Golden Retriever: Breed Description and Care

The Golden Retriever is one of those rare breeds whose unique qualities have earned it considerable attention not only from experts but also from ordinary dog ​​breeders. It's worth exploring this breed in detail, not least because of its unusual origins.

In fact, there are two versions: the first was previously considered official, but it was later revealed to be mere legend. Therefore, the second version, which has completely demolished the arguments of the first version, is now considered official. However, to preserve the opportunity for everyone to try to determine for themselves which version is true, both will be presented below.

History of the Golden Retriever breed

The history of the appearance of dogs of this breed is closely associated with ScotlandIn this faraway country, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there lived a lord. He had a taste for the most unusual and exotic things. A striking example of this was the unusual forest growing near his estate, which consisted of the most unusual trees he had managed to acquire during his travels around the world. Near his estate were hunting grounds, where the lord often vacationed in the company of his high-ranking friends. And during one of his travels, he decided to go to Russia.

Of all the places, it was the circus that caught his attention. But this circus was unusual: it featured Russian shepherds. The dogs made such a strong impression on the lord, not only because of their appearance but also because of their tricks, that he immediately wanted to buy them. He had no problem with money, so without any delay, the lord managed to acquire eight of these dogs, for which he paid a fabulous sum at the time. These very dogs Russian shepherds were the origin of the breed golden retriever.

This version of the Golden Retriever's origins deserves attention primarily because it was long prevalent among dog breeders, eventually appearing in a reputable publication. This gave it even more credibility. However, the truth emerged when dog breeders turned to historical documents, which opened their eyes to the Golden Retriever's origins.

Basic version

The desire to get to the bottom of the truth arose among dog handlers at the very beginning of the 20th century. And it refuted many known factsAccording to new information, Lord did not participate in any trip to Russia. Therefore, there is no connection between the Golden Retriever and our country. Consequently, Russian Shepherds are not their ancestors.

In reality, things were quite different: the lord did indeed start breeding dogs, but he didn’t breed the first specimens. I got it from an ordinary shoemaker, who turned out to be a very inquisitive person and conducted experiments crossing different dog breeds. And one day, he came up with the idea of ​​crossing a Bloodhound and an Irish Setter.

They were more than pleased with what they had produced. These parents produced several puppies of an unusual golden color. It was these puppies that caught the eye of the lord, who subsequently decided to purchase them. the experiments continuedHowever, the lord was only interested in animals with a golden coat. Over time, he was able to acquire a proper kennel, home to these unusual golden-coated dogs. The lord was a generous man and presented his best puppies as gifts to his friends. Thus, more and more people, especially members of the nobility, began to learn about the new breed.

The kennel continued its operations after the lord's death, and soon the new breed received an official name—the Golden Retriever, also known as the Golden Retriever. At first, the breed was reluctant to be officially recognized. However, Golden Retriever enthusiasts persisted in their efforts, and eventually, they achieved their goal. It's only logical that this breed gained its greatest popularity first. in Foggy AlbionHowever, by 1960, it had spread beyond England. Our compatriots were only able to become acquainted with the Golden Retriever breed at the end of the last century – in 1991.

Description of the Golden Retriever breed

The golden retriever's main advantage is its attractive appearance and excellent musculature, which is perfectly complemented by its unusual coat color. These animals are incredibly active, so they enjoy long walks. They never miss an opportunity to play and run. Many owners appreciate their ability to very kind and devoted creatures.

• The traditional Golden Retriever eye color is dark brown with dark rims. This breed captivates people with its expressive and intelligent gaze.
• The ears are not particularly prominent and are of medium size, hanging downwards, which gives them a resemblance to a spaniel.
• The front legs are straight and powerful, with well-defined muscles, the shoulder blades are set back, and the elbows are close to the ribs. Thanks to these physiological characteristics, the retriever can reach very high speeds without expending much effort. This quality is very valuable for this breed, as they are hunting dogs. The hind legs are quite powerful, with well-developed stifles. With such legs, the retriever can easily perform complex jumps, as the structure of its legs allows it to achieve a powerful initial push.
• These dogs mostly have straight coats, although some are slightly wavy. Their undercoat is very dense, so they stay dry even after bathing. Only the topcoat can get wet.
• Traditionally, these dogs have a medium-intensity golden coat. Some breed members have a slightly pale coat, but no retriever has ever been known to have a darker coat.

Golden Retriever: Personality

Representatives of this breed demonstrate extraordinary devotion to its owner, which many owners of these dogs can attest to. It's hard to find someone who wouldn't fall in love with these creatures after interacting with them. They are similar to dachshunds in that they are capable of have a therapeutic effectTo be more precise, their effect is similar to antidepressants. These animals emanate positive energy and emotions.

Experts have known about this unusual ability of golden retrievers for quite some time, so doctors couldn't ignore representatives of this breed. Golden retrievers can achieve the almost impossible: a person in the dog's presence begins to calm down, while autistic people, on the contrary, experience excitement. Therefore, it's not surprising that they quickly began to be used. for the treatment of autistic children and people who are often stressed or have unstable mental states. Golden retrievers emit so much positive energy that anyone can be recharged with calm by simply touching them.

Retriever behavior

• Golden Retrievers shouldn't be considered guard dogs. The reason is simple: these creatures are incapable of becoming vicious. In the history of this breed, there are no known instances of these dogs ever biting or even growling at a person. They don't even become suspicious if a stranger approaches their owner or dog. They don't differentiate between friends and foes. Therefore, no matter who approaches them, they immediately try to flirt and cuddle.
• If someone tries to start a fight with them, retrievers will try to avoid it. Therefore, you'll never see these dogs instigating a fight. However, when their patience runs out, they're simply unrecognizable—you won't be happy you even bothered. Golden Retrievers are very obedient and disciplined creatures. Every owner can attest to how helpful these dogs are. Therefore, if you have any errands to run around the house, be prepared for your retriever to try to offer their assistance.
• And it doesn't matter what you're doing—weeding your garden or fixing your car. You can be sure there are inquisitive eyes, a wet nose, and strong paws nearby. While you're working in the garden, you'll have a reliable assistant who'll pull weeds or dig holes.
• If you ever need to do some repairs, you'll see how helpful a Golden Retriever can be. Given the opportunity, these creatures will go out of their way to help their owner. Many owners take advantage of this trait: they introduce them to various objects so they can recognize them. And they're quite successful at it. So, if your owner needs a screwdriver, your pet will bring it, not pliers. This kind of help is especially helpful for people who are used to doing things with their own hands at home.
• Golden retrievers are also excellent rescue dogs, and their owners don't need any special training. These dogs can independently recognize the level of danger and will rush to the aid of a drowning child without prompting. This quality is especially important because they can help not only a person trapped in the water but also those trapped in a burning building.

Given the above-mentioned qualities of golden retrievers, don't think they are bred solely for toy or hunting purposes. There are many representatives of this breed. serve in the police, and they excel at this thanks to their keen intelligence and excellent sense of smell. Golden retrievers are excellent candidates for sniffing out drugs or explosives.

Golden Retriever Care

These animals can be kept anywhere—in a private house or an apartment. Given their small size, they won't cause much trouble in an apartment. But if you want your pet to always remain cheerful, then you should it is necessary to communicate with him regularlyIf certain circumstances interfere with this, it's possible the dog could develop a bad temper and mental health issues. Therefore, chaining these animals is unacceptable. This can cause severe stress, and the worst-case scenario could be death.

• Dogs of this breed have very long hair, but this does not mean that it is very difficult to care for it.
• A unique characteristic of Golden Retrievers is that, when brought into the home, they don't choose one specific person as the pack leader. Therefore, any family member can train, play, or bathe the dog.
• If you want to housebreak your pet, you should start early. Keep in mind that their long fur can leave them with a lot of dirt after walks.
• It's also important to constantly monitor the condition of your Golden Retriever's eyes. While many people know the saying "the eyes are the window to the soul," a more accurate version of the expression is that the eyes are an indicator of health for Golden Retrievers.
• You should be concerned about your pet if there's a regular purulent discharge from the eyes. In this case, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea, as it can help detect distemper or worms early on. However, owners' concerns often turn out to be unfounded: it could be just dust that got into the eyes during play or hunting. You won't need to pay special attention to the ears, as these dogs rarely get dirty. To keep them clean, simply wipe them two to three times a month with a cotton swab or cotton wool soaked in hydrogen peroxide.

Conclusion

Golden Retrievers differ from many traditional breeds in various ways. very kind creaturesThey love to play, so they won't turn down such an offer, even from a stranger. These animals are also easy to care for. However, you'll need to keep their fur clean, as it's very thick, so they'll likely be dirty after every walk.