Everything You Need to Know About Golden Retrievers

If your family dreams of a real friend, affectionate, intelligent, loving to communicate, the retriever is ideal. He will keep the company and brighten up loneliness, will fit perfectly into a family with children. This dog is distinguished by high intellectual abilities, human orientation, docile, peaceful disposition. A real companion dog.

The Golden Retriever is very beautiful in appearance, a puppy or an adult dog always evokes affection and admiration. The main characteristics of the appearance of the Golden Retriever:

• the weight varies from 25 to 41.5 kg depending on gender;
• dog height - from 51 to 60 cm, females 5 cm lower than males;
• color allowed in one palette - gold, from cream shade to rich golden, excluded red, mahogany, reddish;
• wool elongated type, can curl or be straight;
• undercoat dense type, does not allow water to penetrate;
• addition harmonious, all parts of the body are symmetrical, proportional;
• cheeks non-convex, elongated muzzle;
• round ears hang, fit tightly;
• neck medium, no folds;
• muscle very well developed;
• belly does not hang down, the limbs are medium.

The main varieties of retrievers are similar in terms of temperament, intellectual abilities, health, and life expectancy. But there are also differences.

• American. Saturated shade, excluding very light and too dark. Tall, taller than Europeans.
• Canadian... It is an intermediate phenomenon, height and body are similar to Europeans, color - to Americans.
• European. The most light in color, heavy in comparison with the Americans, the muzzle is wide and more shortened in shape.

This breed is incredibly popular all over the world, with the number of registered retrievers growing every year. They owe this not only to their spectacular appearance, but also to amazing qualities - kindness, tolerance, intelligence.

The obvious advantage of a dog is its high intelligence. Studies have confirmed that retrievers are among the top intelligent and intelligent dogs in terms of intelligence.

As for the character of the dog, the following features are distinguished here:

• sociability;
• great attitude towards children;
• loyalty to the owners;
• balanced psyche, the nervous system is strong;
• peacefulness, disposition to people;
• obedience.

The aggression of this breed is absolutely alien, they can enter into conflicts only if something threatens their life. For all their peacefulness, dogs are very powerful, strong. The retriever is suitable for a person or family in need of a companion, the watchdog qualities of a retriever are questionable - he is too kind and gullible for this role. Golden will get along well with other animals in the house, get along with cats, since they do not have a tendency to dominance. In addition, they are very energetic, active, like outdoor games.

The relationship between the retriever and the kids is especially prominent. The dog is incredibly balanced, non-aggressive and calm, children fearlessly trust her. These are excellent nannies who patiently endure the whims of little owners, obey them. This is the safest breed that has a great effect on children, these dogs make excellent tutors for children and people with increased needs.

Retrievers are often confused with Labradors, this is understandable, since dogs are somewhat similar, and there is some kinship between them. When breeding retrievers, Labradors were also used. Both of these breeds belong to hunting, they look well for game and bring it.

However, with all the similarities, there are many distinguishing points:

• wool the Labrador retriever is shorter and tougher;
• tail the retriever is down, the Labrador is up;
• character Goldenov is more balanced, practical, tactful; Labradors are more emotional, cheerful, simple-minded.

Retrievers are good because the owners of a city apartment and a private house can afford them. Caring for them does not imply any particular difficulties. The main thing is to consistently accustom him to walking, hygiene, and regimen. Since the dog belongs to the hunting breed, you need to walk with her every day, and for a long time and actively.

Caring for a dog includes the following procedures, simple, but requiring regularity:

• as necessary, you need to cleanse your eyes, examine for discharge, pus, redness, if you walked in the forest - wash your eyes upon returning;
• be sure to regularly brush your teeth with both a special paste and bones with fluoride;
• weekly inspect the auricles for redness and inflammation, wipe them with cotton wool discs;
• water procedures should not be too frequent, otherwise the protective layer will be disturbed, it is enough to do this several times a year using special shampoos, after walking the dog is washed locally as needed;
• but you need to take care of the coat every day, combing the dog.

But there are several genetic predispositions to certain diseases:

• dysplasia of the retina and joints, the last defect is removed surgically, the first - can lead to blindness;
• epilepsy - can suddenly appear at any period of life, is successfully treated;
• von Willebrand diseasecan be cured by blood transfusion;
• atopic dermatitis, may not develop drugs, food.

One of the prerequisites for the healthy development of a retriever is vaccination. It is important to vaccinate the animal in a timely manner for preventive purposes, this is done even at the age of puppies, in an adult state, revaccinations are carried out according to the schedule.

There are three diseases, from which it is imperative to vaccinate a retriever:

• from parvovirus enteritis, which affects the gastrointestinal tract and requires complex long-term treatment;
• from rabies - this viral disease can affect a person;
• plague - another virus that cannot be defeated, it leads to the death of the animal.

Until the dog is vaccinated, contact with other animals should be avoided by choosing very carefully where to walk.

Diet is an important point in keeping a dog; its health, development, and well-being depend on it. There are two feeding options - dry prepared food and organic food. Both of them are good in their own way, but in the second case, you need to take care of putting together the right balanced menu for the retriever. The basis of the diet is meat: beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey, boiled offal - they make up half of the total feed.

A quarter of the entire diet is made up of cereals: wheat, buckwheat, rice. You can not give semolina, pearl barley, corn. Another fourth part of the menu is vegetables and fruits. Pumpkin, turnip are well suited. beets, cabbage and carrots. All citrus fruits, grapes, exotic, rhubarb and spinach are strictly prohibited. In addition, you need to give the dog cottage cheese and dairy products, low-fat fish.

Flavored yoghurts, fermented baked milk are prohibited. milk, cream. Since dogs are naturally food-loving and rarely in control, they can overeat, so it is necessary to observe moderation in portions.

It is much easier for the owner to make a choice in favor of dry food, which is sold ready-made. It is necessary to select premium food first for puppies and then for adult dogs of large breeds. In this case, natural products are excluded from the diet. The dry food already contains all the necessary complexes of the vitamin and mineral types necessary for the development and health of the retriever.

Because dogs of this breed are potential allergy sufferers, you should be very careful about cheap feeds of unknown manufacturers. Any type of feed is selected individually, at first a small portion is given, then it gradually increases. If the skin and coat have changed color, the dog begins to itch, it is better to stop taking it and see a veterinarian.

As for the number of meals, up to 5 months, the pet is fed 4 to 6 times a day, gradually reducing it. By the age of 8 months, the puppy should already eat, like an adult dog - 2 times a day. The daily portion is divided equally for all feedings.

Retrievers respond well to training, but much depends on the owner. He must be consistent, patient and calm. Goldens do not tolerate physical punishment, humiliation, shouting, swearing.All this very quickly becomes the norm, and then it is almost impossible to get the dog to execute commands in the usual manner.

There are a few rules to consider when starting your retriever training.

• Socialization. An obligatory stage in the upbringing of a dog. Even as a puppy, he should be in places where he can see people and animals: parks, playgrounds. After all the vaccinations are done, it is very helpful to allow contact with other dogs, avoiding stray dogs. The dog should be able to walk on a leash, ride in a car, and behave adequately in an elevator. All of this is achieved through experience.
• Obedience... Since the breed understands well, the weakness in the character and behavior of the owner immediately becomes obvious to them, which they use.
• Patience. An indispensable condition for raising a dog, you can not offend and humiliate them in any case.
• Perseverance. Mild physical coercion is necessary, as you put the dog in a position where it needs to obey. It can be light pressure on the croup, withers.
• Promotion. Praise and treats are the quickest way to train your dog to learn commands and skills.

Only thoroughbreds are bred that fully comply with the standards. Mating can be no earlier than 18 months for males, 20 months for females. Before the most viscous dogs are given antiparasitic agents. Walking during a female's estrus requires her special treatment, otherwise she will lure all males in the area. Males are prepared in a slightly different way - they increase the protein content in feed. The couple walk well and do not give food just before the mating.

Bearing puppies lasts from 62 to 64 days. It is necessary to increase the amount of protein in the feed, almost removing carbohydrates. The pregnant female is fed three times a day. Additionally, they give vitamins, remove fruits and vegetables from the menu. It is necessary to consult a doctor if the birth did not occur on the 66th day, in general, the first birth should take place under control. If several matings in a row did not end in pregnancy, an examination should be carried out.

For the characteristics of the Golden Retriever breed, see the video below.