Golden Retriever Breed History
A bit about how theyve evolved over the years!
Golden Retrievers originated in Scotland in the late 19th century. They were developed as hunting dogs
Sir Dudley had an intense desire to create a world-class Retriever suitable for the Scottish weather and terrain for hunting and retrieving upland and waterfowl. He wanted the perfect gun dog to retrieve the birds from the Scottish wetlands, rivers, and lakes.
History tells us that he purchased a yellow retriever-type dog named Nous, from a cobbler in Brighton .
Nous was crossed with a Tweed Water Spaniel resulting in several yellow pups that became the foundation for a distinctive line of yellow retrievers, later known as Golden Retrievers.
The UK Kennel Club recognized them in 1913. As they became more popular after the first World War, Golden Retrievers were shipped to America and Canada, where each nation developed them to suit their tastes.
It wasnt until the late 1920s that Golden Retrievers gained further recognition. The American Kennel Club took steps to announce the breed officially in 1925. The Canadian Kennel Club followed and recognized the breed in 1927.
There have been many misconceptions about the breeds history over the years. Mr. A. Croxton-Smith, the author of Dogs Since 1900, conducted detailed studies on the origins of Golden Retrievers and arrived at various findings:
Watch This Superb Video About Golden Retrievers From An Experienced Breeder
BUT WAIT!
Heres my TL DR version:
The Golden Color And Shades
Another way golden retrievers can vary from each other is by color. Goldens are known for their luscious locks that come in various shades of luminous golden color.
There is very little color variation between goldens. Unlike the Labrador retriever, which comes in three very distinct colors, goldens tend to stay within a limited color spectrum.
When it comes to the American golden retriever, the AKC breed standard states that extremely pale and extremely dark colors are undesirable.
And while some goldens can come in other shades of gold, only three distinctive shades are recognized for showing.
These include:
This color spectrum is very strict, especially for show dogs. If a dog falls outside of a desirable color range, it cannot compete or be registered with the American Kennel Club.
At the same time, the British and Canadian Kennel Clubs accept more coat colors, including cream.
Despite the desirability of the gold color, some dogs fall outside of this range.
You can find golden retriever colors varying from pure white, mahogany, and dark brown, to red or even black! They are not as common, but they can be found.
Bear in mind that no Kennel Club permits red as a color, so red-coated golden retrievers cant compete in show rings.
But although they cant compete in shows, red goldens make good pets, just like all other types of golden retrievers.
The beauty of these colors is that they are hereditary.
Does Shaving An American Golden Retriever Help With Shedding
No, it doesnt, so DO NOT SHAVE your Golden Retriever. Any double-coated breed shouldnt be shaved unless its the last resort due to their health or a really bad hair situation.
That thick coat helps them regulate their body temperature and protects their skin from different weather conditions.
Damaging the hair follicle can also mean that their coat may never properly grow back.
Owning a Golden Retriever means youre aware of the time and attention theyll require. Care for your dogs coat by brushing it daily, and for professional grooming, bring her to the groomer every two months.
Equip yourself with the best brushes for Golden Retrievers, such as a firm bristle brush, a Greyhound comb, and a de-shedding rake.
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What Similarities Do English Retrievers And Golden Retrievers Share
All Golden Retrievers regardless of what type they are English, Canadian or American share similar qualities and attributes that this breed is known for.
Here is what all Golden Retrievers have in common:
Intelligence
This breed is very smart, in fact, they are ranked the 4th smartest breed for obedience-command trainability, according to Stanley Corens The Intelligence of Dogs.
Eager To Please and Easy To Train
Golden Retrievers love to please their humans, and will often do anything for a treat or affection/attention. This makes them easy to train.
Loyal and Loving
Golden Retrievers love human contact and they love spending time with their favourite humans. They are known for walking up to complete strangers and saying hello and of course wanting to be petted.
This breed is not shy! But, just because they will pretty much go over to any human for attention, they are very loyal and will sit by their human to protect them.
Great Family Dogs
Either type of Golden Retriever would make an excellent addition to your family. They get along well with children and other animals.
They Love The Water
They are natural-born swimmers. With their water-repellent coats and their webbed paws, this breed was born to swim. It is rare to find a Golden Retriever that doesnt like the water!
They Shed
Trust me, I own a Canadian Golden Retriever, and she sheds! Any owner of this breed will tell you that shedding is heavy during the spring and fall, but shedding happens daily!
History Of Golden Retrievers
Goldens were originally bred in Scotland in the 19th century to serve as gun dogs and to retrieve shot waterfowl.
For centuries, people had only been able to hit game from a relatively short distance. But, as hunting technology and guns improved, the hunting style had to change and evolve too.
Since hunters could now shoot birds from further distances, the game fell further away and often ended in streams, rivers, or ponds.
The retriever dogs of that time were not bred to tackle these new challenges. While they could collect game, they couldnt find the downed game at a distance the new guns could reach.
They also could not retrieve game from lakes or rivers.
So, breeders needed to create a new dog.
Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord of Tweedmouth, took on the challenge. He crossed a yellow-colored retriever, named Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, called Belle.
The Tweed water spaniel is now an extinct breed but was then very common in Scotland.
The resulting litter had four puppies.
Those four puppies became the foundation of a breeding program, which also included a bloodhound, an Irish setter, the St. Johns water dog of Newfoundland, and two wavy-coated black retriever dogs.
Tweedmouth wanted to create a more athletic and powerful breed than previous retrievers that would still be highly trainable and mellow.
His retriever dogs instinctively loved the water but also had a thick and fluffy double-coat to keep them warm.
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How Mini Is Miniature
The answer is not hard and fast, and it differs from breeder to breeder and even between litters. As they become more fine-tuned and purer, a clearer picture will more than likely emerge.
As it stands at the moment, their weight ranges between 20 lbs to 55 lbs , with a height of between 12 to 15 inches .
A fully grown Mini Golden Retriever is small, but it has plenty of love to give!
Dogs That Look Like Golden Retrievers
Golden Retriever owners would be quick to tell you that no other dog breed compares to their beloved Goldens. In many ways, theyd be correct.
Golden Retrievers are unique in both appearance and temperament thats exactly why they are so incredibly popular.
There are, however, other breeds who bear a slight resemblance to the beautiful Golden Retriever, and who are, without doubt, equally as special in their own way.
What dogs look like Golden Retrievers? Breeds with similar builds, coat type, or coat length, such as the Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Great Pyrenees, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and the Kuvasz, can easily be confused with the Golden Retriever.
With over 350 breeds worldwide and 195 breeds registered with the American Kennel Club alone, its no wonder that people often confuse one breed for another.
Being familiar with breeds routinely mistaken for a Golden Retriever will prevent you from making an embarrassing mistake.
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Is A Golden Retriever Fully Grown At 8 Months
If youre dealing with an unruly, bratty teenager, youre likely looking for some light at the end of the tunnel. The good news is that you dont have to wait years like you would if you had a human teenager.
Golden Retrievers arent considered fully grown until theyre between 18 months and 2 years old.
More About This Breed
It’s no surprise that the Golden Retriever is one of the top ten most popular dogs in the U.S. It’s all good with the Golden: he’s highly intelligent, sociable, beautiful, and loyal.
He’s also lively. The Golden is slow to mature and retains the silly, playful personality of a puppy until three to four years of age, which can be both delightful and annoying. Many keep their puppyish traits into old age.
Originally bred for the physically demanding job of retrieving ducks and other fowl for hunters, the Golden needs daily exercise: a walk or jog, free time in the yard, a run at the beach or lake , or a game of fetch. And like other intelligent breeds who were bred to work, they need to have a job to do, such as retrieving the paper, waking up family members, or competing in dog sports. A tired Golden is a well-behaved Golden.
As well as giving your Golden Retriever physical and mental exercise, you should also be prepared to include him in your family activities. The Golden Retriever is a family dog, and he needs to be with his “pack.” Don’t consider getting a Golden unless you’re willing to have him in the house with you, underfoot, every day.
There’s one other potential drawback to the breed: He’s definitely not a watchdog. He might bark when strangers come around, but don’t count on it. Most likely, he’ll wag his tail and flash that characteristic Golden smile.
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What Does A True Golden Retriever Look Like
Their eyes are almond-shaped and look almost triangular when observed from the side. Although they are less stocky than the British variety, American golden retrievers are slightly larger. An average male is from 23 to 24 inches tall, while most females are between 21.5 and 22.5 inches tall at their shoulders.
What Is A Show Golden Retriever
Show Golden Retrievers were inbred from field Goldens to have a certain desired look that judges at conformation events would expect the breed to look like.
Some subtypes of the bread, such as blockhead Golden Retrievers, were especially bred to be more fitting to dog shows!
They are heavier, and some might even reach 100 lbs of weight, which is a lot more than field retrievers therefore, they would hardly be able to complete any hunting or field work. Their withers are stronger, their head is bigger, and their entire bone structure tends to be heavier.
They are much more sociable than field Golden Retrievers, making them quite friendlier and more willing to please. Keep in mind that both breed variations are great with kids and other pets, so you wont have any issues of the sort with any of the two dogs.
These pups dont have as much energy as field Goldens, but dont let this information fool you. All Golden Retriever puppies require plenty of exercise as their energy levels are somewhat higher than regular apartment pups.
They have long, gorgeous coats, with long feathers around their ears, tail, and hindquarters although, sometimes, it can appear on all legs. The color of their fur is usually the beautiful, golden shade you know this breed for.
However, because of their double coat and long outer coat, expect them to shed a lot. Be prepared to have hair flying around everywhere but more about their grooming needs later.
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A Goldendoodle Has A Golden Personality
Perhaps taking after its parent breeds, this dog breed is sociable, affectionate, friendly, and reliably bright. Poodles and Golden Retrievers are breeds which are well-established when it comes to temperament and personality, so there is a lower chance that this breed may become ill-tempered and aggressive.
Goldendoodles are also usually recommended as therapy and service dogs. This is because they are truly sociable and highly-interactive even in the company of the people they dont know. They really have golden traits and personality, and are very smart like their ancestors.
Because of being too friendly and cheerful, it is best for them to socialize with other people and dogs to help them understand the proper behavior when they are outside.
Things You Should Know Before Getting A Mini Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is one of the most popular doodle dogs in the world, and the mini Goldendoodle is becoming just as coveted.
But is the mini Goldendoodle really as good as the standard Goldendoodle? And what do you need to know about potential health issues, temperament and training?
If youre considering getting a mini Goldendoodle, youve come to the right place. Todays article is going to cover everything you should know before investing in the miniature Goldendoodle dog.
Lets begin.
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Dog Breeds Similar To Golden Retrievers
If you have ever been fortunate enough to own a Golden Retriever or been around one for any length of time, then you know they have the sweetest, most loving personality, which is why they are a popular dog breed. Not only are they kind and smart, but they are also a beautiful dog with their lovely golden coloring and soft, feathery hair.
You may wonder if there are other dogs similar to the Golden Retriever in temperament and/or looks. This article goes over eight breeds that will remind you of this popular dog yet may resonate more with your lifestyle and personality.
Has A Golden Retriever Ever Won Best In Show
Best In Show isnt just an award in any dog competition out there. It is THE prize the best of the best.
This is the first prize at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a show partly organized by the AKC. It has happened annually since 1907, and representatives of the most popular breeds compete in a New York venue for this highly valued prize.
However, a surprising number of the US top 20 favorite dog breeds has never won Best In Show 11 of them, to be precise! And, sadly, this includes the Golden Retriever.
In the latest years, some of the winning dogs were Poodles, Fox Terriers, German Shepherds, Bichon Frises, and Beagles.
Some other popular breeds that never won Best In Show include:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
And so on.
Golden Retrievers didnt really do well in these competitions. However, they did win Best In Group two times in 2006 and in 2020 and they won the second-best in 2009. They also do well in sporting groups.
Still, despite their popularity, and for a long time, being recognized as an independent breed, they seem unable to catch that first spot.
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What Is The Great Pyrenees Dog Breed
The Great Pyrenees is a large, fluffy breed of dog known for being gentle and calm. Originally bred in the Pyrenees mountains of France, the Great Pyrenees was originally used as a working dog to protect livestock from predators such as wolves. Today, the Great Pyrenees is still used as working dog in some parts of the world, but they also make excellent family pets. They are loyal and protective of their families, but they are also very gentle and loving.
Similarities.
The Great Pyrenees is similar to the Golden Retriever in that he is also a huge dog with an incredibly dense, fluffy coat and a stunning plumbed tail. As a Golden Retriever, hes sturdy and muscular with a love for family and a peaceful, serene, relaxed, and gracious persona. Both breeds smile when they pant and share the same facial traits, ears, and body form.
Differences.
The Great Pyrenees are bigger, measuring between 25 and 30 inches tall, and weighs more than 85 pounds. The coat of this breed is not gold. Its more often almost all white, with some darker marks. The great Pyrenees are more durable and stockier, and incredibly sturdy. Although both breeds are gentle and peaceful, The Great Pyrenees possesses a deeply grounded instinct to protect that is not present in Goldens.
Grooming & General Care For The English Cream Golden Retriever
The English Creams medium-length coat should be groomed weekly because they shed regularly.
When they shed their thick coats heavily once or twice a year, brushing daily will help.
The occasional bath also helps with brushing but make sure the coat is dry first.
However, if your main concern is cleansing, Dr. Caroline Coile recommends in The Golden Retriever Handbook to bathe the dog after brushing. When the excess dead hair is removed, it is easier to clean down to the skin with water and shampoo.
On top of grooming and cleaning your English Cream Golden Retrievers coat, be sure to also trim their nails regularly.
Most importantly, Golden Retrievers can struggle with their weight if not properly fed. Because of this, keep an eye on food consumption, which includes giving treats in moderation.
You can learn more about the main nutritional needs for your English Cream Golden Retriever and recommended food brands here.
If youre specifically looking for how to feed your English Cream Golden Retriever puppies, check out our piece focused on the best food for Golden Retriever pups.
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English Vs American Golden Retriever: 5 Differences
Key Points:
- English golden retrievers were bred to have white or cream colored fur, and generally weigh five pounds more than American golden retrievers. The American golden retriever has red or yellow hair.
- In behavior, both breeds are very friendly and easy to train. The English golden retriever has a more laid back temperament, whereas the American golden retriever has lots more energy and can have separation anxiety.
- The American golden retriever is recognized as a purebred breed by the AKC, while the English one is not.
Did you know that there are two different types of golden retriever: the English vs American golden retriever? What separates these two dog breeds from one another, and how can you learn to tell the differences between them upon first glance?
In this article, we will compare and contrast all of the differences between English and American golden retrievers, including their physical descriptions so that you can tell them apart at first glance. We will also address their behavioral differences, their sizes, and whether or not their breed is recognized by the AKC. Lets get started and learn about golden retrievers now!