DOG BREEDS

All You Need to Know About Golden Retrievers: Breed History, Behaviour and Veterinary Insights

Golden Retrievers are the most popular dog breed in the world but how much do you really know about them? Read about their history, physical & behavioural traits and health issues
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Close your eyes and picture your ideal pet dog- loyal, extremely affectionate with a dash of goofiness, always ready for playtime and food time. With their warm personalities and playful spirits, Golden Retrievers come closest to what we would imagine the perfect companion dog to be like. It is no wonder that their happy-go-lucky personality has also made them one of the most popular breeds in India as well as around the globe today. But how much do you really know about the Golden Retriever’s Breed History- where do they come from? What were they bred to do? And how does that affect our Golden Retriever’s behaviour and physical traits today?

Golden Retrievers’ Breed History

Retrievers or Gun Dogs would usually accompany their human hunting partners and find and retrieve the birds of prey that the hunters shot down. In the early 19th century, Sir Dudley Majoribanks set out to create what he thought could be the “Ultimate Retriever Dog” on his Scottish estate. By mating a flat-coated retriever named Nous and a female tweed water spaniel named Belle, and with a few additions along the way, Majoribanks created the breed that soon came to be known as the Golden Retriever. From their feathered tails to their highly energetic and eager-to-please personalities, every single physical and personality trait of this breed was finessed to be the perfect companion to the hunters.
Golden Retriever puppy holding an egg in his mouth.
Golden Retrievers are also known as "Egg mouth" due to their ability to hold an egg in their mouth without breaking it!

Golden Retrievers’ Physical Traits

The Golden Retriever is known for its strikingly handsome physical traits- these dogs are medium to large size, with a sturdy and well-proportioned build. They have a powerful, yet graceful gait, and their feathered tails are usually long and carried with a gentle curve. A Golden Retriever’s double-layered coat is dense and water-resistant, typically sporting a lustrous golden colour that gives them their name. They usually come in three distinguishable colours ranging from Dark Golden to Light Golden.
As per the American Kennel Club (AKC), the average weight of an adult Golden Retriever ranges between 29- 34 kgs for males and 25- 29 kg for females, while the height ranges between 21.5 to 24 inches for both.
Ten Golden Retrievers in varying shades of fawn to white sitting in a line, facing away from the camera.
Golden retrievers come in an array of shapes and colours. What shade does your golden retriever really look like?

Golden Retriever Behaviour & Training Tips

Many of the Golden Retrievers' behaviours and traits we see today stem from their original role as retrievers or gun dogs. Their natural affinity for working with humans makes them easily trainable makes them ideal companions for most pet owners. The high levels of mental and physical energy that served them well in the field, if left unchanneled today can lead to a lot of behavioural issues such as hyperactivity and destructiveness. Their enthusiasm for life can also translate to a lack of impulse control, especially in new environments and around new people. As you can see, it is important to keep in mind your Golden Retriever’s breed history and origins when you are training them. Here are certain skills that pet parents should work on teaching their Golden Retrievers to ensure that they grow up to be happy and well-balanced dogs.
  • Socialisation: Golden Retrievers tend to be outgoing and confident dogs by their very nature, but this can lead to overexcitement in new situations. Socialization teaches them to stay calm, composed, and open to new experiences without becoming overwhelmed.
  • Basic Obedience Training: As mentioned earlier, Golden Retrievers tend to struggle with impulse control and often find it difficult to respond to their owners in an excitable environment. Working on basic obedience training from a young age can help you communicate boundaries with your Golden Retriever more effectively, which means your dog can enjoy more experiences without you worrying about losing control.
  • Routine setting: By setting up a well-structured daily routine for your dog that includes fixed times for their meals, walks, play times as well and rest times, you can bring predictability to your dog’s life. This ensures that your dog automatically knows when to expect play and interaction with you and reduces hyperactivity throughout the day.
  • Enforced separation: If you have a Golden Retriever, you may already know how attached they can be to their owners, often even indulging in attention-seeking behaviours such as whining, running away with things they are not supposed to, etc. It is our job as their owners to ensure that we regulate the attention we give them throughout the day. Furthermore, you can introduce tools such as a crate or a playpen to teach your Golden Retriever to be independent and be able to spend at least a few hours away from your family, without any hassle.
  • Mental enrichment: From hunting and being sharp on their feet all day to fitting into our sedentary urban lifestyles, our dogs have come a long way. However, this does not mean their natural, hunter instincts have been erased. You may realise this as your young Golden Retriever puppy begins playing fetch with you, without ever being taught. Enrichment activities such as sniffing games, DIY puzzle games, hikes, swims, etc. help our dogs provide them with proper outlets to exhibit their instinctual behaviours.
    • Daily brisk walks, regular exercise and play are essential for your Golden's health

    Health Concerns for Golden Retrievers

    Selective breeding, responsible for the Golden Retrievers' beautiful coats and golden personalities, can also bring about hereditary health concerns for this beloved breed.Though your dog may not necessarily be affected by these health issues, Veterinary Surgeon Dr Tanaya Pai recommends that pet parents be cognisant of the same so that they can take preventive measures and keep an eye out for possible signs.
  • Skin Problems: Golden Retrievers are known for their glorious, feathery double coat. However, this double coat may often hide skin infections and allergies that they are frequently susceptible to. Skin infections are typically characterised by itchiness, redness, and balding spots. Regular and daily grooming and a well-rounded diet are essential to prevent these issues.
  • Joint issues: Golden Retrievers are especially prone to joint issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Daily brisk walks, regular exercises and play, as well as occasional swim sessions can help keep your dog’s joints and muscles in shape. If your Golden Retriever is showing signs such as excessive splooting, limping or difficulty climbing the stairs, it is best to get them checked by the vet for possible joint issues.
  • Obesity: Golden Retrievers often show a lack of impulse control, especially when it comes to food and are prone to obesity and joint issues and arthritis that often follow. It is our duty as their pet parents to ensure that they get sufficient, species-appropriate food and are not being overfed. You can consult your vet or a canine nutritionist to chart out a diet plan for your dog.
  • Cancer: In recent years, a lot of our Golden Retrievers are being diagnosed with cancer of the skin, bone, blood, or spleen. Regular checks with your vet, a good diet, and a healthy lifestyle are the best preventive measures we can put in place to prevent cancer in our dogs.
    • Better pet parenting starts with understanding your dog and where they are coming from. Now that you know your Golden Retriever’s breed history, how it affects their behavioural and physical traits today, and health issues that can affect them, you can care for them better and improve your relationship with them. Remember, even if it gets frustrating sometimes, there’s always a reason why your dogs behave the way they do. Learning more about them will help you find the root cause of the issues and deal with them, effectively.  


    Always remember that you are not alone in this journey, and it is OK to ask for help from time to time. After all, it takes a Pack to raise a Pet :)
    
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