Golden Retriever Harness: Finding the PerfectFit

History of the Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a popular breed of dog known for its friendly nature and beautiful golden coat. But have you ever wondered about the history behind this lovable canine? Let's explore and delve into its captivating history.

The story of the Golden Retriever begins in the 19th century in the Scottish Highlands. At that time, hunting was a popular sport among the aristocracy, and there was a need for a versatile and efficient hunting dog that could retrieve both game birds and waterfowl. This led to the development of the breed we now know as the Golden Retriever. The credit for the creation of the Golden Retriever goes to Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, later known as Lord Tweedmouth. In the mid-1800s, Lord Tweedmouth, a Scottish aristocrat, set out to create the perfect hunting companion. He started by crossing a yellow-coloured Retriever named Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed now extinct. The resulting litter produced four yellow puppies, which formed the foundation of the Golden Retriever breed.

Lord Tweedmouth continued his breeding program, introducing other breeds such as the Bloodhound, Irish Setter, and more Tweed Water Spaniels into the mix. His goal was to create a dog that possessed not only excellent retrieving skills but also a gentle temperament and a strong work ethic. By the early 20th century, the Golden Retriever had gained recognition for its exceptional abilities as a gun dog. The breed's popularity soared, and it quickly made its way across the Atlantic, arriving in North America. In 1925, the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed, further promoting and preserving the breed.

During World War II, the Golden Retriever faced some challenges as breeding programs were temporarily halted due to the scarcity of resources. However, dedicated breed enthusiasts worked tirelessly to maintain the breed's standards and ensure its survival. Over the years, the Golden Retriever's role expanded beyond hunting. Its friendly and gentle nature, combined with its high intelligence and trainability, made it an ideal candidate for various roles such as search and rescue, therapy work, guide dogs for the blind, and even as a family pet.

Today, the Golden Retriever remains one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide. Its stunning appearance, coupled with its loyal and affectionate nature, has captured the hearts of millions. Whether as a working dog, a show dog, or a cherished companion, the Golden Retriever continues to prove its versatility and adaptability. It has left an indelible mark in the hearts of dog lovers around the globe.

Benefits of the Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly and gentle nature, making them excellent family pets. If you are considering adding a dog to your household, here are some benefits of having a Golden Retriever.

1. Loving and Loyal Companionship: 

Golden Retrievers are renowned for their affectionate and loyal nature. They thrive on human companionship and are always eager to please their owners. Whether you are looking for a cuddle buddy or a loyal friend to accompany you on adventures, a Golden Retriever will gladly fulfil that role.

2. Great with Children: 

Golden Retrievers are known to be excellent family pets. They have a patient and gentle temperament, making them ideal companions for kids. They are playful and are typically protective of their human family.

3. Intelligent and Easy to Train: 

Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent dogs, which makes them quick learners. They are eager to please their owners and are known to excel in obedience training. Whether you want them to learn basic commands or more advanced tricks, Golden Retrievers are up for the challenge.

4. Versatile Working Dogs: 

Golden Retrievers are not just great family pets; they are also highly versatile working dogs. They excel in various roles such as search and rescue, therapy work, guide dogs for the visually impaired, and even as assistance dogs for individuals with disabilities. Their intelligence and trainability make them perfect for these types of jobs.

5. Active and Adventurous: 

If you lead an active lifestyle, a Golden Retriever will be the perfect partner for you. They love outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and playing fetch. Their high energy levels make them great companions for those who enjoy getting outdoors.

6. Excellent Retrievers: 

As their name suggests, Golden Retrievers have a natural instinct for retrieving objects. Whether it's a ball, a frisbee, or even a newspaper, they love to carry something in their mouths.

7. Therapeutic Benefits: 

Golden Retrievers are known for their therapeutic qualities. Many people find comfort and emotional support in the presence of these dogs. Their gentle demeanour and ability to provide unconditional love make them excellent therapy dogs for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges.

The benefits of owning a Golden Retriever are numerous. From their loving and loyal nature to their versatility and intelligence, these dogs make wonderful companions for individuals and families alike. 

Whether you are looking for a playful and active partner or a gentle and supportive friend, the Golden Retriever is sure to bring joy and happiness into your life!

Why a Harness is Good for Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are energetic and clever dogs who require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. When it comes to walking or engaging in outdoor activities with your Golden Retriever, using a harness is a great choice. 

Here are the reasons why a harness is good for Golden Retrievers.

1. Control and Safety: 

Golden Retrievers are strong and powerful dogs, especially when they get excited or spot something interesting. Using a harness provides you with better guidance over your dog's movements, without the risk of damaging the soft tissues surrounding the neck. Unlike a traditional collar, a harness distributes the pressure evenly across the dog's body, preventing strain on the neck and throat. This is especially important for Golden Retrievers, as they can be prone to certain neck and respiratory issues.

2. Comfort and Support: 

A harness sits comfortably around their chest and back, avoiding the throat and allowing the front legs to move freely. The padded straps of a harness provide additional support, and a snug fit prevents any rubbing or chafing, ensuring a comfortable experience for your dog during long walks or outdoor adventures.

3. Training Aid: 

Harnesses can be an excellent tool for training your Golden Retriever. When health, comfort and safety is addressed as a priority, your Goldie will feel more relaxed and therefore will walk more calmly on the lead. You can then use positive reinforcement training to reward your Goldie when they walk calmly alongside you.

4. Versatility: 

Some harnesses are designed with reflective materials, making them suitable for nighttime walks or ensuring visibility during low-light conditions.

5. Injury Prevention: 

Golden Retrievers can be prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia and arthritis. Using a harness can help support their body weight and minimise strain on their joints, reducing the risk of any potential injuries. It is especially crucial for older or senior Golden Retrievers to have the extra support and stability provided by a harness.

Using a harness for your Golden Retriever offers numerous benefits, including control, safety, comfort, training aid, versatility, and injury prevention. By investing in a high-quality harness, you can enhance your dog's overall walking experience while ensuring their well-being and happiness. 

Make sure to consider their size and weight to ensure the perfect fit. Measure your Golden Retriever’s girth (around the widest part of their chest) and refer to the sizing calculator on our website, to find the most suitable size. 

So, next time you plan for an adventure with your Golden Retriever, consider using a harness for a more enjoyable and stress-free outing!

Why a PerfectFit Harness is the best choice

The PerfectFit Harness has a modular design to fit any dog type including a Golden Retriever. Our harness has a large range of sizes and fits to choose from, a massive benefit of our harness is that it is comfy and calming for your dog ensuring that both you and your dog are content on your walks. You can purchase our harness in 3 sections, so you can purchase the exact size for each part of the chest area, providing your dog with the perfect fit! We know how worrying it can be when your dog is pulling on their lead, causing their harness or collar to pull on their neck, however, our harness is designed with a Y-shaped front to avoid the soft tissues of the throat and neck. This will reduce the risk of any injury caused by the pulling. Our harness isn't just safer, it is also stylish. We offer a large range of colours and as you can remove and replace each piece you can have multiple different harness colours! We are the perfect fit for you!