The Golden Retriever is the second most popular dog breed in the United States, second only to the Labrador Retriever. These dogs have good looks and brains, and with their incredible gentleness make a great family dog.
Golden Retrievers originated in Scotland in the 1860s when Lord Tweedmouth crossed a yellow wavy-coated retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel (a dog which is no extinct). It is from four females in this litter that all Golden Retrievers are decended.
Originally they were bred to be used as hunting dogs. Today they still possess varying degrees of hunting instinct, but make excellent companion dogs, seeing eye dogs for the blind, assistants for the handicapped, show dogs and obedience competitors. 
Golden Retrievers are well known for their intense desire to please people. That desire, combined with their gentle and loving disposition, make them an exceptional family dog and terrific companion dog.
Without adequate exercise and the companionship of their family they may display bad behaviors. These dogs need considerable daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental fitness, whether they are taken for brisk walks or allowed to run in a fenced backyard.
Golden Retrievers have been seen in numerous television shows and movies including “Air Bud,” “Homeward Bound,” “Fullhouse,” and “Sue Thomas F.B.I.” The first three dogs of any breed to win the AKC Obedience Champion title, begun in 1977, were Golden Retrievers.
They are a large dog breed, standing about 22-24 inches high at the shoulder and weighing 60-75 pounds.
With their intelligence and gentle disposition the Golden Retriever breed truly deserves to be as popular as it is.
I have only touched on the breed in this article. To learn a lot more about this wonderful dog breed there’s a terrific e-book that focuses on Golden Retrievers. It even comes with the book on audio so you can listen to it on your iPod or computer or burn it to CD. Click here to learn more about the Golden Retriever e-book: Golden Retriever Guide eBook.
One of the things I especially like about this e-book is that it talks about the owner becoming the pack leader, and teaches you how to be that leader.
The two other bonuses that come with the e-book and audio book are an e-book full of recipes for your dog and a guide to dogs.
You can also read more about Golden Retrievers here at my site: More About Golden Retrievers
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