| How it all began with Golden Retrievers: Sir Dudley | | | | devote to this breed, then you should not |
| Majoribanks wanted a hunting dog, but not just | | | | consider purchasing a pup. But, it's not just time |
| any hunting dog. He wanted one that was just as | | | | spent exercising--your Golden wants time with |
| a much a companion as it was a retriever of the | | | | you. That matters most. The affectionate dogs |
| birds he shot. The then popular Irish Setters and | | | | cannot stand to be left alone. If they are, for |
| Spaniels were only good for showing him where | | | | longer periods of time, they may become |
| the birds had fallen but their coats, much too fine, | | | | destructive.Of course, many people respond to |
| kept them from finding them in harsher areas. So, | | | | this by either: locking their pet outside or crating |
| Dudley Majoribanks created the Golden Retriever | | | | him. Neither one of these options is overly wise. |
| and, coincidentally, one of the most popular | | | | The Golden is prone to digging when left outside |
| breeds. Of course, it was not an easy task--it | | | | for too long and could escape the yard, and, if left |
| took him years to create the dog he envisioned | | | | in a crate, the dog would be miserable. No, you |
| (years and multiple breeds).From 1865 to 1889, | | | | need time to spend with this breed. Otherwise, |
| Majoribanks used his pups to further the idea of | | | | you will both be unhappy.Another disadvantage to |
| the ultimate hunting dog. When he finally | | | | the Golden can also be argued as its greatest |
| accomplished his goal, the result was a mix of the | | | | advantage: its temperament. To the Golden, |
| Setter, lesser Newfoundland, Springer Spaniel and | | | | everyone is a friend to be licked and loved. In |
| the Water Spaniel.Majoribanks had his | | | | some ways, this is excellent. You can trust your |
| Retriever.Golden Retrievers are one of the most | | | | pet never to harm your children, your other |
| popular breeds (second only to Labrador | | | | animals or even strangers who visit the house. In |
| Retrievers) and with good reason: their gentle | | | | other ways, however, this is a problem. The |
| temperaments and sweet faces make them a | | | | Golden does not make even a tolerable guard |
| favored family dog. But, also, their water-repellent | | | | dog. If you are looking for something to defend |
| coats and high intelligence make them ideal for | | | | you, this is not it. This breed was meant to be |
| hunting, which Majoribanks would be proud to see | | | | sweet, not to become aggressive if a stranger |
| continue. This mixture of intelligence and loyalty | | | | should appear in the doorway. Now, yes, the |
| mark them as a natural choice for families. This is | | | | Golden Retriever will bark (they can actually |
| a devoted breed, one that will do everything they | | | | become quite vocal) but that is all they are likely |
| can to please.Standing between 20 to 24 inches | | | | to do. Even intense training is no guarantee that |
| and weighing 55 to 80 pounds, this is not a dog | | | | your Golden will defend you. It's hard to suppress |
| meant for great intimidation (of course, its friendly | | | | centuries of loving instinct.But, if you are searching |
| isposition cancels that idea, no matter what the | | | | for a dog that will love you and try its best to |
| size). Instead, this is a dog built for activity: | | | | please you, then the Golden is the perfect match. |
| whether hunting, retrieving or merely playing with | | | | This is a dog that will always greet you at the |
| its owners, the Golden Retriever is meant to | | | | door, even when you've just stepped out for a |
| move.This can cause a problem for some | | | | minute, and this is a dog that will want to be with |
| households, however. Many people see the Golden | | | | you no matter where you are. If you have the |
| as the ultimate dog. In some ways, it is, but there | | | | time and energy to devote to it, Golden |
| are disadvantages. One, as mentioned before, is | | | | Retrievers will never let you down.Rich Cussons is |
| the need for activity. Golden Retrievers were not | | | | a champion for dogs of all breeds buy Golden |
| created to simply lay around the house. It needs | | | | Retrievers in particular. You will find out more |
| something to spark its intelligence and use its | | | | about Golden Retrievers at the Golden Retriever |
| natural instincts. If you do not have the time to | | | | Savvy website. |