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Description	The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, medium-large sized dog. The skull is broad and the muzzle is straight, tapering slightly with a well defined stop. The nose is black or a brownish black. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The medium to large eyes are dark brown. The relatively short ears hang down close to the cheeks. When pulled forward the tip of the ear should just cover the eye. The tail is thick at the base with feathering along the underside. Dewclaws may be removed. The water-resistant coat is dense with a firm, straight, or wavy outer coat. There is an untrimmed feathering on the underbelly, back of the legs, front of the neck and underside of the tail. Coat color comes in cream to a rich golden.
Temperament	These are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Charming, devoted and self-assured, they are a popular family dog. Energetic and loving, Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be very rewarding. They excel in competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to be around people who display leadership to be happy. The Golden Retriever may become destructive and/or high-strung, over-exuberant and distractible if he is lacking in daily mental and physical exercise. Be sure to remain this dogs firm, but calm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid behavioral issues. Some of the Golden's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. These dogs also love to swim.
Height, Weight	Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (56-61cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (51-56cm.) Weight: Dogs 60-80 pounds (27-36kg.) Bitches 55-70 pounds (25-32kg.)
Health Problems	Prone to cancer, hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand's disease, heart problems and congenital eye defects. Skin allergies are common in Golden Retrievers and often require veterinary attention. Gains weight easily, do not overfeed.
Living Conditions	This breed will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a medium to large yard.
Exercise	The Golden Retriever needs to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you when you bicycle, where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as instinct tells a dog that the leader leads the way and that leader needs to be the human. In addition, they like to retrieve balls and other toys. Be sure to exercise this dog well to avoid hyper activity.
Life Expectancy	About 10-12 years
Grooming	The smooth, medium-haired double coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, paying particular attention to the dense undercoat. Dry shampoo regularly, but bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.
Origin	Originating in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s, the Golden Retriever was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, by crossing the original yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, with the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. He later crossed in the bloodhound, Irish Setter, and more Tweed Water Spaniel. The dogs were called the Golden Flat-Coat and only later were they given the name Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds known today, not only as family companions but for obedience competitions, hunting and tracking, as a bird dog on both land and in the water, narcotics detection, service dog for the disabled, a guide for the blind and as a therapy dog. The Golden Retriever was first recognized by the AKC in 1925.
Group	Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Recognition	CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR

CKC = Continental Kennel Club FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale AKC = American Kennel Club UKC = United Kennel Club KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain CKC = Canadian Kennel Club ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club NKC = National Kennel Club NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club APRI = American Pet Registry Inc. ACR = American Canine Registry DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc. NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.

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Rusty the Golden Retriever out on a pack walk with his owner. Rusty is a very high energy dog and the back pack helps slow him down making it easier for him to heel. It gives the dog a sense that he has a job; to carry the pack and the items in it.

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"Portia is a two year old Golden Retriever. She is full of energy and a joy to be around. She is insanely funny, and a wonderful companion and friend. I have applied several of Cesar Millan's training techniques to Portia. The one with the biggest impact was to not yell when correcting them, but to talk in a low, stern voice. As a dog owner, it is difficult to remain calm when your dog has chewed your favorite pair of shoes! However, I found that the problem is solved much more effectively when I correct her without raising my voice."

"Portia is a wonderful dog. Her temperament is wonderful and she is extremely sweet. I will never own any other kind of dog!"

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"I took this photo in the house. In the picture, they are waiting politely in a sit for a biscuit. From left to right: Sailor and Salty. They are 7 year old cream colored Golden Retrievers. Their previous owner got them for his kids but they soon lost interest in them. When the dogs were 3 years old the previous owner gave them to us because he felt he was not able to give them the care they needed. They are both the best dogs we have ever had and are amazingly well adjusted. I can truly say that they are both balanced and don't have a single behavior issue. They both love the water and will swim all day. They also try and occassionally succeed at catching little fish in the river and lake that we take them to about 3 to 5 times a week to let them play and burn energy."

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"This is my purebred, male Golden Retriever named Pongo at 1 year and 8 months, and 25 inches in height. Pongo is very athletic, and energetic. Friendly and has a good temper with my German Shepherd Wolfy. He gets a good amount of exercise and jogs with me every morning and evening for at least 2 hours everyday."

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Jake the Golden Retriever at 8 years old. "This is our red Golden Retriever, Jake. He's a retired duck dog, who loves nothing more than to chase his tennis ball. Jake catches and fetches everything! He's even been known to chase snow balls, catch them, then look very pleased with himself when the snowballs break apart. The only problem we have with him is that when he plays fetch, he never wants to quit!"

Jake the Golden Retriever at 8 years old.

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"Two Golden Retriever brothers on a nice sit-stay in their backyard, looking pretty for the camera. On the left is Little Du, 5 years old, and on the right is Rocky, 6 years old. Rocky is a Delta Society-registered therapy dog and visits nursing homes and hospitals. Dutchy begins his training in the winter. Both have done agility classes as well and are much adored by their human family. Woof!"

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"This is my baby, my pride & joy. Her name is Sierra. Sierra is a purebred Golden Retriever. My husband and I have been together for 18 years and for 17 of those I have begged him to get a dog. Finally he gave in and the hunt began. He was reluctant to get a dog because we lived in an apartment (we live in a house now) and we worked all day. He didn't think it was fair for the dog. It's funny because when we got her it was November and someone mentioned, "Dog Whisperer" so I started watching it. I am so glad I did. I learned so much from him. I would tape it, and when I got home from work, after walking Sierra we would sit and watch it (and play) together . The patience I learned from that man. It was hard raising a puppy after 30 years of not having one. I grew up with a dog and a cat. The biggest thing that helped me was remembering repetition and praise. Sierra was a quick learner. Not a piece of our furniture or shoes or anything got chewed. Sierra has adapted very well. She is so good natured. She loves to cuddle up by our feet and you can't say the word Truck without her running to the back door to go for a ride. Since she was a baby we take her almost everywhere with us. We found a wonderful dog park that she loves to play in. She was a litter of 5 and when we went to pick her out I did the moving of the finger to see which one would pay attention and she was the one. She is so smart and brings such joy to me on the otherwise not so joyful days. Just her greeting me at the door with a High Five brightens my day. We got lucky with sierra. My husband who didn't want a dog is so good with her. He loves to take her to the parks and walk with her. I think he said something about her being a chick magnet. LOL, I could go on and on."

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