The Official Guide All About The Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever: The Basics

A Golden retriever is an AKC recognized breed of dog in the sporting group; Golden Retrievers tend to have an average activity level and enjoy fetching. Golden Retrievers are also considered gun dogs because of their origins as bird hunter’s companions.

There are a few types of golden retriever which are very popular in America as a family dog known for its gentle nature, loyalty and dependability. For the same reasons, it’s adored by families. The breed tends to make a poor watch dog, as being aggressive is simply not in its nature.

Choosing A Golden Retriever Breeder

There are many items that need to be considered when choosing a golden retriever breeder to purchase a dog from; among these things are how many dogs with puppies they have, the conditions under which they keep the puppies and adults, and how much information they ask you.

You want to choose a breeder that only has one or two dogs that they are breeding at any given time, more than that could be a warning sign of someone who is just trying to make money, and doesn’t truly care about the dogs.

How a golden retriever breeder treats their puppies and adult dogs will tell you about the temperament you can expect from your puppy once it returns home with you. A puppy that is isolated from people, or has never been exposed to children, may be timid and slow to warm to a family.

How much information a golden retriever breeder wants from you will also tell you how much they care about the dogs they are raising; a quality breeder will not be eager to give a puppy to the first person that calls. They should ask a lot of probing questions such as what other pets you have, if you have children, does your apartment/condo/home owners association allow dogs, and where you will take the dog for all necessary medical care. A very competent breeder will also ask for documentation to confirm all the information given to them.

Choosing A Golden Retriever Puppy

Besides the basic things that one always looks for in a puppy; like how friendly it is, how healthy it looks, how old it is, and the general feeling you get about the puppy, there are some specific things to look for in a golden retriever puppy. The coat is important on assessing the health and quality of a golden retriever puppy, as are the color of the eyes, the shape of the ears, and the color of the nose.

The breeder you choose should keep the golden retriever puppy with their family and its siblings; this will be apparent if the puppy is friendly and interested in you the visitor. This also lets you know that you have a low risk of getting a puppy with behavioral problems.

Taking Care Of A Golden Retriever

A Golden Retriever has a medium length coat that requires a moderate amount of care; regular bathing, brushing, and prescription flee repellant should keep your golden retriever in good health. As with all dogs, yearly vaccinations are very important to overall health, as is the quality of food that you serve it.

Golden retriever care also pertains to treats and training; they are very intelligent and trainable dogs but, as with anything, consistency and repetition will determine your rate of success. Something else to consider is the type of treats you give it and the way you play; to care for your golden retriever you should be sure to encourage their natural retrieving instinct.

Training Your Golden Retriever

Training is the biggest and potentially easiest part of owning a golden retriever; they are very responsive to your attention and will therefore do what they can to receive it. Because they are so social, golden retriever training at a school serves two purposes; it will train you on the proper way to instruct your dog and it will encourage your dog’s naturally social behavior. Golden retrievers are smart dogs and they tend to catch on quickly so be prepared to be amazed.

What Is Golden Retriever Rescue?

Golden retriever rescue organizations adopt only Golden Retrievers; these dogs are often abandoned or surrendered because they are more work than the original owner anticipated. It is not uncommon for Golden Retrievers to display playful energetic behavior for three years or more. Golden retriever rescue is a great place to adopt a dog; they’re usually spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Knowing about the golden retriever dog is a good way to make sure that the breed is a good match for you.