The golden retriever is a gundog who retrieves upland games and waterfowls during hunting. They are intelligent and versatile and are very friendly. They are the most popular family dog.

Appearance

There are few variations in the appearance of golden retriever, between the European breeds and American breeds. Some general features are same like height of the male is approximately 22-24 inches and that of the female is 20-22 inches. A British golden retriever has a shade of cream or gold or sometimes mahogany or red. The American retrievers are lankier than the British breeds and have a variety of coat colors. They don’t have a dense coat which is generally dark in color. The golden coat of the retriever can be mahogany in color.

Temperament

The golden retrievers need a plenty of exercise to maintain their agility. They have the ability to retrieve from water and so they are very helpful for hunting purposes. They are one of those standard breeds which has a kind and friendly nature and are confident. They are gentle in behavior and so they are not a great watch dog. The golden retrievers are intelligent but timid and at times can be nervous. They have a great entertaining ability and play well with tennis balls and flying discs. They are compatible with children and other domestic pets.

History

The breed originally originated from Scotland and England. Previously it was believed that the breed was crossed but later it was denied. They originally descend from Russian sheepdogs which were used in the circus. In the early 1900s, the golden retriever was first exhibited and was registered in the kennel club of England.

Health

The life span of golden retrievers is 10-12 years. They may suffer from hip dysplasia or due to some genetic disorders. Other common diseases are osteosarcoma, retinal dysplasia, cataracts, entropion etc.

Miscellaneous

Golden retrievers are wonderful performers in agility rings and dock jumping.

Behavior/Obedience Problems and Solutions

Keep in mind, behavior/obedience problems can happen with any breed of dog. They may be experiencing problems because the dog is just young, or has been trained poorly or abused. It is important to identify these behaviors and then address them.

Did you know social confusion is one reason that a dog might act out. Dogs think about their human families as their pack. So, it is important that your dog realizes that he is at the bottom of the pecking order. While this may seem strange or harsh, remember that submissive pack members will do what the more dominant members say. Period.

That means you, the Dog Parent, must learn how to train your dog or puppy, so you, your kids and your dog have the best life possible. Why? Because we all want to be respected by other dog owners as someone who takes great care of their dog. However, there are tons of “so-called dog training” products on the market. Trust me, I have tried them all. However, one continues to rise above the rest - Secrets to Dog Training .

There’s an impressive amount of information packed into this guide. It’s not just the problem behaviors that are discussed. The book starts off with new dog owner advice (how to choose a puppy or dog, the best places to get your dog from, breed information, puppy and/or dog proofing your home, the first veterenarian visit, housetraining and more). If you are looking for more advance info it covers: behavioral problems (such as aggression, dominance, chewing, digging, excessive barking, separation anxiety), intermediate-level obedience commands, health-related dog problems (allergies, cat/dog coexistence, fleas, heatstroke), and advanced commands and tricks. There is also an impressive section on dog whispering.

Daniel Stevens explains the background of the technique, how to utilize voice and body language to your best advantage, and how to use the technique to calmly, assertively, and effectively correct and train your dog or puppy. Step-by-step instructions are included for basic commands (sit, down, come, stay, quiet).

I Love Free Stuff – Don’t You?

You also get a handful of freebies: four bonus books, dealing with advanced house training including both the crate- and paper-training methods; a detailed examination on resolving canine aggression; how to effectively groom your dog (including information on coat care for specific breeds, dental care, and nail-clipping); and finally, how to begin training your dog for security work – even if that means just protecting the family home.

My favorite freebie: a personalized consultation with a member of the Kingdom of Pets team. If you’ve got an issue with your dog that you’d like some individual attention on, you can send them a quick email and receive a personalized, thorough reply packed with expert advice and practical tips. Now that’s service!

I have no qualms in recommending the Secrets to Dog Training package to anyone who owns, or is thinking about owning, a dog. You don’t need to have a “problem pet” for the book to be of assistance: there’s information included that can be useful to any and all dog owners.

From personal experience, the only other thing I would do is upgrade to the Secrets to Dog Training premium version because it has an online video series that is excellent as well as software which allows you to keep track of all the necessary and important details about your dog such as medical history, vaccinations, operations, appointments, obedience training, and much more.

In a nutshell: highly recommended