Dating back to ancient Scotland, Goldies’ founders aimed to create a dog that could be relied upon to fetch game from water bodies during hunting activities.
However, as time passed, the breed was later found to be very friendly and pleasant, so people preferred it indoors more than outdoors.
To this date, retrievers are among the most preferred breeds worldwide, not just in the US.
This increased preference can be attributed to retrievers’ playful, patient, and sociable characters, which most homeowners find very beneficial for their lives. However, there is more to retrievers than these general traits.
This article is dedicated to educating you on the character traits affiliated with this unique pet breed.
Playful and Sociable
Golden Retrievers are the friendliest dogs
If a character trait sets retrievers apart from other pets, it is their playfulness and sociability. This is among the main characteristics to go for when exploring pet dogs since you do not want an aggressive dog that might scare kids, other pets, and visitors. Fortunately, by having a Goldie around, you do not have to worry about aggression since the breed welcomes family members and visitors. Owning a retriever assures you of being clear of the trouble that is commonly associated with aggressive dogs.
Loyal and Devoted
Loyalty and devotion, among the main traits pet owners typically look forward to from their pets, are also among the best traits affiliated with this unique dog breed. Retrievers devote all their loyalty to their masters and families with everything they have. Owning a retriever guarantees that the pet is unlikely to go stray or get lost since they love being around their owners and families all through. Even in outdoor activities, goldies do not usually stray, making it easier for owners to manage them while reducing the chances of collision with other dogs.
Affectionate
The exact amount of affection golden retrievers accord their owners and families demands reciprocation more than any other breed. If you are not a dog lover or petting is not your forte, consider exploring a different breed since retrievers crave attention and affection more than any other breed. Generally, Goldies are affectionate, making them the best companion dogs for owner families, including children.
Gentle and Patient
As initially hinted, retrievers are very gentle and patient dogs. Their gentleness comes in handy in comforting owners and families in times of distress or after trauma experiences. Look no further than golden retrievers if you want a dog that will stick by your side through thick and thin. Their patience makes them eager to learn and are among the most easily trainable. However, like other breeds, you might want to start the training at younger stages as older ones are not eager to learn and are more challenging to train.
Eager to Please
A common trait associated with Goldies is their eagerness to please. They will hardly engage in prohibited activities since their main goal is to appease their owners. This makes them very obedient, a very strong trait for pets.
Intelligent
Goldies are known for their intelligence, which sets them apart from other breeds. They are handy in outdoor games such as hunting and picnics, where you hide things and let the dog fetch them. You must engage your Goldie in puzzles and other mind games to tap into this intelligence and support their cognitive health.
Energetic and Playful
Retrievers possess slightly more energy than most pet dogs, making them more playful. While most people consider this an add-on, it can be a turn-off for some people, especially those not very friendly around pets. Simply, retrievers demand that their owner families match their energy. In that line, you will need to tap into this energy by engaging them in physical activities, such as playing outdoors. Besides, engaging them physically is among the many ways of ensuring they are at their best health status.
Even though every dog might behave differently, based on upbringing and the environment, the above are the general traits you can expect from most Goldies. To achieve these and other desirable golden retriever traits, be sure to train them from earlier stages, support their cognitive and physical health, and accord them the proper grooming.