TheGolden Retriever

Author: David Beart

The Golden Retriever is a perennial Top Ten popularity breed for many reasons. The normally calm demeanor, active but gentle nature and eager to please attitude combine with intelligence and trainability. They are friendly, reliable and trustworthy.
What this means to the average owner - you need to actively TRAIN them. They are eager to learn and seek to be busy. They need mental stimulation - toys, games, activities - to keep from being bored and destructive. They want to please and learn new tasks.
It is said that the Golden Retriever traces his heritage to Scotland. A yellow puppy from a litter of black wavy coated retrievers was used as payment of a debt, and ended up in the hands of Lord Chichester Marjoribanks, who took the pup to Scotland where he maintained a kennel of hunting dogs. Searching to create an outstanding dog suited to the Scottish climate, ground and game, he later bred the yellow pup to a Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed that no longer exists except for as a trace of the Golden Retriever. These offspring were bred with Tweed Water Spaniels and a red setter, but it was mostly the golden pups kept. Marjoribanks was a breeder with a vision, and these initial pups, born in the late 1860s, appear much as the Golden Retriever does today.

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Paw Prints Magazine * Feb.2010 *

In this Issue

The Golden Retreiver Facts to Consider When Getting a Golden... Thinking About Adopting an Older Golden... Preparing Your Golden Retriever For... Ailments Affecting the Health of Golden... The Possibilities of Eye Disease on... Pet Insurance For Your Golden Retriever The Process of Feeding Your Golden... Best Grooming Practices For Your Pet... Maintaining a Healthy Golden Retriever... Feeding Your Golden Retriever With... Why Finding Good Golden Retriever Breeders... Reviewing the Bedding Needs of Your... Taking Your Golden Retriever With... Improving the Social Skills of Your... Training Ideas For Golden Retriever Dogs Visit Noah's Ark, our Pet Lovers Social Network

Facts to Consider When Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy

Most dog lovers are aware of the fact that Golden retrievers are great dogs to keep at home or to train as hunting dogs. This breed has also proven successful at guiding the blind, as guard dogs in narcotic operatives and locating missing people. Undoubtedly, there are many other breeds out there, however Golden Retrievers have proven to one of the most manageable and versatile breeds in the dog animal kingdom.
Before you hurdle off to the pet store and get your own Golden retriever puppy, take the time to do your homework and learn a little about the breed. Besides reading about them, you could visit a few dog shows, perhaps a friend that already owns one or your local kennel club. Most dog owners are usually very proud of their dog and wouldn’t mind sharing a few stories about their retriever with you.
If you choose to own a Golden Retriever and wish to but a puppy, your best bet will be a backyard breeder. These breeders are usually more knowledgeable about breeding puppies in general. Although other choices exist, such as a reputable dog breeder and your local pet store, you are better advised to go with someone who actually cares about the animals and is able to provide a healthy animal.
Another good idea would be to visit the Golden Retriever Club of America. At this location you will be able to meet with other Golden retriever owners, find breed specific opportunities and perhaps someone to point you in the right direction. Also, you could probably get a list of retrievers in your area.

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Thinking About Adopting an
Older Golden Retriever

You’ve been looking for a dog lately, perhaps a Golden Retriever, but feel hesitant about raining a puppy and teaching him the ropes. You have the option of adopting a fully grown Golden Retriever, they are sober and more mature creatures able to stay home alone easier. The peaceful nature of the Golden Retriever allows them to adjust to their changing environment smoothly. Regardless of the age this breed of dog may be, there is a good chance he will find a comfortable spot in your home and quickly become a loving member of your family.

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Preparing Your Golden Retriever
For Life at Home

One of the key factors in house training your Golden Retriever is to make sure the dog learns to associate his place in the house to his crate, spending less time anywhere else. You should closely monitor his activity whenever he is outside the crate. The key to your success is to observe your dog closely for every move outside the crate, any undesirable activity which occurs outside, must be corrected immediately.
Once you have spotted your dog attempting to relief himself in the incorrect location, quickly pick him up and take him where he should perform his potty.

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Ailments Affecting the Health
of Golden Retriever Dogs

Dogs in general suffer common ailments that affect their health individually. Although not all dogs necessarily fall victim to these diseases, some do. Some breeds, however, are more prone to a few diseases in particular. It is important to keep in main that many of these afflictions tend to appear as if directed towards breeds of dog in particular, when in fact, the reason they seem to corner a unique group of dogs is because of the hereditary traits by which these illnesses are transmitted. These are a few examples affecting the Golden Retriever breed.
Epilepsy
Environmental factors and viral infections may provoke epilepsy in your dog, also known as seizures. Although this affliction isn’t always a problem that pet owners can’t handle, dogs affected by epilepsy should not be involved in reproductive activity. When a dog has been diagnosed with epilepsy, your veterinarian may recommend a number of substances that may control the seizures, even if they aren’t always effective. These seizures don’t necessarily affect the general health of the dog, but as we mentioned before, breeding would be out of the question.
Skin Allergies
One of the most common health issues with the Golden Retriever breed are skin allergies.

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The Possibilities of Eye Disease
on Your Golden Retriever

A common ailment among the Golden Retriever breed of dogs, is eye disease. A great number of these dogs may be affected by cataracts, as a hereditary trait in their genes. You can tell at a very early stage, if your dog has been affected with hereditary cataracts. Although the presence of this disease does not have to necessarily affect the dog’s vision, it could have a negative impact, to the point where severe loss of sight is manifested.
Hereditary traits may or may not be the cause of cataracts in a Golden Retriever. A closer look by a certified veterinarian could better determine just how bad the ailment is. In the event that your veterinarian where to diagnose cataracts on your dog, he would probably suspend any kind of breeding from taking place, and even recommend that your dog be spayed. This is just a measure to stop the disease from spreading any further.
Quite a few specimens of the Golden Retriever breed have been noted to be carriers of CPRA (Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy). This is a disease that affects the retina of the eye, and could be the cause of loss of sight in a young puppy. Other eye conditions affecting this breed of dog exist, such as retinal dysplasia.

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Pet Insurance For Your Golden Retriever

You’ve welcomed your newest family member into your home, bought all the necessary items, like a leash and a food bowl, took him to the vet for immunizations and started obedience lessons. All is going well and there’s no reason to think about trouble, right? Wrong.
Most cats and almost all dogs will need more than preventative veterinary care during their lifetime. It could be something relatively small, like a broken leg or a skin rash, or it could be major, like a car accident or cancer. It could happen when your pet is young and seemingly healthy, or it could come with old age. Your dog might visit the vet only a few times over the years, or he could be one of those that your vet knows by name.
The problem with this, of course, is the uncertainty. If you knew that your dog was going to experience the average amount of medical problems, you could find out what the average lifetime vet bill is for a Golden Retriever, a put money aside each month to cover it. But as any pet owner can attest, that’s not how it works. You find out suddenly when your pet needs expensive health care. At the same time you’re wondering if your pet is going to pull through, you’re also wondering how much this is going to cost. Then of course you feel bad because how can you think of cost at a time like this?
The best way to reduce stress at a time like this, and to protect your pocketbook at the same time is to make a plan for the veterinary bills long before your pet gets sick or injured. Compare pet insurance policies and find the one that offers the best protection for the money for your Golden while he’s still a puppy – preferably before he has the opportunity to get into trouble!

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The Process of Feeding
Your Golden Retriever

Under normal circumstances, puppies of the Golden Retriever breed will feed off their mother until the age of approximately seven weeks. However, once they have reached the age of three weeks, you should start providing them with puppy dog food, which you can soak and mix into some kind of grub. An occasional try of soaked dog food will at least give them a chance to learn what it taste like and slowly make the change in preparation for when their mother refuses to let them feed off her anymore.
When the time comes to bring your puppy home with you, make sure to make a note of what he has been eating in order to continue with the same diet he is accustomed to. The puppy trainer at the kennel will have probably started the dog in some kind of diet, it is your responsibility to keep feeding the dog whatever he has been eating so far. The Golden Retriever breeds have very sensitive stomachs, and will act on any sudden changes with undesirable results.
The change in surroundings when you first take your puppy home may result in your dog refusing to eat. The move from the kennel to your home can be very stressful, give him some time, and by no means attempt to force food on him.

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Best Grooming Practices For
Your Pet Golden Retriever

The process of grooming your Golden Retriever dog is a never-ending story. The task needs to be performed weekly, and takes up about half an hour of your time. Most of the grooming on your dog will be spent brushing his coat. It is likely that your dog will want to go outside and play every so often, where a lot of unwanted trash and debris will get tangled into his hair. You are best advised to remove the trash from his hair soon before it gets worse, producing hair knots and mats in the dog’s coat. However, if your retriever happens to be in shedding time, some more time for brushing will be necessary.
Thus, when sitting down to groom your dog; the first step will always be brushing his coat thoroughly. Take your time, as if playing a dog game, and after you are finished with the brush try using a comb to remove unwanted hair. During the brushing activity, you may want to examine the dog’s skin for fleas, ticks, rashes and other possible ailments. While you’re at it, make sure to look into the pet’s ears and trim his nails as well.
The next step in this process would be bathing your pet, which can get rather difficult. Before bathing the dog, make sure you have brushed him first.

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Maintaining a Healthy
Golden Retriever Dog

The key to a strong and healthy Golden Retriever dog is building a strong immune system that will repel illness and disease. There is more than one way to build up your dog’s immune system, but basically it all adds up to what you feed him. Responsible pet owners will want a dog in top shape, enjoying all the benefits that good health has to offer. Here are some guidelines to get you on the road of a stronger immune system for your dog.
Consider feeding your retriever a homemade meal. This can act as a substitute for your regular canned food, or as a complement to be mixed together. Food cooked at home taste a lot better than the one that comes in a bag or a can, plus it contains a lot of vitamins and essential nutrients. Be prepared for the fact that once you have placed your dog in a homemade food diet, it is unlikely he will ever want a taste of the old dry food. Complement his meals with natural spring water. Even if he seems to prefer, or has grown accustomed to the faucet water, spring water is a lot better for him health wise. When feeding your dog treats, choose to give him bones with plenty of meat in the marrow, so as to motivate him to chew on it and serve as a vehicle to clean and improve his teeth.

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Feeding Your Golden Retriever
With Regular Food Aimed For People

Many pet owners ask themselves if there is any kind of food in the human diet which they can share with their Golden Retriever dog. Although most people prefer to keep their dog on regular dry dog food, there are some choices in the human diet that retrievers may enjoy, and that may actually be beneficial for them. The Golden Retriever breed, as most owners of these dogs know, has a large appetite for human attention. Sharing your food with them will be an activity they will look forward to and enjoy, as long as you are aware of what you can feed them and what you cannot.
Nutritious food, such as white meat, grains and vegetables will always be very nutritious on your dog. We are likely to think about this kind of food as human food, but they can be beneficial for many kinds of animals as well. Dogs in general have a superlative sense of smell and well developed taste buds; it should not come as a surprise to see them get excited when you have any kind of food in your hand.
If you start to notice that during your occasional trip to the refrigerator your dog follows with an eager attitude, or when you sit down the dinner table he sits right next to you like he has not eaten in ages.

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Why Finding Good Golden Retriever Breeders Can Be So Difficult

If you are looking to buy a new dog and are interested in the Golden Retriever breed, then know that you are first going to have to become a bit more educated on the issue of Golden Retriever breeders. There are literally thousands of different breeders out there, some which work in the professional industry and others who are just average people. There is a difference however between an average person who is breeding and taking proper care of the dogs and an average person who is simply breeding for financial purposes and who really does not know about the breed or care about the dogs.
These dogs will often be sickly and ailing and develop personality and behavioral problems that might never be fixed, even with professional help. This is why it is very important that you take the time to thoroughly check out a breeder before agreeing to buy a dog from them, and learn more about the topic of Golden Retriever breeders in general.
In order to find the best of the best when it comes to Golden Retriever breeders, the first thing you should do is ask questions. You want to know how long they have been breeding, whether they deal with any other breed of dog, and what their credentials are. Any good breeder is going to be happy to answer your inquiries and supply you with the paperwork and other information that you need.
A good breeder is also going to be prepared to ask their own questions, so they can ensure that their dog is going to be headed to the right home where he will be properly taken care of. They may ask you questions such as where you live, how large your home is, who lives in the home, and whether you have the financial means to take care of the dog.

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Reviewing the Bedding Needs
of Your Golden Retriever

Bedding requirements for your Golden Retriever are a high priority in your dog’s list, considering the amount of time he is destined to spend at such location. The ultimate bedding scenario for your Golden Retriever should be a natural fiber, such as wool, as wool absorbs most moisture and will keep your puppy or adult dog in a warm and cozy spot. The next step would be to shop for a blanket, which you could find at thrift stores at a very low price. Considering the fact that Golden Retrievers love to chew on whatever they can find, try not to buy a very expensive blanket, it may need to be replaced within a short period of time.
In the event that you have decided for a puppy Golden Retriever, keep in mind that he might be a little upset about leaving his mom and others in the litter behind. Dogs become accustomed to the scent and feel of his surroundings, and taking them home represents an abrupt change in their lifestyle. A good idea to help with the transition would be to give the puppy a towel you are not to fond of. Towels will remind him of his previous ambiance, keep him warm and give him something to chew on.

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Taking Your Golden Retriever
With You on Away Trips

The Golden Retriever breed of dog craves attention, and loves to be surrounded by people in social gatherings and events. Away trips such as camping trips, or hikes in the country are the cream of the crop for them. Getting involved in these kinds of activities makes them feel much more as a member of the family. This is why it is important to teach your dog a few things that will allow him to become part of these events and enjoy himself without ruining the whole experience.
When packing up your dog on his first road trip, make sure to take a few snacks with you in order to feed him throughout the trip. Avoid feeding the animal generous amounts of food just prior to leaving; otherwise he is likely to get sick half way down the road. Take the food with you and give him some every now and then, as opposed as all the food in one gulp. Less food in his stomach at a time will allow him to digest easier and handle the sway movements of the car.
As part of the plan in your road trip with your dog, don’t forget to include stops for him as well. Plan an occasional stop and play a few dog games, give your pet a chance to stretch his legs and relieve himself.

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Improving the Social Skills
of Your Golden Retriever Dog

Most pet owners are aware of the importance that social interaction plays in the development of their Golden Retriever. If you where to take the time to observe different breeds of dog, and how they interact with people, you would soon notice differences between each breed. Some dogs will simply glare at people, and then walk right by them, or they may choose to ignore them altogether. On the other end of the spectrum, some dogs don’t seem to ever get enough attention by the people around them, and just crave for more every chance they get.
The Golden Retriever breed is mostly a friendly dog, which will get comfortable with those around him quickly, and even more so with those he has chosen as friends. Some retrievers may show affection only towards others of the same gender. Retrievers in general like children and playing dog games with them. In some very rare occasions you will find that they relate better with adults, and this is mostly due to the way they where raised and the kind of surroundings they grew up in.
Developing social skills becomes more in important in the early stages of your puppy, between two and eight months.

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Training Ideas For
Golden Retriever Dogs

The term training has many different meanings for different people. Depending on the pet owner’s perception, the word training may refer to obedience in a dog, while many others may interpret training with the image of a dog that does his potty outside the house without anyone noticing. As some of these assumptions are potentially true, there is a little bit more to be understood by the meaning of dog training, some of which are outlined below.
Behavior Training
Behavior training aims to keep the dog under control, especially in public places. Obedience training exercises include managing interactive skills with people and other animals, behaving himself when tied to a leash, and most importantly, being able to accompany his owner for a walk in the park or social gathering. A dog trained in obedience will be able to go anywhere his owner takes him, without being afraid of incidents.
Activity Training
This type of training involves more activity specific task, such as hunting, being part of a team in a rescue mission, or guiding the blind.

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