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Article #144: The Versatile Golden Retriever

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So you are interested in acquiring a and you must supervise young toddlers
Golden Retriever because you think it is around them in order to avoid toddler
a friendly and good looking dog breed and knock down. Therefore Goldens should be
you have heard that it behaves well with socialized and obedience trained when
children. Well you are right in that the they are puppies. On the other hand,
Golden is one of the best family-oriented young children also must be supervised as
dogs in the world as well as being one of the Golden is so docile it will let them
the best looking and friendliest of the do almost anything to it - even dress the
retriever dog breeds. dog up like a doll. Goldens also have a
However, to simply limit the Golden's tendency to mouth everything and
description to child-friendly and good everybody so they should be provided with
looking is to do the dog breed a major lots of toys to carry around. The
disservice. The Golden Retriever is one friendly Golden, with its constantly
of the most versatile dog breeds known to wagging tail, will clear coffee tables
man. This retriever is a good hunting wherever it walks. Goldens should be
dog, guide dog for the blind, narcotics given regular exercise, not too vigorous,
dog, as well as an outstanding competitor several times a day when they are young.
in agility, retriever field trial, and After the Golden is fully grown it can be
obedience competitions. The versatile taken jogging, hiking or biking. These
Golden manages all this while being an retrievers love to swim whenever possible
outstanding family dog. The list of and if given enough exercise can adapt to
superlatives that can be used to describe most living conditions.
this breed are endless, but we can limit If you are seriously interested in
ourselves to: gentle, confidant, loyal, acquiring a Golden Retriever then you
cheerful, trustworthy, active, friendly, should check with your national pure-bred
intelligent, eager to please and dog organizations such as the American (
responsive to training. It is these last or Canadian Kennel ( Clubs to look for
three characteristics that enable the conformation shows in your area. Make
Golden to be trained to such a high-level sure you talk to owners and breeders at
for work and competition. Additional these shows to see if your lifestyle is
information on activities for dogs can be really suited to this breed. Additional
found in my article Fun Dog Activities. information on Goldens and on specific
The origin of the Golden can be traced shows and competitions in your area can
back to mid-19th century Britain. A be found by checking with the national
Scotsman, Sir Dudley Marjoribanks later Golden Retriever Clubs. In the US it is
Lord Tweedsmuir, developed the breed both the Golden Retriever Club of America (
as a land hunting dog and a water and in Canada it is the Golden Retriever
retriever. The breeding records show that Club of Canada ( Both of these umbrella
the Golden has a mixture of sporting dog organizations will point you to the local
breeds in its lineage. These breeds chapter closest to your home that will be
include the wavy-coated Retriever, the able to provide you with information on
yellow Tweed Water Spaniel, the Irish reputable breeders. They can also provide
Setter and the sandy-colored Bloodhound. you with information on Golden Retriever
The resulting line of Golden Retrievers rescue organizations in case you wish to
was officially recognized as a pure-bred obtain an adult dog.
breed in Britain in 1913 and by the The national Golden Retriever clubs are
American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1925. The dedicated to improving the bloodlines of
Golden's water-repellant coat may be a Golden's and eliminating and reducing the
rich shade of gold or a lighter cream incidence of inherited diseases. These
color. The coat is easy to care for and clubs will encourage you to ask the
only requires weekly combing and brushing breeder for the health clearances
except when shedding. Male Goldens are appropriate for Goldens. Goldens are a
fairly large and stand 23 to 24 inches fairly robust and healthy dog breed that
tall at shoulder height and weigh from 65 can be expected to live for 10 to 14
to 75 pounds. Females are smaller and years. Unfortunately, because of the dog
stand 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall at breeds popularity some backyard breeders
shoulder height and weigh from 55 to 65 and puppy mills are producing defective
pounds. The popularity of the Golden is and even aggressive representatives of
not due to its prowess as a hunting dog the breed. Common health problems
or its ability to be trained to a include: inherited musculoskeletal
high-level for work and competition. It disorders such as hip dysplasia and elbow
is largely based on its popularity as a dysplasia; eye diseases such as
family-oriented dog breed. The Golden was progressive retinal atrophy and juvenile
ranked 2nd out of 154 dog breeds in 2004 cataracts; sub aortic stenosis (SAS)
AKC registrations. heart disease and hypothyroidism.
It isn't, however, all smiles and Information on these inherited diseases
chuckles when raising a Golden. The can be found in my article Hereditary
Golden Retriever remains goofy and diseasesI am sure your life will be
puppy-like for several years. This can be greatly enhanced with a Golden Retriever
amusing but it can also be frustrating. as a companion.
Young Goldens tend to be overly exuberant






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