by Angela Harris

Created on: April 09, 2007   Last Updated: July 11, 2010

According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), Golden Retrievers are consistently one of the most favorite dog breeds ever. They are also affectionately called Goldens. Golden retrievers have been popular ever since they were recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1925. There are many reasons. Read a few Golden Retrievers facts, and find out why Golden Retrievers are so beloved.

Golden Retrievers originated in Scotland during the 1800s. They were bred to be retrievers for bird hunters. There are varying opinions on which breeds were used to develop the Golden Retriever. The majority of experts believe that Golden Retrievers were originally crossed with a Tweed Water Spaniel and some sort of yellow colored retriever dog breed.

If you don't know how to recognize a Golden Retriever, you don't have to look far. Some famous Golden Retrievers include Duke from Bush's Beans commercials, Shadow from the "Homeward Bound" movies, the dog star of "Air Bud" movies, Brinkley from the "You've Got Mail" movie, and Comet from television's "Full House".

Golden Retrievers usually have a golden colored coat, though not always, hence their name. The coat may be either wavy, feathered, or flat. Being water retrievers, their coats are water resistant and thick. Their heads are broad and narrows at the muzzle, with somewhat small, hanging ears. They have long tails, but they don't curl.

There are two types of Golden Retrievers- American and English. The only differences are in their appearance. English Golden Retrievers have a lighter yellow coat, sometimes almost white. They are broader and shorter than American Golden Retrievers. American Golden Retrievers look more like hunting dogs with their slim builds and long, lanky legs. The American Golden Retriever's coat is darker than the English, sometimes almost red.

Golden Retrievers get to their full size and weight at around age two. They are about two feet high at the shoulders or a little shorter. The average weight for a Golden Retriever is approximately seventy pounds.

Besides being popular pets, Golden Retrievers are useful in many other ways. Golden Retrievers are excellent gun dogs for hunting, and of course, they are used for retrieving. This friendly dog breed is used as guide dogs for the blind, in search and rescue missions, and therapy dogs. Golden Retrievers also score very well in obedience and agility contests.

If you want to base your decision on temperament when picking a breed, it's hard to beat a Golden Retriever. Golden

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