Golden Retriever

The dog breed that everyone is familiar with. The Golden Retriever is ranked as the second most popular dog in the United States, and it is not without reason. These pups make incredible family pets and have a sweet nature. Your Golden will want to be a part of every family activity and thrive in an environment with many people. There are not many dogs that are as friendly and outgoing as the Golden, making them wonderful therapy dogs as well. Their presence alone is comforting, and you will never feel alone with this doggo around.

The History of this dog breed began in Scotland. The purpose of the breed was to create the ideal retriever for hunters, and the Golden Retriever certainly lived up to the expectations. They were used primarily for retrieving ducks and other fowl and are capable of doing so on both land and water. Given that these pups were bred to retrieve, they love playing games that revolve around them bringing something back to their owners. They love to play fetch, of course, but also love learning to retrieve objects around the house. The Golden Retriever is highly intelligent, and if there is a dog that is capable of bringing you a beer from the fridge, it's this one.

If you’re looking for a watchdog, the Golden probably isn't for you. They are medium-sized dogs, weighing between 55-75 pounds, but do not see any threat in people. If an intruder breaks into your home, they will be met by a smiling, tail-wagging dog ready to play. The Golden Retriever has the unique trait of maintaining its puppyish characteristics well into adulthood. Many people fall in love with this aspect of their dog because they are always wide-eyed and excited to do something new. These pups will do great with a more active family, as they will need to exercise daily. Getting rid of their energy shouldn’t be too difficult though, a ball and an open field will do the trick.

The Golden Retriever gets along great with other dogs as well. They are rarely aggressive and are just looking to have a good time and make some new friends. While they do love meeting new people, the Golden is unconditionally loyal to their family and will always stick by your side. The only difficulty when it comes to owning these dogs is that they are heavy shedders. You can expect to have a lot of fur lying around the house, so make sure that you have a vacuum at home. Having some dog fur to clean up is a pretty small price to pay for a dog that will love you unconditionally and always puts everyone in a great mood.

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