Golden Retriever

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by michika

Relatively nice dogs, dumb as previously pointed out. Most of the retrievers I know or have known have all had issues with their tails being complete and utter tools of destruction. I've also known a lot (~5 dogs) who've been put down early in their lives years 6 and under. Not sure if its a breed thing or not, but worth checking into.
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That's all bad breading. Mine docent knock over anything with his tail. Most of the time it is down, not knowing as big tail wagers like Brads dog

As for when they had to be put down that is well below the average and yes Is bad breeding. Big dogs do have shorter life's but I have found you should get at least 10 to 12 years out of a good dog. But some of my Kona's ancestors ranges up to 14 years with only a couple under 10.

Steve

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

That's all bad breading. Mine docent knock over anything with his tail. Most of the time it is down, not knowing as big tail wagers like Brads dog

As for when they had to be put down that is well below the average and yes Is bad breeding. Big dogs do have shorter life's but I have found you should get at least 10 to 12 years out of a good dog. But some of my Kona's ancestors ranges up to 14 years with only a couple under 10.

Steve

Bad breeding and bad feeding will reduce a dog's life drastically. I've never trained a golden retriever so I can't comment but I've never seen a dog yet that can't be decently trained to be a good family pet as long as the owners aren't lazy and actually put an effort in. Super friendly dogs to have and I hope you find and enjoy your new pet!

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

. Most of the time it is down, not knowing as big tail wagers like Brads dog

She's excitable, that's all

I don't agree on seeing both parents. Someone with a good bitch should breed to the best stud they can, even if it's an out of town dog. For me, someone owning both dogs is a warning bell for backyard breeder.
Not saying you won't get a great dog out of it, but if you're paying that kind of money, you should get the best possible breeding.
My female Border Collie's sire is out of the Sask, but a quality working sheep dog with trial history to prove it. Bred to a local dog with equal history in trialing.

If I were looking for a GR, I'd look at working lines.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

She's excitable, that's all

but it hurts

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I don't agree on seeing both parents. Someone with a good bitch should breed to the best stud they can, even if it's an out of town dog. For me, someone owning both dogs is a warning bell for backyard breeder.

If I were looking for a GR, I'd look at working lines.

Don't mean that they own both, my breeder doesn't another breeder that lives a few miles away owns the dad. but every one I talked to when I was looking even 6 different breeders all said that the sir and damn should both be available for viewing untill the puppies are gone, so when they use an out of town sir they all said they make arrangements for people to view if they want to, and at the very least they have the full pedigrees available with pictures. a couple even said when the puppies are born they bring the sir back untill they are sold, so guess different idea's going on, but no not one of them would own both, except for one who bought a male puppy from a certian line to bring into hers, but she was out of burnaby and he dog were over priced concidering all she had was potential and no proven sucess. I think she wanted 2K for a pet.

as I mentiond befor anyone who uses goldens under 2 years of age for breeding is some one to stay away from also, can't rule out hip displacia (how ever it is spelt) unill they are 2

working and show lines in Golden's are very blurred now, mine is a working line that wouldn't have been allowed in competition 30 years ago because it has a darker coat than the old show lines. but it is all proper in proportion and hight, although he is 5 lbs over weight right now. I believe the top retriever in new west minister this year was from a working line, but what is important is the matching for the breeding work or show, doesn't matter as long as they come from healthy breeding pairs, you going to brush a working retriever just as much as a show one, and be prepared for that, they mat so fast if you put off a brushing, and the hair they shed is nuts..

one thing I found is that is you want a more affectionate retriever get a male, if you want one that is more independent and aloof get the female. I got the male.

also as some one mentions food is huge for goldens, lots of skin issues and algerys from foods, I have used arcana grasslands since kona was a puppy and have never had issues, well when he gets into the cat food there are issues for a day or two

Steve