Golden Retrievers In Obedience Trials
Golden Retrievers are one of the most trainable breeds out there. They are extremely intelligent, athletic, and eager to please the handler. This is why Goldens excel at obedience trials, and have numerous times been champions of the American Kennel Club’s official obedience trials.
Obedience competition is a fun way to bond with your dog, as well as add some useful commands and tricks to your handling. Every owner should start with basic obedience commands, such as “sit”, “stay”, “lie down”, “come”, and “release”. If you are experienced with training dogs, these early commands can be taught at home, so long as the environment is structured and training is regular and strict. If you are new to obedience training, it is best to enroll your dog in a class with a certified trainer to learn the most effective methods of getting your dog to learn and obey commands.
There are several types of obedience trials you can enter your Golden Retriever into. The largest and most renowned obedience trial is hosted by the AKC, which allows any AKC-recognized breed to compete in the same competition. There are also various retriever clubs and, more specifically, Golden Retriever clubs, that host obedience competition, as well. The largest club for Goldens is the Golden Retriever Club of America, and they have many local branches. Finding one close to you should be easy.
Obedience trials include a large battery of commands and tricks, which get more difficult and are judged on a stricter set of rules as you progress through the three levels of competition: novice, open, and utility.
The novice level is as it sounds. It is for entry-level competition, though the battery of tasks that must be performed are no laughing matter. Commands include healing on the leash, walking the figure eight on the leash, heeling off the leash, recall (the typical owner’s “come” command), standing still (as if for an examination by a show judge or veterinarian), and staying seated or in a lying down position for an extended period of time.
The open level is the intermediate level of competition, including several of the novice tasks that are performed on the leash being performed without a lead at all. Other commands include dropping on recall, retrieving, retrieving over a jump, the broad jump, and the extended sitting and lying down exercises for a longer period than the novice category.
The most advanced level of obedience trials is the utility competition. Among previously included tasks, utility requires that a dog responds to hand signals alone (as opposed to vocal commands), the ability to find their handler’s scent (usually achieved by placing a belonging of the handler’s in a collection of other items), directed retrieval (where the dog fetches something specific the handler has asked for), standing still after the owner has walked away, and directed jumping, in which the handler indicates which obstacle the dog will jump over before returning immediately to the handler.
Obedience trials can sound tricky and difficult at first, but if you love to spend time with your dog, it is a fantastic way to bond and teach new and useful commands to your pet.
This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Golden Retriever, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Golden_Retriever/.
The Golden Retriever’s Grooming Needs
Despite their beautiful, medium-long coats, Golden Retrievers actually do not require extensive grooming. Their coats do not matt easily and they do not need to be bathed as frequently as other breeds of dog – unless, of course, they roll in the garbage! They are known to be heavy shedders so frequent brushing is a must.
The Golden Retriever’s coat varies from white-blond to reddish-blond and is usually shiny and soft. Regular brushing will help keep the coat’s sheen at its best and will also help stimulate the flow of blood to the skin. Brushing can be done as little as once weekly and as often as daily; your dog will enjoy the experience. If you pay attention to your dog’s coat, you will get a feel for specifically how often he or she needs to be brushed.
Dry bathing regularly will help keep your Golden Retriever’s coat healthy and clean. Normal baths should be saved for dealing with messes such as mud, or given every three or four months. Water bathing can strip essential oils from your dog’s coat and lead to dry or irritated skin. Show Goldens are usually blow-dried with a brush so that their coat is silky and straight, but this is not necessary for casual grooming or for the household pet.
Other than brushing and dry bathing, there is very little that needs to be done to keep your Golden Retriever’s coat in tip top shape. However, you will need to perform the occasional trim. The hair on your dog’s ears will usually grow very quickly. For his or her comfort and for aesthetic reasons, it is a good idea to trim this hair every so often. Thinning shears or a texturizer (available at
most pet or beauty supply stores) are ideal for this task, as they only trim a reasonable amount of hair, allowing your dog’s floppy ears to stay furry, but not overgrown.
The soft, fluffy fur behind this breed’s legs can also use a trim from time to time. This hair is of a different texture and is prone to catching debris and brambles, which can be uncomfortable and lead to matting or skin irritation. Show dogs will need to be trimmed more precisely, but the home groomer can take the same thinning shears to this hair quite easily themselves.
The Golden Retriever’s tail fur grows extremely quickly, as well, and can get quite long. This hair is similar in texture to the hair on the back of the legs and is also likely to pick up dirt, leaves, and other debris. Keeping this hair brushed and trimmed can help you avoid other problems down the road as well as keep your house a bit cleaner.
All in all, grooming a Golden Retriever is remarkably easy for a dog with such a long, thick coat! Just a couple of brushings a week should keep your Retriever’s coat in proper condition; healthy, shiny and thick. I think that most Retriever owners will find their Retriever will love brushing and view it as their pampering time.
This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Golden Retriever, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Golden_Retriever/.
Hip Dysplasia in Golden Retrievers – Symptoms, Effects And Surgical Options!
Hip dysplasia refers to the poor formation of hip joints, this might be very common growing disease for some younger dogs of almost every other breed. In larger breeds, these unsteady hip joints become very common, even though hip dysplasia can become a serious problem which will limit most of the physical activity of your Retriever. Although most Golden Retriever owners might not realize this, but hip dysplasia is one disease which dogs get from the parents, and it only gets increasingly bad with age.
Some of the symptoms and even some signs of this hip dysplasia is almost not at all possible to detect with the Golden puppies, even though it starts to show once these pups have reached age of around nine months. Even if you may take the Golden Retriever to the vet in order to have him checked, the vet will tell that you must wait to see if these symptoms are still there once these Golden Retrievers have reached a specific age.
Some signs and symptoms of this hip dysplasia may vary, the most common ones include crippling or called as the disorder to walk correctly. This may get better once your dog gets older though, owing to joints stabilizing, hence the inflammation goes down, and also the muscles near the hips get stronger and also mature. Do keep in mind that the Golden’s who get hip dysplasia when they are young will most likely develop some form of arthritis as they grow older.
These Golden Retrievers which suffer from the hip dysplasia are not fit for breeding, although they may still live a very long and certainly healthy life. There maybe certain drugs which the vet can prescribe for your dog, which can help him control the weight and hence help control this disease. Also these drugs cut down on some of the pain as well, hence helping the Retriever enjoy as much as possible.
Many Golden Retrievers which have hip this dysplasia will not start to show the signs till they are old enough, like once all the muscles tend to tire down and then damage to hip muscles will start to be very noticeable. Even though the dog may be very active and also healthy for almost all of the puppy years, hip dysplasia will slow everything and tend to make the dog look like he has become old and also is suffering from some physical attributes belonging to arthritis.
In order to eliminate pain from hip dysplasia, some surgery options available nowadays. These Golden Retrievers tend to have a very high threshold for bearing pain, and won’t generally show signs of being in any pain, although you realize they are. Some X-rays will not show signs of this pain, although all the limping or even slow walking will let you know that your dog is in pain. Dogs who have this won’t know it – that is why you must. If you tend to do your parts well and hence help the dog seek relief – she or he will feel much better than ever – although he might not let you know that he was hurt at all.
Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
Diseases In Golden Retrievers – Treating Eye And Heart Diseases
It is unfortunate that one of the most favored pets, the Golden Retrievers are high risks for eye and heart diseases. These can be hereditary and also non hereditary. Some of these are irreversible, and require constant attention to check the onset, and if possible some treatment can be prescribed. The heart is also afflicted by heart disease.
In cases of the Golden Retrievers having one or more of these diseases, it is recommended that they should not be exposed to breeding, because these defects can be passed from generation to generation.
Eye and Heart Diseases are common to the Golden Retrievers. Mostly, it is hereditary, and cataracts develop as a common problem. While this may not result in significant loss of vision, in some it does cause considerable loss, and sometimes total vision is affected.
This disease also is caused by other factors, apart from hereditary factors. Only a certified veterinarian will be able to judge how serious the cataracts are really. Apart from this eye disease, some families of this breed carry genes for central progressive retinal atrophy, which means that the retina on which the image is reflected for the brain to pick up and show the 3D image, shrinks, and will result in permanent blindness, often, at even young age. The severity of the cataracts can only be judged by a qualified veterinarian. It is recommended that a veterinarian ophthalmologist examines your pet, since he would have the experience and equipment to correctly identify the progression of the disease.
Some of the problems with eye lend themselves to surgical repair, such as eyelids rotation, inside or outside, eyelashes rubbing the eye, experts strongly recommend that breeding should not be allowed, and they are not allowed to participate in the American Kennel Club shows.
Another disease which afflicts most of the Golden Retrievers is heart disease. During the annual examination, or if you notice anything peculiar you should take your pet to the veterinarian to check for heart disease by a cardiologist, who will carry out tests to rule out heart disease. The most common heart disease seen in this breed is the Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, which means simply that the heart function is affected, and sufficient oxygen, the author is subject to correction, is not being absorbed by the blood and subsequently, it spread rapidly
It is strongly recommended to the owners of the Golden Retrievers that in the event of any of the above disease is present, they should not, repeat consider breeding their pet. There is every possibility that it may turn out to be a disaster, either by the carrying forward of the disease, or resulting in fatality for your pet.
Itis better to be safe rather than sorry later. It’s a great pity, but who can cavail against nature? At the moment there is no remedy. We can only hope that your pet does not suffer too much and cause anguish and pain to you. We understand your pain and can share it somewhat, but we can never feel the same level of anguish and pain that you have, even though we are equally fond of Golden Retrievers. Having been through that trauma, we can at best commisserate with you.
Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
Breeding Golden Retrievers -The Complicated Procedure Made Easy For You!
The fact is that though breeding of Golden Retrievers is a complex and difficult task, it can be done by those with adequate knowledge of breeding guidelines and bonding with their pet-dog fairly easily, though it is indeed a formidable task for beginners!
The requirements for professional dog-breeders is very different as compared to that of hobby dog-breeders and this is what must be realized by the latter group for they can end up feeling disappointed by their failed efforts in doing so and ending up with a litter that is not half as likely to be the kind they expected; besides, the expectations of future owners (should you wish to sell them) for Golden Retriever pups are high and therefore, simply breeding your female Golden Retriever for some fast cash is not a good idea.
It is not only not likely to give top quality results but also take away from the expectations of buyers keen on getting the best pups possible for the money they give since Golden Retrievers are much-sought after dogs being good-looking, friendly, non-aggressive yet protective and lovable pets that adapt well in families.
It is good to remember that there are high costs and plenty of care involved with hobby-dog breeding for these top quality dogs a.k.a. Golden Retrievers and this raises the bar for the time and responsibility factors associated with the task as well.
First and foremost, owners keen on breeding their Golden Retriever are advised to honestly judge the motive behind wanting to breed their pet; it is not a necessary procedure for the dog, though natural instincts about mating exist, but there are typically no regrets over ‘not breeding’ experienced by the dog.
For female Golden Retrievers, pregnancy only causes more problems and therefore breeding them has to be a well-thought out decision that involves a lot of health precautions as well as after-care; those that have been spayed however, are not fit for breeding purposes.
As a hobby dog-breeder and owner of a Golden Retriever, you have to consider potential mate of your pet seriously to get the highest quality litter possible from the pair and for this, a professional dog-breeder may be consulted for his/her view of the temperament, traits and compatibility factors of either dog so as to also negate undesirable factors, such as health problems being passed on to the litter and unfriendly reactions etc.
An unhealthy mother can work adversely for the dog-breeder as female Golden Retrievers that are not favorably inclined towards nurturing her young may require the former to do the job for her, which is time-consuming and tiring besides being irksome.
A healthy progeny from your female Golden Retriever thus, becomes your responsibility as well as ensuring you have found her the right mate and taken all adequate health precautions and care before, during and after pregnancy, so take all these aspects into consideration besides just calculating finances of daily diet and vet bills when deciding to breed her.
Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
Golden Retriever’s Common Illnesses – The 3 Major Health Affectors
Because they have been so popular over the last 50 years or so, Golden Retrievers have been over-bred, resulting in a genetic predisposition to experience specific health problems. Unfortunately, as greedy breeders often fail to screen their breeding animals, additional hereditary health problems are introduced to the breed. If you have a Golden, or plan to bring one into your home, you should know about the more common hereditary problems that may reduce the quality or length of your Golden Retriever’s life.
Health Problems Known to Be Inherited by Golden Retrievers
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: When growing hip joints don’t form properly, juvenile and adult Retrievers may have an uneven gait or even severe lameness. This inheredited disorder is common to many large dogs, and while is not usually noticeable in puppies, hip dysplasia will begin to show when your Golden is between four and nine months old. The severity of the condition varies greatly from dog to dog, but most Goldens with hip dysplasia will develop arthritis as they age. Moderate exercise, weight control, and inflammatory medications will help with the discomfort of this problem. Not all Golden Retrievers will show, or even know about, their hip dysplasia if it’s a mild form. Golden’s with hip dysplasia can live long, happy lives, but they should not be bred.
Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is developmental problem in young dogs. It is not as common as hip dysplasia, but it can be aggravated by over-feeding and too much nutrition in early puppyhood. Care and treatment are the same as for hip dysplasia. And, of course, Golden Retrievers with hip dysplasia should not be bred.
Eye Disease: Golden Retrievers frequently suffer from hereditary cataracts. They can range from mild problems that do not interfere with your Golden’s vision to severe cataracts that cause blindness as the dog ages. Eyelid and eyelash problems may be hereditary, though not all are. When the lids or lashes turn in, they may irritate the eyeball. Depending on the severity of this problem, surgery may be necessary. Because it’s hard to tell whether eye diseases result from heredity or environment, it’s best not to breed a Golden Retriever with frequent or chronic eye problems.
Heart Disease: Golden Retrievers are known to inherit Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS) that may be hard to detect. Heart murmur is the best indicator, although it is not always present when the problem exists. Your veterinarian may be able to identify the problem by listening with a stethoscope or more invasive necropsy. If your Golden has SAS, consult with your veterinerian about the best treatments.
Golden Retriever Health Problems Suspected to be Inherited
Epilepsy: Characterized by seizures, epilepsy can result from environmental sources and viral infections. While watching your Golden Retriever go through a seizure is very uncomfortable, it may not be dangerous to your dog’s long-term quality of life. You can get medications from your vet to control the seizures. Do not breed a Golden Retriever that has seizures to avoid the chance of passing the disorder on to its puppies.
Skin Allergies: The most common medical problem that Golden Retrievers experience is skin allergies, although it’s difficult to know if they are genetic or environmental in nature. Your Golden may have skin allergies if it obsessively bites or scratches. It can even create bald spots in its coat if it goes untreated. Skin allergies are a natural reaction to flea, mite, and tick bites and can be reduced or avoided by regular grooming and shampooing with commercial flea and tick products. Your Golden could also be allergic to mold and other indoor air pollutants. Regular house-cleaning should reduce the problem. Diet can be very important to treating and avoiding allergic reactions in Golden Retrievers, so do your research to find the appropriate feeding regimen for your dog.
Hypothyroidism: Golden Retrievers affected by this failure of the thyroid gland to function properly may be obese or have problems maintaining a healthy coat. Some Golden’s with hypothyroidism will also have seizures. However, most problems should resolve upon the administration of oral medicines. Assuring your Golden is generally healthy by providing a balanced nutritious diet, plenty of exercise, and a safe living environment will do much to prevent or reduce the impacts of hypothyroidism. Goldens with this problem may have more difficulty breeding than you’d expect, although it is recommended that you do not even try to breed a Golden Retriever with this or other hereditary conditions.
Tips on Selecting and Caring for Your Golden Retriever
These are a few of the medical problems often found in Golden Retrievers. It’s an unfortunate irony that the more popular a dog is, the more likely breeding is to bring out health problems specific to the breed. One way to avoid these problems is to be very careful in selecting the breeder, shelter, or pet store that supplies your dog. Insist on reviewing the dog’s records, and inspect the facility. Knowing that the offerer has a passionate love for Golden Retrievers is one way to assure your Golden is not plagued by the problems that result from breeding and over-breeding unhealthy dogs.
No matter what symptoms your Golden Retriever exhibits, the careful pet owner does not jump to conclusions or make uneducated diagnoses. If you are concerned about your Golden, be sure to take it to the vet as soon as you can. Rely on the education and experience of a certified veterinarian in identifying health problems and treating them.
Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
Hip Dysplasia And Golden Retrievers
Hip Dysplasia is simply an abnormal formation of the hip joint. It is similar to looseness in a joint, which should normally fit tightly into its socket. Consequent problems that can occur would happen as a result of this looseness.
Genetics plays an important role in the expression of Hip Dysplasia and it has been observed that there is a 25 to 85% chance of a dog inheriting this problem from its parents. The dog’s environment also plays an important role in observing signs of Hip Dysplasia.
In fact, a good environment can suppress onset of Hip Dysplasia, even in those dogs whose parentage had it earlier. These are some of the things you should take care of. Symptoms include sudden lameness, or the inability to walk properly in Hip Dysplasia and Golden retrievers having it are also likely to get arthritis when they grow older.
Nutrition plays a vital role in Hip Dysplasia and Golden retrievers with proper nutrition have been able to arrest growth rate and reduce the potential to develop Hip Dysplasia. You need to make sure that your dog is not overweight and is eating the right amount of fat and protein. The idea is not to starve the animal, but to give it the right nutrition and watch its weight.
It has also been observed that dogs, which live in homes with slippery surfaces, are also going to be prone to get hip difficulties. For example, if you have marble flooring at home, make sure your golden beauty moves around in an environment where they can get a good grip on the surface they are walking on. Sometimes, you will not know that your dog has Hip Dysplasia until there is a lot of wear and tear with age in his muscles, and it begins to become noticeable.
You can operate and have surgery to remove Hip Dysplasia. If it can be done, you should seriously consider this option as it is the only way your dog will be able to lead a normal life. Of course, surgery can be taxing both mentally and physically, and is not a matter to be taken lightly. Golden retrievers can withstand a good amount of pain, and will not show any sign of complaint.
Even though they may be in pain, you will not know it. This is why you need to come forward, take the right decision, and give relief to your dog in the best manner possible with the options open to you.
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