Golden Retriever Dog Breed Information – Health & Care

Are you looking to buy or adopt a dog that will be cheerful, friendly, intelligent, loyal, and gorgeous-looking? Then, the Golden Retriever Dog breed is one of the best options for you. 

A golden retriever is a very good family dog breed, especially it goes well with your kids. Golden Retriever’s kind and adorable expression tells a lot about its temperament. 

On this earth, everything has pros and cons. It is also true for the Golden retriever breed. In this article, I will describe facts about how to look after a golden retriever, Health issues, common diseases issue, behavior, and other relative facts about Golden retrievers. 

As well as you will also get the most important questions answered, are you the right person to buy or adopt a Golden retriever dog breed? 

Golden retriever physical appearance

Yes, I know, you already know how a Golden retriever looks like. But for the sake of this Article let me describe a few sentences. 

Golden retriever’s main color is golden, but their shade can vary. Their shade differs from cream to dark golden to light golden. They are a medium-sized dog breed, weighing between 25 to 34 kilograms (55 to 75 lb). 

A Golden Retriever’s body is mostly covered with soft hair. Which is called coat. This body coat consists of two layers. The outer layer is water resistant (Note: they love to swim), and the inner layer helps them to keep their body temperature within tolerable limits, both in warm and cold weather.

When they play and run around their loose fluffy coats, fathering tails, and long dancing ears bring repletion to their cheerful and playful personality. 

Golden Retriever Behavior

The golden retriever is well-known as a family dog breed. Contribute goes to It’s calm, extremely friendly, sweet, and intelligent behavior. One of the most beloved dog breeds in the US is this one.   

If you have a toddler and are worried that it could harm him/her. I assure you that Golden retriever behaves well with kids. But in case, if they are curious to play with your toddler, they may fall, because a toddler is not steady on their feet.  

Additionally, if you are a pet lover, it is normal to have multiple pets in your house. Many dogs are aggressive toward other animals. For example a cat. We all know that a cat’s biggest enemy is a dog. 

Contrarily, Golden retrievers are not aggressive toward other pets including cats. A golden retriever can easily adapt with other animals. 

Moreover, you can’t appoint a Golden Retriever as a guard dog. Because of their friendly nature, they even behave friendly with a stranger. They bark toward a stranger in a friendly way rather than in an aggressive way.  

Another instinct of Golden Retrievers dog breed is that they are mouthy. They enjoy carrying objects in their mouths. To avoid ruining your important things and satisfy their mouthy behavior give them some toys to carry and play with.

Brief overview

Health issue

Golden retriever’s average lifespan is between 12 to 13 years. Unfortunately, some of them are not healthy during this lifespan. They are slightly more prone to develop certain diseases than other dog breeds.  

So, if you have intended to buy or adopt a Golden Retriever, then you must be aware of certain diseases. 

• Ear infection: Because of their ear structure, they have a high tendency to develop ear infection. But you can avoid this problem by simply regularly cleaning their ears. 
• Hip Dysplasia: In this condition, hip joint does not match and work properly. The result is severe pain.
• Elbow Dysplasia: There is a similarity between Elbow Dysplasia and hip Dysplasia. In the Elbow Dysplasia case, elbow joint does not match and function correctly. Consequently, relentless pain. 
• Osteochondrosis: In this situation, cartilage (a strong protective tissue, that protects our bones and joints) separates from the corresponding bone.
• Ichthyosis: A kind of skin disease, which causes greasy flakes that stick to their hairy body.
• Cancer:  There is a bit of probability that they could develop lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma cancer. 

Why does the Golden Retriever need regular exercise?

Golden Retrievers were developed for hunting purposes. So typically, they are very cheerful and energetic dogs. They feel bored if they are left alone. For a long time, if you left them alone, they could develop strange behavior.

Because of their energetic and cheerful tendency, they need regular exercise or play time for mental stimulation. If you live in a small and compact house and don’t have a backyard, then your home is not suitable for Golden Retriever.  

For their well-being, you need to give them regular walks, playing time, required attention, and affection. As I told you before, they are social animals.

Are you an ideal person for owning a golden retriever

It may sound absurd that a man may not have the capability to foster a dog. But it is true in some cases. For example,

• You don’t want to go to the trouble of taking care of it. A Golden Retriever needs regular hair brushing and a tentative bath once a month. Otherwise, your puppy will look messy. 
• If you are a busy man and don’t have enough time to go for a regular walk with it, give it necessary attention and love. 
• Most of the time your house remains empty (humanless).
• You live in a small, compact house. Your house Doesn’t have a backyard or garden so that your puppy can walk and play around.
• You don’t like chewing on things. 
• Don’t want to face potential health problems of your adopted or bought-puppy? 

If all the above facts you can endure and fulfill happily. Then you are perfect for owning a Golden Retriever. 

Ideal diet for Golden Retriever

We know good food means good health. For your loved puppy it is very important to give it proper food.

Two meals a day, per meal 1.5 cups of nutritious dry food is enough for an adult Golden Retriever. But keep in mind that, the demand for food can vary depending on age, size, and physical activity. 

Besides, during the first four to seven months Golden Retrievers grow very fast, so they have a chance to develop bone disorders. During this period, it is highly recommended to supply high-quality nutritious, and low-calorie food. So that you can have some sort of control over their growth, and they are less likely to develop bone disorders. 

How to Take care?

As I described above, a Golden Retriever is a sweet hairy dog. They shed (lose hair) most of the year, especially during the spring and fall they shed heavily. You will need to brush your Golden Retriever puppy three to four days a week, and regularly during heavy shedding period. 

Because of their droopy ears, there is a chance of ear infection. So regular checking and cleaning your puppy ears reduce the chance of infection. 

Moreover, a bath and nail trim once a month and brushing teeth once a week keep your dog fresh and cheerful. 

Brief History

Though knowing your puppy’s breeding history is not essential for fostering, but knowing your loved puppy’s breeding history won’t be that bad. 

Golden retriever origin comes from Scotland, where they were used as hunting dogs. This breed was first recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1911. And nowadays they are used as a trusted companion. 

Finally, it is time to make your final decision. Are you ready to buy or adopt a sweet, friendly, and intelligent Golden Retriever puppy? Can you fulfill its requirement? If the answer is yes, then find one for you.