| The golden retriever is perhaps the most popular | | | | to get their exercise. While they are easy to train, |
| family dog and rightly so as its gentle | | | | they can be quite boisterous and are easily |
| temperament makes it a great companion for | | | | distracted so you want to exhibit patience during |
| families with children. originating from Britain this | | | | the training process. Your golden retriever should |
| breed is an excellent tracker and has been used | | | | be an active member of your family as he can |
| as a hunting dog and also to help sniff out | | | | become mischievous if left alone for long periods |
| narcotics. They are very intelligent and eager to | | | | of time. |
| please as well as fast learners which makes them | | | | This breed can be prone to eye defects as well |
| great candidates for guide and therapy dogs. | | | | as hip dysplasia and should also be checked for |
| A member of the American kennel club sporting | | | | heart problems and Von Willebrand's disease. |
| group, the golden retriever was first registered at | | | | Some can be prone to skin allergies, and you |
| the AKC in 1925. By breed standards they should | | | | should keep an eye out for this as you'll need to |
| be between 20 and 24 inches in height and weigh | | | | treated it immediately. |
| between 55 and 80 pounds. If cared for properly, | | | | While the golden retriever does need plenty of |
| the golden retriever can live for 12 years or | | | | exercise he can live happily in apartment as long |
| more. | | | | as you are sure to take them for walks and let |
| The golden retriever has a beautiful golden coat | | | | him play. Of course, they love to retrieve so |
| and has a well proportioned and sturdy build. the | | | | having him retrieve balls or sticks or even a |
| medium length code is feathered with a dense | | | | frisbee is ideal. They can put on weight easily so |
| undercoat and water repellent outer coat. They | | | | you want to be sure to watch what you feed |
| have a broad head with powerful muscle black | | | | them and make sure they do get enough |
| nose and brown dark rimmed eyes. They have | | | | exercise as being overweight can be unhealthy |
| medium pendant shaped ears in the long tail that | | | | for any dog. |
| is carried straight, not curled. Golden retrievers | | | | When grooming your golden retriever mixture to |
| callers can range from cream to a deep gold. | | | | pay attention to the dense undercoat and brush in |
| Well known for their gentle manner and | | | | good with a firm bristled brush. Only bathe when |
| intelligence, the golden retriever is easily trainable | | | | absolutely necessary, but if you want to you can |
| and a good dog if you have other pets and | | | | dry shampoo them as often as you want. This |
| children. They are eager to please, loyal and | | | | dog is an average shutter. |
| confident but are extremely active and will need | | | | |