Golden Retriever

Summary of Characteristics:

Temperament:

The Golden Retriever is extremely friendly, sweet and gentle. He makes a great family pet. He likes daily exercise and enjoys playing fetch and carrying sticks. He is good with kids and gets along well with strangers and other animals. He responds well to obedience training, but he needs a firm hand as he can be high spirited and easily distracted, and he is very strong.

Physical Features and Grooming

Golden Retrievers stand approx. 23-24 inches tall (male) and 21-22 inches (female) and weigh 55-75 pounds. They have medium length coats with longer hair on chest, legs and tail and need regular brushing. His coat is light cream, gold or red.

Health Issues

Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, skin conditions, PRA, heart problems, von Willebrand's Disease and eye abnormalities.

Read more about Golden Retrievers:

Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds: Profiles of More than 150 Breeds This is an excellent, highly rated book that discusses each breed's physical and personality traits, suitability as a pet, information on each breed's vulnerability to specific health problems, longevity, exercise needs, compatibility with children, and more.

New Encyclopedia of the Dog Another great book that describes 450 different dog breeds including rare breeds and experimental breeds like the Labradoodle. Lots of photos.