One of the most beloved companion dog breeds in the world, the Golden Retriever is known for its social, playful, and affectionate nature. They are very gentle with kids, extremely loving with the family, and also mix well with strangers and other animals. Golden Retrievers are highly trainable and obedient, making them a great choice for guide dogs, therapy dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and assistance dogs. They’re usually too friendly to be effective guard dogs, but they retain some of their retriever breed instincts.
This mid-sized Scottish breed with a luxurious golden double coat may look all soft and cuddly, but they are also very strong and muscular. They have a broad head, dark eyes well set apart, powerful jaws, a large black nose and slightly folded hanging ears that are set high. They also have a muscular neck, powerful hind legs and a body that is deep through the chest with strong ribs. Golden Retrievers were originally bred by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, mixing together breeds like Flat-coated Retrievers, Tweed Water Spaniels, Red Setters, Labrador Retrievers, and Bloodhounds.
The history of the Golden Retriever breed
The Golden Retriever breed has a long and complicated history that started in Scotland. Sir Dudley Marjoribanks wanted to create the ‘ultimate breed of retrievers’ to be kept as gundogs. He started cross-breeding a number of different breeds of dogs between 1868 and 1890 to get to the foundational litter of Golden Retrievers. There were many stories about the origin of the breed, with the first dog being linked to a Russian circus, an unnamed cobbler, or even gypsies. But Marjoribanks kept a detailed stud book, published in 1960, which revealed that Nous, the Flat-coated Retriever who started the whole breeding process, was bred by Lord Chichester on his Stanmer Park estate near Brighton.
In their early days, they were categorised under 'Flat-coated Retriever, Golden'. It was only in 1920 when the Kennel Club of London officially started calling the breed the 'Golden Retriever'. Winifred Charlesworth, a 19th-century supporter of Goldens, formulated the first breed standard. She was the first to breed a Golden Retriever Show Champion and she was a big advocate for keeping the working instincts of the breed intact. Over the 1920s and 1930s, it spread all over the world and has been rising in popularity ever since.
Common health problems of Golden Retrievers
Hip and elbow dysplasia:
Golden Retrievers are active, medium-sized dogs who are also foodies. This means that they need a good amount of exercise. Since these days Goldens are usually family pets, they may not get adequate physical activity, which can cause them to become overweight. This extra weight on bones and joints may cause problems like hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, etc. Plus, being a popular breed of dog, they may often have genetic developmental issues in their joints due to unethical breeding practices.
Skin issues:
Because of their long double coats, Goldens often face a lot of skin and coat issues. To begin with, their coat has a tendency to matt behind the ears and on the hind limbs. They also shed a lot, so regular brushing and periodical grooming are necessary. Apart from this, they may develop ichthyosis, hot spots, atopic dermatitis, etc., which may cause itchy skin, hair loss, and secondary infections.
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland of your dog is unable to produce thyroid hormones or produces very little. This shows up in dogs as unexpected weight loss, low energy, recurring infections, sparse fur, dry skin, etc. Golden Retrievers are prone to this endocrine disorder. Golden Retrievers are predisposed to hypothyroidism and typically develop symptoms when they are middle-aged. This condition can be managed with lifelong medication.
Cancer:
Golden Retrievers are among the breeds that are most susceptible to cancer, mainly due to breeding practices. Some cancers that they’re particularly prone to are Hemangiosarcoma, Lymphoma, Mast cell tumours, and Osteosarcoma. Watch out for sudden weight loss, lumps & bumps, delayed healing, lethargy, bad odour, low appetite, etc.
Eye problems:
Golden Retrievers are prone to a number of eye issues. In case of glaucoma, their cornea develops a blue tint, the whites of the eyes come across as red, and the eyes may look like they’re bulging. Some develop a cloudy eye lens because of cataracts. Retinal dysplasia is caused by unnatural growth behind the eyes that reduces vision, while retinal atrophy is a disease that causes degeneration of the retina. Much of these are genetic.
What are the nutritional needs of Golden Retrievers?
Low-carb diet: Golden Retrievers are very prone to weight gain and obesity. Therefore, they should be given low-calorie, high-starch carbohydrates only. High-starch carbohydrates break down in the body to form glucose, which is rapidly absorbed by the body, eventually turning into extra fat. Not only should they be given healthy sources of carbs like broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin, etc., but their food proportion should also be closely monitored.
High-protein meals: Goldens are moderately active and muscular, medium-sized dogs. Therefore, they need a good amount of high-quality protein in their food. These may come from lean cuts of meat like chicken, goat, fish, etc., or through plant sources, such as paneer, quinoa, chickpeas, etc. However, animal sources of protein are most recommended for dogs, especially those as big as a Golden Retriever.
Omega-3 and omega-6 rich food: The breed is famous for its long, golden-hued, soft double coat and also for the skin issues that come along with it. So a diet rich in ingredients that have omega-3 and omega-6, such as fatty fish, eggs, chia seeds, etc., is very important for them alongside physical care like frequent inspections of the coat and regular brushing.
Micronutrients: The right amount of vitamins and minerals are very important for a Golden Retriever's healthy life. Vitamins B-complex, A, D, and E are essential for the protection and maintenance of skin and coat as well as calcium absorption for bone and joint health. Calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and magnesium in proper amounts ensure the smooth working of all bodily functions.
Plenty of fluids: Water is necessary for all bodily functions, but especially for body temperature control and skin & coat health. Being double-coated, Goldens need to properly regulate their body temperature to prevent overheating, especially in India. Apart from that, water also helps in keeping the skin elasticity protected and the skin hydrated. For even greater benefits, you can add some bone broths full of collagen and wet food full of protein to their diet, alongside monitoring water intake.
How to keep your Golden Retriever’s weight in control?
Golden Retrievers love to eat. This is why it's easy for them to become overweight. Excessive weight gain is especially bad for them because they are prone to bone and joint issues like hip dysplasia and arthritis. The first thing to ensure is that they do not eat sugar, as it easily gets stored in the body as fat. So, food and treats that contain sugar should be strictly kept away. But that’s not enough. Starch is a complex form of sugar that also gets into the blood as glucose and gets stored as fat. So, high-starch food should also be avoided.
Apart from that, you should also make sure that your Goldie gets enough exercise every day. They may look like big goofballs who like to nap, but they are essentially retriever dogs who love to run, fetch, and swim. Use these instincts to make sure that they get the right amount of physical activity that they need to stay happy, healthy, and free of extra weight. Make sure you’re not overfeeding them through scheduled feeds and portion control. Also keep a check on the amount of treats you give during training.
Why is it important to feed 100% natural, human-grade food to your Golden Retriever?
Giving your Golden Retriever 100% natural, human-grade food is particularly important because they are prone to two major issues: weight management and skin & coat problems. A diet full of low-calorie, natural ingredients and zero preservatives, sugars, or chemicals can really help in combating both.
Kibble contains low-quality ingredients and chemicals, and it is also full of starch, which makes Goldies gain an unhealthy amount of weight. On the other hand, high-quality, human-grade food is highly digestible, and its nutrients are easier for the body to absorb. When that food contains lean protein like chicken and eggs, low-calorie carbs like sweet potato, pumpkin, quinoa, carrots, etc., and good fats like fish oil, flaxseeds, etc., it also helps in weight management.
For the skin and coat too, 100% natural dog food should be the choice because artificial additives, flavours, chemicals, and such may cause allergic reactions and sensitivities. This in turn can cause itching and rashes, even secondary infections. However, not only do 100% natural ingredients like chicken, fatty fish, bone broths, etc., not cause such reactions. but they also actively help in protecting skin and maintaining the coat. So 100% natural, human-grade, zero-preservative food helps Goldies fight the issues they are most prone to.
Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides like Can Dogs Eat Apples?, Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Finding Good Dog Food in India, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion, Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent, What Are Kibbles for Dogs and How Are They Harmful?, Common Winter Dog Diseases, Tips for New Dog Parents, and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your dog, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/golden-retriever
https://www.thesprucepets.com/dog-breed-profile-golden-retriever-1117969
https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/health/symptoms/golden-retriever-health-problems
Image Attribution:
By Unknown author - History of the Golden Retriever Club. The Golden Retriever Club. Retrieved on 3 January 2022., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113932927
