Author: Nik Andrews Added: July 24, 2010
Some of the most popular pets worldwide have to be Golden Retrievers. Also known as goldies or goldens, the Golden Retriever breed is known for its easy-going, friendly disposition and its high intelligence. These two factors make this well-loved animal very easy to train. In fact, goldies perform numerous service jobs, such as guiding the blind, assisting the disabled, entertaining the elderly, searching for drugs for the police, and retrieving fowl for hunters. These dogs love to be around people and will willingly obey commands. About the only job they do not excel at is that of guard dog, given their trusting nature. Golden Retrievers are so incredibly popular right now that it is hard to believe that this breed of dog has not been around for forever. However, this breed was not in existence before the mid-1860s. It was during this time at his home in Scotland, Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (later to became Lord Tweedmouth) grew dissatisfied with how his gun dogs were performing. The guns he bought were far more accurate and had better distance but unfortunately his hunting dogs struggled to keep up with them. He decided to cross his yellow gundog Nous and his Tweed Water Spaniel Belle. The offspring of this pairing was the basis of the lineage for today’s Golden Retrievers. Tweedmouth line-bred his dogs to specifically create the characteristics found in today's breed of Golden Retriever: an intelligent, gentle, confident, people-friendly dog, with the body characteristics and ease of training that make it an exceptional hunting partner and gundog. This temperament is still a recognisable trade mark of today's goldens, but their actual physical characteristics can be broken down into two basic variations: the English (also known as the British or European) Golden Retrievers and the American ones. The Canadian goldies differ only slightly from their United States counterparts. The British dogs however, are quite often much lighter in colour, even ranging to cream. It's not possible for even a pure bred golden to have a pure white coat; these dogs are caused by cross-breeding. The 2 strains of the breed include general variations in build. American goldies tend to have longer limbs and a smaller frame, while English dogs are shorter but larger-boned. Their faces differ as well, with the Europeans foreheads being squarer and the eyes rounder as opposed to the longer muzzles and squinty eyes of the American ones. The American Kennel Club’s and the Kennel Club of England’s Golden Retriever breed descriptions reflect these differences. People simply seeking pets to love do not seem to mind the differences because both types are such amazing dogs, well-fitted to becoming part of the family.
--- Nik has owned and trained Golden Retrievers for over 20 years. Looking after a golden is a big responsibility and to enable you to provide the necesary care you must learn as much about this energetic breed as you can. For more info on the Golden Retriever Breed and to claim your FREE exclusive "Essential Golden Retriever Care" mini course go to http://www.goldenretrieverinfocenter.com NOW!
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