In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? We’re giving you a deeper dive into popular dog breeds, from a puppy trainer’s perspective, to help you make this incredibly life-changing decision!
What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? Golden Retrievers pack working capability and intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of affection and play into an elegant package that doesn’t take himself too seriously!
How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? We’re offering you a puppy trainer’s take on this breed, from their personalities, care needs, and of course, training advice to help you raise a wonderful adult dog!
A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers!
Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late 1800s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions.
Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born.
Golden Retrievers weren’t officially named a dog breed by the American Kennel Club until 1925. Later in the 1970s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog.
Now, you can see how they have raised to fame with features in movies, such as the popular franchises Air Bub and Disney’s Buddy.
What are American Golden Retriever Breed Characteristics?
Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! But there’s a lot more to them than that. Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light (like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream) to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate.
Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults.
Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders!
What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like?
There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition (for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog!) to the family. But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog!
In keeping with their breed’s natural drives, they do require regular exercise and activity to stay happy and healthy! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden!
Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. If you want wake-up kisses, snuggles, a pup that will gladly pick up and bring you things, you’ll get it all! They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups!
What is a Golden Retriever’s Ideal Living Environment?
As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! The best puppy parent will match their happy and activity loving nature so if you live to hike, go to the beach, go running, or anything to get your heart pumping, there’s a Golden waiting for you!
These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age.
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How to Care for Your Golden Retriever Puppy!
With any new puppy, an early veterinarian check up after they arrive home is essential to understand their current state of health, discuss their growth and nutritional needs, develop a health care plan for vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures. During this initial exam, you can ask your vet about your Golden Retriever’s breed specific health concerns.
Like many large breeds, Golden Retrievers may develop joint issues such as Hip or Elbow Dysplasia. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span.
When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. If you’re adopting, research the rescue organization or shelter to understand your puppy’s background and health history as much as possible.
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Puppy Trainer’s Advice for Raising a Well-Behaved Golden Retriever!
1.Create a Daily Puppy Training Schedule
Your Golden Retriever puppy will be ready and willing to learn! Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home.
Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home.
During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening.
In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it!
2. Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs
While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping.
When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success!
3. Do Calming Obedience Exercises
With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space.
This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! But it’s important not to build up their drive too much if your goal is to have a calm family dog. Instead, when you play, have shorter sessions that include time to bring your pup’s energy down. This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve.
Teaching your Golden how to be calm will be extremely beneficial if you’re hoping to do more advanced training like therapy dog training and Canine Good Citizen.
4. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash
Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits!
For more walk training tips, visit our blog "Tips to Master Walking Outside with Your Puppy".
Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! We’re available to answer questions live every Wednesday at 1 pm PT on @thepuppyacademy Instagram.
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