Golden Retriever

The Golden Goober

Intelligent, affectionate, and family-focused, the Golden Retriever is a lover, cuddler, and all-around playful companion. And with their luscious golden locks and permanent smile, these dogs bring an endless supply of joy to families of all sizes. 

Although Goldens stem from a long line of European working dogs, they are less active than other working breeds. While they’ll happily chase down a ball, lizard, or squirrel, Golden Retrievers will also be just as content to sit, stay, and lounge, taking up the whole couch. 

At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. Happy Paws creates dog supplements that support all breeds, including Golden Retrievers.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of the quintessential family dog, provide some information and advice on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your furry family member, the Golden Retriever. 

Quick Facts

Origin: Scotland

Size: Medium to large

Breed Group: Sporting 

Lifespan: 10–12 years

Coat: Medium hair length—weekly grooming recommended

Temperament: Calm, easy-going & family-oriented

Exercise Needs: All dogs need exercise, Goldens included. But Golden Retrievers require moderate daily exercise. These dogs love spending quality time with you on walks, hikes, strolls, and routine activities. Goldens tend to be relatively docile and mild-mannered, making them great companions for just about any daily excursion. 

Training: Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers flourish under structured obedience training. Despite their playful demeanor, they are highly intelligent. Training them early and often can help you tap into this side of your dog, helping them showcase their intelligence. 

Dog Health: Medium-to-large-sized breeds, like the Golden Retriever, are susceptible to unique health challenges, like digestive issues, shedding, joint pains, and obesity. We’ll discuss how to address each below.

Happy Paws for a Golden Retriever 

Enrich your Golden Retriever’s health with organic, vet-approved supplements like these!

Popular Supplements for Golden Retriever 

Joyful and jubilant, a Golden Retriever is an easy-going dog that quickly becomes the center of a family. Their personalities are more lazy than sporty and more relaxed than alert. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need the best treats available. 

Our all-natural dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your dog’s physical and mental health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your Retriever.

Skin & Coat Dog Chews: Our Skin & Coat Dog Chews help maintain your dog’s healthy coat. These vegan, chicken-flavored soft chews use a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, like biotin and coconut oil, to restore dermal health and replenish your dog’s coat.

Dental Dog Chews: Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers are prone to bad breath. Our Dental Dog Chews combine the refreshing aroma of spearmint with an enzyme blend to neutralize dental bacteria and curb stinky breath. 

10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat contains ten critical nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active. 

Hip & Joint Dog Chews: For joint health, use our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! With a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.

Probiotic Dog Chews: Made with powerful antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, our Probiotic Dog Chews help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, while supporting their gut and bowel health. 

Common Health Concerns

Compared to other medium-sized dog breeds, the Golden Retriever is susceptible to unique health conditions like these:

Obesity: Because of their relaxed, laid-back personalities, Golden Retrievers are prone to reduced activity levels. This can lead to them adding a few too many pounds. While a healthy diet is key to fueling these medium-energy dogs, excessive calorie intake may lead to obesity. Try to curb obesity by moderating food intake and giving your Golden daily exercise. 

Elbow & Hip Dysplasia: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), many medium-sized to extra-large dog breeds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. This issue arises from birth when the bone in a joint is misshapen, causing an awkward fit in your dog’s joints. This defect can often lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up. 

Digestive Issues: Medium- to large-breed dogs commonly have digestive problems, like bloating. These issues can stem from their diet, lifestyle, or genetics. 

Cardiovascular Disease: Because of their size and potential obesity concerns, Golden Retrievers can experience cardiovascular problems due to weight gain or genetics. So, feeding them a vitamin-rich, nutrient-packed diet is essential to help fortify their heart health.

Allergies: Like many other breeds, Goldens can have an overactive immune system, leading to a number of common allergies. Plus, with their longer coat, these allergies may lead to skin infections or hair loss. Signs that your dog has allergies include frequent skin infections, fur loss, constant licking, itching, scratching, or red, inflamed skin.

About the Golden Retriever

The breed originated in 19th-century Scotland when a successful banker turned nobleman, Dudley Marjoribanks, ran into a cobbler with a peculiar-looking yellow, wavy-coated puppy. The dog’s color and shade caught the nobleman’s eye. In this era, black retrievers were regarded as the pinnacle of excellence, renowned for their exceptional hunting and guarding abilities. Any other color was likely discarded. 

To see a yellow puppy with such energy was quite strange. The cobbler recounted how he came to own the pup; it was a debt repayment from a former employee. Noticing the dog’s unique quirks, Mr. Marjoribanks bought the puppy and brought it home. Three years later, Mr. Marjoribanks bred this yellow, wavy-coated dog with a Tweed Water Spaniel to make the first litter of Golden Retrievers.

This first litter was carefully shared with family and friends, where the breed learned to hunt and retrieve downed birds, like pigeons and ducks. Because of their soft bites, Goldens made perfect retrieving dogs; they’d gently bring the bird back in one piece, all while smiling, panting, and seeking attention. Also, their double, water-repellent coat helped them stay warm and dry during cold European winters. 

Today, Golden Retrievers are most commonly found in family homes. They’ve come a long way from their working dog days. Year after year, these dogs remain consistently one of the most popular breeds, especially among families with younger children. 

Their Temperament

Golden Retrievers are expressive, calm, and confident. They are even-mannered and great with people of all ages. This is why hospitals, nursing homes, and community social services rely on Golden Retrievers in patient care practices. These dogs are typically low-maintenance and deeply affectionate. 

How to Care for This Breed

Goldens are relatively easy to train compared to other breeds, especially for new-time dog owners. They learn fast and are eager to please. But here are a few tips to help keep your pet happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.

Coat Maintenance

A Golden’s coat is perhaps the most “high-maintenance” part about them. This double coat was used to help these dogs on long, wintertime hunts that took them through wet terrain. Now, that double coat sheds year-round and may leave tufts of fur on your favorite black sweater. It’s best to keep your Golden Retriever’s coat clean with weekly brushes and frequent baths.

Outdoor Play

The Golden breed started in the Great Outdoors, historically used for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. So, their love for the outdoors is innate. Spoil your Golden by taking them to the park, on a hike, or on a long nature walk. But good luck trying to get them back in the car.

Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements 

Keeping your dog happy, healthy, and active can be simple with the right routine. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible. We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your dog easily with healthy, tasty dog treats. 

FAQ

Is a Golden Retriever a good family dog?

A Golden Retriever can be an excellent family dog, with proper training. A properly trained Golden is affectionate, gentle, and patient; but they don’t start off that way. Golden Retriever puppies can be rather rambunctious. So, early obedience training is key to helping them behave around children, pets, and elderly folk. 

Are Golden Retrievers good guard dogs?

No. Golden Retrievers are not suited as guard dogs due to their friendly nature.

Is a Golden Retriever a high-maintenance dog?

In most instances, the most challenging part of owning a Golden Retriever is looking after their lustrous coat. These dogs are generally very laid-back and calm. They typically don’t cause too much commotion, don’t have an aggressive side, and take to obedience training quickly. 

Do Golden Retrievers shed a lot?

Yes, Golden Retrievers are notorious for shedding their long honey-hued hair year-round. Like other retrievers, these dogs have a water-repellent double coat that protects them from wintery temperatures. During spring and early summer, Goldens typically shed their outer coat, leaving behind large tufts of fur all around your home. 

Can Golden Retrievers be left alone?

Yes, Golden Retrievers can be left alone if they’ve been properly trained and the space has been dog-proofed. Goldens are pretty curious creatures. If you’re not home to supervise them, they might stick their nose into trouble. And, like most other breeds, these dogs should only be left alone for a couple of hours. If you’re going to enjoy the outdoors, your Golden is the perfect back-seat companion. 

How do you give a dog health supplements?

You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.