The Golden Retriever

Colors: Any shades of gold or cream.
Coat: Flat or wavy with good feathering, dense, water-resistant undercoat.

Temperament: Responsive, alert, well-mannered, playful
With Children: Yes, usually do well with children, best if supervised with younger children as they can be pushy with their affection.
With Pets: Yes
Special Skills: Field sports dog and family pet

Watch-dog: Medium
Guard-dog: Low

Activity: Moderate - High
Living Environment: A home with a fenced yard is essential either in the country or city as he will adjust to either environment as long as daily exercise is given.  He does not do well as an apartment dog, nor as a companion for the elderly as he is a very active breed.   An owner of a Golden Retriever needs to be willing to give him the attention he requires.

Life-Span: 10 - 12 Years
Litter size: 6 - 10

Country of origin: Great Britain

History: It is said that Lord Tweedmouth saw a troupe of eight Russian sheepdogs performing in a circus in the seaside resort of Brighton in England.   He was so impressed that following the show purchased all eight dogs.  The Golden Retrievers history is then documented by handwritten records of Lord Tweedmouth.   In 1868, Lord Tweedmouth mated a Tweed Water Spaniel to a yellow retriever and this resulted in the foundation of the definitive yellow breed now known as the Golden Retriever. In 1881 Lord Tweedmouth's son took two yellow retrievers with him to their family's Texas ranch.