Dog Breeds - Golden Retriever

Return to Top Ten Breeds Insured List

The Golden Retriever was originally developed during the late 1800’s in Scotland at the estate of Sir Dudley Majoribanks. He received a rare yellow colored puppy from a litter of black wavy-coated retrievers as a debt payment. This rare dog was bred with a now extinct breed called the “Tweed Water Spaniel” to create the first litter of Golden Retriever puppies. This breed was originally intended to use for hunting which their great sense of smell makes them excel at. Golden Retrievers must receive proper obedience training or they may become too energetic and rowdy. They tend to be eager to please with a strong will to learn making obedience training enjoyable for both the dog and its owner. Provided they recieve proper training, Labs are a very patient and gentle breed which makes them an ideal pet for families with younger children. Golden Retrievers are not instinctively guard dogs as they are extremely friendly and sociable around both people and other animals

Besides being wonderful companions for children, Golden Retrievers are great company for the elderly and are often used as therapy dogs in hospitals and retirement facilities. They are also used as service dogs for the disabled. Their keen sense of smell and willingness to learn make them very successful rescue and narcotic search dogs. Golden retrievers are also used frequently as guide dogs for the blind. Their friendly nature makes them crave interaction with humans or other animals to be happy. If they are left alone for long periods of time they can become destructive. Golden Retrievers require constant grooming and should have their ears cleaned regularly to prevent ear infections. As their name reveals, Golden Retrievers love to retrieve things! This natural talent was originally put to use to retrieve fowl shot by hunters. Golden Retrievers love to swim; retrieving items on land or from water can occupy a Golden Retriever for hours!

Return to Dog Breed Details

Golden Retriever Breed Information

Breed Group

Sporting Group

Coat

Straight or slightly wavy firm outercoat, dense undercoat

Color(s)

Varying shades of rich gold

Size

21-24 inches

Weight

55-75 lbs

Exercise:

Requires a lot of exercise

Temperament

Intelligent, well-mannered, loyal, eager to please, friendly

Trainability

Easy to train

Average Lifespan

10-13 years

Common Health Problems

Cancer, Cataracts, Congenital eye defects, Hip dysplasia, Skin problems, Heart disease, Epilepsy, Urea cycle defect

Most 24PetWatch Clients Insure Golden Retrievers with:

QuickCare Gold for Dogs

Pethealth has been fantastic. When Tasha was diagnosed with cancer, it gave me the ability to have her treated with much less concern over the finances. It allows for a much less selfish decision and allowed me to do the right thing for her without thinking about the money. Thank you for the quick way you handled it too. At a time of stress, you made that easy. She lived over a year after her diagnosis and almost all of that was with high life quality thanks to your help. Whoever says pet insurance is not worth it has a lot to learn about Pethealth and 24Petwatch Pet Insurance.

Client: Gerry Goldberg
Pet: Tasha, Domestic Medium Hair
Condition: cancer
Claim Submitted: $4237.71
Claim Paid $2500.00 (Max for QCIC policy)