Pet Topics

One of the most popular and beautiful dog breeds is the Golden Retriever. An excellent family pet and hunting companion, the Golden Retriever is known for its loyalty, energy, devotion, intelligence, gentleness and beauty. Golden Retrievers are believed to be a mix of the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and Newfoundland as well as other water spaniels. Today’s Golden Retrievers still love to swim and can be trained to hunt and track. Because of their high level of intelligence, Goldens are also trained to assist the blind.

Developed by Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland in the 1800s, the first Golden Retrievers were hunting dogs as well as family pets. Initially, a darker gold to copper-colored coat was preferred in the breed. Today’s Goldens are more likely to be cream to light gold in color and more likely to be family pets than hunters. The American Kennel Club sets the reed standard characteristics that must be apparent in a dog to compete in AKC competition. Golden Retriever breeders mate dogs with the most desirable characteristics in the hopes of breeding champion lines.
Golden Retriever breeders may have champions in their breed bloodlines but this does not ensure that their golden Retrievers are healthy. Like most pure breeds, Golden Retrievers are prone to genetic disorders that can significantly shorten their lifespan (average age at death is ten to thirteen years). Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, eye and skin diseases, ear infections, cancer, and obesity. Though the breed has excellent behavioral traits such as loyalty and eagerness to please, Golden Retrievers can also become too focused on a task. For example they can work themselves until they collapse or eat until they become sick.

Owners must be able to keep their Golden Retrievers active and engaged and monitor their eating habits closely. Golden Retrievers are social dogs and will become depressed and act out if left alone too often. It is important that Golden Retriever breeders make potential buyers aware of the needs of the breed to ensure that dogs and owners are a good match for each other.
Golden Retriever breeders you should avoid have the opposite characteristics from the traits listed below. All of the following are signs of reputable Golden Retriever breeders:
-Breeders maintain their own kennels and allow buyers to visit
-Puppies have been socialized and are allowed in the breeder’s home.
-Puppies and parents have been screened for common genetic defects.
-Breeders provide documentation of ancestry, pedigree, etc.
-Medical records and immunizations are available upon request.
-Breeders will inform buyers of any known physical or behavioral problems in a line.
-Breeders do NOT sell to pet stores.
-Breeders provide warranties and may accept returns.
-Breeders either run or are affiliated with Golden Retriever rescue centers.
-Breeders answer all of buyers’ questions thoroughly and are knowledgeable on the breed.
-Breeders interview buyers to make sure buyers and puppies are a good match.
-Breeders educate buyers on how to train, groom, and care for puppies.
-Breeders have references available upon request.

Look for breeders with these traits and avoid those that cannot meet these requirements or even cannot answers questions about the Golden Retriever.

Golden Retriever breeders can provide the information and history of Golden Retrievers to potential buyers. Golden Retriever information about what to look for in breeders can be found in this article.