What do I need to know about the Golden Retriever? The most important aspects of this breed that one should understand is their specific qualities, abilities and temperament. Be sure your expectations for a pet match the breed you've chosen. To be certain this breed is right for you, read my 'Qualities, Abilities and Temperament' section on this website. What kind of personality does the Golden Retriever have? Are they good with families and children? This breed is excellent with children. My 'Qualities, Abilities and Temperament' section will tell you all you need to know about the personality of these lovable dogs. I've never owned a dog before, or owned a retriever. What do I need to know about training them? You can't share your life and home with a retriever without committing yourself and your dog to formal training lessons. Before your pup is even old enough to attend school, he must be worked with at home. Training starts the day you bring your Golden baby home, and learning about training starts beforehand. Before committing to the involvement of training a Golden Retriever to be a good companion, become aware of what it entails by reading: Do you recommend males or females? It really depends on what attributes appeals to you. MALES Males are larger than females, usually broader rather than much taller. They are goofy, upbeat happy fools... which is not to say they lack intelligence. They are simply not as 'serious' as females are. As a rule, males tend to be higher in energy and drive, which makes for a great working companion, and is lots of fun if you intended to provide a good deal of play, which they need. They can lack a sense of grace and be clumsy at times, romping with glee all over the place. When excited, they are prone to acting like big puppies. Males tend to be more emotionally needy, wanting a great deal of affection and will force themselves on you to get it by climbing, rubbing and pushing on you. Because they lack female hormones, males are more constant in mood. This means their disposition stays pretty much the same no matter what. Females tend to be more sensitive and 'reactive'. Because males instinctually want to be pack leaders, they are more apt to test their owners and engage in dominance struggles, trying to get their way and 'win' a test of wills. This occurs more so during the hormonal adolescent months. Firmness and consistency in training is essential. Males have external genitals. They raise their legs to urinate, and will mark anything upright; garden stakes, law furniture, birdbaths, planters, shrubs, trees, and everything standing else in your yard. Some males are territorial markers who compulsively spray urine on every vertical object (from telephone poles to blades of grass) to mark it with their scent, which means walking them is alwsy filled with 'reststops'. Males often lick their private area to keep it clean. Some are 'happy humpers' who either want to dominate or mate. These dogs will mount stuffed toys, other dogs, and people's legs. This can happen even if a male is neutered. FEMALES Females tend to be smaller and more delicately built than males, with softer, narrower faces and heads. They have better control of themselves, learn more quickly and have more focus during training sessions. Females are more emotionally reserved than males, showing excitement, but usually with far less theatrics. They tend to ask for attention less than makes do, and give affection on their own terms. When they're done cuddling they're done, whereas a male will snuggle forever and then ask for more. Females can have a variety of moods which are always interesting and usually amusing. Even when spayed, they still possess female hormones which can make them very cuddly for days and then suddenly quite aloof and independent. Males may groan when discontent, but quickly forget what they were upset about it. Females sulk. Females are naturally passive and won't usually try to dominate people or other dogs, making them easier to train. However, being more crafty than males, they can be manipulative when trying to get their way. Females have internal genitals. If unaltered, females will go into heat and bleed once every six months, luring males by scent for weeks before. During this hormonal time, they may 'nest' and even adopt a small pillow, sneaker, towel or stuffed animal as a 'baby' to carry around. They can be irritable toward other dogs during this period. Females get along with well other dogs of either gender and enjoy socializing, while males are more territorial and tend to fight with other males. Regardless of which gender you choose, a Blue Mountains Golden is a lovable, wonderful dog. All of your dogs have great temperaments, happy dispositions and friendly personalities. They are home raised with love and so are their puppies. See my Guestbook to read letters from Blue Mountains Goldens puppy owners! Are Golden Retrievers prone to specific health problems? All breeds have particular health problems which responsible breeders are working to eliminate. Read over my Common Health Problems in Golden Retrievers section to learn more. Do you provide a pedigree and AKC registration papers? Yes, pedigrees to all puppy litter sires and dams can be found on this website while that litter is being featured. All dogs of mine currently active in my breeding program also have their pedigrees posted. A pedigree is simply a genealogy, a family tree, nothing more. You do not need it printed on special paper with a gold seal affixed to it. Just go to the pedigrees you want records of (on this website) and print them out. When you bring your puppy home, a printed copy of his or her pedigree will be provided. AKC registration papers are also provided at time of puppy sale. Will my puppy's AKC Papers show s/he is bred from good stock? Most puppy-buyers unfamiliar with breeding believe that an AKC registration is an indication of quality. Not true. The AKC Registration has no bearing on the soundness of any dog. The AKC will register any puppy, sick or healthy, whose parents are already registered with them. The American Kennel Club is only a REGISTRY; a record of whatever purebred dogs are submitted to it. Being registered or not registered is no reflection of the quality of your dog's stock. There are just as many unhealthy dogs registered with the AKC as there are healthy ones. The only thing you need to have a dog registered for is if you intend to participate in AKC events. Then why do you provide the registration forms if I just want a pet? So that you may show and compete with your dog in AKC events if you ever choose to. How does AKC registration work? You fill out a simple form provided to you by the breeder and send the AKC money. If the owners of your puppy's parents and grandparents have also registered their dogs (we have), the AKC will insert your puppy's name into their database. They will then send you a piece of paper with a registration number on it. Again, you will not need this number unless you are participating in AKC events. If the registration doesn't prove much, how do I know my dog is purebred? You wouldn't be able to register your pup if s/he were not. The pup's pedigree shows AKC registered dogs in their lineage. Their registration numbers will be listed on it. If a dog is registered with the AKC, it is a purebreed. Your pup's sire (father) and mother (dam) are registered, indicating a 'pure bloodline' of Golden Retrievers only. If AKC registration is no indication, how do I know my dog is healthy and sound? Make sure to meet at the parents of a puppy litter whenever possible, before deciding if you want their offspring. If you can, meet some siblings too, or other related dogs of all ages to see how they are behaviorally and health-wise. Find a kennel by breeder reputation, one who works to breed solid dogs and who doesn't inbreed or over-breed. Ask the breeder how many litters they produce yearly, and if their dogs are HIP and EYE certified and cleared. Ask for written veterinary proof of this. An ethical kennel, like Blue Mountain Goldens, will be happy to provide this to you. I'm getting a puppy! What do I need? What do I need to do ahead of time?!?! You definately want to have a look at my "What You Need to Know Ahead of Time" section which tell you all you need to know and do before your new arrival comes home, from supplies to puppy-proofing your home. And read through the "After The Puppy Is Home" section which contains a Puppy Care Kit with feeding, housebreaking, and basic training instructions. And never hesitate to e-mail me with any other questions or concerns you may have! |
