The More Serious Signs Of Aging In Your Golden Retriever
Older dogs are defined as being senior as well as geriatric, and often times people think of these terms as meaning the same. This is not the case.
Golden Retrievers are considered seniors at the age of 7.5 to 10 years old, right about the time when age-related issues start to become noticeable. Geriatric dogs are at the older age of the spectrum and they experience more health issues. A Golden Retriever is considered geriatric at the age of 10 and up.
Some more serious health problems that can affect your golden include:
Cancer
Golden Retrievers are more likely to develop certain types of cancer than any other breed. Unfortunately, cancer is the number one cause of death in goldens, studies show that 60% of goldens will die from cancer. Males have a higher rate of 66% and females slightly lower at 57%.
The 2 most common cancers found in Goldens are hemangiosarcoma and lymphosarcoma. Well briefly discuss them below as well as other cancers goldens may get.
Why do Golden Retrievers get cancer? ;To find out,
Arthritis
As goldens age, they may develop arthritis in their bones. Walking will become difficult and painful for them, as well as getting up and moving around. It is best to keep the walks short and more frequent to prevent your golden from getting stiff joints.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism can occur in any breed, but it is most common in medium to large breed dogs like Golden Retrievers. It usually occurs when a dog is middle-aged between 4-10 years.
Glaucoma
Diabetes
Additional Items To Have Handy
It is also good to have these items close by as you will most likely need them.
Vaseline use on a thermometer to take rectal temperature if one of the puppies gets stuck.
Unwaxed dental floss ties off the umbilical cord.
Aspiration bulb suction the puppies mouth nose and throat to help clear the airways.
Medical scissors cut the umbilical cord.
Hemostat clamp the umbilical cord to allow blood to clot.
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Make Sure To Stop Leash Tugging
Most Golden Retriever puppies do not like leashes and will tend to pull in their leash to try to get out of them. If not stopped, this can lead to it making it difficult for you to walk your dog down the road. Because of this, its important to stop leash tugging as soon as possible.
To help with this, you can use a harness and fixed-length leash. The harness will wrap around the front section of their body which will let them walk around, but help you to maintain control over where they go.
A fixed-length leash will also help to keep your puppy in one place as it will only give them a certain distance they can go. When they start to pull on the leash, they will only be able to go as far as you have set the length to be.
Eventually, they will get tired of the strain on their body when trying to pull away which can stop leash tugging.
Many dog trainers also recommend tiring your dog out before they walk. This can include letting them play and run around for a few minutes. This can help them to stay calm when walking which can result in less leash tugging.
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Dangers Of Stunted Or Accelerated Growth
Some people prefer bigger Goldens, some like them small, like Mini Golden Retrievers. This might lead to under or over-feeding, and neither of which is ideal.
Accelerated growth can cause hip or elbow dysplasia. It can also be responsible for bone disease and arthritis.
Stunted puppies, whether by illness or under-feeding, are generally weaker, and make them susceptible to falling sick.
English Cream Golden Retrievers Are Easy To Train
Because theyre so smart and love pleasing people, golden retrievers are easy to train.
Theyre sensitive and loving, so the best way to train them is through positive reinforcement, like rewarding them with a treat, toy, play or praise when they do something good.
And not only are they easy to train, but they love it.
My dog, Oliver, loves when I bust out the treat bag.
He knows hes going to be working with me, be challenged, and be rewarded with lots of treats and praise.
What could be better for a golden?!
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Improving Your Time With Your Golden Retriever
Ultimately, you never know how long the gift of your golden will last, so its important to treasure every day you get to spend with your dog. Consider the quality of your dogs time, as well as how long youll get to be friends.
You can also improve your dogs chances of a long life span by working with a reputable breeder. For example, Golden Meadows Retrievers is an AKC Breeder of Merit with more than 25 years of experience. We guarantee that our golden retriever puppies will be free of genetic health defects for up to three years. If youd like to learn more about how we provide exceptional puppies,;reach out to us today.
Care Tips For Golden Retrievers
Proper Treatments
The best way to secure a healthy pregnancy for your female golden retriever is to have her getting proper treatments. That means, getting treatments for fleas and worms should be consistent even while in pregnancy. This is because roundworms and hookworms can be passed to the puppies by their mothers dog. Thats why its best to get your dog proper treatments.
Vaccinations
Treatments and vaccinations are the most important and should be regularly maintained if necessary. Also, its an excellent idea that your dog needs to have an up to date vaccines prior to mating. This will guarantee that the antibodies are optimal while the female mother has a puppy bump.
Consult your vet with the best possible vaccines in order to keep your dog healthy. There is some vaccination that can be administered while your dog is in pregnancy.
Exercise
Of course, without the help of exercise, your dogs health will become unhealthy. The fact that pregnant golden retrievers or any dogs will feel become lethargic when the due is near. With having adequate exercise before their pregnancy, your dog will become fit and able to carry on while she has a puppy bump that is about to give birth.
Keep in mind that you dont need to have your female dog undergo intensive training or even behavior training. This can lead to stress and other health condition that may greatly affect their pregnancy.
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English Cream Golden Retrievers Need Lots Of Grooming
English Cream goldens have beautiful coats, but they do require lots of care and grooming.
Youll need to brush them several times per week and bathe them 1-2 times per month, depending on if they swim or play outside a lot.
In addition to their coats, youll need to regularly brush their teeth, trim their nails, take care of their paws, and clean their ears.
Golden Retriever Genetics And Common Health Problems
The Golden Retriever is most known for having an average issue of the elbow and hip dysplasiawhich is commonly seen in medium to larger breeds. This is where the femoral head partially dislocates and sometimes requires surgery.
Another common health problem is cancer,with the most common kinds as;hemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumors, and osteosarcoma.
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Types Of Golden Retrievers
Believe it or not, there are three different types of Golden Retrievers which range based on fur color and breed type. Fur can range from golden, light golden, and dark golden. The three types this breed comes in include American, Canadian, and English.
So, how do you tell the difference between the types? An American Golden Retriever will look like your average Golden Retriever with a thin body and golden to dark golden coat. On the other hand, a Canadian Golden Retriever will have a thinner coat compared to the American version, although they will usually have the same fur color. An English Golden Retriever is a bit stockier compared to the other two and their coat tends to be very light in color.
Sunscreen On Sunny Days
While the Golden may be the sunshine of your life, they still need protection from the actual sun. Light colored dogs are more prone to sun burn.
Just like humans, dogs can get skin cancer. Its important to apply a dog-safe sunscreen to the tips of the nose, around the eyes, ears and tummy. Ask your veterinarian for a good sunscreen recommendation.
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Paws Omega 369 Soft Chewable
These easy to server soft chews gives your golden retriever gives your dog not only all the omega fatty acid. Not only for a healthy coat, but skin joints and much more. My dog loves them and its easy to dispense, less word than pouring a liquid into the food. Also not is wasted if the dog doesnt decide to eat all his food.
Do Larger Dogs Live Shorter Lives
Larger dogs do tend to live shorter lives than smaller dogs. A study analyzed veterinary information of over 50,000 dogs and found that larger dogs tend to age at a quicker pace so their life unwinds in fast motion.;
Large dogs age faster due to the fact that they grow at a faster rate. This can have negative consequences for their health. It means that they can experience health problems such as abnormal tissue growth, with an example of this being cancer.;;
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What To Remember Before You Move Your Golden Retriever In
Before you decide to move your golden retriever into your apartment. There are a few things youre going to need to remember. Without baring these in mind, it may not be a smooth transition.
Remember How Big Golden Retrievers Are
One important thing youll need to remember is how big golden retrievers are. Theyre classed as large breed dogs, and you can expect the males to grow up to 75 pounds. No matter how calm and gentle they are, in small spaces, theyre still likely to end up breaking things, particularly when theyre playing.
While this definitely isnt a deal breaker. Its something thats worth thinking about.
Theyre Energetic
As well as being big dogs, theyre also quite energetic as well. This goes back to their roots as theyve been bred to retrieve game . While theyll generally calm down as they get older, the first few years theyre definitely a handful.
If they dont have the room to expend their energy or theyre not getting exercised enough, then they may end up destroying things in your home when they get bored and restless.
They Need To Be Around People
Golden retrievers are social dogs and they love being around people! The only reason I mention this is that if youre living in an apartment, its much more likely that youre living alone. If youre living alone, then your golden retriever may not get the attention they need, which could result in them becoming sad and lonely.
Letting Them Go To The Toilet
Golden Retrievers Are Big Shedders
English Cream Golden Retrievers Have Blocky Heads
Yes, most English Creams do have blocky heads.
They also typically have wavy coats, wider muzzles, and stockier bodies.
Other golden retrievers can have these physical characteristics, too, but they may also have slimmer, more athletic bodies, a range of coat lengths and color, and narrow or wide muzzles.
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Golden Retriever Puppies: Everything You Need To Know
Apple pie, football, and golden;retrievers? This golden dog is a popular addition to many American households. In fact, golden retrievers rank number 3 in the American Kennel Clubs popularity rankings.;Not surprisingly, golden retriever puppies are often seen on many calendars, greeting cards, and posters as the ultimate symbol of canine cuteness.
As much as they are celebrated in the US, golden retrievers werent discovered there. In the mid-1800s, they were bred and raised by gamekeepers at an estate owned by Lord Tweedmouth in Scotland. Its said that he crossed his yellow retriever Tweed Water Spaniel , an Irish setter, and a bloodhound. This new golden retriever was trained to hunt in the great outdoors.
Golden retrievers are so renowned, two United States presidents owned them while in office. President Fords golden;retriever was named Liberty, and President Reagans dog was Victory.
The Golden Retrievers Feathers And When These Come In
Most of us do not assume that Golden Retrievers are going to get feathers in. We assume that this is just something that a bird will have. But when we mention feathers on your dog, we are talking about some of the patches of fur that are found around the legs, tail, and stomach of your dog. As your dog grows, the coat that is in these areas will start to make the transition from the short fur of the puppy to the long and feathered fur that you see on an adult Golden Retriever.
This type of feathered fur has a specific purpose with your Golden Retriever. Unlike the topcoat of fur, which is water-resistant and thick, the feathers are going to be light and soft. The coat is going to help regulate the temperature of the dog, thinning quite a bit during the summer and then getting nice and thick again during the winter months.
When you see this feathered fur, it is a sign that your dog is maturing and getting older. When this first coat comes on, it is part of the first bit of the full coat transition that the puppy will have as they make the transition to a full-grown dog. While it is different for each dog, you should start to notice these feathers showing up behind the hind legs of your dog first.
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Should A Golden Retriever Shed
Yes, for sure this is completely normal for the Golden Retriever breed.
There are two main times of the year in which it is expected for your Golden Retriever to shed excessively during the late Spring, your Golden Retriever will shed their light-colored insulating puppy fur undercoat in preparation for the upcoming sweltering weather.
Then, during late Fall, your Golden Retriever should be shedding their newly formed light-colored undercoat again to help them to keep warm in the upcoming Winter.
But if your Golden Retriever is shedding excessively at times outside of Spring and Fall, there are a number of medical conditions this could be a symptom of. So, seek advice from your veterinarian, especially if the shedding is accompanied by another symptom.
Other Contributing Factors To The Goldenretrievers Lifespan
While cancer is responsible for 60% of deaths when it comes to the Golden Retriever, it is not the only health problem that Goldens may have. When it comes to cancer and other health issues, genetics influences the likelihood that they will develop it. If you are purchasing your Golden Retriever from a breeder, asking questions about their lineage helps identify whether or not your Retriever has healthy genes. Although it may not directly contribute to their lifespan, Golden Retrievers are also prone to joint and hip problems. This can cause inflammation and reduce their quality of life significantly. Having bad joints and hips can also be a genetic condition so asking questions about the puppys parents in regards to these types of issues is important as well.
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What Are Typical Puppy Litter Sizes
The average dog litter size can have anywhere from 1 puppy up to 12. Some larger breeds can have up to 15 puppies! The range is very wide. It really depends on the breed, size, pregnancy history, and health of your dog.
- Breed larger dog breeds usually have larger litter sizes. Smaller dog breeds have fewer pups per litter.
- Size even within a particular breed, a smaller dog will produce fewer pups. A larger dog will produce more pups.
- Number of Pregnancies first time pregnancies tend to produce fewer puppies. If this is your dogs second or third litter, they will probably produce more pups than they did the first time.
- Health and Nutrition the health of the pregnant dog is a huge factor in how many puppies they have. Good nutrition is paramount to being able to produce multiple puppies that can develop and survive the entire pregnancy process.
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When Are Golden Retrievers Sexually Mature
In general, males become sexually mature earlier than females. Male goldens can reach sexual maturity anytime after they are 5 months old.;
Female Golden Retrievers can reach sexual maturity as early as six months old, but its more common for them to go into heat when theyre older. Typically, their first heat will occur when they are 6 to 15 months old.;
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Things You Should Know Before Getting A Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a dog breed that originated from Scotland, bred to retrieve shot waterfowl, like ducks or other upland game birds. Its a medium to large dog at about 20 to 24 inches tall, weighing between 55 to 75 pounds. The lifespan of the Golden Retriever is around 10 to 12 years.
Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular dogs both in the US and worldwide, thanks to their beautiful appearance and their nice characters.
I wrote this article about some of the things you should know about Goldens, because many of them end up in shelters, abandoned as soon as their owners have realized what having a dog really means.
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