• What Is A Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever was developed in Scotland and England in the late 19th century for the purpose of retrieving wildfowl on land and water. Its physical characteristics and its willing, adaptable, trainable nature have also fitted it for usefulness in many other endeavors. The Golden Retriever is a natural dog needing no surgical alteration to ear or tail, and no exotic grooming, to keep it looking characteristic of the breed (as opposed to some terriers, poodles, etc.). The Golden Retriever has a normal canine structure without distortions of leg, jaw or tail, and is characteristically a healthy, sturdy, adaptable animal. Basic grooming for a Golden Retriever should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes a week.

The mature male Golden Retriever is ideally 23-24 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs 65 to 75 pounds; bitches, 21 1/2 to 22 1/2 inches, and 55 to 65 pounds. Variances of an inch in height either way are permissible, though less desirable. The build is sturdy and muscular, but neither massive like a Newfoundland nor as refined as a Setter. The head is broad, with short pendant ears, and a kindly expression. The coat, which is one of the most characteristic features of the breed, is a double coat with a thick weather-proof topcoat and a dense, soft undercoat. There are featherings of longer hair on the backs of the legs, on the neck and chest, and on the tail. The adult coat may range from light to dark golden, and a golden body color with lighter feathering is quite common. A predominant color of either ivory or setter-red, or white markings on the head, feet or chest, are not desirable in the show ring, but have no effect on the dog's usefulness for work or companionship. 

• Choosing A Golden Retriever

What are you looking for in a Golden Retriever? A beautiful animal? A good family pet? A good hunting dog? A good obedience worker? There are Golden Retrievers that fit each description, and some that fit all of these descriptions. The Golden Retriever Club of America has hundreds of members whose interest in the breed has led them to develop the potential of the Golden Retriever in each of these areas. Goldens also work as guide dogs for the blind, as narcotics detection dogs, as tracking dogs, appear in commercials and advertisements, and are one of the preferred breeds of veterinarians. There is no question that the Golden Retriever is a versatile and remarkable breed.

• Price

You should expect to pay a reasonable price for a sound, healthy, properly raised pet from good parentage sold on a spay/neuter contract and/or AKC Limited Registration. Show and breeding prospects may well be more expensive. Specific prices vary depending on the area of the country.

• Sex

Temperamentally, there is little difference between the sexes in Goldens. Neither sex is harder to housetrain, and both are equally intelligent and affectionate. Both are excellent with children, and both make excellent companions. Problems of aggressiveness, which males of other breeds may exhibit, rarely occur in the Golden. Sex-related behavior such as mounting and marking may be exhibited by some male Goldens, particularly if other males are present or if the male has been used for breeding. Neutering a male before a year of age will not only help to alleviate these problems, but will also eliminate the risk of testicular cancer and lower the risk of prostate problems. Since there is no responsible reason NOT to neuter a bitch (unless she was bought from a serious hobby breeder specifically for showing or breeding), the estrous cycle in the female need not be a consideration.