History of the breed
It is worth saying that the Golden Retriever is a fairly young breed. It was officially registered only in the middle of the twentieth century, or more precisely in 1954.
The first representatives to possess all the pronounced characteristics of the breed were puppies belonging to a litter of practically incompatible species. The male was the fruit of love between a setter and a Newfoundland, and the female turned out to be a representative of the Tweed Water Spaniels, a little-known breed popular in England.
To improve the breed, it was crossed with a Bloodhound. As a result, retrievers received a more sensitive sense of smell, as well as a voluminous, strong body. Standards were established in 1913.
But in our country, representatives of the breed appeared quite recently - about 30 years ago. For the first time - in 1989 - they were brought by Alexey Surov, who later founded the Russian Retriever Club. He carefully studied the breed, its habits and characteristics, established how long golden retrievers live and what lifestyle they prefer. And the first puppies were born in 1991.
It is curious that for a long time the legend about the breeder Lord Tweedmouth, who allegedly purchased Russian Shepherds from a circus and bred retrievers using this breed, was very popular. However, this is nothing more than a legend.
Health
Golden retrievers have a fairly high immunity and rarely get sick.
Among the most common problems:
- Dermatitis - it is picked up during the period of active molting by chance.
- Conjunctivitis - the dog’s eyes are regularly examined and washed with chamomile decoction for redness, excessive tearing and other symptoms.
- Tartar is removed regularly by a veterinarian.
- Gastrointestinal tract disorders - food allergies, are expressed in decreased appetite and mood, and poor health. Feeding the right foods and choosing the right diet can prevent this problem.
- Helminthiasis - picked up from other dogs on a walk, other pets. Preventive measures should be carried out every six months.
The long hair of the retriever is combed out. At home it creates problems, but with regular care the pet will look neat. With proper care, the dog will spend ten years or more with you, some representatives of the breed live up to fifteen to sixteen years.
Appearance
Before getting a golden retriever, you should definitely study the description of the breed. These dogs are quite large - males reach 60 centimeters at the withers. Bitches are slightly smaller - up to 56 centimeters. And in terms of weight, they are very impressive - up to 36 and 32 kilograms, respectively.
Retrievers are built simply superbly - a beautiful, gracefully sculpted muzzle, a strong skeleton, muscular limbs and rounded paws. The transition from the muzzle to the forehead is clearly pronounced. The neck is strong and long. A wide chest gives considerable endurance. Her dark brown eyes are set wide apart, marking her as a descendant of hunting dogs.
At the same time, retrievers have a dense undercoat that does not allow water to pass through easily - a heritage from the Newfoundland. There are representatives of the breed with both straight and wavy hair. But the color range is not too rich. The standard allows cream or golden color. In some cases, there may be a small number of white spots on the chest. If the dog has white fur, this is a breeding marriage.
Owner reviews
The Golden Retriever is a unique dog, incredibly smart and good-natured, with aristocratic habits and a calm disposition from birth. These pets can boast not only endurance and energy, but also excellent memory, as well as natural flair.
The dog is larger than average in size, and the animal is quite strong and muscular, so it requires constant physical activity, in the form of long runs. Puppies are especially inquisitive and try to take part in any activity that their owner does. Despite this, it is better to start training your dog from puppyhood, doing it every day. The Golden Retriever tolerates the conditions of modern apartments well if the dog is regularly walked and provided with proper physical activity.
Interesting to know! Dogs of this breed are perfect for any family, even with small children, since the dog is quite calm and balanced.
We can safely say that the Golden Retriever breed is distinguished by its friendliness not only towards humans, but also towards other animals, which significantly distinguishes this breed from a huge variety.
Character
Experienced breeders know that the most important parameter that shows how happy and pleasant the union of a person and a dog will be is character. The Golden Retriever is by nature quite good-natured and affectionate. Unlike many dogs, he does not single out one person in the family, whom he recognizes as the leader. He loves all family members equally and is devoted to them to the last drop of blood.
He loves children very much and will be happy to spend his whole life playing with them. And the lifespan of a Golden Retriever is usually at least 10 years.
The breed is practically unfamiliar with aggression. Of course, there are overly cruel and evil representatives, but in most cases this is explained by errors in upbringing, frequent beatings and cursing on the part of the owner. The dog is simply trying to survive, protecting itself from violence.
Because of this, a retriever will not make a good guard. No, he will bark enthusiastically at a stranger if he tries to break into the house. But most likely, he will refuse to attack him - representatives of this breed are happy to live in peace with every person in the world.
They do not strive to dominate, calmly occupying the dog’s assigned niche in the family - they do not have to constantly live in tension, readiness to show the pet who is boss, as is the case with many other breeds. Well, this is an added plus for families getting a dog for their children.
Buying a Golden Retriever
Nowadays, purchasing a Golden Retriever puppy is not difficult, since numerous private breeders, as well as many well-known kennels, practice breeding dogs of this breed. As a rule, animals are represented by several classes:
- Class “show” - intended for exhibition displays.
- Class "breed" - intended for breeding work.
- Class "pets" - for home keeping.
Alternatively, it is permissible to purchase a puppy of any breed from specialized kennel clubs.
What to pay attention to
To choose a puppy, you should pay attention to several factors related to behavior and appearance. A healthy puppy is cheerful and active, as well as inquisitive. The condition of the coat should indicate that the puppy is absolutely healthy. Its exterior must correspond to the breed, without obvious signs of degeneration. It is equally important to familiarize yourself with the living conditions of the animals, as well as their parents. A prerequisite is the presence of all accompanying documents, indicating the pedigree, as well as notes on the vaccinations performed.
Retriever puppy price
The cost of puppies depends on which class they belong to. Show class puppies are considered the most expensive, so you will have to pay up to 60 thousand rubles for them. The cheapest are pet-class puppies and their cost is at the level of 25 thousand rubles. Puppies of this particular class are in greatest demand, since few people engage in breeding work or take a puppy to participate in exhibition shows.
Main purpose
Initially, the golden retriever, a photo of which you can see in the article, was bred as a hunting dog. They happily rush into the water to catch a duck killed by the owner, and are able to run after a wounded animal for a long time, helping the owner not to lose his track. However, many dog lovers soon appreciated the many advantages it has. Therefore, retrievers have ceased to be only hunting companions, having found their purpose in many other areas.
For example, they became service dogs. Quite often they can be seen at customs, among sappers, as well as in the ranks of rescuers - retrievers also cope with all these tasks simply excellently.
Their intelligence and easy-going personality even made them popular film actors. It is difficult to list all the films in which these magnificent dogs appeared. It is worth recalling at least “The Tenth Kingdom”, “The Way Home”, “The King of the Air” and “Napoleon” - here noble handsome men played very significant roles. And the directors clearly knew which dog to give preference to in order to please the audience. Knowing how long a golden retriever lives, we can assume that these four-legged actors have been dead for a long time. But viewers still watch films and get a lot of positive feedback from their performances.
And, of course, golden retrievers have become favorites in millions of families around the world. Cheerful, affectionate, good-natured, tolerant and calm, they can sleep for hours with the elderly, run outside with sports owners, play with children - from teenagers to babies, giving each family member many happy moments that will definitely be remembered for a lifetime.
Brief historical background
Retrievers became known to the world more than one hundred and fifty years ago thanks to British breeders who worked on the breed standard. Initially, the breed was intended for hunting. The dogs deftly coped with the task of getting game from bodies of water and bringing it to the hunters. But, thanks to their qualities and abilities, as well as their love for people, retrievers conquered the whole world and moved from the category of hunters to the category of pets.
Rumor has it that among the ancestors of goldens there are spaniels, setters, pointers, labradors and yellow dogs, the breed of which has remained a secret. Not without Russian blood. Lord Tweedmunt, who was engaged in breeding and was in Russia, was amazed by the ability and skills of Caucasian Shepherds, so he managed to take a couple with him. It was the Caucasian Shepherd that completed the formation of the breed, making it the one we know now.
How to care for it
Well, keeping a golden retriever begins with proper care.
It is very important to comb them regularly - at least once, or better yet, twice a week. Otherwise, all the furniture and floors in your apartment will be covered with a thick layer of wool. And the pet’s skin will become overgrown with dense lumps, which can only be gotten rid of by cutting them off. Regular brushing will please the dog and the owner, and at the same time will completely solve the problem.
Rapidly growing claws can also cause trouble. They will have to be trimmed at least once a month. Overgrown claws can lead to the dog scratching its beloved owners and tearing the upholstery of upholstered furniture. And he himself will suffer greatly, feeling pain when running and jumping. And they love to run and jump!
It is very important to monitor the condition of your eyes. Remove the slightest suppuration, wash your eyes after hunting or swimming in a river or lake. Then there will be no unnecessary problems, to which retrievers are quite predisposed.
You should not wash your pet too often - just wipe its paws after walks, and also use a special dry shampoo. But these dogs never refuse to swim in nature - here they can throw out excess energy and have plenty of fun with their owners.
Causes of premature death of a dog
Accidents, poisoning, and existing pathologies of internal organs lead to the sudden death of animals. Negative consequences are difficult to predict, however, it is preferable to know what potential dangers threaten your pet.
Common causes of premature canine death:
- poisoning;
- heart disease;
- pneumothorax;
- tracheal collapse;
- congenital abnormalities;
- expansion, volvulus of the stomach;
- ulcer;
- splenic tumor rupture;
- foreign body entering the throat;
- heatstroke;
- injury.
Dogs often suffer from poisons intended for rodents, poisons distributed to exterminate stray dogs. During a walk, be sure to keep an eye on your pet; if the dog does not respond to the command “ugh,” put on a closed muzzle so that the dog does not try questionable “food.”
Heart diseases can manifest asymptomatically, but if a young dog gets tired quickly, is weak, or is breathing heavily, you need to visit a veterinarian for a diagnostic examination.
Air accumulation in the peripulmonary space (pneumothorax) occurs due to injuries to the sternum leading to damage to the emphysematous bladder or existing tumor on the lung.
Tracheal collapse is more common in small breeds, is expressed by a sharp cough after active mobility or the manifestation of strong emotions, and sometimes occurs as a complication of past infections.
A congenital pathology that leads to tragic consequences is the displacement of the cervical vertebrae as a result of insufficient development or defect of the ligaments. An accidental jolt to the problem area can cause pressure on the spinal cord and be fatal.
Gastric dilatation and volvulus are more common in older dogs; both pathologies interfere with the normal blood supply to other organs and are considered deadly. Prevention of stomach problems is considered to be proper nutrition, adherence to a feeding regime and moderate exercise.
The premature death of the animal is caused by complications of peptic ulcer disease, expressed in the formation of a through hole in the wall of the stomach or bleeding. A precaution is the proper nutrition of your pet.
New growths on the spleen (benign and malignant) are susceptible to rupture, which can lead to fatal loss of blood. Tumor rupture is possible even with minor damage caused by difficult bowel movements or increased physical activity.
Swallowing a foreign object risks suffocation or injury to internal organs as the swallowed object moves inside.
Heatstroke is caused by severe overheating of the body and often occurs in dogs locked in a car in hot weather.
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A dog can be injured on the street (being hit by a car, fighting with other dogs, etc.), at home (falling from a height, electric shock, etc.), the danger of injury depends on the degree of its severity and the provision of first aid.
Most common diseases
Unfortunately, any breed of dog is susceptible to some kind of disease. In general, retrievers can boast of excellent health, but they can also get sick.
Most often, pathologies of the eyes occur, so their cleanliness must be monitored especially carefully.
A congenital disease is hip dysplasia. Active large dogs are especially susceptible to it. At the age of one year, a diagnosis is made and, if necessary, treatment is prescribed. Otherwise, the dog may become lame for life, which will be a terrible punishment for these four-legged lovers of running.
Sometimes epilepsy also appears. It is accompanied by convulsions and seizures. It can be inherited, so sick dogs are not allowed to be bred.
Choosing a puppy
Before choosing a Golden Retriever puppy, consider all the pros and cons of this breed. The advantages, undoubtedly, include a friendly character, intelligence, intelligent behavior in the house, love for children, a calm attitude towards other pets, and simply the beauty of the dog.
Golden Retrievers require active walks.
The disadvantages, of course, are the need for daily grooming, active walks, mandatory attention to your pet during the day, and the possible presence of congenital diseases. It is best to purchase a puppy from trusted breeders or a good kennel.
Proper education
Retrievers are easy to train. Therefore, you can teach them ten commands in a month of hard work. However, not all people understand the importance of this and subsequently seriously regret their short-sightedness.
Try to teach your pet at least three commands: “Ugh!”, “Near” and “Come”. These are perhaps the most important commands. Thanks to them, you can always stop a dog that is playing too hard or has gotten off its leash, and prevent you from eating dangerous scraps (today it is popular to scatter poisoned meat in dog-walking areas).
It is possible that the few hours you spend on your dog mastering these commands will subsequently save your pet’s life.
Features of care and maintenance
Representatives of golden retrievers can be kept in any premises (private house, apartment). Caring for dogs of this breed is not difficult . The main thing is to immediately accustom him to the daily routine and hygiene procedures.
Golden retrievers are very active dogs, and therefore, regardless of weather conditions, you need to walk them outdoors twice a day .
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Social life
Retrievers are surprisingly easy-going. They rarely chase cats and coexist well with other dogs, including quite aggressive ones. The secret lies in their willingness to serve, their gentleness. Representatives of this breed do not strive to dominate at all and do not like conflicts. This is why many experts value them.
But still, it is advisable to accustom them to other animals from an early age. By playing with other puppies, your dog will become more cheerful and sociable, and at the same time will receive many positive emotions, just like you when you watch this spectacle.
With a lack of communication, they grow up less socialized and may demonstrate hostility and even fear towards other dogs, especially those that behave overly aggressively (including toy terriers, chihuahuas and other small but frequently barking dogs).
Training
One of the best qualities of a Golden Retriever is their understanding of their owner and their tendency to learn, which is why they are so trainable. Only a good-natured attitude on the part of the owner will facilitate learning, because Golden Retrievers are much more vulnerable than their fellow Labradors, which, according to the description of the breed, have many common characteristics.
You can begin your first attempts at training as early as a puppy. To stimulate the hunting instinct, you can tie a cloth in a knot and move it in front of your nose or along the ground - this will allow your pet to grab the object with its teeth. With age, instead of a rag, you can switch to toys. Puppies can also be trained using throws - this must be done slowly so that the dog can follow the movements of the hand.
By the age of 10 months, a Golden Retriever should learn to swim and dive. If it is not possible to train the animal on your own, it is better to send it to a trusted school, where in a short period of time the pet will learn the listed commands.
Protect from loneliness!
When getting a retriever, be sure to think about whether you can provide him with a happy life? They really don’t like loneliness - spending the whole day in an empty apartment, the dogs are frankly bored. They need companionship as much as regular care to remain happy.
Under no circumstances should they be chained. Lack of mobility leads to the fact that dogs begin to eat poorly, lose weight, and become susceptible to numerous diseases. This may well lead to death.
Retrievers are an excellent choice for those who love an active lifestyle. Pets will be able to accompany their owners during walks and evening runs, and will consider it an honor to go hiking, hunting or multi-day fishing. And after spending their whole life at home, and even in an empty apartment, they will not really be happy. Remember this before you get a dog and condemn it to a miserable existence.
Nutrition
It is possible to feed golden retrievers with dry industrial food or natural food. Industrial feed should be of premium quality, containing sufficient amounts of meat, vitamins and minerals. This will help make his coat shiny and shiny.
Natural nutrition should consist of:
- vegetables (carrots, potatoes, turnips);
- sea fish without bones;
- porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal, millet);
- fruits (bananas and apples);
- fermented milk and dairy products (yogurt, cottage cheese, kefir);
- lean meat (poultry, veal, beef);
- boiled offal;
- bones;
- a small amount of butter.
It is forbidden to give golden retrievers:
- raw and fatty meat;
- bird bones (tubular);
- smoked meats;
- offal without heat treatment;
- spices and seasonings;
- fried foods;
- sweets.
If you choose natural nutrition, you will definitely need to include mineral and vitamin supplements.
