The Ultimutt Golden Retriever Handbook

Striking golden coats and a joyful demeanour characterise these playful pups. They’re very bright, so can be trained to act as therapy dogs or guide dogs for the blind. Their history goes back to the mid-19th century, in Scotland, when they were bred by nobility who wished for a dog that could retrieve game skilfully from land and water. Nous, a yellow-coloured retriever, was first crossed with Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel with excellent swimming ability. 

To refine the characteristics, their offspring were carefully bred with other breeds including Bloodhounds and Irish Setters. In 1913, the Kennel Club of England officially recognised the breed as their popularity grew. They were introduced to the USA in the early 20th century and recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1925. As a breed, they go from strength to strength, as adept hunting dogs with soft mouths, and wonderful companions making them a firm favourite with families, and excellent service/therapy dogs due to their intelligence, trainability and calmness.

There are actually three variations of Golden Retrievers, which vary slightly in their temperament and appearance. British Golden Retrievers have a stockier build, with a cream-coloured coat. Their American counterparts are leaner, with a more golden coat. Then, Canadian Golden Retrievers are similar to those from America, but with a thinner coat.
 
As a breed, they love to carry things in their mouths. Whether that be a favourite toy, a stick from the yard or a pair of your slippers that you forgot existed - they seem happiest when they have something to tote around in their mouth. Another distinctive trait to this breed is the ‘Golden Lean’. As a way of showing affection, they love to lean into their humans. Think of it as their way of seeking closeness and bonding with their humans. 

They love to ‘talk’ too - or at least, make vocalisations of sorts! These can range from playful growls to soft ‘woo-woo’ ‘sounds - indicating excitement, happiness or just trying to get your attention. They have really strong emotional intelligence and will pick up on their human/s emotions - they may get very hyper if they sense energy, but can also offer comfort when they sense upset or stress.

It’s good to be aware of the more common health conditions that might occur in your Golden Retriever. As with many breeds, they’re susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. This is where the joint in that area doesn’t develop properly, which results in abnormal development and can lead to arthritis. The symptoms of this are lameness, difficulty standing or reluctance to exercise. The best way to prevent and manage this is effective weight management, but in more serious circumstances, surgery may be required. Golden Retrievers do also unfortunately have a higher rate of cancer than other breeds. We recommend keeping an eye on any symptoms, including lethargy, lumps or bumps, swelling, weight loss or abnormal bleeding.

Golden Retrievers are very active dogs that require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy (and well-behaved!). This typically means at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise per day. Puppies will need shorter, more frequent bursts of activity (to avoid overworking their growing joints). Adults will thrive on vigorous exercise - from running to hiking to swimming. In their senior years, older Golden Retrievers don’t need such intense exercise but gentle play is still important for their health. Into their adult years, they make excellent running partners. A 45-minute to 1-hour walk in the morning, and one in the evening, is an ideal baseline for their needs. 

They love the water, which is ideal because swimming is one of the best forms of exercise they can have - it provides a full-body workout without putting too much stress on their joints. Make sure to play and mentally stimulate your Golden Retriever too. As an intelligent breed, this is just as important as physical activity - whether it’s puzzle toys, hide-and-seek games or obedience training, they enjoy cognitive exercise. Anywhere where it’s safe to take your pooch off the lead, and also where they can safely socialise with other dogs, will be really beneficial for them.

Golden Retrievers have a beautifully thick, water-resistant double coat. Regular brushing will help to remove loose fur. You should do this at least 3-4 times per week to manage shedding and prevent tangles, although during shedding seasons (Spring and Autumn) it may be necessary to do this daily. A slicker brush can be used for loose fur and to prevent tangles, but a metal comb might be helpful for getting through their longer feathers. 

Golden Retrievers don’t need frequent baths; they can be bathed when dirty as needed, but no more than every 6-8 weeks. It should always be with a dog-specific shampoo that won’t irritate their skin. After towel-drying your Golden thoroughly, a hair dryer on low heat can be used to ensure the coat is completely dry. As a pooch with floppy ears, they can be prone to ear infections. Using a vet-approved ear cleaner and a cotton ball or soft cloth, you can gently clean the outer part of their ear every 1-2 weeks.

A balanced diet that provides all necessary nutrients is imperative for the health and well-being of your pooch. High-quality animal proteins (i.e. chicken, beef, fish) should be central to their diet, and avoiding food that contains fillers (corn, soy, wheat) - these provide little nutritional value but can cause digestive problems in some dogs. Golden Retrievers are prone to obesity so avoid overfeeding - proper portion control is a must. You should feed consistently as this will help your dog’s weight as well as their digestion. Regular meal times, at the same time each day, will allow for a routine. Leaving food out all day, or ‘free-feeding’ can lead to overeating and weight gain. As for any dog, ensure fresh water is available throughout the day, particularly after exercising or meals.