Characteristics and Temperament
Dogs in general are pack-oriented animals. They need to interact with their pack on a regular basis to be secure. Golden's in particular have
been bred through the years to make an excellent companion for people
- whether it is to sit quietly in a duck blind until it is time to retrieve or as a service dog or in any other capacity. Because of this, they, even more so than some other breeds, need to interact with
their people. Golden's are particularly forgiving dogs and will allow
you to make many mistakes while still wanting nothing more than to
please and be acknowledged for it with a scratch behind the ear. As a
testament to their desire to please, the first three dogs to obtain
Obedience Trial Championships were Golden Retrievers.
Because Golden's are such people-oriented dogs, it's important that they live WITH their owners. A Golden relegated to the backyard while
his family is in the house is an unhappy Golden. It is imperative that
your Golden be regularly included in family activities. Once fully
grown, they are a robust dog and will enjoy many activities with you
such as walking, hiking, jogging, hunting, etc.
As is common with the retriever breeds, this is a breed slow to fully
mature both mentally and physically. At a year of age, they will have
their full height, but their full weight will be another year or two
in coming. Mentally, they remain puppies for a long time (up to two or
three years of age) and many retain a very playful and clownish
personality for most of their lives.
Because of their kindly and easy going nature, Golden's are a popular
breed. Many people, in hoping to cash in on this popularity, breed
Golden's without regard to their temperament or other good attributes.
You should be very selective in picking out a puppy from a breeder.
Your best sources for Golden's are from a breed rescue organization
that carefully screens its dogs, or from a reputable breeder who is
dedicated to the overall improvement of the breed. The choice you make
now will be one you live with for the next decade, so choose
carefully.
Medical
Problems
Hip Dysplasia
The term hip dysplasia means poor development of the hip joint, and
describes an inherited developmental disease in young dogs of many
different breeds. Unsound hip joints are a common problem in many
breeds, and hip dysplasia can be a serious problem in any dog that is
to be trained for a demanding activity.
Hip dysplasia may be diagnosed by x-ray between six months and one
year of age, but this is not entirely reliable, and dogs intended for
breeding should be x-rayed when fully mature. Two years of age is
considered to be the minimum age for accurate determination of sound
hips.
The Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals is a organization with trained
veterinarians that examine thousands of x-rays and grade the hips they
see. Dogs that are past a minimum age and have good hips are certified
Fair, Good, or Excellent; hips that show signs of arthritis and hip
dysplasia do not get certified. Needless to say, both parents of the
puppy you are considering should have OFA certification. The more OFA
numbers in the pedigree (including littermates of the parents,
grandparents, and previous offspring of either parent), the better off
your puppy is. However, as the inheritance of hip dysplasia involves
multiple genes, breeding only OFA certified dogs only _lessens_ the
chances of HD in the puppies, not _eliminates_.
Dogs not intended for breeding but who will be active in obedience,
agility, hunting, etc. should be screened between 6-12 months of age.
This way if there is a problem that shows up this early, you have
several options for corrective surgery that are best done at this age.
And if your pup shows no signs of hip dysplasia at this point, you can
more comfortably continue with your planned activities without
worrying that you are making a problem worse down the line.
If your puppy has a persistent, unexplainable limp, he should be
x-rayed to determine if hip dysplasia or something else is the cause.
On the other hand, Golden's and other retriever breeds often seem to
have high pain thresholds and do not show signs of pain. An x-ray does
not always show you how your dog feels, as many dysplastic Golden's are
completely asymptomatic, especially when younger. Others that do
display symptoms can often be helped with either medicinal or surgical
intervention to alleviate the pain.
Eye
Disease
Some Golden's carry genes for Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy
(CPRA) which is a progressive deterioration of the light-receptive
area (retina) of the eye, and may result in complete blindness at a
young age.
Hereditary cataracts are also common eye problems in the Golden
Retriever. Examination by a Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist
is necessary to determine if the cataract is of concern from a genetic
standpoint. If there are any questions, the dog should not be bred.
Golden Retrievers used for breeding stock should be examined annually
until at least eight years of age or longer, as hereditary eye
problems can develop at varying ages.
Dogs that have undergone examination by a Board-certified veterinary
ophthalmologist and found to be free of hereditary eye disease can be
registered with the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). _Note
that not all forms of cataracts disqualify a dog from getting a CERF
number; you should ask to see a copy of the paperwork the vet filled
out (the original is sent to CERF).
The breeder should be able to show you the paperwork on both parents
for eye examinations. It's important to verify that the dogs are being
examined annually and not just once. If the breeder has older dogs,
ask if they are still being examined as well.
Epilepsy
Seizure disorders may arise from a variety of environmental factors
including viral infections, other diseases and trauma. While an
isolated seizure does not necessarily constitute a problem, dogs
subject to recurring seizures should not be bred. Veterinarians can
prescribe medication to control recurring seizures, however medication
is not always completely effective. Epilepsy generally does not affect
a dog's health or longevity, but all such dogs should be immediately
neutered and not used for breeding stock: if it's hereditary, you
don't want to pass it along to the pups'; if not, pregnancy increases
the risk of a seizure, endangering both her and the pups' lives.
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS)
SAS, a hereditary heart disease, is known to occur in the Golden
Retriever breed. There is no registry for screenings for SAS, however,
breeders have begun to have their dogs screened by Board-Certified
Veterinary Cardiologists, and OFA is setting up a Heart Registry
program as of mid-1996. The usual screening is auscultation (listening
to the heart with a stethoscope). If there is any suspicion in the
cardiologist's mind, an echocardiogram is run to rule out any
problems. The typical proof that a breeder has had their breeding
stock screened for SAS is a letter signed by a Board-Certified
Veterinary Cardiologist indicating that the animal is, in their
opinion, free from SAS.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is characterized by atrophy or malfunction of the
thyroid gland. Clinical symptoms include obesity, lethargy, and/or
coat problems. Affected animals may also have various reproductive
problems including irregular or absent heat cycle and lack of
fertility in both male and female.
Diagnosis of hypothyroidism is by laboratory tests measuring levels of
T3 and T4 (produced by the thyroid gland) in the blood. Treatment
consists of daily administration of oral thyroid supplement. When
treated successfully the prognosis is excellent and the dog's lifespan
is normal. Lifelong thyroid supplementation may be required.
Many clinically normal, healthy Golden's may test slightly under the
accepted range of "normal" T3 and T4 levels and it is quite possible
that the normal values for this breed may be slightly lower than the
values used for the general canine population.
There are some dogs that will have epileptic attacks when hypothyroid
and stop seizuring when put on thyroid. While there is a link, the
hypothyroid condition does not cause epilepsy, and the dog should
still be monitored for epilepsy.
Allergies
Skin allergies are very common in Golden Retrievers and the offending
allergens are numerous - a flea bite, airborne pollen, dust, mould,
food. Symptoms can range from constant biting, licking and scratching
to constant, chronic ear infections. In many cases diet can play a
large role in the allergic dog. If you suspect you have an allergic
animal, consult with a canine allergist to determine the actual extent
of the problem.
Allergies coupled with low thyroid levels are commonly seen and it is
often worth testing for the other if you see the one in your dog.
Grooming
Because of the Golden's coat, you _must_ regularly groom your dog.
Such grooming will also help reduce the amount of overall shedding and
prevent painful mats from occurring.
You should be sure to start grooming in puppyhood even when it's not
strictly necessary so that he quickly learns to enjoy the process and
not to put up a fuss.
If you groom regularly, about once a week or two, the whole procedure
will take about 1/2 hour. Brush a little daily while your dog is
shedding and that will help control the amount shedded. Also if your
Golden picks up burrs and other nasties while outside, take a few
moments right away after you return to comb them out.
Start with a thorough brushing. Use a pin brush on the featherings,
chest, ears, and tail. Use a slicker on the rest of the body. After
brushing, you can use a comb to remove more loose coat. Use this
opportunity to check for fleas, ticks, and incipient skin problems.
Golden's seem to be especially prone to hot spots. Inspect and clean
ears at this time too, and trim your dog's nails.
If you plan to bathe your Golden, brush him thoroughly first: wet
tangles only become tighter and painful. Always use a shampoo
formulated for dogs since shampoos for humans will dry the skin out.
Golden's are double coated breeds and should not be bathed often to
avoid losing the undercoat. In many cases, you can simply wash the
legs and undersides if they are dirty, wait for the dirt to dry and
brush it out, or (after brushing) rinse the dog off with plain water
and no shampoo. A properly textured and maintained coat should clean
up easily.
Golden's with the proper coat texture should not have problems with
matting if they are regularly groomed. However, a coat that is softer
and silkier than the desired standard will mat easily: some owners
have reported the overnight appearance of mats. Smaller mats may be
picked out with a metal comb, if the dog is patient enough. Larger
mats will need to be removed. Don't use scissors as it is too easy to
injure the dog if he moves at the wrong time. Commercially available
are mat breakers (check the mail order catalogs) which can safely cut
through mats and make them easy to remove. Places to look for mats
include behind the ear, along the feathering, especially in the rear,
and the tail. For dogs with persistent problems, you may need to brush
the problem areas more frequently, or even trim them to some extent.
It may help to find a groomer you like and trust and ask them for
advice. Since mats grow larger, and tighten the trapped fur, they are
eventually painful to your dog. They also serve as an excellent area
for fleas and skin irritations to start, so keeping your dog mat-free
is important.
Tips:
Using a flea comb is a good way to check for fleas on your dog,
remove undercoats, keep tabs on the skin's condition and minimize
mats, all in one! If you get your puppy from a breeder, ask the
breeder to demonstrate grooming techniques (most good ones will insist
on doing so anyway).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do they shed?
Golden's shed a lot. They have an abundance of coat as well as
feathering and they will produce a more or less constant amount of
hair in your house. Some of this can be alleviated with regular and
thorough brushing, but if you have an aversion to dog hair in your
house, a Golden will not be a good choice.
Are they good with kids?
Most Golden's are wonderful with kids, especially when they have
been regularly exposed to well-behaved children as puppies.
However, they are large and excitable and may easily knock children
over if they jump up to lick their faces or propel a toddler along
with a solid whack of their tails. Never leave very young children
and dogs together unattended. Just as the dog could easily
accidentally hurt the children, so could they hurt him by poking
him in the eyes or ears or pulling his tail.
How much exercise do they need?
They are a sporting breed and as such need plenty of exercise. They
will benefit best from regular periods of high intensity activity
once they are fully grown. This includes a quick session of
fetching, romping with other dogs, running along the beach and so
on. You do need to be careful with puppies under 18 months or so;
while they need exercise, it must not be forced or sustained. For
example, you cannot take them jogging or biking with you until they are fully grown, or you will damage their joints
How about swimming?
Most Golden's love to swim, and it's excellent exercise for them,
even when young. Introduce them to water and let them explore on
their own. If they are unsure about the water, you might get in and
swim out a bit to encourage them, but let them take their own time.
Younger puppies might be more standoffish to water than they would
be in another month or two; that's normal. Never toss a dog into
water that doesn't want to go in! Sometimes a water crazy older dog
is perfect to have along to help teach your dog to appreciate
swimming. You might also try tossing in a toy for him to get, but
be prepared to go out and retrieve it yourself if he doesn't!
If you have a swimming pool, just remember that the dog hair in the
pool will mean you need to clean the pool more frequently if you
dog goes in it a lot. Be sure that your dog knows how to get out of
the swimming pool; it's not a good idea to leave him unattended
with access to the pool.
Do they bark a lot?
Not typically, but they can if they are bored.
How do they do in hot weather?
As long as they have access to shade, free moving air, and water,
they will do just fine in the heat. Don't exercise them in the heat
of the day, and be sure you have water with you when you do
exercise them later.
They're supposed to be good in the obedience ring, aren't they?
Golden's are typically very eager to please their owners. This
translates into their being both relatively easy to train for
obedience and to having a good attitude in the ring. While not all
Golden's make good competitive obedience dogs, you will see many of
them in the obedience ring.
Are they any good as hunting dogs? In field trials?
Golden's do not do as well as Labradors in the field trials which
are, in all fairness, biased toward the sort of work the Labrador
was bred to do. But many Golden's make excellent hunters in real
hunting situations.
Is there a split in hunting and show lines? What should I look for?
There is something of a split between show, field, and even
obedience lines. As with any sport that becomes highly competitive,
the specialization intensifies. With Golden's, that means the show
dogs will have more coat and bone and be more laid back. The field
dogs generally have less coat, more drive and be intensely "birdy"
(interested in birds) with good noses. The obedience dogs often
have less coat and a high drive but may or may not be birdy. You should consider carefully the differences between the different
lines when picking your own dog out so that there are no surprises.
Looking at the parents and any of their previous offspring is a
good approach.
But no matter which lines you are interested in, you should try to
find the puppies that are well balanced with correct structure and
conformation as the base. Whether you are interested in pet, show,
hunting, etc., will determine other characteristics that you want
But an unsound dog does not make a good show dog, hunting dog,
obedience dog, or pet!
Do males or females make better pets (what are the differences)?
Besides the physical differences, personal preference is probably
the only big one here. Many people think that the males are
slightly more "teddy-bear like" than the females. Neither should
show any type of aggression (including dog aggression). If left
unaltered, females will sometimes show a change in personality when
they are coming into heat and when they are in heat. Most often,
they seem to become a bit more clingy. During this time, they may
not tolerate males sniffing around them or they may be extremely
interested in males. If a male is left intact and used for breeding
purposes and there is another intact male and a bitch in heat, the
males might show some competitive aggression. However, neutered
males and females will mostly differ in size (the females will be
smaller) and their individual personalities. Both males and females
are good with children. For your best predictor of personality, be
sure to ask about and try to meet and interact with the puppy's
sire and dam. There are tests that can be done to help determine
the puppy's dominance, independence, and abilities. Be sure to ask
your breeder about these. Also, socializing the puppy and general
obedience training are always important.
What genetic screenings should you look for when puppy hunting?
The "big three" in Golden's are OFA/OVC, and CERF. The parents of
the puppies you are considering should be cleared for at least
these two.
Other things breeders should or may take into consideration in their breeding stock include: Von Willebrand's, epilepsy,
allergies, skin disorders. You should ask your breeder about these.
Why do your two Golden's look so different?
The Golden is supposed to be a mid-to-large size dog, suitable for
sitting in a duck blind all day with, as well as small enough to be
able to haul over the side of a boat all wet (after a retrieve).
The standard has a range of acceptable sizes, for females it is 21
1/2-22 1/2 inches at the shoulder, for males it is 23-24 inches at
the shoulder, with an inch allowance either way. So, just in size,
if you have a small female (which could be 20 1/2 inches, about 45
pounds) and a large male (which could be 25 inches, about 95
pounds) there is a BIG difference. Now, if you add variations in
coat, which may come from the "type" of breeding, you can get quite
a physical difference. Through the years, breeders have bred for
different qualities. Some breeders are interested purely in
physical appearance for show purposes. Since "big and hairy" looks
stunning in the show ring and wins, these breeders have bred for
those characteristics. Other breeders have bred only for field
ability. Since the smaller (and often darker coloured) dogs have
been the ones that are faster and flashier in the field, these
breeders have tended to breed for those characteristics. There are
other types, as well, but these are the most common. Just because a
dog is of the "conformation" type does NOT mean that it cannot work
in the field, just as being of the "field" type does NOT mean that
that dog cannot win in the show ring.
When do they grow up?
Physically, Golden's are completely mature by 2 years of age.
Mentally, well, that depends on the individual, but usually not
before 3 years of age. Even though Golden's are physically mature by
2, you may notice changes in them well past that time. Remember, by
nature Golden's are fun-loving and happy-go-lucky, so their
perceived maturity may be less because of it.
What are hot spots?
They look like open, oozing sores about the size of a quarter or
larger on the dog. Treatment involves keeping the sore clean and
dry until it heals. Shaving the area promotes air circulation; both
Sulfodene and witch hazel have been recommended as astringent
cleaners. You should avoid ointments and other topical applications
which would keep the area moist.
Hot spots are often caused by allergies. This can be allergies to
fleas (most common), allergies to food, or hormonal (including
thyroid, adrenal, and even testosterone levels) imbalances.
Golden's, especially those with allergies, seem to be susceptible
to hot spots. A book that is often recommended in helping to deal
with allergies is Dr. Plechner's Pet Allergies
