A Scottish breed of medium size, developed by crossing a retriever with a water spaniel, then crossing their offspring with bloodhounds, Irish setters and the Saint Johns water dog. This breed was used in the fields and waterways of Great Britain as bird dogs, particularly for hunting waterfowl. They can tolerate cold water and are strong swimmers. They are also good trackers, locating injured or lost in the game. The sound of gunfire does not frighten them, and they have what is known as ‘soft mouths’, meaning they carry prey gently so as to not damage the meat.

The difference between a Labrador retriever and a Golden is that the latter has a narrower muzzle and lean jaws, while the Labradors have broader skulls and are more jowly. The long fur of a Golden retriever only starts growing at about four months. The Goldie is slightly calmer in temperament when compared to the Labrador. Fur colour varies from deep red, brownish, cream and white. There are no Golden black retrievers (as some people believe) because their colour is a result of two recessive alleles on a chromosome. However, there is a breed called a Flat-Coated Retriever that is black and shares many of the same characteristics as the Golden.

Golden Retrievers make great family pets, popular with families with young children. They are eager to please, easy to train and make good service dogs for the blind and disabled, search and rescue and contraband detection dogs.

One possible negative aspect of this breed is that they shed lightly throughout the year, as with every double-coated dog, but they shed the undercoat in larger quantities twice a year. A second daily brushing routine helps with this and is good for the dog-to-human bond. They usually have a lot of energy, especially when young, and require regular activity. This breed has a general life span of between 10-13 years. Some health issues associated with the breed include hip and elbow dysplasia, heart problems, and skin and eye conditions. Puppies should be screened for these conditions by breeders.

Pam Brandis, 
 Dip. Canine Prac.