Todo sobre la raza: GOLDEN RETRIEVER

From carrying an egg in your mouth without breaking it, to saving lives and shining in Hollywood. This golden friend has captivated hearts all over the world. But, have you ever wondered why more than 300 Golden Retrievers meet in Scotland every 5 years? And, what makes this race so special? In this video you will discover everything you need to know. It all started in the highlands of Scotland. A majestic mansion, Whishacan, where this man, Lord Twenmouth, first man of this locality, had a vision. Create the perfect house dog. That's how, in 1868, the Scottish political businessman crossed Nose with Bell. Nose was a yellow-haired retriever, who was the only one born of this color of a black layer of retrievers. And Bell, who was a Tweedwater Spaniel, a race now extinct, but known for its recovery skills and excellent character. For almost 20 years, he continued to cross the descendants of Nose and Bell with other breeds such as Retrievers, Water Dogs and Setters. All to perfect the characteristics he desired. Recovery skill, resistance, ability to work in water and a friendly and loyal temperament. Initially, the Kennel Club did not consider these dogs as a new breed, but as a golden variety of the smooth-haired retriever. Since, apparently, they were only distinguished by the color and wavy fur. In 1911, a group of enthusiasts of the breed formed the Golden Retriever Club in the United Kingdom. This club was established with the purpose of promoting and preserving the breed that Lord Twenmouth had developed. Thanks to these efforts, in 1913, the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom accepted the Golden Retriever as a separate and different breed, consolidating its place in the canine history. Then, it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 and by the International Cynological Federation in 1954. It is so much love that these animals generate that today, after more than 150 years of its creation, the Golden Retriever Gathering is held every 5 years, in the very same mansion where it all began. It is a unique event to which dogs from all over the world attend together with their tutors to celebrate the anniversary of the breed. The last one was held in 2023 and 488 Goldens attended. There, activities such as a picnic with Scottish food, field test demonstrations, group training sessions and, of course, a dog parade were held. The reason for its name is very simple, Golden for its distinctive golden fur and Retriever because it is part of the group of dogs that were specifically raised to recover prey during hunting activities, especially aquatic birds. This canine is known for its golden fur that can be smooth or wavy, and its dense and waterproof hair. Its body is robust and muscular, its eyes are dark and expressive, reflecting its friendly and intelligent nature. They are medium-sized dogs, the males measure between 55 and 61 centimeters and weigh between 29 and 34 kilos, while the females measure between 51 and 56 centimeters and weigh between 25 and 29 kilos. The most common health problems in Golden Retrievers include hip and elbow dysplasia, which affects the joints and can cause pain and difficulty moving, as well as heart problems, being prone to develop myocardiopathy. Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the breed, with lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma being one of the most common. In addition, they can suffer from allergies, both food and environmental, which can cause skin problems. How do we help this breed to stay healthy? It is essential to take it to regular veterinary check-ups to detect any health problem in time, and offer it an adequate exercise that includes at least 1 to 2 hours of daily activity, such as walking, jogging or games. In addition, they must follow a balanced and high-quality diet that includes the necessary nutrients, controlling portions to prevent obesity, which can aggravate problems such as dysplasia. Finally, regular brushing at least 2 to 3 times a week is crucial to keep their fur healthy and free of entanglement, especially during the seasonal moult. The life expectancy of these puppies is 10 to 12 years, although some can overcome this age with good care. As is the case of Aushi, who turned 20 in April 2020. This puppy lived in Tennessee and is known as the longest-lived Golden Retriever registered. Curious fact, his tutors adopted him in a shelter when he was already 14 years old. A special thanks to those incredible dog parents who choose to adopt adult puppies, giving them a second chance. Something incredible about the Golden Retrievers is that they have the ability to pick up any object or animal with their mouth without causing any damage, since they have a soft mouth that allows them to keep an egg in their mouth without breaking it, and they have a natural predisposition to an inhibited bite, that is, they can control the force of their bite in situations of interaction with other animals or with humans. It can be trained and perfected. And yes, the physical characteristics of this animal and its balanced temperament make it a super special dog, and that is why it is highly chosen as a rescue dog and as a therapy dog. A study carried out specifically with Golden Retrievers in cancer patients showed that interacting with these dogs not only improved their mood, but also significantly reduced stress levels. And that's not all, these dogs increase oxytocin, the hormone of happiness, in people who suffer from anxiety or depression. In addition, they are true superheroes, the Golden Retrievers are highly valued as rescue dogs, thanks to their great intelligence, ability to work as a team, physical skills and their acute sense of smell, which makes them exceptional companions to locate lost people. A well-known case is that of the Golden Retriever in Britain, who was one of the rescue dogs that helped after the attacks of September 11 in New York. She worked with rescue teams looking for survivors among the rubble of the World Trade Center. She also participated in other rescue missions such as those caused by Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters. Britain retired at the age of 9 years, but still continued to be part of the fire brigade as a therapy dog in a primary school helping children with reading difficulties. Her story was so inspiring that in 2016, when she died, she was honored as the last canine rescuer to have participated in that mission. A standing ovation for this little dog! Did you know that a Golden Retriever named Charlie has the Guinness World Record for having the strongest bark? That's right, in 2012 Charlie, an Australian Golden, reached the impressive bark of 113.1 decibels. That's almost as strong as a motorcycle or a live rock band. If you liked this video and want to know more fascinating stories about the animal world, don't forget to subscribe to Animalteca to be aware of all our videos. See you in the next episode, animal lovers!