Golden Retrievers are noted mostly for their gentle, loving disposition, and are an excellent breed for families with children. They are also chosen for guide dogs, gun dogs, show dogs and as assistants for the handicapped. They are very smart and are on the top for obedience competitors. Originally bred to assist in the retrieving both upland game and waterfalll, their skills of this sort have turned to the tennis ball - in many homes. These dogs originated in the 1860's in Great Britain from breeds of the Scottish country estate of Lord Tweedmouth. He mated a yellow wafy-coated retriever to a Tweed Water Spaniel (a breed now extinct). This eventually led to the stock that is today's Golden Retrievers. They were first brought to North America in the late 1890's and were first registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1925.

PHYSICAL 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.

GOLDENS ARE PEOPLE DOGS!

The Golden Retriever stays high on the list of favorite dogs. Why? They are friendly, gentle, and eager. They truly need human companionship. Given some proper attention and time, your Golden will be your loyal, affectionate friend and be willing to do everything to please you. They are easy to train, they love to learn, and their intelligence allows them to learn just about anything a human can teach a dog to do. They are the greatest for a family dog, but also for 'search and rescue', obedience show, or as a hunting dog.

GOLDENS ARE FAMILY DOGS!

There is nothing quite like watching a Golden Retriever play with children. The Golden seems to naturally and instinctively know that children are more fragile than adults and it will be more careful with a child. Special bonds can develop between a Golden and a child and they will be passive regardless of the pinching, pushing, tail pulling and otherwise rough treatment they can get from a child - in fact it will probably enjoy the attention!

Goldens usually enjoy the companionship of other pets - especially if play might be an option.