Interesting Facts about Golden Retrievers

Country/Region of Origin: Scotland

Life span: 10 – 13 years

Weight: 60 – 75 pounds (27.2 – 34kg)

Gestation: 61 – 65 days.

 

 

Health issues in Golden Retrievers:

• Cancer is the number one killer in Golden Retrievers
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Heart disease (sub-valvular aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy)
• Epilepsy
• Lupus (Autoimmune disease)
• Cataracts in older dogs.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Skin diseases

Interesting Facts on Golden Retrievers:

Golden Retrievers were bred in Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the nineteenth century.

When on bird hunts the Golden Retrievers were used by Tweedmouth to retrieve birds that were shot and had fallen into water.

They are considered the 4th most intelligent dog breed.

They were originally bred from a cross between the Yellow Flat-coated Retriever and the Tweed Water Spaniel which is now extinct, later breeds were crossed with Blood hounds and Irish Setters.

Golden Retrievers make great watch dogs but very poor guard dogs as they are often very friendly towards total strangers. 

They are trained for various jobs such as guide dogs for the blind, for therapies, search and rescue dogs as well as the detection of drugs and arson.

The Golden Retriever was once known as the “Golden Flat Coat.