Goldern retrivers Are Great Gun Dogs As Well As Surfing Partners
If you are looking for an excellent hunting dog that is a ray of sunshine as well, then you are probably going to luck out with the Golden Retriever. These dogs are friendly, devoted and gentle. They rarely exhibit any aggression and usually gets along with everyone; dogs, people, and even cats.
They are an ideal family dog since they are so dedicated to those in their family unit and they have a good deal of patience and they are very intelligent. This intelligence is what makes them such a good retriever to use in the field and is the reason behind their use as therapy and guide dogs, along with many other jobs.
The Golden Retriever is very easy to train and while they work hard, they tend to approach it in a playful manner. They often have a kind expression on their face and are considered one of the more beautiful gundogs with their distinctive coat in varying shades of gold.
While the Golden Retriever is not the dog for everyone, there is a certain humor in them that makes them a real joy to watch in the field.
Pro’s and con’s of owning a Pudelpointer
Like the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever is one of the more popular dog breeds in North America. They are usually very gentle and happy and have many good traits that make them a wonderful addition to any home but there are also many traits that are a definite con for the breed. It is important that you understand the Golden Retriever completely before you purchase one and that you never purchase a Golden Retriever simply because it is a popular breed.
The Pro’s
Like all dog breed, there are a number of pros when you look at a Golden Retriever.
• They make excellent family dogs and do very well with children, although they may not be the best for young children since they can be very rowdy.
• They are very friendly and will usually accept everyone.
• Golden Retrievers are very athletic and enjoy being at work in the field.
• They do not have a lot of aggression problems and will usually do well in a home with multiple pets.
• While they do better in a home with a large yard, they can adapt to other living such as in apartments.
• They are usually very easy to train since they are eager to please.
The Con’s
Again, although the Golden Retriever is an excellent hunting and family dog, there are a number of cons that potential owners should take into consideration before they purchase a Golden Retriever puppy.
• Golden Retrievers have a large number of hereditary health issues. It is very important to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder to reduce the risk of these problems.
• They are very energetic and require about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day.
• They are regular shedders but there are periods in the year where they are heavy shedders.
• They require regular grooming, usually once to twice a week and daily during periods when they are “blowing” their coat.
• Golden Retrievers are extremely mouthy. They will chew different objects and may nip at hands.
• They can suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone for long periods of time.
• They are usually very rowdy, especially when young and will jump up on children and adults alike. In addition, they mature very slowly so they will have the nature of a puppy even as adults.
Health Issues:
The Golden Retriever, like the Labrador Retriever, is a very popular dog and has experienced a lot of problems with backyard breeding and puppy mills. For this reason and other improper breeding practices, the health of the Golden Retriever has declined and there are a number of hereditary health issues that can arise. To reduce the risk of purchasing a Golden Retriever with health problems, it is important that you only purchase a Golden Retriever from a reputable breeder that does all of the health screens and only uses healthy dogs in their breeding program. Health issues that have been seen in the Golden Retriever are:
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Distchiasis
• Gastric Torsion
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Cataracts
• Allergies
• Epilepsy
• Osteochondritis dissecans
• Cardiomyopathy
• Osteosarcoma
• Entropion
• Cardiomyopathy
• Subvalvular aortic stenosis
• Trichiasis
• von Willebrand’s Disease
Height & Weight:
The Golden Retriever is a beautiful, large sized dog that is very distinct with a symmetrical appearance that is powerful and graceful. They have a strong head and their body should be slightly longer than they are tall with a 12:11 ratio.
The size of the Golden Retriever is:
Males: 23 to 24 inches (58 to 61 cm) tall and 65 to 75 pounds (29 to 34 kg.)
Females: 21.5 to 22.5 inches (55 to 57 cm) tall and 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29 kg.)
Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.
Grooming:
Despite the fact that the Golden Retriever has a beautiful coat of medium to long feathered hair, they are actually quite easy to groom. The main point to consider with grooming is that it should be done on a regular basis to keep their coats healthy and free of mats.
Known as a regular shedder, there will be periods in the year when they are actually a heavy shedder. When they are blowing their undercoat, care should be taken to brush the Golden Retriever every day. At other times of the year, weekly or twice weekly brushings is enough to keep the coat free of debris.
If you are working your dog in the field, make sure that you brush out any brambles or other debris from the dog’s coat. Also pay close attention to the feet. Keep the nails trimmed and clip back any long hair from between the toes.
Since the Golden Retriever has a weather resistant undercoat, it is important to only bathe them occasionally. Once or twice a year should be enough but you should try to avoid doing it more than once a month. After a bath, make sure that the ears are clean and dry to prevent any ear infections from occurring.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
History:
As surprising as it may seem to others, the Golden Retriever is actually a fairly young breed and can trace its origins back to 1864 in Scotland and to one man by the name of Lord Tweedmouth.
During that time, Lord Tweedmouth decided that he wanted to produce a new breed of hunting dog. For this reason, he combined the Tweed Water Spaniel, which was similar in appearance and temperament to a Flat Coated Retriever but was actually yellow in color instead of black with several other dog breeds. These were the Irish setter, and the Flat Coated Retriever. Through these breedings, he was able to create a dog that was beautiful and an excellent working dog.
From these puppies, the Golden Retriever breed was born and Lord Tweedmouth and his family, specifically his nephew, Lord Ilchester, continued to produce more golden Retrievers and all of the golden Retrievers can trace their pedigree back to those dogs owned by the Lord Tweedmouth and his family.
Despite having created such a breathtaking dog, the breed did not gain any public interest until 1908 when it was entered into a Kennel Club Show as a Yellow Flat Coated Retriever. At this time, interest in the “Golden Retriever,” later coined by a man named Lord Harcourt, grew and the breed can attribute much of its advancement to a Mrs. Charlesworth who became an enthusiast for the breed.
By 1911, the Golden Retriever Club was established and by 1913, the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club of England.
Grouping:
Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Recognition:
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR
For more info on goldern retrievers try the Golden Retriever Club of America