It’s not surprising that Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. Along with being exuberant and friendly, they are strong dogs and hard workers. Goldens are good at whatever they do, be it hunting, serving as guide dogs, working search-and-rescue, or being devoted companions. Though they are serious about their work, they also enjoy being downright silly!
Is the Golden Retriever the Right Breed for you?
Moderate Maintenance: Regular grooming is required to keep its fur in good shape. Occasional trimming or stripping needed.
Moderate Shedding: Routine brushing will help. Be prepared to vacuum often!
Easy Training: The Golden Retriever is known to listen to commands and obey its owner. Expect fewer repetitions when training this breed.
Good Watchdog Ability: This dog will bark and alert its owners when an intruder is present. If a situation escalates, the dog should not be depended on to defend and protect its owner and family.
Low Adaptability: It needs regular exercise for apartment living and is best with a large yard or acreage. This breed is able to handle most types of hot and cold weather.
Fairly Active: It will need regular exercise to maintain its fitness. Trips to the dog park are a great idea.
Good for New Owners: This breed is well suited for those who have little experience with dog ownership.
Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them.
Are the English-American Blends, still purebred golden retrievers?
Yes. Absoulutely. English Crème Goldens are purebred golden retrievers and so are the all-American Golden Retrievers. Simply put, English Crème generally refers to Golden Retrievers of European descent, while American refers to Golden Retrievers with lines originating in the United States.So if you mix the two together you still get a purebred Golden Retriever. It’s kind of like breeding a Chocolate Labrador to a Yellow Labrador; the pups would still be purebred Labs, just different colors.
What is the difference between an English Golden and an American Golden?
The first difference you will notice is the coloring. The English Crème’s range in color from a soft crème to snowy white. The American Goldens range in color from a very blond honey to a dark copper color. Very striking; all variations! Then to the more trained eye, more subtle differences will become noticeable. For instance: the English Goldens have a blockier bone structure and tend to have a boxier head. Their pigmentation also tends to be darker, but not in all instances. The all-American Goldens tend to have a more slender, sleek, body structure with more petite facial features. So if you love the coloring of the classic golden retriever, but want the blockiness of the English Crème, then a gorgeous, North Star blend would be the best match to meet your criteria.
Golden Retrievers have an Excellent Rating with:
Other Pets
Training
Children
Time Alone
YES
97% of owners agree
YES
99% of owners agree
YES
100% of owners agree
YES
51% of owners agree
Training & Temperament
With his friendly temperament and striking golden color, this breed is both beautiful to look at and a joy to own. While Goldens can adapt to virtually any living situation, they need considerable daily exercise to maintain physical and mental fitness. Your Golden should never be allowed to run free. Time spent in the companionship of people indoors can and should be complemented with time spent on daily walks or playing in a secure fenced area. Without the companionship of people and adequate exercise, your Golden may display behavior atypical of the well-cared-for pet and family member. Basic obedience training is an essential part of responsible dog ownership. It will make your dog a better companion and will help establish a stronger bond between the two of you. Your Golden wants nothing more from life than to please you.
A Golden Retriever's Most Beloved Toy:
Golden Retriever Colors:
Dark Golden, Medium Golden, Light Golden and English Creme
*Disclaimer: Some information on this page was obtained from the AKC website