🐾 Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever

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Who it is

• Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Family & relatives: A breed of domestic dog in the family Canidae, related to wolves, foxes, and all other dog breeds.
• How to spot it: A friendly medium-large dog with a shiny golden coat, floppy ears, and a happy, wagging tail.

Its body & abilities

• Size: Stands about 51 to 61 cm tall at the shoulder.
• Weight: Usually about 25 to 34 kg (55 to 75 lb).
• Body & adaptations: Its soft mouth can carry an egg without breaking it, and its water-friendly coat keeps it warm when swimming.
• Top speed: Can run up to about 48 km/h (30 mph) chasing a ball.
• Strength: Strong and full of energy, it loves to swim, fetch, and carry things gently in its mouth.
• Senses: A great sense of smell and good hearing help it find hidden toys and follow scents.
• Growing up: Puppies are born tiny with closed eyes, open them in about two weeks, and become adults by around two years.

Where it lives

• Habitat: Lives happily in homes with its human family and loves a yard or lake to play in.
• Where in the world: Kept as a beloved family pet all over the world.
• Territory: It happily shares its home and greets almost everyone as a new friend.

What it eats

• Diet: A friendly eater that enjoys dog food and treats and always needs a bowl of fresh water.
• Favorite foods: Good-quality dog food, meat, and healthy dog treats given by its owner.
• How it hunts: Not a hunter today; long ago it helped fetch birds for hunters, so it still loves to bring back a thrown ball.

How it behaves

• How it moves: Trots and runs joyfully and is a strong, happy swimmer.
• When it is active: Active during the day, playing with its family, and sleeps at night.
• Family life: Very social and gentle, it loves people, children, and other pets and hates being alone.
• How it talks: Talks with cheerful barks, wiggles, and a wagging tail, and loves to lean in for a cuddle.
• Babies: After about two months a mother dog has a litter of around six to eight puppies, which she feeds and keeps warm.

Its place in nature

• Role in nature: A gentle family friend and a favorite helper as a guide dog and therapy dog.
• Conservation: Domestic breed, not a wild animal, so it is not tracked for conservation.
• Dangers: Stays healthiest with vet checkups, exercise, and a good diet, like any pet dog.

Life & legacy

• How long it lives: About 10 to 12 years with good care and love.
• In our culture: One of the most popular family dogs in the world, famous for being gentle, patient, and kind.
• Where to see it: In homes and parks, and working as guide and therapy dogs all around the world.
• Fun fact: Golden Retrievers love water so much that many will jump into any pond or pool they can find.