Golden Retriever What To Know

Golden Retriever First Heat: Things To Know

Youve just got your first golden retriever, and its a kid! Shes cute, playful, and shes coming from a long line of golden retrievers. The heat period of a female golden retrievers life is a significant occurrence. Its important to know when your gold will go into heat and how long their heat will last. You will learn about the golden retriever first heat in this article. Read on to learn more!

Well, most female puppies will not enter their heat cycles until six months or so . Golden retrievers are more likely to have their first heat period at around 10 to 14 months, with giant breeds beginning at 18 to 24 months. Bear in mind, these are ranges, and they may be sooner or later, as every dog is different. Its crucial to keep track of when your dog has its first heat cycle. Mostly, their timing is expected to become normal after the first cycle.

Identifying A Golden Retriever Puppy

Not all Golden Retrievers are golden. However, one quality that they will share is that they are single-colored. The feathering may appear to be a lighter color, it is the same color as the rest of their fur, only appearing lighter because its thin and whispy.

In the United States, only three colors of Golden Retrievers are allowed to take the stage in a dog show: Light Golden, Medium Golden, and Dark Golden. However, the Golden Retriever you select to take the stage in your heart and home might be a different color!

Other Tasks To Do Before You Bring Your Puppy Home

So you have everything you need and your house is puppy-proofed.

Thats it, right?

Not exactly.

Heres a quick list of some final things to do to better prepare yourself for when you bring your new puppy home.

Find a vet.

Youll definitely want to bring your puppy to the vet within the first day or two of bringing them home so that they can be thoroughly checked out and get on track for their vaccines.

Find the closest emergency animal hospital.

This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan.

Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals.

Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid.

Set up the puppys crate and water bowls.

The last thing you want to do is bang around a large crate and scare your new puppy as youre trying to figure out how to set it up.

Find a puppy kindergarten class.

This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent.

Check your yard or house for any escape routes.

Before you bring home your puppy is a great time to fix that hole underneath the fence

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Physical Characteristics Of The Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever Breed is similar in a lot of ways to the Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Flat-Coated Retriever. He is a midsized dog, big but not too big, heavy, but not too heavy.

And the nice thing

About these guys is that despite his size, he is pretty much the perfect family dog, regardless of whether you live in a small apartment or condo or a large estate.

Hes also a very

Handsome dog with drop-dead good looks. Much of which is the result of his great looking coat which will actually come in a variety of different shades of gold.

But be warned

This coat is a double coat so youll want to be sure to groom your Golden frequent to prevent him from developing and knots or tangles as well as to prevent your entire home from being covered in fur as well!

The nice thing is though

Because the Golden Retrieves fur is so dense and actually quite water resistant, these guys will have no problem keep up with you in just about any weather condition. So, if youre looking for a companion that will go on long hikes with your, or even just on a walk around the block, these guys will work out perfection for you.

Golden Retriever Dog Breed Everything That You Need To Know At A Glance

Now, if youve read many of our other dog or cat articles, youll know that what we generally like to do is provide folks with some helpful information about a particular breed of dog or cat breed, so that if they are considering adopting such an animal, theyll have a better idea if thats a good idea or not.

Which we feel

Works out pretty well. The only problem is that this approach doesnt seem to make all that much sense when were talking about the Golden Retriever because lets face it, just about everyone has met one of these awesome dogs over their lifetime, and youd be hard pressed to find anyone who has ever had a bad experience with one!

That said

What many folks who havent owned one of these fantastic animals may not know is that they are prone to develop quite a few medical issues, which is why we still decided to write this article so that if you are considering adopting a Golden Retriever puppy or rescue, you can get a little bit better idea of what that might be like.

So, without further ado, lets dive right in!

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Common Health Concerns For Golden Retrievers

The most common health conditions for the golden retriever breed, based on Nationwide pet insurance policyholder claims in 2015 are, in order of pervasiveness:

Products underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company , Columbus, OH National Casualty Company , Columbus, OH. Agency of Record: DVM Insurance Agency. All are subsidiaries of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Insurance terms, definitions and explanations are intended for informational purposes only and do not in any way replace or modify the definitions and information contained in individual insurance contracts, policies or declaration pages, which are controlling. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side, and vethelpline are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2021 Nationwide.

Golden Retriever Physical Features

NeckThe neck is medium-long, merging gradually into well-laid-back shoulders, giving a sturdy, muscular appearance. Untrimmed natural ruff. No throatiness.

ToplineFirm and level from withers to slightly sloping croup, whether constant or moving. Sloping backline, roach or sway back, flat or steep croup to be faulted.

BodyGolden Retrievers body is well-balanced, short coupled, deep through the chest. Chest between forelegs at least as broad as a mans closed hand including thumb, with well-developed fore-chest. The brisket extends to the elbow. Ribs are long and sprung well but not barrel-shaped, extending well towards the hindquarters. The Loin is short, muscular, deep, and wide, with very little tuck-up. Slab Sidedness, narrow chest, excessive tuck-up, lack of depth in brisket, flat or steep croup to be faulted.

TailThe tail is well set on. Thick and muscular at the base, following the croups natural line. Tail bones grow to the point of the hock but not below it. Carried with merry action, level or with some mild upward curve never curled over the back nor between legs.

FeetThe feet are of medium size, compact, round, and well knuckled, with thick pads. The Golden Retrievers excess hair may be trimmed to show natural size and shape. Any splayed or hare feet are considered to be faulted.

Any deviation from the specified ideal qualities shall be considered faulty to the degree to which it interferes with the breeds purpose or is against breed character.

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Neutering Can Cause Health Issues To A Golden Retriever

Researchers at the University of California have discovered that neutering has negative effects on Golden Retrievers, increasing your dogs chances of getting joint disorders and cancer. In this post, Dr. Karen Becker talks about alternative methods of keeping your dog from breeding, such as a vasectomy or tubal ligation.

Even if you choose not to neuter your dog shes still prone to a long list of medical conditions, which include:

• hypothyroidism
• eye disorders
• skin problems.

If you own a Golden Retriever you need pet insurance that covers her for a wide range of health issues, besides accidents. This can increase your regular expenses, but its usually a good investment as Goldens are in the top of the most expensive breeds in terms of medical costs, with an average of $961 a year.

More About This Breed

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Golden Retrievers Trace Their History Back To Scotland

For decades, apocryphal stories were floating around that the Golden Retriever was descended from Russian circus dogs. This theory was debunked when the records of Lord Tweedmouth of Inverness, Scotland were released. In 1864, Lord Tweedmouth purchased a yellow retriever named Nous and bred him to a liver-colored Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle. The Golden Retrievers we know today are likely descended from Nous and Belle. Thank you, Lord Tweedmouth!

How To Take Care Of Your Golden Retriever

Feed your Golden Retriever two to three cups of high-quality dog kibble that suits your dogs energy levels. You can divide this into two or three smaller meals to prevent him from scarfing everything down.

Avoid chicken bones and anything with high-fat content. Since they can become overweight, give food, and treats sparingly. Overfeeding can lead to certain health problems.

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Understand The Golden Retriever Facts Before Buying

Are you planning to buy a cute little golden retriever puppy soon? Getting a new puppy is so much fun and exciting, especially the kids are the happiest in the house.

Well, a new member of the family means a lot of commitment, a lot of expense, and a lot of adjustments. There are quite a few things to know about golden retrievers and understand what you are getting into before you get your pooch.

Heres is a comprehensive list of things that you should be aware of that will prepare you to face the challenges of bringing a new golden retriever puppy home.

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• YOU are Golden Retrievers Family

Golden Retriever Puppies Bite

This is one of the important things to know about golden retriever puppies for first-time pet owners. Pet parents are shocked and disappointed and frustrated after the initial honeymoon period with the cute puppy. All puppies bite, golden retrievers more so.

Why? Because they are bred to hold things and retrieve it back to their owner. All puppies explore the world around them by trying to bite and feel. Its kinda holding something to see just that puppies bite instead of holding. Their teeth are sharp, and it hurts.

Read more about: PUPPY BITING HANDS

Trust me, you will wish you didnt buy the puppy when it bites As it grows, it bites harder and harder until about 6 to 8 months and then it should reduce. Dont worry, once grown Goldens are known to have the softest bites of all dogs so much so that a Golden Retriever can hold an egg in its mouth without breaking it!

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There Are Some Health Concerns To Watch For In The Golden Retriever Breed

Of utmost concern recently is the connection between a dogs diet and its development of heart disease. Some dog foods that are rich in legumes have been connected to higher instances of dogs developing heart disease. For reasons that are currently unknown, Golden Retrievers seem to be more affected by that connection than other breed and have a higher risk of developing heart failure or dying due to eating the wrong foods. Talk with your vet before you buy your dog food to make sure your dog is getting the right amount of protein and nutrients without causing bodily harm.

Secondary to that, there are other tests recommended for this breed. They should undergo hip, elbow, and eye testing to make sure that everything is normal. See the breeds official health statement for more information.

Do Golden Retrievers Like To Cuddle

Yes, golden retrievers love to cuddle, they usually bond with their owner by cuddling.

Golden retrievers are incredibly loyal and friendly so they love nothing more than spending some quality time with their loved ones.

So if you ever feel that your golden retriever is feeling down, just cuddle with them and they will immediately cheer up.

If you like this article, you can share it with your friends and family, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me here.

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Pros & Cons: Who Should Get A Golden Retriever

Their playful personality and gentle nature make Golden Retrievers the perfect family pet, especially for active families.

However, they do shed quite a bit and require a fair amount of exercise. If you have a relaxed lifestyle or are often away from home, this may not be the breed for you. Theyre also prone to a few hereditary issues.

But theres no denying that Golden Retrievers are loved best by most households and sporty individuals. Have a Goldie of your own?

Tell us what you love most about them!

Origin: Where Do Golden Retrievers Come From

The history of the purebred Golden Retriever can be traced back to the 1800s in England-Scotland. Thats where a number of breeds were crossed to develop the perfect dog for hunting waterfowl.

Goldens were bred for their obedience, their love of water, their cold tolerance and their gentle retrieval technique.

In 1925, the Golden Retriever was finally recognized by the American Kennel Club.

During their development, the yellow color was preferred, but there was also a reddish dog from the beginning.

Some believe that the red Golden Retriever was created by crossing a Golden Retriever with an Irish Red Setter. The fur of the Irish Setter is typically red, chestnut or mahogany.

This leads to a red colored Golden Retriever whose color does not fade with age. Which is typical for standard Golden Retrievers.

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Grooming: Are Golden Retrievers High Maintenance

It depends on how well you maintain his coat. If you brush him once or twice a week, you can keep grooming down to 30 minutes per session.

Leaving your Goldens coat untended for extended periods will lead to mats and tangles. This can be a nightmare to remove, and youll spend hours trying to get his coat gleaming again.

Properly groom your Golden Retriever by bathing him first to help loosen dead hair. When hes completely dry, break out the slicker brush and run it thoroughly through his fur.

Overbathing can ruin his undercoat and encourage more shedding, so schedule showers once a month.

Dont shave your Golden Retriever, as well. Their double coat has a purpose, and doing so wouldnt minimize shedding.

Keep his nails trimmed. If it clicks on the floor, its too long. And dont forget about the dewclaw. His ears also need to be checked regularly for discharge or mites.

Brush his teeth or give him a dental bone twice a week to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause bad breath and oral problems.

Does Color Really Matter

There are a variety of âofficialâ color variations when it comes to the golden retriever: light golden, gold and dark golden. According to breed standards, there isnât a âwhiteâ golden retriever or a âredâ golden retriever, just variations of their official colors, although the British golden retriever has accepted âcreamâ as a color of the breed.

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Children And Other Pets

The amiable Golden Retriever isn’t bothered by the noise and commotion of kids in fact, he thrives on it. He’s a large, strong dog, though, and he can easily knock over a small child by mistake.

As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Teach your child never to approach any dog while he’s eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

The Golden’s attitude toward other pets is the more the merrier. He enjoys the companionship of other dogs, and with proper introductions and training, can be trusted with cats, rabbits, and other animals.