About Golden Retreivers - are they the right dog for you?
An Introduction To The Golden Retriever Published by The Golden Retriever Club of NSW Inc.
This information is intended for prospective owners of Golden Retrievers. Its purpose is to help you determine if the Golden Retriever is the right breed for you, and if it is, how to select one.
THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER
You may be interested in a Golden Retriever for a variety of reasons:
1. A family pet.
2. A hunting dog.
3. An obedience competitor.
4. A show dog.
5. A combination of all the above.
Whatever your objective, YOU, as the dog owner, will be responsible for the care and training that will enable your Golden to fulfill its potential.
If you just want a watchdog, you should not get a Golden Retriever. Although its size and initial barking might deter an intruder, the typical Golden is adaptable, friendly to everyone, gentle (although physically active), and committed to carry things around in its mouth ...... including the intruder’s flashlight.
If you are a fastidious housekeeper (or live with one), you shouldn't get a Golden. Most Goldens shed their coat throughout the year, and quite profusely in the spring, in spite of diligent daily brushing. Also most Goldens love to get wet. If there is water on your property your Golden will be wet, and possibly muddy, a frustrating amount of the time.
If you want a one man dog, prefer cats to dogs, or aren’t home much, you shouldn't get a Golden Retriever. Goldens are very people orientated, and aren’t happy as kennel dogs.
Most people prefer to get a young puppy and raise it themselves. This can be very rewarding, but also time consuming and sometimes frustrating. Other people prefer a dog that is out of its puppyhood and has already been “civilized”. This booklet will discuss the pros and cons of both, and how to select a Golden Retriever of any age.
Our hope is that this booklet will help you understand the Golden Retriever, and decide if this is the breed for you.
CHOOSING A GOLDEN RETRIEVER
What are you looking for in a Golden Retriever?
A beautiful animal
A good family pet
A good hunting dog
A good Obedience worker
There are Goldens that fit each description, and some that fit all of the descriptions. THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB OF NSW INC has members whose interest in the breed has led them to develop the potential of the Golden in each of these areas.
Goldens also work as “Pets as Therapy”, appear in many commercials and advertisements, and are one of the preferred breeds of veterinarians. There is no question that the Golden is a versatile and remarkable breed.
Before you start looking at litters of puppies, take time to learn about the breed. Attend dog shows, obedience trials or field trials, Golden Retriever Club of NSW Inc meetings (held Bi Monthly, on the first Tuesday, at 7.30pm) and talk with and question Golden owners. They are proud of their dogs and are happy to share their enthusiasm.
Look around. It’s much easier to find the “puppy farm” or “backyard” breeder, who knows and cares little about the welfare of the breed, than it is to find a reputable breeders. Have patience and never buy on impulse .... all puppies are cute. The Golden Retriever Club Of NSW Inc, and other interstate breed club members can supply you with a list of conscientious breeders who either have, or about to have puppies.
Careful selection now will save heartache and money later. Poor quality puppies are produced by people who breed their pets just to have litter, or by profit seekers who give little thought to quality, looks or temperament in the puppies they produce. Many of these indiscriminately bred puppies have health problems, poor temperaments, and or breed disqualifications. Remember, you are choosing a companion for the next 10 to 15 years.
PRICE
A poorly bred 6 week old puppy selling for $400 to $600 is NOBARGAIN! The chances are that the parents were not tested for hereditary defects, that the puppies had little, if any, veterinary care, and that they were not given the proper socialisation and the TLC that is needed to raise a healthy litter of Golden Retriever puppies. The litter is probably not registered with the Royal NSW Canine Council, so you have no guarantee that the puppy you are thinking of buying is even a purebred golden retriever.
You should expect to pay $950 upwards most are approx $1,000.00for a sound, healthy, properly raised puppy from good parentage with ANKC (RNSWCC) Registration Papers, Vaccination Certificate, Microchipped and including copies of the parents clear Eye Certificates, Hip and Elbow Scoring Certificates and Heart Certificates.
SEX
Temperamentally, there is very little difference between the male and female Golden Retriever. Neither is harder to house train, and both are equally intelligent and affectionate. Both are excellent with children, and both make excellent companions. Problems of aggressiveness which males of other breeds may exhibit, rarely occur in the Golden.
Sex related behaviour such as mounting and marking may be exhibited by some male Goldens, particularly if other males are present, or if the male has been used at stud. Neutering a male before one (1) year of age will not only help to alleviate these problems, but will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer, and lower the risk of prostate cancer. Since there is no responsible reason not to spay a bitch unless she was bought specifically for showing or breeding, the oestrus cycle in the female need not be a consideration.
This information is intended for prospective owners of Golden Retrievers. Its purpose is to help you determine if the Golden Retriever is the right breed for you, and if it is, how to select one.
THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER
You may be interested in a Golden Retriever for a variety of reasons:
1. A family pet.
2. A hunting dog.
3. An obedience competitor.
4. A show dog.
5. A combination of all the above.
Whatever your objective, YOU, as the dog owner, will be responsible for the care and training that will enable your Golden to fulfill its potential.
If you just want a watchdog, you should not get a Golden Retriever. Although its size and initial barking might deter an intruder, the typical Golden is adaptable, friendly to everyone, gentle (although physically active), and committed to carry things around in its mouth ...... including the intruder’s flashlight.
If you are a fastidious housekeeper (or live with one), you shouldn't get a Golden. Most Goldens shed their coat throughout the year, and quite profusely in the spring, in spite of diligent daily brushing. Also most Goldens love to get wet. If there is water on your property your Golden will be wet, and possibly muddy, a frustrating amount of the time.
If you want a one man dog, prefer cats to dogs, or aren’t home much, you shouldn't get a Golden Retriever. Goldens are very people orientated, and aren’t happy as kennel dogs.
Most people prefer to get a young puppy and raise it themselves. This can be very rewarding, but also time consuming and sometimes frustrating. Other people prefer a dog that is out of its puppyhood and has already been “civilized”. This booklet will discuss the pros and cons of both, and how to select a Golden Retriever of any age.
Our hope is that this booklet will help you understand the Golden Retriever, and decide if this is the breed for you.
CHOOSING A GOLDEN RETRIEVER
What are you looking for in a Golden Retriever?
A beautiful animal
A good family pet
A good hunting dog
A good Obedience worker
There are Goldens that fit each description, and some that fit all of the descriptions. THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB OF NSW INC has members whose interest in the breed has led them to develop the potential of the Golden in each of these areas.
Goldens also work as “Pets as Therapy”, appear in many commercials and advertisements, and are one of the preferred breeds of veterinarians. There is no question that the Golden is a versatile and remarkable breed.
Before you start looking at litters of puppies, take time to learn about the breed. Attend dog shows, obedience trials or field trials, Golden Retriever Club of NSW Inc meetings (held Bi Monthly, on the first Tuesday, at 7.30pm) and talk with and question Golden owners. They are proud of their dogs and are happy to share their enthusiasm.
Look around. It’s much easier to find the “puppy farm” or “backyard” breeder, who knows and cares little about the welfare of the breed, than it is to find a reputable breeders. Have patience and never buy on impulse .... all puppies are cute. The Golden Retriever Club Of NSW Inc, and other interstate breed club members can supply you with a list of conscientious breeders who either have, or about to have puppies.
Careful selection now will save heartache and money later. Poor quality puppies are produced by people who breed their pets just to have litter, or by profit seekers who give little thought to quality, looks or temperament in the puppies they produce. Many of these indiscriminately bred puppies have health problems, poor temperaments, and or breed disqualifications. Remember, you are choosing a companion for the next 10 to 15 years.
PRICE
A poorly bred 6 week old puppy selling for $400 to $600 is NOBARGAIN! The chances are that the parents were not tested for hereditary defects, that the puppies had little, if any, veterinary care, and that they were not given the proper socialisation and the TLC that is needed to raise a healthy litter of Golden Retriever puppies. The litter is probably not registered with the Royal NSW Canine Council, so you have no guarantee that the puppy you are thinking of buying is even a purebred golden retriever.
You should expect to pay $950 upwards most are approx $1,000.00for a sound, healthy, properly raised puppy from good parentage with ANKC (RNSWCC) Registration Papers, Vaccination Certificate, Microchipped and including copies of the parents clear Eye Certificates, Hip and Elbow Scoring Certificates and Heart Certificates.
SEX
Temperamentally, there is very little difference between the male and female Golden Retriever. Neither is harder to house train, and both are equally intelligent and affectionate. Both are excellent with children, and both make excellent companions. Problems of aggressiveness which males of other breeds may exhibit, rarely occur in the Golden.
Sex related behaviour such as mounting and marking may be exhibited by some male Goldens, particularly if other males are present, or if the male has been used at stud. Neutering a male before one (1) year of age will not only help to alleviate these problems, but will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer, and lower the risk of prostate cancer. Since there is no responsible reason not to spay a bitch unless she was bought specifically for showing or breeding, the oestrus cycle in the female need not be a consideration.
