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Aptly named for its ability to retrieve game, the Golden Retriever was first bred in Scotland in the 19th century as a hunting partner and loyal companion.

Today, the Golden Retriever is naturally employed as an excellent search and rescue dog and, owing to its calm and intelligent nature, is often chosen as a guide dog for the blind.

Golden Retriever behavior & personality

As the fans of the breed know well, Golden Retriever puppies are a fun-loving, active, and unruly lot who eventually grow into gentle and loving family members when fully mature at about age 2.

As the name implies, the breed's innate desire to retrieve often results in hours of endless fun playing catch with a ball or flying disc, Their love of splashing around in water also makes them excellent boating and fishing pals.

Throughout its life, the happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever loves company, and is an excellent breed for big families with children. While not as aggressive a protector as the German Shepherd, its thunderous bark may make any interloper think twice about invading any home inhabited by a Golden Retriever.

Golden Retriever care & health

Due to its energetic nature, Golden Retrievers are best suited to younger households with a strong commitment to providing the proper diet and regular exercise that this breed requires to stay happy and healthy, especially as it ages.

Weekly brushing throughout the year is also required, with special attention given to shedding season in the spring, when they tend to drop their winter coats.

A happy, playful, golden retriever is the ideal pet for kids.

A variety of diseases and conditions have been known to plague the breed, most commonly hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that attacks the blood vessels. Hip and elbow dysplasia are also frequent dangers and can quickly become crippling if not treated in its early stages.

Cataracts are also common to the breed. As with all domestic pets, proper feeding and exercise becomes all-important in advanced years to ward off a marked tendency toward obesity.

Golden Retriever fun facts - DID YOU KNOW?

• Golden Retriever puppies are usually born either white or creamed-colored. They later achieve their famous golden coat as they mature.

• The breed has what is known as a "soft mouth". They can pick and carry the most delicate objects up with their mouths without harming them.

• One of the dogs in most need of activity, Golden Retrievers are known to become physically ill without a regular exercise routine.

• Among various claims to fame, the Golden Retriever was a White House family pet to President Gerald Ford, and achieved a starring role as Shadow from the movie "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey."

More about Golden Retrievers around the Web:

The Golden Retriever Club of America - This is a great resource for information on maintaining good health with advice on related issues & diseases, information for breeders, tips & FAQ on what to look for when buying a healthy puppy, pictures, links to Golden Retriever rescue and related organizations.

American Kennel Club - Golden Retrievers - Get the official standards with ideal size & proportions, coloring and temperament, pictures and fun facts, related resources to buying a healthy puppy.

GRREAT - Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training - Browse for rescue & adoption resources, facts on health & feeding, proper exercise and training, puppy buying guidelines, online forum.

Land of PureGold Foundation - Discover helpful tips & advice for owners battling various cancers common to Golden Retrievers plus related general resources, feature articles on feeding, training, puppy care.

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