Golden Retriever
Sporting Group
Height at Shoulders
Females 21.5-22.5 in, Males 23-24 in
Weight
Females 55-65 lbs, Males 65-75 lbs
Life Expectancy
10-12 yrs
History
The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands between 1840 and 1980. The breed was developed by Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth, who sought a gundog that was suited for the rain and rugged terrain of the region his estate was in. He crossed a mystery yellow retriever with the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel and added Irish Setter and Bloodhound to perfect the breed. The Golden Retriever is now a very popular companion dog, ranking as number 3 out of 192 breeds according to the American Kennel Club.
Breed Characteristics
While not all Golden Retrievers will display the exact characteristics typical of the breed, most share a personality and temperament can be generalized by the characteristic rankings below.
Intelligence
Affection Towards Family
Friendliness Towards Strangers
Friendliness Towards Other Dogs
Exercise Needs
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Energy Level
Sensitivity
Noise Level
Prey Drive
Shedding
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★★★
Intelligence
★★★★★
Affection Towards Family
★★★★★
Friendliness Towards Strangers
★★★★★
Friendliness Towards Other Dogs
★★★★★
Exercise Needs
★★★★★
Energy Level
★★★★★
Sensitivity
★★★★★
Noise Level
★★★☆☆
Prey Drive
★★★☆☆
Shedding
★★★★★
Common Traits
Very adaptable, easy to train, and good-natured; there's a good reason they're the 3rd most popular dog breed in the United States!
Favorite activites include swimming and playing fetch
Loving, eager to please, and people-oriented, making friends with everyone they meet
Have a lot of energy and need lots of mental stimulation and exercise (preferable a job to perform)- bored Goldens can be naughty
Slow to mature and keep their puppy-like personality into old age