Breed of the Month: Golden Retreiver

Ever wondered where your dog or cat came from? What its "purpose" was when being introduced? How long it's been around? Well this is the post for you, whether you're a cat person or a dog person, I am going to be doing a "Breed of the Month" post at the beginning of every month to teach you more about the breeds you know and love.

My boy at 4 months

It's only natural to kick off the breed of the month with my favorite breed. Which is why I'm going to start with the Golden Retriever. You will learn that I am very partial to Golden Retrievers. Not only because I have one of my own, but because they are really one of the happiest breeds I have ever met- and who doesn't love a happy dog? 

History: If you mix the Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) what do you get? The Golden Retriever! It originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800's (AKC). It was bred mainly for hunting purposes as it had the nose of a Bloodhound and the speed of an Irish Setter. It's thick, furry, water-repellent coat makes colder weather ideal.

Creo, my fiancé's dog, LOVES to play fetch.

Personality: The Golden is very lovable and in most cases very good with children. A very active and easily trainable breed, the Golden will (in most cases) do well with other animals as well as new people as they are always looking for treats. If bored, the Golden can become destructive so he/she will definitely need an active family to keep the energy level low and boredom at bay.

Grooming: The most common complaint from a Golden owner is hair because trust me, the Golden has a lot. The coat does need to be groomed daily because of it's thickness but in most cases your Golden will come to love grooming and enjoy a relaxing brush on the porch. 

Health Problems: Cancer, hip dysplasia, heart problems, and skin allergies are the most common health problems most Golden owners will encounter as your pet ages. Ayden (my dog) has very bad allergies so he is on a special diet which controls his flare ups. Obesity is another common problem for Golden's, as they love to eat. Your veterinarian can tell you the appropriate amount to feed your pet if you are unsure. The life expectancy for Goldens is 10-12 years.

Ayden!

Did you know? Golden's will darken with age. Their "true" coat color will generally appear around one year of age.
The Golden Retriever is one of America's most popular breed of dog.
Golden's have been trained to detect all types of cancer as well as being introduced to diabetic patients to alert when there has been a change in insulin levels. There are also "seizure watch" Goldens, in which they are able to warn when a seizure is on the merge.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about the Golden Retriever as much as I have enjoyed sharing this information. There are plenty of amazing breeds out there and this is just the beginning. My next breed of the month will be a cat called the "Russian Blue." If you have a Russian Blue, send me pictures through Facebook and your pet could be featured in the next Breed of the Month.

Lucy and Desi, Ayden's parents!

For more information about the Golden Retriever, and to watch videos of Golden's in action- please visit the American Kennel Club. 

Here's to a tail waggin' day!

Noelle

*Information for the blog post was obtained from Dog Breed Info and AKC.
*Pictures used in this post received verbal consent by owner.