Breeding Golden Retrievers

Most people can breed mongrels as all you have to do is introduce a male dog to a female in heat. However, people who buy Golden Retrievers only want top quality dogs. To do this, it is a complicated process and as a result, for beginners, breeding Golden Retrievers is nearly impossible. You should never attempt to breed unless you know a lot about requirements for hobby breeders, as it is simply unfair to the breed and your potential customers if you have a litter of puppies that simply aren’t what they should be. This is why you shouldn’t attempt to breed just to have puppies or make a few bucks.

Breeding Golden Retrievers is a very serious hobby, one that should be left to those who know how to make the right choices. Because Golden Retrievers are very popular, it is imperative that litters be of good quality to maintain the breed standard. You should be aware that there is a certain amount of cost and care involved with breeding, especially if you want to ensure that you maintain the breed quality. There is also a lot of responsibility involved as well, because you do not want to be known as the breeder who lowered the quality of the breed. Furthermore, proper breeding of popular breeds can take quite a bit of time as well.

Breeding may help to fulfill the needs of a Golden‘s owner, but if a dog isn’t bred, it will have no knowledge of missing it, no regrets, or no guilt toward living a life without having been bred. Frequently, pregnancy causes a Golden Retriever female to develop health problems; it has no known health benefits.

If you wish to become a quality Golden breeder, you will have many choices in front of you. You will need to determine the mother and the father that will produce the best litter. To get the highest quality possible from the litter, you will need to determine the traits of both dogs, their temperaments and how well they seem to react to one another. You will also need to determine in either of the dogs has any type of health problems, to prevent any diseases or ailments from being passed onto the litter. Once you settle on a female Golden, you will have to thoroughly examine her and determine how close she matches the breed standard. If you notice any shortfalls, then you will have to find a male that is strong in these areas. In this way, you can have a better chance at a good litter of puppies.

Sometimes, when breeding Golden Retrievers, the mother of the litter will prove to be poor at motherhood, which will require more work for you. If the mother isn’t doing her job of nurturing her young, then you will have to assist her to ensure the puppies live. This can be the most time consuming aspect of breeding, because you will have to feed the young and make sure that they turn out as healthy as possible.

Aside from that, as a breeder, you will face many costs. As well as the cost of food and vet bills, you will have to pay stud fees for the male if you do not have a suitable one of your own. When you add up all of the costs, you will quickly realize that breeders do not make much money when they make a sale. In fact, most breeders do it as a hobby, not as a money making proposition. Quality breeders usually are not concerned with money as much as they are with the quality of their litters. Quality is better than quantity, as even the best breeders have problems selling puppies from time to time.

Although breeding is fun for hobby breeders, it is something you really should not be doing if you do not have the experience. If you are very sure that you want to breed your female Golden Retriever, then find a knowledgeable breeder who will give you the assistance you will need to ensure you end up with a healthy litter and that you do not endanger your pet’s health. If you are the least bit unsure about breeding your female, then I advise you to get her spayed so that you do not end up with a litter of unexpected mongrels. A purebred Golden Retriever should be bred only with dogs of her breed, to help preserve the breed and keep their bloodline going. If you have thought about breeding in the past - you should study long and hard before you actually make it a reality, because there is a lot of work and responsibility that you must undertake when you do it.

Until next time,

Teia

Adopting an Older Golden Retriever

Pictured here is "Emma" our neighbour's dog who stopped by on one of her daily walks to let us see her boots which are used to protect her feet from the extreme cold of a northern winter.

If you would love to own a Golden Retriever but aren’t ready to go through the problems associated with getting a puppy, you should look into adopting a mature Golden. Older Golden Retrievers prove to be great in homes where they are allowed to spend a quality amount of time by themselves. Golden Retrievers are a very adjustable breed, because they are mild tempered. No matter how old the Golden may be, she will quickly become a valued member of your family in little to no time at all.

Many times, breeders will have older dogs for sale. There are several reasons for this, which include show dogs that have lost their potential, studs that have been used for breeding and are now ready for retirement, female Golden’s that have been bred a few times then retired, or where a breeder is helping a friend get rid of his or her Golden Retriever. There are other reasons as well and whatever they may be, the adult Golden Retriever will be available for anyone who wants her or him.

Older Golden Retrievers are already housebroken and know how to adapt to many situations, which will allow them to adapt to a new and loving family. Although it will be a little hard on your new pet at first, if you give her plenty of love, attention and patience, she’ll be just fine. You need to keep reassuring your new Golden on a regular basis because she has just gone through the trauma of moving from familiar surroundings into strange ones. Let her know that you are her new owner and that you love her and you are glad she’s a member of your family.

If you have been thinking of adopting an older Golden Retriever, you should make sure that you learn everything you can about her. You should also determine her temperament and whether or not it’s compatible with your family’s lifestyle. You should also learn other important things as well, such as her diet, likes, dislikes, daily routine and her habits. Before you decide to take her, you should always make sure that the members of your family meet her as well, so you can talk it over and decide whether everyone wants the dog to become a member of your family.

With an older dog, you need to provide a lot of attention for the first few days and let her know where everything in your home is located. You’ll need to show her where she sleeps, where she should go to the bathroom and where to eat her food. Take your time and be patient with her, as it will normally take her a few days to learn how things in your home work. A friend who lives down the street has a Golden that he got from a family member who lives is a different part of the country. He takes her for several daily walks and spends a lot of time with her. She just adores him, because he meets all of her needs. He fusses over her and walks her to ensure that she gets the exercise she needs to remain healthy. When he goes out in the car, he ensures that she accompanies him. As a result of the interaction, the needs of the pet and the owner are met, which benefits them both.

You should always give your new Golden Retriever at least a month or so to get used to her new environment, before you start her new obedience training. Even though your new dog may have some prior obedience training, you should still enrol her in a new class. This way, she can brush up on training and you can work with her to help her understand your commands. Once you have finished training, she’ll understand your commands better and both of you will get along just fine.

All Golden Retrievers, regardless of their age, love attention. One thing that you may have to take into account when considering an older Golden is that she may have medical problems. You shouldn’t let this stop you from getting an older Golden Retriever though, because the rewards that you’ll get will be far greater than any cons. Although many people don’t give a lot of thought to getting an older Golden Retriever, they are perfect for families who don’t want to take the time and trouble of raising a puppy, which can certainly be onerous at times.

Until next time,

Teia

Tips for Buying a Golden Retriever Puppy

Anyone that has ever been around a Golden Retriever knows that they are beautiful, obedient, and make great family pets and hunting dogs. Golden’s, as they are frequently referred to, 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 to 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’s worth considering the possibility of buying it from a backyard breeder. Backyard breeders usually know and care a lot about the breed. Usually backyard breeders aren’t 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 or their local member clubs, as they can supply you with a list of breeders in your area. If these breeders don’t have any Golden’s for sale themselves, they will be more than willing to help you find what you’re looking for. If you do not have a club in your area, then check with your local veterinarian. Since veterinarians usually treat most dogs in the area, they are familiar with any local breeders. By dealing with someone from a Golden Retriever Club or veterinarian recommendation, you can get a Golden from a very reliable source.

Whatever you do, you should never rush into buying a Golden Retriever. You should always take your time, because when you buy your puppy, you want a healthy puppy that will grow up to be a fine testament to 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 of 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 types of breeders, you’ll more than likely end up with a puppy that has poor health, poor temperament and even flaws in relation to the breed standards.

When you get your puppy, you should always think long term. If you buy from a quality breeder, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Always remember that you aren’t just buying a Golden Retriever puppy - you are buying a companion and a friend for life.

Until next time,

Teia

Why You Should Train Your Golden Retriever to Stay

Most of the problems you will have with your Golden Retriever will be caused by a combination of his intelligence, energy and desire to please. It is important to train your Golden to stay because his excess energy can cause him to run off in an instant if he gets loose. It's not that he wants to escape, it's just that his desire to romp overcomes his desire to stay with you.

One of the first steps in training your Golden is to establish you as the "alpha dog" or "pack leader.” Because the Golden Retriever is a fairly large dog, having him properly trained is especially important as many people are afraid of large dogs and will shy away from an uncontrollable over exuberant dog. It doesn't matter that Goldens are not aggressive dogs. Good training will make your dog more welcome wherever you go.

Pay attention to your dog and make eye contact often. When your dog does something right, look him in the eye, give him verbal praise and offer a treat, in that order. For example, when your dog sits (whether by command or not), make eye contact, say "good sit" and give him a treat.

Goldens are very sensitive dogs. They do not do well with scolding or punishment. It's better to identify the good behavior and reward that, rather than use negativity.

Your dog can learn to stay from any position, lying down, sitting or standing. Eventually you will want to train him to stay from all of these positions.

With your dog on a leash, stand to his right, place your hand in front of his face, palm toward him and say "stay.” Step away from your dog with your right foot first as stepping with the left foot encourages the dog to move too. Take two steps, turn and face him.

Give him the hand signal again, hand right in front of his face with the fingers pointing up and repeat "stay.” Return to his side and say "ok." Then say "good stay" and give him a treat.

Over time, increase the length of time you hold up your hand and increase the distance you walk away from him. Eventually, walk the full length of the leash away, hold up your hand and repeat "stay.”

Always return to his side. Reward him if he continues to do as he is told.

Starting with “little baby steps” that you can reward with a "good stay" and a treat are much more valuable at first than trying unsuccessfully for a longer time or distance.

Are you worried about spoiling your dog with too many rewards? Are you concerned that he won't obey without them? As long as you never show the treat to your dog before he exhibits the desired behavior, you don't need to worry. A rule of thumb with Goldens, since they are so sensitive and so eager to please, is pick your battles and bribe shamelessly.

You can overdo training, so keep each session fairly short. If you can, repeat training sessions several times a day. Use reward-based training or, if you prefer, clicker-based training, rather than discipline training for your Golden. As previously mentioned Golden Retrievers do not respond well to discipline based training.

It is very important that your Golden Retriever learn the sit and stay commands thoroughly. A Golden Retriever is a fairly large dog and it is much better if they sit rather than jump up and try to lick the face of a child. Young children are easily knocked over by happy Goldens!

When you feel that your dog has learned to stay well, vary the circumstances. Make sure he can stay from a sitting, laying, or standing position. Practice inside and outside, around other dogs and other people. Try to distract him with a rolling ball or have someone else call him. You aren't being mean and you are not trying to trick him. You are simply helping him to understand better what you mean by "stay” and he will be deliriously happy when he knows he's got it right.

Here's a bonus tip specific to Golden Retrievers, but you be the judge if it's appropriate for your dog, retriever or not. Retrievers like carrying things in their mouths; many of them have favorite toys they don't like to be without. If your dog is having trouble concentrating during a training session, you can try letting him hold his favorite stuffed toy in his mouth. If he thinks it's playtime, it won't work, but often it calms him and gives him a focus. A friend, Rick, lets his Golden, “Emma,” carry one of his gloves. This keeps his smell close and makes her more responsive to his commands.

With these few tips and techniques under your belt, your training sessions with your sunny-tempered Golden can be quite fun and pleasurable for both of you.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds - Golden Retrievers

The above picture is one of "Emma" wearing her Winter boots.

The fourth most favorite dog in the United States, the Golden Retriever has won the hearts of tens of thousands of families. If you have ever dealt with a Golden Retriever, it's really no surprise.

They have a sweet and obedient nature, high intelligence and extremely good looks. They are eager to please and have a friendly disposition. A Golden Retriever is a great addition to any family. Before you get one, however, you may want to consider the following.

Owning any dog requires some basic commitments and owning a Golden Retriever is no different. First, are you ready for a dog? Will you let the dog be a part of the family, or are you planning to just leave it outside alone all the time?

Golden Retrievers want and need to be with people. They want to be a part of the family. They are very unhappy if left outside away from family members and could get into trouble by chewing on patio furniture or your $100 sapling, or digging holes. So be sure you will have the dog inside with you.

Second, having any dog can be trying at times, especially a larger dog. Their bark is louder, they eat more and they take up more space. If you have a tiny apartment, you might want to consider a smaller dog.

Third, Golden Retrievers require more attention and care than many of the other breeds. Their beautiful coat needs to be brushed at least twice a week.

Being an athletic dog bred for hunting, they need daily exercise and lots of it. Be sure you have the time to devote to playing with your dog and taking him or her for daily walks. A neigbour has a Golden Retriever called "Emma". He walks her at least twice a day and at least once a week he takes her out into the country for a really long walk. Walks are taken in all kinds of weather. If it is very cold, "Emma" wears lined leather booties to protect her feet from freezing.

Their high intelligence requires daily mental exercise. If not provided with enough physical or mental exercise, they can exhibit behavior problems.

Fourth, Goldens are prone to several health problems such as hip dysplasia and skin problems. Be prepared to deal with skin allergies that can develop into "hot spots." Itching, due to fleabites and allergic reactions, causes these hot spots.

There are dog foods you can get that minimize itching and allergic reactions. When shopping for a suitable dog food be sure it does not contain either wheat or corn, two ingredients which many Golden Retrievers are sensitive to. A diet high in meat protein is best, although you will find that these foods are often the most expensive.

Fifth, poorly bred Golden Retrievers could be overly exuberant and boisterous. Look for a good breeder that is not breeding just for money, or find a local Golden Retriever rescue group. They will be able to provide you with a Golden that is easy to please and enjoys learning, characteristics you expect from this breed.

These considerations are a small price to pay for the love and companionship that a Golden Retriever will give you and your family.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds - Boston Terriers

My mom's mother bred Boston Terriers for many years. When dad''s parents came to Saskatchewan for mom and dad's wedding they returned home with one of these great little dogs. When she passed on, they got another one to replace her. In their opinion, Bostons are one of the nicest dogs to own. (Actually, I think that the Shih Tzu is the best dog to own, but then I guess I'm a little prejudiced since I'm seven-eighths Shih Tzu) However, since grandma and grandpa thought they were such nice dogs, I thought you might like to learn a bit about them.

Boston Terriers are a top dog breed in many different respects. Bostons are considered on-top for a variety of reasons:

** They're tops in playfulness.

** They're tops in eating.

** They're tops in snoring.

** They're tops in passing gas and producing solid waste (sorry, but it's true).

** They're tops in sleeping peacefully for hours on end.

** They're tops in chewing and gnawing on anything they can get into their mouth.

** They're tops in cuteness. (After Shih Tzus of course!)

** They're tops in loving.

Most dog owners believe their preferred dog breed to be the best, but Boston Terriers are definitely one of the greatest dogs around. So, let's take a little closer look at Boston Terriers.

A puppy trainer once said that, "Boston Terriers are a big dog in a little dog's body . . . ", and nothing could be truer. Boston Terriers are not afraid of much. They'll rumble with much bigger Golden Retrievers and Labradors. In fact, many Boston Terriers seem to prefer playing with big dogs.

Boston's have a wonderful muscular physique. Compact and strong, they usually top out at 20 or 25 pounds, although it's common to find more petite Boston Terriers as well. The Boston Terrier was the first American dog breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. Some people refer to this breed as the Boston Bulldog, but that name is not officially recognized.

Boston Terriers love to play and they're speedy and athletic, so be sure to have lots of fetch toys available. They may even be good candidates for agility training, a sort of obstacle course for dogs. But they also love to chew and have strong jaws, so you'll want to keep strong rawhide bones on hand, plus well-made chew ropes or hard rubber tug toys. Forget the little plastic squeaky toys. They’ll be mincemeat in minutes . . . honestly. One thing I do not recommend for any dog, but Bostons in particular, is real bones. A number of Boston owners have lost their Boston Terrier from either getting a large piece of bone caught in its throat or having a sharp piece of bone pierce the stomach or intestine. This is also a problem for most small dogs as owners of Poodles, Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels and others have reported similar incidents. Grandma and grandpa lost their first Boston when she got a large piece of bone caught in her throat. They tried everything to dislodge the bone, but nothing worked. Living in the country, they were too far from a veterinarian to get the dog to one in time. It was a heart-wrenching tragedy having the little one die in their arms.

Boston Terriers play hard, but when they stop, they sleep hard too. Few dog breeds can crash into total oblivion as fast as a Boston. And, if they can curl up on the bed or couch with you, so much the better. They absolutely love to nestle into the curve between your butt and knees if you lay on your side. Be prepared to share your bed with your Boston Terrier. They’re almost impossible to resist! They are also very insistent that they are close to you whenever you are home.

Boston's eat well too. Not picky, for the most part, they'll wolf down meals with abandon. And be sure to keep some tasty--but healthy--snacks on hand to reward good behavior, or just to spoil your little cutie.

And talking about cute, what could be cuter than your little "tuxedo man" (or woman) with the black and white markings, big brown eyes, huge ears, smushy face, and that little pout? One inquisitive look from a Boston Terrier with his cocked head, and you melt.

Of course, Boston Terriers are also "good" at some less desirable things. With their short snouts, breathing is more of a challenge and they'll snore better than some humans when sleeping. So, if you're not a sound sleeper, it could create some problems. Some Boston owners consider their pet to be a "solid waste factory". It's not uncommon during a 10-block walk for him to "go" at least twice. So, bring lots of bags! They are also one of the most gaseous dogs around. They can clear a room in record time when they have a bout of gas.

If you like to exercise, walk, or hike with your Boston, it's also important to know that their short snouts make it difficult for them to cool their bodies effectively during hot weather. Their dark coats don't help either. So, you may need to leave your Boston Terriers home on hot days, or to provide some kind of cooling, through a vest with cold packs in it or some similar solution. Cold weather can be hard for a Boston too, with their short hair and lack of extra fat. It may look silly, but your Boston needs to wear a warm coat when outside on cold days and on days when there are ten degrees or more of frost, consider booties too as their foot pads freeze in minutes.

But what most Boston Terriers are absolutely the best at is . . . loving their owners. They love their human companions with their total being, following them around the house and always wanting to be close. Most dogs provide unconditional love to their people. It's one of the biggest reasons to own a dog. But most Boston Terriers are absolutely devoted to people.

Boston Terriers are one of the nicest dog breeds you could ever own. Next time you consider getting a dog, won't you consider getting a Boston Terrier? (That is, only if you can't get a Shih Tzu like me.)

Until next time,

Teia