Golden Information

Golden Retrievers are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Goldens are loyal, confident, sweet and eager to please. They are active, loving and an outstanding family dog. Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be fun. They excel in obedience competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever have very little, if any, guarding instincts. Goldens generally will not bite people. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to be around people to be happy. If isolated from human contact, or left alone for long periods of time, the Golden Retriever may become mischievous. They can be over-exuberant and distracted. If abused, the more intelligent the dog, the more mischievous it will be.

Some of the Golden Retriever's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, cancer and narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. However, it would be misleading to suggest that Goldens are only a way to retrieve a goose or duck out of the freezing water. The Goldens are one of the world's foremost family companion dogs. The Golden Retriever's job is to be a companion to people, especially to toddlers, teenagers or the elderly, and to be of a service, more especially, to the blind or disabled. There is, to be frank, a profound companionship that is not easily described.  

The Golden Retrievers were first developed in the British Isles, probably from crosses between a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland and possibly the Bloodhound. In fact the breed was first shown as a Golden Flat-Coat. Many of the top obedience competition dogs in the country are Golden Retrievers. The Goldens historically have been worked as fine bird dogs on both land and in the water. They have an excellent nose.

Golden Retrievers need a large yard to run and play in because they need lots of exercise.We always recommend doggie door to the fenced outside yard. The Golden Retrievers need exercise to develop their bones. We  recommend that Goldens be taken on 'happy walks' with a 6' leash (or some kind of play or  training) for fifteen minutes twice a day. They love to fetch a thrown ball. They love learning and playing with new  agility equipment. We use a kiddy pool of water in the yard during hot weather. Goldens will work hard at playing with you.  

The owner of Golden Retrievers needs a good veterinarian for medical treatments such as the required vaccine shots.  

Golden puppies are required to take a series of the core vaccine shots (3-way) starting at 7-8 weeks for distemper, parvo and adenovirus. Later, these 'routine booster'  shots will be given yearly and even expanded to 5-way and the potent 7-way shots (kennel cough). Vaccines are preserved with mercury and are known cancer causing agents. As they grow older, routine vaccines can be avoided by having their blood checked by 'Antibody Titers' for levels of immunity and protection. Often, the first vaccines will last for years. So most routine booster vaccines can be avoided. Please note that a rabies vaccine is required at 4-6 months old and every year of the dog's life.  

The coat and skin of Goldens need extra good care. Goldens should be groomed daily with a firm bristled brush. They should be dry shampooed regularly (weekly) with baking soda or diatomaceous earth (for fleas). They love to have their fur brushed since they are heavy shedders. They rarely need a wet shampoo but if they do use a mild soap. We use Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap or Dove liquid Dish soap. It kills fleas.