Page 261 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

Golden Retriever

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Cream
20–24in 55–75lb 12–13 years
(51–61cm) (25–34kg)

The temperament of this exuberant, easy-going gundog
GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND
has made it a family favorite in many countries
A guide dog (sometimes called a
“seeing-eye dog”) is a dog that helps
One of the most popular breeds worldwide, The Golden Retriever is still used by hunters,
blind or partially sighted people get the Golden Retriever originated in Scotland and competes in field trials and obedience
around outside the home. The
in the mid-19th century, when the aristocrat competitions. It is effective in search and
pure-bred or part-bred Golden
Retriever is one of the most Lord Tweedmouth crossed his “Yellow rescue and in detecting drugs and explosives.
popular dogs for this work. Retriever” with the now-extinct Tweed The breed is also employed as a guide dog for
It has the size and strength Water Spaniel of the English-Scottish border blind people, an assistance dog for those with
for leading people, and its
country. Later crosses were made with the other disabilities, and a therapy dog. Perhaps
intelligence makes it easy Irish Setter (see p.242) and the Flat Coated the only job at which it fails is being a guard
to train for a wide variety
Retriever (see p.262). The result was an dog because it is so friendly. It is enormously
of tasks. In addition,
its gentle, friendly active, intelligent retriever that could work popular as a pet. Gregarious, responsive, and
nature enables for long distances in difficult upland terrain, even-tempered, this dog’s main goal in life is
the owner to heavy vegetation, and icy water. It was also to please. It needs plenty of company and
bond with it easily.
noted for being easy to train and having a vigorous exercise, and loves games that
soft mouth when carrying game. involve retrieving and carrying things.

Powerful but
chiseled head

Drop ears

Long,
silky coat Dark
Long tail brown
without a curl eyes

Gold

Lighter-colored
undercoat
Round,
catlike feet

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