Winnie is the sweet typical Golden Retriever who is love everything and everybody.  She was found as a stray out in the country.

 

If you want a great all-around family dog, this is the one for you.

 

Foster Update 11/05: Winnie is a sweet beautiful golden retriever.  She is friendly to everyone- people, dogs and cats.  She loves other dogs and plays really well- not wild, just fun.  She is very smart and learns quickly although is a little stubborn if she she’d rather play than sit!  She loves to play with balls and squeaky toys and will bring them back to you but sometimes she needs a little coaxing to give them up.  She is a little overweight and will need to have a managed diet and good daily exercise to get her where she should be on the scale.  She also tends to pull on the leash a little too much if she wants to go in a different direction but even in the short time we’ve had her that has improved.  All in all she is the typical wonderful dog that goldens are known for!

 

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Golden Retriever was first developed in the British Isles, probably from crosses between a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland and possibly the Bloodhound. In fact the breed was first shown as a Golden Flat-Coat. The Golden is one of the world's foremost family companion dogs. Many of the top obedience competition dogs in the country are Golden retrievers. The Golden is also a fine bird dog on both land and in the water. He has an excellent nose and has been used not only for hunting and tracking, but also for narcotics detection. Because of his great desire to please and capacity for love and learning, the Golden Retriever is also used as a guide for the blind, therapy dog, and service dog for the disabled. These are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Loyal, confident, sweet and eager to please. It is active, loving and an outstanding family dog. Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be fun. They excel in obedience competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to be around people to be happy. If isolated from human contact, or left alone for long periods of time, the Golden Retriever may become mischievous. They can be over-exuberant and distractible. Some of the Golden's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. These dogs also love to swim. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.