<C>Height:</C> 23 to 24 inches (male); 21 1/2 to 22 1/2 inches (female).
<C>Weight:</C> 70 to 75 pounds (male); 60 to 65 (female).
<C>Size:</C> Large.
<C>Availability:</C> Very popular.
<b>History:</> The Golden Retriever was first developed in the British Isles, probably from crosses between a yellow Flat-Coat Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland. In fact the breed was first shown as a golden Flat-Coat. The Golden is one of the world's foremost family companion dogs. Many of the top obedience competition dogs in the country are Golden Retrievers. The Golden is also a fine bird dog on both land and in the water. He has an excellent nose and has been used not only for hunting and tracking, but also for narcotics detection. Because of his great desire to please and capacity for love and learning, the Golden Retriever is also used as a guide for the blind, therapy dog, and service dog for the disabled.
<b>Description:</> A beautiful, sturdy, well-proportioned dog with a feathered, medium length cream to golden colored coat. (The coat is not supposed to be red.) The outer coat is water-repellent and the undercoat is dense. The head is broad, with a tapering, but wide muzzle. The nose is black and the kindly eyes are brown with dark rims. The ears are medium sized and pendant.
<b>Notes:</> Beware of hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects. OFA and CERF certification are important for both parents! Parents should also be checked for von Willebrand's disease and heart problems. Needs daily exercise, but likes to retrieve balls and sticks, so exercising is fairly easy. Be sure to exercise well and don't overfeed this dog as he tends to put on weight. Buy a Golden Retriever only from a reputable breeder. Since the breed is so popular, many animals with poor temperaments are being sold.
<b>Personality:</> Gentle, stable family dog. Loyal and confident. Sweet and eager to please. Active. Loving and lovable. Excels in obedience competition. Outstanding family dog. Patient and kind even with very small children. Friendly with everyone. Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be fun. Can be over- exuberant and distractible. Needs people a lot. If isolated from human contact, or left alone for long periods of time, the Golden Retriever may become mischievous.
<b>Behavior:</>
<C>Children:</C> Excellent with children.
<C>Friendliness:</C> Loves everyone.
<C>Trainability:</C> Very easy to train.
<C>Independence:</C> Needs people a lot.
<C>Dominance:</C> Moderate.
<C>Other Pets:</C> Generally good with other pets.
<C>Combativeness:</C> Friendly with other dogs.
<C>Noise:</C> Average barker.
<b>Grooming and Physical Needs:</>
<C>Grooming:</C> Regular grooming needed.
<C>Trimming & Stripping:</C> Some trimming or stripping (little skill required).
<C>Coat:</C> Feathered coat.
<C>Shedding:</C> Average shedder.
<C>Exercise:</C> Needs lots of exercise.
<C>Jogging:</C> An excellent jogging companion.
<C>Indoors:</C> Moderately active indoors.
<C>Apartments:</C> Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.
