup. Do not give them heavy food which is hard to digest. Subsequently, their portions and types of food changes with their age.
Skin and Fur
Golden Retrievers have thick, dense and water-repellent coats. Some are wavy and some are flat. Those feathery hairs of your Golden Retriever are also found on their chest, under-tail, thighs and neck. These coats of a Golden Retriever come in various shades of Gold Colour.
Golden Retrievers shed their body hair moderately in mild winters and summer. During the Spring and Fall seasons, this shedding is increased. Even in the moderate shedding phase, the amount is slightly more than normal. Thus, a pet parent has to get used to some amount of dog hair in their homes.
This luxurious and thick coat invites a lot of Grooming and combing. Daily or at least once a week, brushing is required to avoid any tangling of their hairs. While a Golden Retriever should be bathed at least once in two weeks, the most one can stretch this is up to a month. Quality Shampoos and Body Sprays should be used to keep them from smelling bad.
Brushing their teeth and cutting their nails are an added appendage to their hygiene. This prevents any bacterial or fungal infection which might spread from their gums or nails to other parts of their bodies. This can be executed by the pet parent on their own easily. But initially, it is recommended that a vet’s help is taken.
Lastly, keep an eye out for any ticks or fleas in their rich fur. If you have a backyard of some sort, then the chances of such uninvited parasites might become higher. If you find your pet companion scratching or biting themselves unusually, then you want to use Ticks or Flea Repellent Shampoos or Sprays as a precaution. If the problem continues, then you might want to consult a vet to check for any skin infection.
The Ultimate Conclusion
Now that you know everything about Golden Retrievers, we hope that you will make an informed decision. There are disadvantages and advantages to owning a Golden Retriever. But it is the same story with all the breeds of Dogs. The most important question, in the end, is are you ready? Ready to take responsibility for a living being? It might sound overwhelming to think about it. But trust us, the experience is totally worth it.
We at PetPedia.in are here to help you at every stage of owning a dog. The above-mentioned information has been exclusively provided for you to make an informed decision about owning a Beagle. One thing’s for sure is that your every need for a Dog would be readily available on our platform.
Hope to see you again!
