Well, well, well…would you lookee here. It’s time for another Meet the Breed Monday. Norman here. What breed shall we take a gander at this month? How about the ubiquitous and beloved Golden Retriever? More than a few of our readers are Golden owners but this month’s background was supplied by our friend, Michael over at Golden Kali. Michael has three “Golden Girls” and entertains us with wonderful posts so you might want to click the link to visit his lovely blog. So let’s get started and learn about this wonderful breed.
Developed by the first Lord Tweedmouth (aka Dudley Marjoribanks) during the years 1840 through 1890, the aristocrat sought a dog suited to the rainy climate and rugged terrain of the area, so he crossed his “Yellow Retriever” with the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. Irish Setter and Bloodhound were also added to the mix during the 50 year period. Thus the Golden Retriever we now know arrived as an enduring gift to the dog kingdom from a hunt-happy aristocrat.
The Golden, as affectionately known everywhere, was first shown at a British dog show in 1908. The breed began arriving in America, by way of Canada, around the same time. Sport hunters liked the breed’s utility while show breeders loved their beauty and are impressed by their sweet, sensible temperament. Males generally weigh between 65-75 lbs. while females are somewhat smaller at 55-65 lbs.
There are three main types of Golden Retrievers.
- The British type (like Kali) has a broader head and muscular chest with a usually lighter coat referred to as cream or blond with heavier ‘feathers.’ Their eyes are round and dark.
- The American type (like Kloe and Koda) are less muscular with a red or golden coat and moderate feathers. They are very agile, have a powerful and well coordinated gate with brown but slanted eyes.
- Canadian Goldens have a thinner coat than their American counterpart and may be mistaken for a Golden Lab.
Goldens are very versatile. While often known as bird dogs, they make excellent family members. Goldens are frequently used as service dogs for the disabled, search and rescue dogs and are even tempered, intelligent, and very affectionate. They love to play and will retrieve balls as long and as often as someone will throw it for them.
We got ourselves another ‘foodie’ with this breed. The only thing Goldens love more than playing and romping is food. Being food motivated, Goldens are quite eager to please their owners thereby making them easily trainable and highly adaptive to most home environments.
Goldens do need lots of exercise, especially puppies and younger dogs. A good 30 to 40 minute walk each day in addition to playtime and training will make for a content dog who is then less likely to get themselves into mischief.
Goldens are gentle with children, puppies and get along with just about everyone they meet. Goldens are not typically considered guard dogs but will bark to alert owners of trouble, or perceived trouble. They are more likely to show a burglar where the family jewels are hidden than to attack.
The Golden Retriever’s life expectancy is typically 11 to 12 years and sadly, more than 60% of the breed succumb to cancer. Hip dysplasia is another common medical problems Goldens face.
Golden retrievers shed and require regular brushing. Like all dogs shedding dogs, regular grooming helps minimize floating hair and mats.
Goldens are one of the more popular breeds in the U.S. Did you know that two Goldens occupied the White House-Gerald Ford’s dog, Liberty and Victory whose human was Ronald Reagan. More recently, Elizabeth Warren’s Golden “Bailey,” was a frequent visitor to her campaign events, and was caught on camera swiping a burrito from a staffer’s hand. Like I said, these dogs are definitely ‘foodies.’ While “Daniel,” the 2020 Westminster Dog Show audience favorite did not win Best in Show, he did win the Sporting Group. Goldens continue to be popular crowd pleasers and are regularly featured pets in commercials and movies.
Well there you have it. Many thanks to Michael for sharing background info on these great family dogs. Do you have any experience with these ‘golden’ beauties? Check back next month for another breed. If you’d like your good dog’s breed highlighted, please shoot us an email.
What a beautiful dog!!! 🐾🐾🐾
Goldens can be very pretty and sweet.
Oh, I miss our goldens! Even though we had two, I still learned some things I didn’t know here, thanks, Norman! Our big golden Moses had quite a gruff bark, so he was a good watch dog, as long as no strangers knew that he was just a really big baby who would never harm a fly. ♥
Oh, and we lost both our goldens to cancer, so we can confirm that sad fact.
It’s really sad so many from this lovely breed are victims of that horrid disease. #cancersucks
Golden girls indeed. Such a wonderful breed and so much to learn about them here on your bloggie. We see a lot of Golden Retriever guide doggies💗😺Pawkisses for a Happy Day to all of you🐾😽💞
We have more Goldens at pet therapy than any other breed. They’re ‘pawfect’ for that kind of work.
They are so gorgeous!
Yes, they are very elegant.
Ah, Goldens. Once one owns you, you’re hooked. I should know, right? Having had 3 and waiting for the right #4. Ducky says she wants another brother. So, a brother it will be…whatever the little princess wants. 😍
Boys and girls seem to play better than same sex pairs. At least in my experience but even that is no guarantee. Is it Elsa? LOL Hope the pawfect boy comes along soon for you and Ducky.
Oh Goldens are FABulous! Such sweet puppers, and so well behaved….unlike moi…..or, so Ma says.
Whatevers. Anyhu, they sure are a popular breed, and we see them all overs! Though, I don’t thinks they are sweeter than OES’s….just sayin’.
How you feelin’ Norman??? I hopes you are doin’ well, and are healin’ good!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Aww, you’re too sweet, Ruby. Thanks for asking, Norman is doing great and his incision has healed really well.
Mr. Tweedmouth sounds like someone who would create the Golden Retriever
He does. And I suspect the world is grateful for that.
Golden’s are such nice family dogs.
Yes, they seem to love kids.
Goldens are just the sweetest!
They really are!
Just have to say I agree with everything here. They’re just not my cup of tea, since I like more attitude. Notice I keep getting a schnauzer LOL?
Snicker. 🤣
Great recap of the retriever, Monika. I had a friend who had one and the dog would carry a stone in its mouth. He would then walk up and rop the stone. It was the human’s job to toss the stone as far as possible. Yes he always brought it back.
Wow, I’ve never heard of a stone retriever before 🤣
It was really something.
This post was . wait for it, golden. I love the 411 you supply, and I really love those beautiful four legged peeps. Muchas gracias, Monika.
Aww, you’re too kind; our pleasure to share the breeds. Goldens are beautiful dogs that make lovely family pets.
They really are beautiful.
I’ve never “known” a golden but I do think they are beautiful and elegant dogs (except when they’re puppies – they are precious puppies !). Thanks for the info – more than I knew for sure.
Hugs, Pam
These “Goldens” are here also among the most famous breeds, Labradors are most popular. While reading this post I was thinking our cat Kosmo, who often acts like a dog. He might be a”golden retriever” in cat world.
Thank you for an interesting post.
Hee, hee…a black ‘golden’ retriever cat. Love it!
Thanks Norman for the great recap on Golden Retrievers. As usual you nailed it! My three girls would be swooning up a “storm for Norm” if they were to ever meet you in person. Kloe and Koda are especially smitten with you in glasses; the older and mysterious man. 🙂 BTW thanks M for the shout-out to the Golden Kali blog. I guess I better put some new content on it – it’s been a few weeks…. (sigh). Have a great week at The Ranch.
Happy to feature your gorgeous girls (you did all the heavy lifting, my friend). They’ve been a big hit with the readers. Everyone loves Goldens! And I’m sure Norman would wiggle his bum at your two younger girls. He’s definitely a ladies man.
Awww, these are my kind of pups to have. They are most loving and loyal and you’re right they do need a lot of exercise.
Have a fabulous day and week, my friend. Scritches to the pups. ♥
They’re pretty special for sure. Everybody loves Goldens. Happy Monday and happy week, Sandee.
Mew mew mew those K-Doggiess are all so lovelee. Thanx Norman an Miss Monika fore yore post! LadyMew said shee nevurr mew all this ’bout ‘Goldenss’…..
What an amazin breed rite???
***purrss*** BellaDharma an {{huggiess}} LadyMew too!
They sure are, and Michael’s seem like especially wonderful ambassadors for the breed.
thTey sure are kewl poochiess Miss Monika! 😉
Thanks for that highly interesting information!
Our pleasure. We love learning a little something about the different breeds-Michael provided great info for Norman to share.
When are you going to feature Indian Ringnecks like me??????
Would be more than willing to showcase a great feathered friend-send me some info and we’ll feature you. I know pretty much nothing about your kind.
When I decided to adopt a purebred dog from a breeder for the first (and probably last) time, I kept going back and forth between choosing a Lab or a golden. I thought they were basically the same dog (friendly, athletic, liked chasing balls, food-oriented).
But raising Honey and fostering a Lab and comparing them in many other situations, I find the golden is a much “softer” dog. It’s hard to describe. But it is another interesting aspect of the golden.
Of course, every dog, no matter their breed, has their own personality, eh?
BTW, your beautiful watercolors inspired me to take my paints out as a pandemic project. Sadly, my efforts were very sad. But it was fun. I love stopping in to see your headers.
Thanks Pam. Yes, there is something uniquely special about Goldens.
Glad to hear you’re painting again. It takes time to get back in form. I just recently went back into the studio and my first greeting cards were crap, but they are getting better and it feels good to work even without my dear Sam as my muse. Stay well, stay sane and keep smiling.
awe I love goldens so much
Very sweet and loving dogs.
Baby Koda is an absolute heart breaker and I have never heard of the Tweed Water Spaniel; what a great breed name 🙂
Isn’t she adorable? I think Tweed Water Spaniels are now extinct but were the basis for developing the Golden. Very cool name.
Who can resist a golden? No one that I know, that’s for sure! My sister had two of them… Lady, was a gentle, beautiful soul who loved to go with my sister everywhere, including the barn and Partner was a wonderful and fun – would go hunting with my brother-in-law but happiest playing with the kids.
They really are sweet family dogs.
Friends have or have had goldens…big softies who are liable to help ‘clear up’ any plate within reach…
Oh yes, they definitely enjoy food of all flavors.
I always loved my goldens!! Happy Monday😊
Happy Monday to you as well. Goldens just make people smile with their good looks and sweet personalities.