Golden Retriever breed profile

Zephyr - photo by Roger Rowlett
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Training and intelligence
Golden Retrievers are very intelligent, and this coupled with their desire to please, means they do well at obedience, agility and so on. They can be trained to carry out mainy different duties.

Temperament
The Golden Retriever is a sensitive breed that wants to please. They love all the family, especially children. They are affectionate and gentle and one of the best breeds for a family dog, which is reflected by their popularity.

Attitude towards strange dogs and people
This is a very friendly breed. Golden Retrievers have very little guarding instinct, and are not usually a problem with other dogs.

Grooming and shedding
This is a heavy shedding breed, life witha Golden Retriever will involve regular grooming requirements. Daily brushing will keep that glossy coat in good condition. Start grooming them early so they become used to it.

Exercise
Exercise must be limited when the Golden Retriever is young to allow the skeleton to developsufficiently to support the weight of the dog safely during exercise. The adult dog needs lots of exercise to burn off its energy. They enjoy activities such as fly ball and so on.

Need for company
They love their family and thrive on spending time with them. Golden Retrievers have been bred to serve in a variety of ways, and they need close companionship. If they are left alone too much they can misbehave.

General
This dog is primarily a retriever, and it is orally fixated; keep treasures out of its reach and train it not to steal household items. Most Golden Retrievers love water, which can be a useful alternative to exessive walking/running in the early months.