Friday, February 12th, 2010
I am getting a dog soon and I want a golden retriever but there is a dog available but is a golden retriever/shepard mix. whats the difference between a golden retriever and a golden retriever/ shepard mix?
all the answers here are pretty much correct. i have 3 golden retrievers and 2 golden retriever /german shepherd mixed. i assume you are talking about getting one from a shelter?? sometimes they will say it is a mix of shep/golden and they are not. the shelters are like anyone else, they guess at the breeds mixed in these dog. so if you are really wanting a golden i would hold out for the golden. all of my dogs are laid back except one of the mixes,he is very protective of me, so much so that i have to put him in another room if anyone comes to the door. i know that is the shepherd in him. most of the shep/retriever mixes look more shepherds than retrievers.
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Monday, February 8th, 2010
Royal Canin Maxi Golden Retriever is formulated for the special nutritional needs of adult Golden Retrievers, who can be predisposed to hereditary heart disease and bloat.
(more…)
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Monday, February 8th, 2010
All types of dogs love being in a pack; their security depends on their ability to mingle and communicate with the other dogs in the group. Over the years, however, the Golden Retriever has developed a closer relationship with human beings than with dogs. They can guide the blind, provide companionship to young children, and assist hunters. Thanks to their breeding, Golden Retrievers have evolved in such a way that they now need to frequently interact with people.
Golden Retrievers have a forgiving nature. They endlessly forgive all the mistakes their owners make. The only thing they desire from you is that you acknowledge their existence and give them a pat on the head. They love to please their owners; in fact, they are among the first three breeds of dogs to win the Obedience Trial Championships.
Since Golden Retriever’s love the company of people, it is of great importance that you ensure that they in close contact with you and your family. Include your Goden Retriever in any family activity that you organize. Normally, they don’t annoy you by barking. The only thing that makes them bark, however, is boredom. A stout, adult Golden Retriever enjoys adventures such as hiking, huntin, jogging, walking, and any other activity that requires physical exertion.
Expose your Golden Retriever to your kids ever since its earliest days and he or she will become even better with children. While this breed is very loving and friendly toward children, they can knock little children over and lick them all over the face. Your golden retriever might be great with your kids, but don’t leave your kids and your dog alone together. Your dog might inadvertently harm them according to its natural instinct if you kids accidentally poke it or pull its tail.
Golden Retrievers love water and enjoy plunging into it. If you own a swimming pool or a pond of some sort, the sight of your Golden Retreiver having a dip whenever it gets an opportunity will be a common one. They also love mud and will roll in it. It is quite normal for your dog to get dirty often. You will have to bathe your Golden Retriever every other day once it becomes an adult.
Ensure that your Golden Retriever gets plenty of fresh air, water, and shade in the summer. Heat is not really good for this breed, though they enjoy it. Take good care of your Golden Retriever in the summer and don’t let it exert itself, and it will enjoy perfect health even though the summer is at its peak.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/golden-retriever-characteristics-its-heart-is-gold-too-753440.html
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Sunday, January 31st, 2010
The golden retriever is perhaps the most popular family dog and rightly so as its gentle temperament makes it a great companion for families with children. originating from Britain this breed is an excellent tracker and has been used as a hunting dog and also to help sniff out narcotics. They are very intelligent and eager to please as well as fast learners which makes them great candidates for guide and therapy dogs.
A member of the American kennel club sporting group, the golden retriever was first registered at the AKC in 1925. By breed standards they should be between 20 and 24 inches in height and weigh between 55 and 80 pounds. If cared for properly, the golden retriever can live for 12 years or more.
The golden retriever has a beautiful golden coat and has a well proportioned and sturdy build. the medium length code is feathered with a dense undercoat and water repellent outer coat. They have a broad head with powerful muscle black nose and brown dark rimmed eyes. They have medium pendant shaped ears in the long tail that is carried straight, not curled. Golden retrievers callers can range from cream to a deep gold.
Well known for their gentle manner and intelligence, the golden retriever is easily trainable and a good dog if you have other pets and children. They are eager to please, loyal and confident but are extremely active and will need to get their exercise. While they are easy to train, they can be quite boisterous and are easily distracted so you want to exhibit patience during the training process. Your golden retriever should be an active member of your family as he can become mischievous if left alone for long periods of time.
This breed can be prone to eye defects as well as hip dysplasia and should also be checked for heart problems and Von Willebrand’s disease. Some can be prone to skin allergies, and you should keep an eye out for this as you’ll need to treated it immediately.
While the golden retriever does need plenty of exercise he can live happily in apartment as long as you are sure to take them for walks and let him play. Of course, they love to retrieve so having him retrieve balls or sticks or even a frisbee is ideal. They can put on weight easily so you want to be sure to watch what you feed them and make sure they do get enough exercise as being overweight can be unhealthy for any dog.
When grooming your golden retriever mixture to pay attention to the dense undercoat and brush in good with a firm bristled brush. Only bathe when absolutely necessary, but if you want to you can dry shampoo them as often as you want. This dog is an average shutter.
Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-golden-retriever-a-great-family-dog-90004.html
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
The puppies are golden retrievers and I have nine puppies and was wondering how much to feed them and how often a day.. Many Thanks!
Yup they are old enough to start on puppy mush!
Make 2 batches of this:
2 cups good quality dry puppy food place in blender
Chop up puppy food in a blender add warm water unitl it looks like runny oatmeal. Pour into shallow pan like a heavy pie pan. Make 2 batches of this for 9 pups.
Place down for pups to lap up!
Feed the pups this 3 to 4 times a day. Allow mom back in with pups to clean them up and for pups to nurse.
5 weeks old:
soak puppy food in warm water, increase to 2 1/2 cups for each pan. Break up with fork feed pups 3 to 4 times a day. Let mom back in to clean them up but you may need to help her out so have a warm wash cloth and towel ready. Also have clean cool water for them now all the time. I found drip bottles like they use for rabbits to be the best thing for this. I’d get 2 or 3 for 9 pups.
6 weeks old:
Soak some food & leave some crunchy and feed to pups 3 to 4 times a day. Increase to 3 cups for each pan. Make sure they have clean full water bottles all the time. If mom still want to nurse every now and then fine if she doesn’t dont force her.
7 & 8 weeks old:
Same as 6 weeks. By 7 weeks old they should be fully weaned and mom no longer needs to nurse pups.
My e-mail is open if you need more help!
Hope this helped!
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Thursday, January 21st, 2010
I am looking to buy a dog but cant seem to chose one. I am wanting everyones opinion on what kind of dog do they think will be the best for my family. I have two children. Ages 5 and 2. I own my own home and have a big back yard although its not fenced. I am also a stay at home mother so the dog will get plenty attention. What will be the best dog for my family? Small dog or Big. I dont care, as long as it will be a great dog.
I think you should do some research , if you have children i think a Lab would be good but they will have to be train when they are very young because like all puppies they will need training , also golden retrievers, boxers are great it has to be I think a girl if you planning to keep inside is a lot easier to train and also make sure you fix her. I had many dogs in my life ar the moment i have 3. Good luck.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
I want to get an English bulldog puppy. I’ve always wanted a dog and to take care of one but I don’t know much about this breed. Can anyone who owns one or has own one tell me the good and bad stuff about the breed?
My major concerns would be:
1. Stubbornness. Despite their sweetness, English Bulldogs are not golden retrievers. They are not pushovers to raise and train. Most Bulldogs are extremely stubborn. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. (Food rewards help a great deal!)
To teach your Bulldog to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Bulldog Training Page discusses the program you need.
2. Occasional animal aggression. Some male Bulldogs may act aggressively toward other male dogs. Some Bulldogs do not get along with cats. Never feed an English Bulldog in the presence of other animals.
3. Shedding. Bulldogs shed much more than you might think. Their short, coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.
4. bulldog sounds. Though they seldom bark, English Bulldogs are far from silent. Because of the short face, they snort, snuffle, wheeze, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others.
5. Slobbering. Most people are not prepared for how much English Bulldogs slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. When they shake their heads, you will literally be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes, furniture, and walls.
6. Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Bulldogs who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Bulldog Health Page for more information.
7. High cost. English Bulldog breeders charge $1000 to $1500. They explain that this is to cover their costs of artificial insemination (because most English Bulldogs can’t mate without assistance) and C-sections (because the puppies’ heads are too large to be born normally). But that’s just the beginning of your money outlay, because typically you’ll be spending a great deal of money on veterinary care for this breed.
8. Serious health problems. Make no mistake about it, English Bulldogs are grossly deformed and modern breeders, especially show breeders, perpetuate the health problems with every litter they produce. It’s been said that if you feel like supporting your vet with great chunks of money, get an English Bulldog. They suffer from hip problems, heart problems, and skin problems. Their compromised respiratory system makes it very risky to anesthetize them.
Many Bulldogs can’t even walk normally, or run without gasping for breath. Many of them struggle to breathe in hot or humid weather. In the summer they should be kept in air-conditioning and supervised during outside activity so they don’t over-exert themselves and become overheated.
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Monday, November 16th, 2009
Keeping your golden retriever healthy can also mean keeping his immune system in good condition. This helps him fend off diseases easily and prevent him from being sick at some point of his life. There are many ways to improve the immune system of our dogs. Here you can learn some of the points to ponder if you really care for your golden retriever.
Homemade dog food is the best for Golden retrievers compared to canned food. It tastes a lot better and contains more vitamins and minerals that are not abundantly found in canned food. You may choose to mix homemade food with canned food or depending on your preference. When it comes to drinking water for your golden, choose spring water over faucet water. Spring water is not likely to contain dangerous minerals unlike faucet water which may contain lead and mercury and other dangerous metals.
Feeding him raw bones will help him develop a strong set of white teeth. Try to make it a good treat by sparing lots of meat on the bone. Having a good teeth is one good quality of a golden retriever. Giving him one bone per day will help him develop his teeth and jaw strength as he will keep chewing everyday. You can also give him chew toys as substitute. This can be helpful if you’re playing with him.
Knowing what health problems your golden retriever can encounter will also keep him healthy all throughout the year. This way you won’t go to the vet from time to time. However if your vet, tells you something he should know, you should tell him what your golden is experiencing so you can help reduce the problem for your golden retriever.
You should try to check your golden retriever for any reproductive system problems. You should check the problem sooner or it may be too late. Neutering your male golden retriever will help him avoid contact with female golden retrievers if your planning not to breed your golden retriever yet or avoid any type of reproductive problems caused by the opposite golden retriever.
Keep in mind to keep your dog healthy at all times and he will stay with you a lot longer. Make your dog always comfortable and give him a nice diet and adequate exercise to keep him fit and strong. Good pets are the healthy ones that can synchronize with you with your day to day activities.
Keane Wade
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/keeping-your-golden-retriever-healthy-88973.html
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Starting your new Golden Retriever puppy out on the right foot by feeding him properly will help him grow to be a happy, healthy adult. puppies receive their nutrients from their mother until they’re about 7 weeks old. But at about three weeks, it’s time to start giving them puppy food that has been soaked and mixed to a thin paste that resembles the food they get from mom. The breeder should have started this process before you pick up your new Golden Retriever puppy.
Before you bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, be sure to find out exactly what food he’s been given and the times he’s been fed. Because puppy stomachs are very sensitive, it’s important to continue the same regimen. When you begin to change to a more mature diet, gradually transition from 25% new mix with 75% of the old diet to the opposite (75% new and 25% old) over a ten-day period. This will give your Golden Retriever puppy time to adjust to the new diet without undue discomfort or digestive problems.
When your Golden Retriever puppy is at least 8 weeks old, it is acceptable to separate him from his mother and bring him home to meet his new family. At first, your new puppy may not show much interest in eating. Changes this big can be very stressful. Don’t force him to eat. Once he figures out he doesn’t have to fit his brothers and sisters to get his fair share, he’ll become more curious and hungry. So don’t worry if he only sniffs and nibbles at first.
Puppies need twice the nutrients that adult Golden Retrievers need to stay healthy. Don’t be tempted to use too many treats with your Golden Retriever puppy, as they do not contain enough nutrients for his healthy growth. For the fist few weeks, stick to the type of food and the same feeding schedule as he was getting from the breeder. It’s hard for a new Golden Retriever puppy to adjust to changes, and maintaining a stable schedule with familiar food will be a nice balance to the shock of new surroundings and people. During the transition to the new food, watch closely for vomiting, loose stool or constipation. If these occur, slow down the transition until your Golden Retriever puppy adjusts and can eat without becoming upset or ill.
Professionals recommend that puppies should eat three times a day until they are about six months old. But it’s a good idea to take the puppy to your vet as soon as you can. Get him checked out, and discuss diet and nutrition with your vet. Your vet will be able to give you tips on appropriate weights so that you can avoid over- or under-feeding your new Golden Retriever puppy.
The feeding schedule will, of course, be largely determined by your own schedule. But set regular times, and stick to them. Your new Golden Retriever puppy need stability, and sticking to a set schedule will help you with house-training, as his bathroom habits will be regular and predictable. Be sure to provide ample water during and after his meals. Set aside some quiet time for your Golden Retriever puppy after meals to avoid stomach problems. Expect your puppy to need to go to the bathroom within a hour or so. Ask the kids not to play with the puppy for the first hour to hour-and-a-half after he eats.
When your Golden Retriever puppy has learned to sleep through the night, make it a habit to take him outside for a potty break each morning. Then feed him, allowing for about an hour of quiet time afterward. Stick to your feeding schedule as much as you possibly can. You should schedule the last feeling at last an hour or so before you plan to go to bed so that you can give him a potty break before everyone settles in for a good night’s rest. Until your Golden Retriever puppy is house-broken, provide puppy pads or newspapers near (not in) his sleeping area in case he can’t wake you up for a trip outside.
By the time your Golden Retriever puppy is 8 to 10 weeks old, he should be on a diet of dry dog food. You can add a little warm water to make it more appetizing, but don’t use canned or moist dog food. These are mostly water and not nearly as nutritious as the dry foods. The warm water will encourage your Golden Retriever puppy to eat all his food, though you may need to sit with him and add more warm water a little at a time. From three to six months, your Golden Retriever puppy will be teething. He may appear to be sick, but unless it lasts over two days, don’t worry. It’s growing pains.
Never feed your Golden Retriever puppy table scraps. They are likely to upset his stomach, and they are not the nutrition he needs at this stage of his growth. As your puppy grows, his stomach will grow, and he’ll eat more. At about six months, you should begin to feed him twice a day, in the morning and at night, but continue to use a diet of puppy food. Being larger dogs, you may want to keep your Golden Retriever on puppy food well into his second year. But you should reduce feeding to once per day, always offering plenty of water during and after his meal. When you do switch to adult dog foods, be sure to select a quality brand with adequate nutrition for your Golden Retriever.
If you follow these guidelines and show your new Golden Retriever plenty of love and affection, you’ll give him a great start to a long, happy, healthy lifetime with your family. He’ll be a valuable and beloved member of your family for years.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/got-a-golden-retriever-give-your-golden-retriever-puppy-a-healthy-start-753317.html
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Sunday, November 8th, 2009
Now that you’ve brought a Golden Retriever into your home and family, you’ll want the reassurance that it will be a positive addition, not a constant bother. Here are some training tips for your Golden Retriever.
When you consider training your new Golden Retriever, know that there are different types of training that address different aspects of your dogs personality and conduct.
Behavior training is the approach where you teach your Golden Retriever to be a good dog in general. This may include house breaking, welcoming visitors (be they people or other animals), leash training, and types of training that make your Golden Retriever a better companion. The way you relate to your dog will determine much of his way of relating to his world. If you’re nervous and excitable and communicate those traits, your Golden Retriever will be nervous and excitable. On the other hand, if you speak softly and remain calm, your Golden Retriever will be a more laid-back dog.
Activity training teaches your Golden Retriever how to accomplish specific tasks like agility training, search and rescue, hunting, disability support, and herding. golden retrievers are strong athletic dogs that enjoy frequent exercise. They’re also smart dogs that appreciate being challenged and competing against other dogs for recognition and rewards. Of course, you’ll have the best luck if you select activities appropriate to the breed like guiding people, field trials, and service.
Goldens were first bred in Great Britain in the 1800s as a game-retrieving dog, so games that mimic finding and returning “game” like a frisbee are perfect for your Golden Retriever. Remember that Goldens are high-energy dogs that need to burn a lot of exercise on a daily basis. Active, challenging tasks are perfect to keep them happy and healthy and to maintain a balance temperament. Golden Retrievers are comfortable with routines and adapt easily to schedules where they know what to expect at certain times of day.
Obedience training focuses on the dog’s specific responses to specific commands. Obedience training promotes well-behaved, easily controlled Golden Retrievers. Goldens in obedience training learn how to listen to and carry out your commands (like “sit,” “heel,” and “Stay”), how to interpret hand signals and tone of voice, and appropriate responses to each command. Successful obedience training will give your Golden a head start on other types of training.
You should know that, due to their popularity, Golden Retriever characteristics and health issues have been changing. Possible over-breeding has created some problems not traditionally associated with Goldens. For example, while most Golden Retrievers are happy, socially outgoing, and anxious to please, more and more of this breed are overly aggressive or very shy, contradicting expectations. Because they are so loving, some Goldens suffer from separation anxiety. This can present behavioral problems that need additional or specialized training.
Getting your Golden enough exercise and enough mental stimulation is critical to good behavior. A Golden who’s left indoors or alone much of the time is likely to be nervous, temperamental, and hard to handle. Daily walks are critical, and more vigorous exercise is advisable.
Goldens are also very smart dogs. They pick up new behaviors quickly and remember them well. They are anxious to please and will respond well to generous praise and affection as rewards for jobs well done. With proper training in all three areas – behavior, activity, and obedience – your Golden Retriever will be an ideal companion that will share many happy years with you.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/training-golden-retriever-3-best-training-activities-on-roll-753327.html
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