Golden Retriever is a fantastic family dog, hiking partner, and with proper training, they can also be an excellent everyday helper for many people!

Golden retriever

There are many theories about how I came to be. In 1952, an article was published in the British magazine County Life, which gave people a clearer picture of our origins.

My breed originated in the border areas between England and Scotland, sometime in the 19th century. The breed was created when a man named Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (Lord Tweedmouth) bred yellow retrievers and tweed-water spaniel dogs, and their offspring were then crossed with bloodhounds and Irish setters.

The goal of breeding us was to create dogs with a strong retrieval will, desire to work and the ability to cooperate with humans. The result was what is today known as the "Golden Retriever".

Today I am extremely popular all over the world, and in Norway, about 1000 puppies are registered each year. In this article you can read more about Golden retreiever puppies.

Golden Retrievers are great family dog ​​who loves to work with people

Many people choose me because I fit well as a family dog. I love children and thrive best when I get to be with the whole family in their activities.

If you give me a good upbringing, you get a happy, loyal, obedient, intelligent and calm dog. I love working with people and I am relatively easy to train. Therefore, I am also well suited for first-time owners.

Golden Retrievers are very good at adapting to new situations and we have good self-confidence. This is one of the reasons why we can fit well both as therapy dogs, companion dogs and service dogs. In general, "Goldens" are relaxed dogs that rarely show signs of distress. We will neither be aggressive nor territorial.

We also have a very good sense of smell and can be used for both tracking work and hunting, to name a few. Many of us also love retrieval and agility.

On the other hand, I am not significantly independent and therefore do not thrive well by myself. As a rule, I want to be in touch with people all the time. I can adapt to life in an apartment, but do not forget that I need a lot of activity to feel alright.

It is generally better to have more space to frolic - the ideal place is, therefore, a house with a garden.

Commonly used as versatile support dogs

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds for service and support work, and for good reason. Their friendly, outgoing personalities and natural instincts make them a perfect fit for the job.

One of the most common roles for Golden Retrievers is as therapy dogs. They are frequently used in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools to provide comfort and support to patients and students. Their calm and gentle nature can help reduce stress and anxiety, and their willingness to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds makes them ideal for this type of work.

Golden Retrievers are also commonly trained as guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired. They have a strong sense of loyalty and a natural desire to please their owners, which makes them highly trainable for this role. They can help their owners navigate safely through public spaces and provide a sense of security and independence.

Another important role for Golden Retrievers is as hearing dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing. They can be trained to alert their owners to important sounds, such as alarms or doorbells, and to provide emotional support as well. Their keen sense of hearing and their ability to learn and follow commands make them well-suited for this type of work.

In addition to these roles, Golden Retrievers are also frequently used as emotional support animals for individuals with mental health conditions. They can provide comfort and companionship to those in need, and their affectionate nature and playful personalities can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

It is important to note that training a support dog, including a Golden Retriever, requires a significant amount of time, effort, and resources. Owners should work with a reputable trainer and organization to ensure that their dog is properly trained and certified for the specific role they will be performing.

Overall, Golden Retrievers make excellent support dogs due to their friendly personalities, loyalty, and trainability. They can provide invaluable assistance and companionship to individuals with a variety of needs, and their impact on their owners' lives can be truly life-changing.

Golden Retriever have moderate activity level

As a puppy, I am lively and energetic and can play all day without showing signs of being tired. When I get older and learn to use my  "off-switch”, I usually calm down. But still, a Golden Retriever requires daily trips and mental challenges to experience joy and mastery in everyday life.

Although I have a medium level of activity and require less activity than an Irish setter, for example, my work capacity is high. However, there are differences within the breed, so feel free to ask our breeder about our activity needs.

A happy Golden Retriever gets regular trips, both short and long, and also gets copious doses of play. Do not forget that I also love to swim.

If you think I'm a pretty dog, but do not like physical activity, you probably should not get a Golden Retriever. If you live an active life and want a four-legged friend, you and I, on the other hand, can be a good match.

Golden Retriever | Doesn't bark a lot

Golden retrievers certainly have the ability to bark, but it is not a breed known to make a lot of noise. The vast majority of us only barks occasionally, for example, when we want our owner's attention. Although Golden Retrievers can to some extent act as watchdogs, this is not a prominent feature.

With the right training, you do not have to worry about us bothering the neighbours.

Fur maintenance

People say that Golden Retrievers shed a lot, and that's true. But fortunately, the self-cleaning coat does not need hours of care every day. It is adequate to comb us only a few days a week.

In general, you can say that I have a moderate need for maintenance.

The coat protects us against both cold and warmth. This means that we tolerate Norwegian winters well, but we are not polar dogs. This means that we too can get cold if the temperature gets too low.

Generally a healthy breed

Golden Retrievers are generally a healthy breed, without a lot of typical health issues.

Some health issues can still occur, and the most common are hip dysplasia and eye disease PRA.

On average we live between 10-14 years.

Something to be aware of

Although all Golden Retriever dogs have many similarities, there are also big differences within our breed. This is because breeders emphasize different features during breeding.

Therefore, it is important to talk to the breeder about what qualities the specific dogs have. By doing this, you make sure I find the right owner.