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CONSIDERATIONS

Golden Retrievers adore being in water, either clean or dirty.  Muddy puddles and rolling in unpleasant matter are a Golden Retrievers idea of heaven so you must be prepared for this.........

Things You Should Seriously Consider Before You Get Any Dog

• Do you want a dog as a family pet or for a particular activity?
• Would having a dog for twelve or more years fit into both your current circumstances and your future plans?
• Is your situation ideal for the requirements of your choice of dog?
• Can you afford the ongoing costs of dog ownership including food, veterinary fees, pet insurance, equipment and boarding kennel fees as well as the initial outlay?
• Are you willing to buy from a reputable specialised breeder and not from any other source such as puppy farmer or dealer?

• Are you willing to look at various litters and not buy on impulse?

Things You Should Know About Dogs

• Dogs prefer to live within the security of a pack structure, which can be made of humans, dogs and other animals.
• The pack provides a pack leader who offers moral and physical support, protection, supervision and guidance.
• Puppies inherit notions of pack behaviour at birth which is reinforced by their dam.
• Although a dog’s owner should be the pack leader, they should not over-dominate and should lead with positive reinforcement and fun.
• Some dogs may assume leadership amongst other animals, especially a group of dogs but they must never be allowed to think they are higher ranking than any human members of the pack – this includes children.
• Dogs will continue to make attempts to improve their rank within a pack, for example going through a door in front of you, even after they have been trained and therefore consistent boundaries are required throughout the dog’s life. 
• A canine pack leader will provide control and discipline through eye contact, body language and on occasions some verbal warning.  They rarely resort to physical conflict. 

Golden Retriever Statistics

Group:  Gundog

Place of Origin:  Scotland

Original Function:  Retrieving game

Life Expectancy:  12 or more years with correct feeding, exercise and care

Age of Maturity:  Around two years of age

Height at Withers:  Dogs - 56-61 cm (22-24 inches); Bitches - 51-56 cm (20-22) inches

Coat: Flat or wavy coat with good feathering and a dense water resistant undercoat. 

Hereditary Conditions:  Golden Retrievers are not totally free from hereditary defects.  At present there are Kennel Club/British Veterinary Association schemes for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and eye conditions.  They can also be affected by other illnesses, conditions and diseases.

 

Life With A Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers adore human companionship and it should not be subjected to a solitary existence where he will be left unattended for longs period of time, as they thrive on mental activity.

Golden Retrievers are intelligent, active, lively, biddable and fast learners.  However they are slow to mature and they initially require a lot of patience.

A Golden Retriever’s coat will need regular grooming and periodic trimming to keep it clean and in good condition. 

If you are house-proud it may be worth considering another breed as Golden Retrievers may continually moult if living indoors and the oils in their coat naturally disperse dried dirt into a fine dust creating more housework. 

Golden Retriever puppies and adolescents should not be over exercised, allowed to climb on furniture or go upstairs as this will cause excess pressure on their developing joints.

Adult Golden Retrievers adore exercise and at the very least will require regular walks.

Golden Retrievers adore being in water, either clean or dirty.  Muddy puddles and rolling in unpleasant matter are a Golden Retrievers idea of heaven so you must be prepared to groom your dog regularly.

Golden Retrievers are natural retrievers who cannot resist picking up stray items.  You must either be extra tidy or alternatively amenable to having shoes, socks and even underpants presented to family and friends.

Golden Retrievers require a large outside play area, which is escape-proof and easily accessible for toilet training.  A Golden Retriever would not be happy in a flat.

Nails should be clipped periodically for the dogs comfort.

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Breed Standard

General Appearance: Symmetrical, balanced, active, powerful, level mover, sound with kindly expression.

Characteristics: Biddable, intelligent and possessing natural working ability.

Temperament: Kindly, friendly and confident.

Head & Skull: Balanced and well-chiselled, skull broad without coarseness; well set on neck, muzzle powerful, wide and deep. Length of foreface approximately equals length from well-defined stop to occiput. Nose preferably black.

Eyes: Dark brown, set well apart, dark rims.

Ears: Moderate size, set on approximately level with eyes.

Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set to the jaws.

Neck: Good length, clean and muscular.

Forequarters: Forelegs straight with good bone, shoulders well laid back, long in blade with upper arm of equal length placing legs well under body. Elbows close fitting.

Body: Balanced, short coupled, deep through heart. Ribs deep and well sprung. Level top-line.

Hindquarters: Loin and legs strong and muscular, good second thighs, well bent stifles. Hocks well let down, straight when viewed from the rear, neither turning in nor out. Cow hocks highly undesirable.

Feet: Round and cat-like.

Tail: Set on and carried level with back, reaching the hocks without curl at tip.

Gait/Movement: Powerful with good drive. Straight and true in front and rear. Stride long and free with no sign of hackney action in front.

Coat: Flat or wavy with goof feathering, dense water-resisting undercoat.

Colour: Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on chest only permissible.

Size: Height at withers: Dogs 56-61cms (22-24ins); Bitches 51-56 cms (20-22ins).

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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If you have considered all these points and believe a Golden Retriever is the right breed for you, and you are ready to commit to home for twelve years or more, you must then consider the correct time to buy your dog.  The first twelve months of a puppy’s life are very time consuming as this will be period when most socialising and training is undertaken.  However you must also give a great deal of thought to whether you will have the time to look after your Golden Retriever as they begin to age from the age of eight onwards.  As much time and attention may be required during this time as during the first year.