Does The Golden Retriever Have The Right Temperament To Suit Your Life?
The Traits To Look For
Even as puppies, a golden retriever’s temperament should be apparent; the puppies should nearly overwhelm you with excitement when you go to see them at the breeders. Golden retrievers are confident dogs that are easy to please; it is essential that they seem friendly, out going, and energetic.
Where The Traits Were Derived
Golden retrievers were bred and cross bred to highlight the best traits from each of the dogs; golden retriever’s temperaments were molded to allow it to be not only a good hunting dog, but a companion hunting dog. Its love of water is derived from the Tweed water spaniel; it was a desired trait because a dog was needed that would fetch game in water.
It was bred to be sociable and friendly, because these things also make it trainable and an easy companion; a more aggressive dog would be no good to a hunter that wanted to hunt in large groups, with other people and dogs. Likewise, a timid dog wouldn’t be much good either; achieving a balance of trainability and friendliness is also what makes them such great pets.
From its several breeds of retriever ancestors, it gained its awesome retrieving skills; designed to be soft mouthed, or to retrieve game with out destroying the game in the process. The retrieving skills can still be honed today for hunting purposes, but instinct makes even adult retriever pets excellent at fetch; and they will relentlessly chase, catch, and bring back the ball as many times as you are willing to throw it for them.
Living With The Temperament Of A Golden Retriever
All the traits that one loves about the golden retriever’s temperament could at times be what you like least about them. Although they are a moderately active dog, when they do want to be active, they like to be very active; they are playful, fun loving, and persistent. This also means that if a golden retriever is not given the attention it desires and requires, it will turn to mischief and destruction; this is true with most dogs, and many children for that matter.
While golden retrievers do have a lot of instinct for retrieving, loving the water, and having a kind disposition; some training is required to really make these skills prominent. Training begins the moment you bring your golden retriever puppy home, and depending on the standard you set will ultimately decide the overall temperament your golden retriever will have.
The golden retriever’s easy going, eager to please attitude, combined with the physical appearance of the golden retriever of a sturdy medium length coat, make grooming simple. Golden retrievers love water and aim to please; which makes bath time easy for you and fun for your pet. Also, they are very tolerant animals, and if you get them accustomed to it, they shouldn’t give you too much hassle with brushing or other essentials of grooming either.