golden retrievers

Because they have been so popular over the last 50 years or so, Golden Retrievers have been over-bred, resulting in a genetic predisposition to experience specific health problems. Unfortunately, as greedy breeders often fail to screen their breeding animals, additional hereditary health problems are introduced to the breed. If you have a Golden, or plan to bring one into your home, you should know about the more common hereditary problems that may reduce the quality or length of your Golden Retriever’s life.

Health Problems Known to Be Inherited by Golden Retrievers

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: When growing hip joints don’t form properly, juvenile and adult Retrievers may have an uneven gait or even severe lameness. This inheredited disorder is common to many large dogs, and while is not usually noticeable in puppies, hip dysplasia will begin to show when your Golden is between four and nine months old. The severity of the condition varies greatly from dog to dog, but most Goldens with hip dysplasia will develop arthritis as they age. Moderate exercise, weight control, and inflammatory medications will help with the discomfort of this problem. Not all Golden Retrievers will show, or even know about, their hip dysplasia if it’s a mild form. Golden’s with hip dysplasia can live long, happy lives, but they should not be bred.

Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is developmental problem in young dogs. It is not as common as hip dysplasia, but it can be aggravated by over-feeding and too much nutrition in early puppyhood. Care and treatment are the same as for hip dysplasia. And, of course, Golden Retrievers with hip dysplasia should not be bred.

Eye Disease: Golden Retrievers frequently suffer from hereditary cataracts. They can range from mild problems that do not interfere with your Golden’s vision to severe cataracts that cause blindness as the dog ages. Eyelid and eyelash problems may be hereditary, though not all are. When the lids or lashes turn in, they may irritate the eyeball. Depending on the severity of this problem, surgery may be necessary. Because it’s hard to tell whether eye diseases result from heredity or environment, it’s best not to breed a Golden Retriever with frequent or chronic eye problems.

Heart Disease: Golden Retrievers are known to inherit Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS) that may be hard to detect. Heart murmur is the best indicator, although it is not always present when the problem exists. Your veterinarian may be able to identify the problem by listening with a stethoscope or more invasive necropsy. If your Golden has SAS, consult with your veterinerian about the best treatments.

Golden Retriever Health Problems Suspected to be Inherited

Epilepsy: Characterized by seizures, epilepsy can result from environmental sources and viral infections. While watching your Golden Retriever go through a seizure is very uncomfortable, it may not be dangerous to your dog’s long-term quality of life. You can get medications from your vet to control the seizures. Do not breed a Golden Retriever that has seizures to avoid the chance of passing the disorder on to its puppies.

Skin Allergies: The most common medical problem that Golden Retrievers experience is skin allergies, although it’s difficult to know if they are genetic or environmental in nature. Your Golden may have skin allergies if it obsessively bites or scratches. It can even create bald spots in its coat if it goes untreated. Skin allergies are a natural reaction to flea, mite, and tick bites and can be reduced or avoided by regular grooming and shampooing with commercial flea and tick products. Your Golden could also be allergic to mold and other indoor air pollutants. Regular house-cleaning should reduce the problem. Diet can be very important to treating and avoiding allergic reactions in Golden Retrievers, so do your research to find the appropriate feeding regimen for your dog.

Hypothyroidism: Golden Retrievers affected by this failure of the thyroid gland to function properly may be obese or have problems maintaining a healthy coat. Some Golden’s with hypothyroidism will also have seizures. However, most problems should resolve upon the administration of oral medicines. Assuring your Golden is generally healthy by providing a balanced nutritious diet, plenty of exercise, and a safe living environment will do much to prevent or reduce the impacts of hypothyroidism. Goldens with this problem may have more difficulty breeding than you’d expect, although it is recommended that you do not even try to breed a Golden Retriever with this or other hereditary conditions.

Tips on Selecting and Caring for Your Golden Retriever

These are a few of the medical problems often found in Golden Retrievers. It’s an unfortunate irony that the more popular a dog is, the more likely breeding is to bring out health problems specific to the breed. One way to avoid these problems is to be very careful in selecting the breeder, shelter, or pet store that supplies your dog. Insist on reviewing the dog’s records, and inspect the facility. Knowing that the offerer has a passionate love for Golden Retrievers is one way to assure your Golden is not plagued by the problems that result from breeding and over-breeding unhealthy dogs.

No matter what symptoms your Golden Retriever exhibits, the careful pet owner does not jump to conclusions or make uneducated diagnoses. If you are concerned about your Golden, be sure to take it to the vet as soon as you can. Rely on the education and experience of a certified veterinarian in identifying health problems and treating them.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/golden-retrievers-common-illnesses-the-3-major-health-affectors-753322.html

Nobody can deny that Golden Retrievers are exceptionally good-looking and loyal. They not only make great hunting companions but also charming family pets. Golden Retrievers can guide the blind, detect drugs, and even track people who are reported missing. In spite of the large variety of fascinating breeds available, Golden Retrievers are in a unique class of their own.

Do not be in a hurry to purchase a Golden Retriever pup. Take your time and exercise a lot of patience. You want to buy a healthy pup, which will grow up into a fine dog. You might end up with the wrong type of pup if you rush into a purchase. You can save a lot of valuable time and money by not rushing into making a purchase and carefully selecting your pup.

Learn about the Breed

Find out a few facts about the breed before you purchase a Golden Retriever for a pet. You can learn as much as possible about the dog of your choice from dog shows, which give you a chance to meet other owners of this breed.

Visit the local Kennel Club. Golden Retriever owners are proud of their pets and will be enthusiastic and eager to share any amount of information with you. Members of the local branches of the Golden Retriever Club of America can provide with a comphrehensive list of dog breeders in your locality.

Purchase from the Right Source

It is a good idea to purchase your Golden Retriever pup from local puppy mills or backyard breeders. In fact, the best purchase of a Retriever pup can be made from backyard breeders because they not only have plenty of knowledge about the breed but also take good care of them.

Moreover, backyard breeders are not just interested in making a profit. They actually have a genuine concern and liking for the dogs and will see to it that you get the best pup. Even if the breeders don’t have any pups for sale at the moment, they can guide you to other breeders and thus help you find the pup of your heart’s desire. You can thereby ensure that you get your pup from a reliable sources.

There are several breeders who are interested only in getting a profit or just want a litter. Beware of such breeders because they usually produce Golden Retrievers of poor quality. They hardly care for the dogs’ health, looks, temparament, or quality. If you purchase a pup from such sources, you will find yourself with a dog that has poor health, the wrong type of temparament, and breed defects.

When you purchase your Golden Retriever pup, think about the long-term consequences of the purchase. Purchase from a reliable breeder of high quality, and you will have nothing more to worry about. After all, you are not just buying a puppy, you are getting yourself a life-long friend and companion.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/purchasing-a-golden-retriever-a-golden-investment-753438.html

All types of dogs love being in a pack; their security depends on their ability to mingle and communicate with the other dogs in the group. Over the years, however, the Golden Retriever has developed a closer relationship with human beings than with dogs. They can guide the blind, provide companionship to young children, and assist hunters. Thanks to their breeding, Golden Retrievers have evolved in such a way that they now need to frequently interact with people.

Golden Retrievers have a forgiving nature. They endlessly forgive all the mistakes their owners make. The only thing they desire from you is that you acknowledge their existence and give them a pat on the head. They love to please their owners; in fact, they are among the first three breeds of dogs to win the Obedience Trial Championships.

Since Golden Retriever’s love the company of people, it is of great importance that you ensure that they in close contact with you and your family. Include your Goden Retriever in any family activity that you organize. Normally, they don’t annoy you by barking. The only thing that makes them bark, however, is boredom. A stout, adult Golden Retriever enjoys adventures such as hiking, huntin, jogging, walking, and any other activity that requires physical exertion.

Expose your Golden Retriever to your kids ever since its earliest days and he or she will become even better with children. While this breed is very loving and friendly toward children, they can knock little children over and lick them all over the face. Your Golden Retriever might be great with your kids, but don’t leave your kids and your dog alone together. Your dog might inadvertently harm them according to its natural instinct if you kids accidentally poke it or pull its tail.

Golden Retrievers love water and enjoy plunging into it. If you own a swimming pool or a pond of some sort, the sight of your Golden Retreiver having a dip whenever it gets an opportunity will be a common one. They also love mud and will roll in it. It is quite normal for your dog to get dirty often. You will have to bathe your Golden Retriever every other day once it becomes an adult.

Ensure that your Golden Retriever gets plenty of fresh air, water, and shade in the summer. Heat is not really good for this breed, though they enjoy it. Take good care of your Golden Retriever in the summer and don’t let it exert itself, and it will enjoy perfect health even though the summer is at its peak.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/golden-retriever-characteristics-its-heart-is-gold-too-753440.html

Now that you’ve brought a Golden Retriever into your home and family, you’ll want the reassurance that it will be a positive addition, not a constant bother. Here are some training tips for your Golden Retriever.

When you consider training your new Golden Retriever, know that there are different types of training that address different aspects of your dogs personality and conduct.

Behavior training is the approach where you teach your Golden Retriever to be a good dog in general. This may include house breaking, welcoming visitors (be they people or other animals), leash training, and types of training that make your Golden Retriever a better companion. The way you relate to your dog will determine much of his way of relating to his world. If you’re nervous and excitable and communicate those traits, your Golden Retriever will be nervous and excitable. On the other hand, if you speak softly and remain calm, your Golden Retriever will be a more laid-back dog.

Activity training teaches your Golden Retriever how to accomplish specific tasks like agility training, search and rescue, hunting, disability support, and herding. Golden Retrievers are strong athletic dogs that enjoy frequent exercise. They’re also smart dogs that appreciate being challenged and competing against other dogs for recognition and rewards. Of course, you’ll have the best luck if you select activities appropriate to the breed like guiding people, field trials, and service.
Goldens were first bred in Great Britain in the 1800s as a game-retrieving dog, so games that mimic finding and returning “game” like a frisbee are perfect for your Golden Retriever. Remember that Goldens are high-energy dogs that need to burn a lot of exercise on a daily basis. Active, challenging tasks are perfect to keep them happy and healthy and to maintain a balance temperament. Golden Retrievers are comfortable with routines and adapt easily to schedules where they know what to expect at certain times of day.

Obedience training focuses on the dog’s specific responses to specific commands. Obedience training promotes well-behaved, easily controlled Golden Retrievers. Goldens in obedience training learn how to listen to and carry out your commands (like “sit,” “heel,” and “Stay”), how to interpret hand signals and tone of voice, and appropriate responses to each command. Successful obedience training will give your Golden a head start on other types of training.

You should know that, due to their popularity, Golden Retriever characteristics and health issues have been changing. Possible over-breeding has created some problems not traditionally associated with Goldens. For example, while most Golden Retrievers are happy, socially outgoing, and anxious to please, more and more of this breed are overly aggressive or very shy, contradicting expectations. Because they are so loving, some Goldens suffer from separation anxiety. This can present behavioral problems that need additional or specialized training.

Getting your Golden enough exercise and enough mental stimulation is critical to good behavior. A Golden who’s left indoors or alone much of the time is likely to be nervous, temperamental, and hard to handle. Daily walks are critical, and more vigorous exercise is advisable.

Goldens are also very smart dogs. They pick up new behaviors quickly and remember them well. They are anxious to please and will respond well to generous praise and affection as rewards for jobs well done. With proper training in all three areas - behavior, activity, and obedience - your Golden Retriever will be an ideal companion that will share many happy years with you.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/training-golden-retriever-3-best-training-activities-on-roll-753327.html

Starting your new Golden Retriever puppy out on the right foot by feeding him properly will help him grow to be a happy, healthy adult. Puppies receive their nutrients from their mother until they’re about 7 weeks old. But at about three weeks, it’s time to start giving them puppy food that has been soaked and mixed to a thin paste that resembles the food they get from mom. The breeder should have started this process before you pick up your new Golden Retriever puppy.

Before you bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, be sure to find out exactly what food he’s been given and the times he’s been fed. Because puppy stomachs are very sensitive, it’s important to continue the same regimen. When you begin to change to a more mature diet, gradually transition from 25% new mix with 75% of the old diet to the opposite (75% new and 25% old) over a ten-day period. This will give your Golden Retriever puppy time to adjust to the new diet without undue discomfort or digestive problems.

When your Golden Retriever puppy is at least 8 weeks old, it is acceptable to separate him from his mother and bring him home to meet his new family. At first, your new puppy may not show much interest in eating. Changes this big can be very stressful. Don’t force him to eat. Once he figures out he doesn’t have to fit his brothers and sisters to get his fair share, he’ll become more curious and hungry. So don’t worry if he only sniffs and nibbles at first.

Puppies need twice the nutrients that adult Golden Retrievers need to stay healthy. Don’t be tempted to use too many treats with your Golden Retriever puppy, as they do not contain enough nutrients for his healthy growth. For the fist few weeks, stick to the type of food and the same feeding schedule as he was getting from the breeder. It’s hard for a new Golden Retriever puppy to adjust to changes, and maintaining a stable schedule with familiar food will be a nice balance to the shock of new surroundings and people. During the transition to the new food, watch closely for vomiting, loose stool or constipation. If these occur, slow down the transition until your Golden Retriever puppy adjusts and can eat without becoming upset or ill.

Professionals recommend that puppies should eat three times a day until they are about six months old. But it’s a good idea to take the puppy to your vet as soon as you can. Get him checked out, and discuss diet and nutrition with your vet. Your vet will be able to give you tips on appropriate weights so that you can avoid over- or under-feeding your new Golden Retriever puppy.

The feeding schedule will, of course, be largely determined by your own schedule. But set regular times, and stick to them. Your new Golden Retriever puppy need stability, and sticking to a set schedule will help you with house-training, as his bathroom habits will be regular and predictable. Be sure to provide ample water during and after his meals. Set aside some quiet time for your Golden Retriever puppy after meals to avoid stomach problems. Expect your puppy to need to go to the bathroom within a hour or so. Ask the kids not to play with the puppy for the first hour to hour-and-a-half after he eats.

When your Golden Retriever puppy has learned to sleep through the night, make it a habit to take him outside for a potty break each morning. Then feed him, allowing for about an hour of quiet time afterward. Stick to your feeding schedule as much as you possibly can. You should schedule the last feeling at last an hour or so before you plan to go to bed so that you can give him a potty break before everyone settles in for a good night’s rest. Until your Golden Retriever puppy is house-broken, provide puppy pads or newspapers near (not in) his sleeping area in case he can’t wake you up for a trip outside.

By the time your Golden Retriever puppy is 8 to 10 weeks old, he should be on a diet of dry dog food. You can add a little warm water to make it more appetizing, but don’t use canned or moist dog food. These are mostly water and not nearly as nutritious as the dry foods. The warm water will encourage your Golden Retriever puppy to eat all his food, though you may need to sit with him and add more warm water a little at a time. From three to six months, your Golden Retriever puppy will be teething. He may appear to be sick, but unless it lasts over two days, don’t worry. It’s growing pains.

Never feed your Golden Retriever puppy table scraps. They are likely to upset his stomach, and they are not the nutrition he needs at this stage of his growth. As your puppy grows, his stomach will grow, and he’ll eat more. At about six months, you should begin to feed him twice a day, in the morning and at night, but continue to use a diet of puppy food. Being larger dogs, you may want to keep your Golden Retriever on puppy food well into his second year. But you should reduce feeding to once per day, always offering plenty of water during and after his meal. When you do switch to adult dog foods, be sure to select a quality brand with adequate nutrition for your Golden Retriever.

If you follow these guidelines and show your new Golden Retriever plenty of love and affection, you’ll give him a great start to a long, happy, healthy lifetime with your family. He’ll be a valuable and beloved member of your family for years.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/got-a-golden-retriever-give-your-golden-retriever-puppy-a-healthy-start-753317.html

are they the same?
I’m also debating whether to get a labrador or golden retriever (or a lab retriever/ golden lab) can someone tell me the the pros and cons of the two?
please…don’t preach to me about adopting I’ve adopted before and I’ll do it again.

You’ve actually got two questions here.

First, as to the difference between a Golden Lab and a Labrador Retriever. There is no "Golden Lab" — this is a name that some people use for a Yellow Lab (Labs come in three basic colors — yellow, black and chocolate). If someone is trying to sell you a "Golden Lab" run like crazy in the opposite direction. They either don’t know what the true name of the dog is or they are trying to sell you a Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever cross.

Labs and Goldens are two very different breeds. I’m not either a Golden or a Lab person, but essentially, the Lab is a little more independent, a little more boisterous and *can be* a little more hyper. They are a short-coated breed, although their coat is double and they do shed like crazy.

Golden Retrievers come in *one* basic color — golden — in various shades from very pale cream to an almost Irish Setter red. Their coat is longer, with more feathering. They are a very devoted, easygoing breed and are very popular in as obedience dogs because they are easy to train. They are generally a little more laid back than Labs.

I’ll let someone who has the dog go into the cons, as my idea of the cons may not be the same as theirs. Neither would be my choice of breed, but that’s an individual taste, not necessarily the "fault" of the dog!

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.

Working ability was of great practical importance, much like the other Scottish breeds of dogs. There was little room or funds for “free-loaders” - dogs had to pay their way. In the early 1900s the dogs made their way to shows as a “Retriever - wavy or flat coated, any other color” but in 1920 officially named Golden Retriever. In 1932 the AKC recognized the breed here in the U.S.

Currently by the standard males are 23-24 inches with females slightly smaller, with dogs 65-75 pounds and females 55-65. Those interested in showing may find the physical standard at http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/ - and it bears noting that many dogs are used for more than showing.

Like several other large breeds the Golden Retriever is subject to some hereditary diseases. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), eyelid problems, a heart disease known as subvavular aortic stenosis, thyroid disorders, seizure disorders and other health issues which affect all breeds. Many of these hereditary disorders can be found by testing, and animals that show signs of these diseases should not be used for breeding. Unfortunately, many lower priced puppies do not have breeders who test for these disorders so often you don’t know what you are truly getting. While the breed can easily live to over 10 years old, one statistic reports just over 60% of older goldens being affected by cancer - something that bears watching in your older dogs.

Select your puppy with longevity in mind. This is a breed that can have 8-10, sometimes 12 puppies - and a dozen growing little mouths is a lot of time to raise them properly.

Regular grooming is essential for this breed. Their distinctive coat is for outdoor activities but regular brushing is needed. Also, some Goldens get matts in the fine hairs especially near their flanks, on the chest and behind the elbow. Trimming these out before they get down close to the skin makes for a happier dog. Regular grooming keeps the burrs and other material out of the coat also. Nail trimming and dental care is needed, as with any dog.

Many naturally love water also. As with some other retrievers, take care that the dog does not become overweight, which can lead to other health problems. For a larger breed they don’t eat as much as some people expect, and can easily become overweight, which shortens their life.

The selection for intelligence and function has developed a dog that today suits many needs in a wide variety of activities. From a beautiful and energetic show dog to a calm service dog, a hunter, a K-9, search and rescue, dog freestyle, agility, flyball, tracking and many other activities the Golden is a breed that seeks to perform and please.

While as a K-9 they aren’t likely to have the drive to take down a criminal, their use is for other important tasks. Their nose, developed for hunting, can still be used in the field today hunting and retrieving birds. Goldens are also highly visible for searching for lost people.

An example of what these amazing dogs can do is displayed in dogs like “Austin,” a Golden Retriever inducted into the Texas Animal Hall of Fame as well as honored with the US Search and Rescue Dog of the Year from the AKC. A group of hunters found Austin, lost in the woods near Houston, and the pup was turned over to a breed rescue then trained as a hearing and service dog. His life took another turn when he became a cop. Certified in advance tracking, area and evidence search, cadaver search and air operations, Austin can search for lost people, can calmly helicopter in and with his handler dangle off the edge of a cliff.

Golden Retrievers have been on the front lines of disasters such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the World Trade Center attacks, hurricane Katrina as well as many other natural and man-made disasters around the world.

Golden Retrievers have served as heroes of other kinds too. Their work with autistic people, as service dogs with a wide range of duties and as guide dogs are but a few ways they help people. Searching for drugs, explosives and other illegal things makes use of the breed’s intelligence and discernment.

Probably the most recognized celebrity of the breed is “Duke”, the mischievous opportunist seeking to sell the secret recipe for Bush’s beans on television commercials. “Liberty” was a White House dog, as President Gerald Ford’s dog. “Victory” was another presidential dog, beingowned by Ronald Reagan. Christopher Reeves had a Golden as an assistance dog.

Among the celebrity ties in the breed is Oprah, Dean Koontz, Jim Belushi, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Tom Cruise, Billy Ray Cyrus, Neil Diamond, Ron Howard, Paul Newman, Conan O’Brien, Joe Pesci, Jane Seymour, Martha Stewart and Alan Thicke are but a few celebrities with Golden Retrievers.

Equally, the list of Golden Retriever heroes is long. Many have saved people from fires. A 15 year old Golden saved the life of a three week old baby by alerting his owners something was wrong with the child. The AKC awarded this hero with special honors - sadly, less than a year later Bullet lost his life to cancer. Goldens have also saved their owners from bears, choking, snakes, carbon monoxide, cancer, coyotes, drowning and freezing. One sniffed the owner’s brain tumor while another alerted to a heart attack.

These are all expressions of the loyalty from the breed and help explain why so many people love this breed. Ranking fourth nationally in 2007, they were first in Honolulu. They rank second in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Minnepolis-St. Paul, Portland, Raleigh, Seattle and St. Louis. They were also listed third in Dallas, Des Moines, Little Rock, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, San Diego and San Francisco (tied).

The Golden Retreiver is truly a people’s dog. A dog of many hats but with the same dedication, loyalty and willingness to please as a hundred years ago, they are a breed for a wide range of living situations providing the owners understand the breed, provide training and exercise and treasure the dog. Treasure him not as a human, which demeans him and takes away those special things dogs can do that we can’t, but as a creature who seems to understand we are flawed and worships us anyway.

David Beart
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/golden-retriever-713844.html

I am getting a dog soon and I want a golden retriever but there is a dog available but is a golden retriever/shepard mix. whats the difference between a golden retriever and a golden retriever/ shepard mix?

all the answers here are pretty much correct. i have 3 golden retrievers and 2 golden retriever /german shepherd mixed. i assume you are talking about getting one from a shelter?? sometimes they will say it is a mix of shep/golden and they are not. the shelters are like anyone else, they guess at the breeds mixed in these dog. so if you are really wanting a golden i would hold out for the golden. all of my dogs are laid back except one of the mixes,he is very protective of me, so much so that i have to put him in another room if anyone comes to the door. i know that is the shepherd in him. most of the shep/retriever mixes look more shepherds than retrievers.

Golden retrievers are generally healthy dogs, with strong and sound constitutions. They are extremely popular as family pets. However, there are some medical problems of Golden retrievers that all Golden owners should know.

These are inherited by the golden retriever in its genes and are quite common. So, if you’re planning to get yourself a golden retriever puppy, be sure to get a well-bred puppy from a reputed breeder.

The truth is, that poor breeding of the golden retriever has tarnished its reputation without any fault of the breed. Here are some commonly found medical problems of Golden retrievers.

Hip Dyslapsia

In Golden retrievers this is a common problem, which occurs because of a malformed joint. It causes the better part of the femur to not be properly aligned with the cup of the hip socket. This is one of the medical problems of Golden retrievers, which can range from mild to relatively severe.

It is not something to worry about, and with proper diet and exercise your dog will be able to lead a completely normal and active life. In extremely rare circumstances, surgical correction or euthanasia are required as a last resort.

Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)

OCD is a bone formation disorder, which takes place due to a defect in the transition of cartilage into bone, while the dog is growing up. Research has shown this condition to be genetic and it appears more commonly in some lines of Golden retrievers than others. Environmental factors can also contribute to aggravating this problem.

Panosteitis

This medical problem of Golden retrievers affects them in their early age when they are 5 to 14 months old. Also referred to as wandering lameness, it causes sudden lameness in dogs.

Epilepsy

This too is a hereditary disorder, which causes seizures. There is no cure, but it can be controlled with medication. This medical problem of Golden retrievers allows them to lead a very normal life. But they should not be placed in very stressful situations, and most certainly should not be bred if they have epilepsy.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

(PRA), and central (PRA) are among the most common retina based problems found in Golden retrievers. Symptoms begin to manifest in dogs around the age of two and degenerative in nature. Sadly, this condition is also hereditary. So it is wise to make sure that both parents do not have this problem before you consider picking up a pup born to them.

Ear care

It’s a good idea to continuously clean your dogs ears, as they are likely to pick up a lot of dust and dirt when they are out. This way they would not pick up any ear infections.

Juvenile cataracts

This particular medical problem of Golden retrievers is also hereditary and is also a fact you should look out for when looking to purchase a golden retriever pup.

Seborrhea

Primary sebhorrea is a medical problem of Golden retrievers, which gives them yellowish brownish scales, a greasy coat, and an irritable itchy skin with a foul smell. You can take your dog to your vet to get this problem treated, as it is not too serious.

Just buy a golden retriever from a reputed breeder and do some checks on the pups mother and father and you will be fine! If your golden retriever develops a disease at an older age, do not worry. Just take it to the Vet. Lastly, keep your golden clean and take good care of it!

Peter Finch
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/medical-problems-of-golden-retrievers-185825.html