Golden Retriever Lovers

For Golden Retriever Owners Or For Those That Want One!

Carol Matthews

Fool's Gold: Spotting Bad Golden Retriever Breeders

The history of the Golden Retriever dog breed is brief. A Scottish Lord living on the Tweed River developed the breed in 19th century Scotland. Lord Tweedmouth wished to breed a yellow water spaniel. He mated the Tweed Water Spaniel, Irish Setter and several other dog breeds to create a breed similar to the Golden Retriever of today. Perhaps due to their Irish Setter ancestry, many of the first Golden Retriever had much darker gold to copper-colored coats than those seen today. Golden Retriever Breeders prefer dogs with cream to light gold coats. Though the American Kennel Club, which sets the desired breed characteristics, does not prohibit darker coats, copper or rust colored coats are not allowed.

Classified as a breed in England in 1913, America in 1925 and Canada in 1927, the Golden Retriever has consistently been in the top ten most popular dog breeds. It cannot be overstated that the Golden Retriever has excellent traits for both sporting and family living. The breed is mild-mannered, extremely intelligent, loyal, eager to please, easily trainable, and beautiful. All of these traits make the Golden Retriever a beloved pet and a champion competitor.
Golden Retriever breeders mate dogs with the best breed specific traits. Currently, a cream to light gold colored coat is preferred. Golden Retrievers are also bred for intelligence, trainability, even temper, tracking and hunting skill, as well as overall health and beauty. The breed is prone to health problems such as hip dysplasia, which can be a problem in most medium to large-sized dog breeds. Eye diseases such as cataracts and retinal atrophy are common. Some lines of Golden Retrievers have so many health problems that it may be difficult to find a purebred Golden Retriever that lives the average ten to thirteen years.

The breed is prone to obesity if not exercised daily. A reputable Golden Retriever breeder will educate potential buyers on the health problems they may face as well as how to properly care for Golden Retrievers. Unfortunately, due to the beauty and popularity of this breed there are many illicit, or backyard breeders who sell unhealthy Golden Retriever puppies to unsuspecting buyers.
Golden Retriever breeders you should avoid are those that broker or sell puppies to pet stores. Good breeders love their breed and will therefore never treat animals as merchandise. Any breeder that has no regard for where the puppies will end up is a bad breeder. Golden Retriever breeders that ask no questions of buyers should also be avoided. They should be trying to match puppies with owners to ensure all parties will be happy. A breeder's main goal is to find loving, permanent homes for puppies. If this does not appear to be the breeders' goal, buyers beware.

Buyers have a great deal of responsibility in researching and ultimately choosing a good Golden Retriever breeder. Buyers must be sure to do their homework. The most important question buyers should ask themselves is why they want a Golden Retriever. The breed requires daily exercise and grooming as well as social interaction. If a buyer cannot provide these things, a Golden Retriever is not the appropriate dog breed.

Golden Retriever breeders are knowledgeable of AKC breed standard traits and breed them for these traits. If you are looking for Golden Retriever information and information about breeders, you will be find answers in this article.

Share

Reply to This

About

Carol Matthews Carol Matthews created this social network on Ning.

Create your own social network!

Badge

Loading…

Retriever News

Loading feed

© 2009   Created by Carol Matthews on Ning.   Create Your Own Social Network

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy  |  Terms of Service