Facts About Golden Retrievers
Cute, adorable, loveable puppies to affectionate, friendly, loyal and intelligent companions; the love affair that humans have had with dogs is never more deserved and understandable then with the Golden Retriever. There are many interesting facts about this particular breed of dog. For one thing, the Golden Retriever was developed in the British Isles to be a hunting dog and they have a unique capacity for detection and assistance work.
There are several types of retrievers; the Golden is a type of gun dog and it is the most popular breed in the world. They were first shown as Golden Flat-Coats and were probably developed as crosses between the yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, Newfoundland, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniel, and other setters and spaniels.
The breed is widely used and sought-after for various service-related works. They have an intelligence and temperament that make them the best candidates for nearly all of the services that humans need. They have been trained for detective work and police assistance. They have been taught search and rescue and arson detection skills. They are used for therapy and as guide dogs for blind people. Handicapped people also enjoy the assistance they give. Aside from working, they also make for excellent companion dogs both personally and for hunting.
They are good natured, affable, affectionate, energetic, highly intelligent and very gentle dogs. They respond well to positive reinforcement and praise and are oriented on food and fun. They are dependable and obedient when trained and they are the most multi-talented breed in the world. The Golden Retriever is very sociable; they were specifically bred in order to be friends and companions for humans. Because they are cuddly, cute, sweet and good-natured they make excellent companions for the elderly and are an ideal choice in pets for families with small children.
Along with these facts about the Golden Retriever, there are also some fun facts and trivia about the breed. Golden Retrievers have a mouth that is very soft; they can retrieve many different things unharmed and undamaged, including living things. They have a love of water that is instinctual which you will not find true of other breeds of dogs. Thought their love of the water makes them easier to bathe, the Golden's fur is actually very resistant to water and this can make the task more of a challenge.
Because Golden Retrievers were bred specifically to be human companions, a Golden that is deprived of this companionship will act out, become hyperactive or stressed. A companion dog, such as another golden retriever, may alleviate some of the affects of loneliness, but retrievers were made for human companionship and they thrive on it. Aside from human companionship, they also need a great deal of exercise. They are highly active and energetic dogs and, if not given a proper amount of exercises daily, may become ill. The favorite game of the Golden Retriever is "catch;" simply toss something far away and allow them to chase it down, retrieve it and bring it back to you for a reward of lots of praise.
A couple final interesting facts about the Golden Retriever; they have a much higher tolerance for pain that many other breeds and The USA's 38th President, Gerald Ford, owned a Golden Retriever named Liberty.
