Interesting facts: The Golden Retriever (affectionately known as the Golden or Goldie) is a fairly modern and very popular breed. It was developed to retrieve wild fowl when hunting. Today it is one of the most common family dogs due to its very tolerant nature and low maintenance requirements (besides regular exercise). The breed was originally developed in Scotland.
Size: Height: males 22-24 inches, females 20-22 inches. Weight: males 60-80 pounds, females 55-70 pounds. This is a medium-large breed.
Coat: The AKC standard states that the coat is a "rich, lustrous golden of various shades", disallowing coats that are overly light or dark.
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Temperament: Goldies are active and fun-loving but also exceptionally patient. Other characteristics include a love for cool water, retrieving, and pleasing their owners. They are very tolerant of children, making them excellent family pets.
Care: The smooth, medium-haired coat is fairly easy to groom. Use a firm bristle brush to comb and brush, paying close attention to the breed's dense undercoat. Don't overbathe, but dry shampoo often. Exercise daily. Life expectancy for the Golden Retriever is about 10-12 years.
Training: The Golden Retriever does well in obedience trials and makes an excellent guide dog. While Labrador Retrievers might do better in a field trial, Goldens are excellent hunters and famous for their outstanding scenting abilities.
