November 28, 2008

Finding Golden Retriever Breeders

by Carol Matthews

The history of the Golden Retriever dates back to the 1800s. Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland bred the first documented Golden Retrievers in the British Isles. The Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed now extinct, along with the Irish Setter, Newfoundland, and Bloodhound was used to create the Golden Retriever of today. Golden Retrievers were bred to retain their yellow color and to hunt waterfowl and other game. Lord Tweedmouth also wanted a breed that was loyal and good-natured.

Developed by Lord Tweedmouth of Scotland in the 1800s, the first Golden Retrievers were hunting dogs as well as family pets. Initially, a darker gold to copper-colored coat was preferred in the breed. Today’s Goldens are more likely to be cream to light gold in color and more likely to be family pets than hunters.

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.

Some of the most desired characteristics of Golden Retrievers are intelligence, trainability, beauty, gentleness and hunting and tracking ability. The first dog to win an American Kennel Club obedience championship was a Golden Retriever.

Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, eye and skin diseases, ear infections, cancer, and obesity. Though the breed has excellent behavioral traits such as loyalty and eagerness to please, Golden Retrievers can also become too focused on a task. For example they can work themselves until they collapse or eat until they become sick.

Owners must be able to keep their Golden Retrievers active and engaged and monitor their eating habits closely. Golden Retrievers are social dogs and will become depressed and act out if left alone too often. It is important that Golden Retriever breeders make potential buyers aware of the needs of the breed to ensure that dogs and owners are a good match for each other.

Golden Retriever breeders you should avoid have the opposite characteristics from the traits listed below. All of the following are signs of reputable Golden Retriever breeders: - breeders maintain their own kennels and allow buyers to visit, - puppies have been socialized and are allowed in the breeder’s home, - puppies and parents have been screened for common genetic defects, - breeders provide documentation of ancestry, pedigree, etc., - medical records and immunizations are available upon request, - beeders will inform buyers of any known physical or behavioral problems in a line, - breeders do NOT sell to pet stores, - breeders provide warranties and may accept returns, - breeders either run or are affiliated with Golden Retriever rescue centers, - breeders answer all of buyers’ questions thoroughly and are knowledgeable on the breed, - breeders interview buyers to make sure buyers and puppies are a good match, - breeders educate buyers on how to train, groom, and care for puppies, - breeders have references available upon request.

Look for breeders with these traits and avoid those that cannot meet these requirements or even cannot answers questions about the Golden Retriever.

About the Author:

Carol Matthews is an avid lover of the Golden Retriever and owns a popular website that can show you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Golden Retriever. Among other topics at this website, you will find out more about Golden Retriever Breeder Information plus a whole lot more.