Golden Retrievers were first bred in the 1860's in England. They were initially bred to work as retrievers for hunters, hence their name. When Golden Retrievers were first shown in England, some tourists took them back to America.
Personality
Golden Retrievers make wonderful pets because they usually get on famously with children, adults, and mostly, are good with other dogs. They are a kind breed, very affectionate and always crave your attention. They are extremely unlikely to be violent, however, they do make good watch dogs, because they tend to bark loudly when somebody, or something approaches. With an average lifespan of about 14 years, they are very lovable, naturally gentle, quick to learn and train plus always eager to please.
Exercise
They are usually reasonably active, and do require a certain amount of exercise each day, although the amount and intensity varies from dog to dog. They need long walks every day as well as the opportunity to run freely. This is important because they can become overweight if not exercised regularly. Males tend to need more activity, but the breed as a whole can be less active than others.
Coat
Golden Retrievers have a double coat. On the belly side, it is a dense undercoat which is water resistant. The outer coat, on the other hand is thick, sometimes straight and sometimes wavy.
Did You Know?
A fact that most owners don't realize, is that Golden Retrievers adore being in the water, and enjoy getting all wet and muddy. They are excellent swimmers, which is wonderful exercise for them, and should be encouraged to do so when possible.
Grooming
The Golden Retriever sheds a lot of hair, at the very minimum, twice a year. This means that they need a thorough brushing every day, or at the very least, twice a week. It is best to use a firm, bristle style brush.
Conclusion
A Golden Retriever is an ideal companion, a great family pet and they also make wonderful guide dogs. Another bonus is that, generally, they tend to be extremely healthy.
Tina Blackwell is the publisher of the free weekly Happy Dog Report.
You can sign up and receive your free gift by going to http://www.happydogreport.info
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