Golden Retriever- Need tips/advice.

[MyHorseForever]

Hello.
I am getting a Golden Retriever puppy very soon, 2-3 months.
I know they are prone to obesity.
I would really apperciate if anyone could give me tips/advice on keeping her/him healthy and happy.
I am looking out for vaccined/wormed/IKC registered, so that would be the first part.
Then the training, but i'm not sure about the best way to train it.



Thank you.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Goldies can also be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.

The lowest score for hips through the BVA scoring scheme is 0:0 and the highest is a total of 108 before it goes off the scale.
Elbows are 0 up to 3, 3 being the worst.

Scores therefore should be nice and low. I ideally like to see a pup from my own breed from several generations (well, five) of low scoring parents on each side (however an IKC pedigree will not tell you that, grrr). Ask to see the score sheet of the mother at least, if the sire is not on the premises, a responsible breeder will not mind you asking to look.
If they tell you the pup has been scored and has good hips, they are lying, dogs cannot be scored until at least 12 months.
If they say the parents are 'healthy and sound' despite not being scored, they must have x-ray eyes.
Do not over-do the exercise before 12 months (IE repeated high-impact exercise like jogging or roadwork, jumping etc) to protect the joints, avoid too much mucking about on slippy floors etc.
Socialisation, getting out and about and used to life, lead manners, is more important than exercise for young pups.

Ideally, contact a breed society and they should point you in the direction of a good breeder.
Go to some shows or field trials to see what you like the look of.
I personally would avoid someone who has a dog and a bitch at home and sticks the male on her every time she is in season. Lazy breeding IMO.
ALWAYS see the mother, she is the one who rears them. Look at the pups interacting.
Do not accept a pup being brought from a shed to see you. Do not meet someone at the roadside or selling pups out of a car.

Get yourself to a good training class or ask a breed society to recommend a working-type class if that is your interest.

Uhmm...that's all for now

 

[Foxhunter49]

Cannot add any more to the above!

Dogs only put on weight through over feeding and lack of exercise. Tidbits add up during the course of the day so do not start giving them!