Just about every owner of a
well-bred Golden Retriever has discovered the
friendly, loving character of this breed that
originated in England and Scotland. By taking a
healthy puppy and giving it plenty of quality food
and a lot of exercise, people have been able to
enjoy years of companionship with this popular dog.
Keep in mind that with Golden Retrievers and other
purebred dogs, it is very important to begin with, a
puppy, or young dog from a top-quality breeder, one
that has taken the time to socialize the pups and
give them the best start possible. Proper diet,
exercise, and regular visits to the veterinarian for
preventive medicine will keep most of the major
health problems away. However, some health
conditions do exist with this breed.
Golden Retrievers are prone to
hip dysplasia, a genetic joint disease related to
various stages of arthritis. Because of the tendency
in the bloodlines, dogs may develop arthritis in the
joint cartilage and the problem can spread from this
point. It is impossible to predict every case of hip
dysplasia but the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA) has a radiographic process and standards that
are of great importance to Golden Retriever owners
and owners of other purebred dogs. Therefore, we
recommend asking about the OFA certification when
you visit breeders.
Some canine medical experts recommend that you ask
about problems with Von Willebrand disease. This
hereditary bleeding disorder causes blood platelets
not to clump together properly, thus stick to the
blood vessel wall, a process necessary for normal
blood clotting. The Golden Retriever also has some
tendency toward congenital eye defects. Hereditary
cataracts are a common eye problem in this breed. In
addition, the Golden Retriever is prone to Central
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, which affects the light
reception in the eye. The first problem encountered
with this type of condition is difficulty with night
vision and vision in low light.
As you visit breeders in your search for a Golden
Retriever puppy, be prepared to ask questions about
these conditions and about problems with the heart
and other areas of the body. Another area of concern
for some Golden Retriever owners is skin irritations
and disease. A veterinarian should check any sign of
abnormal skin color, spotting, or irritation
immediately. Remember a top breeder should be very
open to these questions and should be able to
provide you with the information you need.
Choosing a dog free of these serious health
conditions provides a good opportunity for having
this dog between 10 and 12 years. Of course, a few
key things can help you achieve this goal. Quality
food in the proper amounts should be at the top of
your list of things to do for your dog on a daily
basis. Low-quality commercial food with large
amounts of grain (wheat, corn, soy) is not good for
most dogs. In fact, many dogs are allergic to these
grains and develop skin problems and breathing
problems from regular diets that include grain.
Soy-based foods should probably not be included in
the Golden Retriever diet.
Feeding lean meats, some vegetables, and a diet with
a good amount of protein will give you the best
results. Proper diet coupled with daily exercise and
plenty of time to interact with family members,
means having a loving, gentle, and faithful dog that
can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Sitemap |
Web Feeds
