Looking at getting a Golden Retriever mixed with an English Pointer, and am wondering if anybody has one and knows how big they typically get. The dog is male and is roughly 35 pounds at 5 months.
6 | DogsThe Golden Retriever is a highly intelligent, people loving dog. She is the fourth most popular pure bred dog in the United States. She is loyal, eager to please, takes obedience like a champ and loves children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog. She is generally good with other dogs and makes a great family pet.
*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Golden Retriever is 22 to 24 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 60 to 80 pounds. The female ranges from 20 to 22 inches to the withers and 55 to 70 pounds.
*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Golden Retriever is no exception. Be on the look out for Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), epilepsy (common in dogs), allergic skin problems (immediate Veterinary care required), congenital eye defects and Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting), kidney problems, Lymph Cancer. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.
*Grooming. The Golden Retriever has a dense and firm, water repellent outer coat and a medium inner coat. She is a shedder so brush regularly but only bathe when necessary. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.
*Life Span. The Golden Retriever can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
*History. The Golden Retriever comes from Great Britain. A Lord Tweedmouth was said to have interbred Yellow Retriever to a Tweed Water Spaniel to develop the Golden Retriever. Some say that the Newfoundland and possibly Bloodhound were also involved. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1925.
Some Registries:
* Golden Retriever Club of America
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry
Litter Size: 6 to 10 Golden Retriever puppies
Category: Gundog, Sporting Group
Terms To Describe: Powerful, active, kind, self-confident, eager, alert, reliable, friendly, trustworthy,
*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
They make a medium watch dog.
Sensitive to moods of owner.
Wants to please.
Wants to be friends with everyone.
Very gentle.
Very obedient.
*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
They make a poor watch dog.
May shed a lot.
*Other Names Known By: Yellow Retriever, Golden Flat-Coated Retriever
*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
I would like to get a german shepherd and a golden retriever, but I do not know if these breeds would even get along. If they can live together, which puppy should I get first? Should the german shepherd grow up with the retriever or vice versa? I have had a GR before and she was the love of my life, but I am looking for a guard dog so that’s why I figured a GR and GSD would be the perfect match for me, I’m just not sure they’d be a match for each other. Any opinions would be much appreciated, thanks!
10 | DogsWhat would a Great Dane/Golden Retriever mix look like? Both of the parents are full bread. The father is a blue Great Dane while the mother is a medium color Golden Retriever.
13 | DogsThis article which you are about to read has been written by somebody who is passionate about Golden Retrievers, and I want to pass on a few hints and tips that I have learned over the years.
We all know that Golden Retrievers are beautiful, obedient, and make great family pets and hunting dogs. Goldens also make great guide dogs for the blind, narcotic detection dogs, and even tracking dogs for finding missing people. Although there are many other dog breeds out there, Golden Retrievers remain one of the most versatile and most astonishing breeds that you can get.
Before you rush out and buy a Golden Retriever puppy, you should first take the time to learn a bit more about the breed. You can attend dog shows, meet with various owners of Golden Retrievers, and even go to your local kennel club. Most people who own Golden Retrievers are extremely proud of them and will be more than happy to share their enthusiasm with you.
When you buy your Golden Retriever puppy, it is always a great idea to buy from a backyard breeder or local puppy breeder. Backyard breeders are normally the best way to get a Golden puppy, as they know and care a lot about the breed in general. Although you can always go to a reputable breeder, backyard breeders are not just in it for the money, they actually care about their dogs and want you to get the best Golden possible.
You can also visit the Golden Retriever Club of America and their local member clubs, as they can supply you with a list of breeders in your area. If these breeders dont have any Goldens for sale themselves, they will be more than willing to help you find what your looking for. This way, you can get a Golden from a very reliable source.
I have had a number of Goldens for many, many years, and I have always bought from a backyard breeder, that is, somebody who loves their Golden and who has a litter perhaps once a year and sells the puppies. It is not a business for them, it is something they love doing.
Whatever you do, you should never rush into buying a Golden Retriever. You should always take your time, and have a little bit of patience. When you buy your puppy, you want a healthy puppy who will grow up to be a fine testament of the breed. By taking your time and making a careful decision, you can save yourself a lot of time and money later on down the road.
Golden puppies that are poor quality, are normally produced by breeders who just want to have a litter or breeders who are just looking for the profits and care very little about giving thoughts to looks, quality, or temperament. If you buy a puppy from either of these breeders, you will more than likely end up with a puppy who has poor health, poor temperaments, and even disqualifications in breed.
When you get your puppy, you should always think long term. Only buy from a quality breeder, and you should not have anything to worry about. Always remember that you are not just buying a Golden Retriever puppy, you are buying a companion and a friend for life, and what a wonderful friend they are.
Let me finish this article by saying that there is a lot of information available to you to help you as you make this important choice. Your local bookstore, your local library, and indeed the internet are all sources of information on Golden Retrievers. Enjoy your purchase, I know you will.
Many of us would like to own a golden retriever. Therefore it is important to choose the right puppy. Now we do not know what the puppy would turn out to be in future. To ensure that you pick up the right one, which may turn out to be physically and emotionally stable, you need to opt for a puppy from a reputable breeder.
What are the characteristics of a reputable breeder?
Make sure you purchase your golden retriever from a reputable breeder. Following are certain options you would like to consider while finalizing the golden retriever puppy -
1. Dealer or pet shop - To be very honest, pet shops are not the ideal place to select a puppy from. Most pet shops look at high profit and returns. Unfortunately, they may not give enough attention to the quality of the breed.
2. Backyard Breeders - Again this may not be one of the best choices. A backyard breeder also may not be aware of the characteristics of a reputable breeder. Backyard breeders usually own a few golden retrievers and look forward to breeding their females for puppies.
They may be doing it for money or fun, or possibly both. One cannot also pay a high regard to their knowledge about the breed in general. Usually backyard breeders are also not aware of problems associated with breeding.
3. Hobby Breeders - This is the best option so far. Hobby breeders are committed and loyal and they really consider this to be more than their hobby. Hobby breeders care a lot about quality and are really aware of the characteristics of a reputable breeder.
While they are aware of the commercial gains that would ensue from the transactions, they would probably take better care in ensuring that you get a fine golden retriever puppy to take home. Besides, they accept responsibility of the golden retrievers puppies that they breed.
What you need to do
- Ensure that you see the mother, and if possible the father as well. This will give you a fair idea of the pedigree of the golden retriever.
- Ask the breeder for health certificates of both the mother and the father, to ensure that the breed does not have any health problems. This is one of the most important ways to check the characteristics of a reputable breeder.
- A golden retriever puppy is usually confident and inquisitive. It also grows up to be a 70-pound easily trainable dog that can socialize with all.
- A golden retriever puppy from a reputable breeder usually has a lighter coat. The color varies a little when they are fully grown. If you would like to check the color when you are buying the puppy, check the fur on the ears. Also a look at the parents will give you an estimation of the true color
- It is also important to ask more about the puppy when you are purchasing one. Also documents like health certificates and kennel club registrations need to be in place.
A simple search on the Internet can provide you with more details on the characteristics of a reputable breeder. So, what is stopping you? Go ahead and adopt golden retriever for you and your family.
Two golden retriever puppies playing on a foldable lawn chair while the tune “Wipe Out” plays in the background.
25 | AnimalsIn case you haven’t noticed, dogs aren’t like humans. It stands to reason, then, that they learn in different ways. Dogs don’t choose to behave according to abstract concepts like good and bad or right and wrong. Rather, they know what feels good and what feels bad. Whether its a physical or emotional sensation, dogs respond to what they feel. That means they respond to their owner’s actions and behavior toward them. They learn to do what their owners smile about, and they learn not to do what makes their owners unhappy.
Golden Retrievers are very loving, energetic dogs. They thrive on attention and affection and will work hard to get those responses from you. So when your Golden Retriever does the right thing, reward him with praise, smiles, laughter, or treats. This positive reinforcement will make your Golden more likely to do the same thing again in the same situation. As you might expect, you should not reward unwanted behaviors or disobedience. Withdrawing your attention and praise is an effective way to discourage bad behavior. In some situations, scolding your Golden with a stern “No!” may do the trick.
Goldens are smart dogs, and they will quickly pick up on your cues and body language. When you’re trying to teach your Golden something, whether it’s a new trick or discouraging a bad habit, you shouldn’t hesitate to communicate your approval or disapproval. Disciplining your Golden Retriever five or ten minutes later will not work - your dog must associate your actions with his behaviors, and your actions must occur immediately or they’ll be wasted.
Another important point is that you must be patient and consistent. If your Golden is slow to pick up on a command or direction, don’t give up or change what you’re doing. Plug along, consistently giving the same verbal or visual cues over a period of time. For example, if you see your Golden chasing a car, stop him immediately. Be sure he understands that your discipline is directly related to the car. Even when he doesn’t pick up your message right away, repeat the same action every time you see him chasing a car. You might try a verbal cue like “No Car!” to help with the repetition. Hold your ground. Golden Retrievers can be strong-minded and stubborn. Your Golden may be trying your limits. Be the pack leader and let him know you won’t back down.
Praise should also be immediate and directly related to the behavior. If you wait until your Golden stops the behavior to offer praise, he will have no idea that the behavior was wanted. He may even think the praise is for stopping the behavior!
For the most part, Golden Retrievers are easy to train. They want your love and affection, and they are willing to please their owner. If you have trouble training your Golden, it may be because he’s not getting enough exercise or attention in general. This will lead to rowdiness or overly timid behavior. Due to the over-breeding that has resulted from their popularity, modern Goldens may have some behavior problems that were rare in the past. Your Golden may also have some health problems that could influence his behavior.
If your Golden Retriever is not responding as you would like to you, you might consider joining an organized class or taking him to a professional dog trainer. But before you do that, you should take him for a visit with the vet. Many behavior problems stem from pain or illness. Be careful to rule out a physical condition that could be easily treated before you look to training as the answer.
Today I fell into a trap that I should never have allowed myself to get into. I actually trusted my dog, my Nikki, a 3 year golden retriever.
Nikki is an amazingly affectionate dog, even more than normal for a golden retriever. She is gentle, good natured and behaves pretty well.
She loves going out for car drives, and she is a very well behaved dog in the car. She sits beside me, head hanging out the window and gently watching the world go by. She never gets agitated, restless or excited, even when she spots another dog out the window.
The other day, I took both Nikki, and Benny my black lab out for a drive. This time Benny was sitting in the front. Nikki was in the back. As usual I had the back and front window open.
I drove around the corner, and pulled into my driveway. And, what do I see…Nikki, sitting by the front gate. She must have jumped out the back window as I was pulling around the corner and ran to the gate.
I had absolutely NO clue she had even jumped out. Never before did she ever show any signs of jumping out.
Needless to say I was freaking. I mean, with a little imagination, I could imagine what could have happened.
Rule number one: Don’t trust your dogs. No matter how well behaved your dogs are, they are still dogs. Look out for their safety. Always make safety your first priority.
I should have known better. I try to make dog safety and dog training and dog nutrition my priorities. I have 3 dogs, 2 black labs, and my Nikki, a golden retriever. Dukie, one of my black labs is blind. Oddly enough, when I walk my 3 dogs and my neighbor comes and joins me with her dog, Dukie behaves the best. He loves walking and going for car rides. If you are observing him, you would never know he is blind.
The Labrador retriever (”Labrador” or “Lab” for short), is one of several kinds of retriever, and are the most popular breeds of dog (by registered ownership) in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The breed is exceptionally friendly, intelligent and good natured, and as a rule these qualities mean that Labs love people, handle children well, and therefore make excellent family and service dogs. Benny, my black lab and Nikki are both Certified Therapy Dogs. They visit the elderly in homes.
Labradors are relatively large with males typically weighing 60 to 80 lb (27 to 36 kg) and females 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg). They are energetic outgoing dogs, and are black, yellow, or brown (called “chocolate”) in color, in that order of frequency. Their fur is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador retriever make him an excellent swimmer. Their interwoven coat is also waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming. The tail acts as a rudder for changing directions. Yellow labs can have black or pink noses; chocolate and black labs’ noses match the coat color.
As with some other breeds, the English and the America lines differ slightly. Labs are bred in England as a medium size dog, shorter and stockier with fuller faces than their American counterparts which are bred as a larger dog. I have both, one English, My Benny, and one American, my Dukie.
Famous Labs
• U.S. President Bill Clinton’s pet labrador was called Buddy.
Reasons to train your precious lab and golden
Here’s a Small Sample of What You Should Learn:
1) Make sure your dog knows why you are trying to correct him? Learn how to make him understand what you want of him.
2) Learn from the Pros. You can teach your dog at home, but learn from the pros. Do not learn mistakes from amateurs with opinions.
3) Teach your dog NOT to fight with other dogs
4) Curb your dog’s aggressiveness, before it even has a chance to start.
5) House train your dog without getting aggravated
6) Teach your dog NOT to jump up on people.
Remember, a well trained dog is a happy dog and a safe dog. A well trained dog is received with joy by neighbors and friends. Don’t let your puppy/dog become an aggravation; teach him to be a socially well behaved dog.
And, if you have the time and inclination, look into dog therapy visiting with your dog. It is an extremely worthwhile activity. And guldens and labs are wonderful at this job. Just do a search on the internet for “Dog Therapy” groups and organizations in your area.