9781422279366

Golden Retriever

1

Beagle Boxer Bulldog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chihuahua Cocker Spaniel Dachshund French Bulldog

German Shepherd Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever Miniature Schnauzer Poodle Pug Rottweiler Siberian Husky Shih Tzu Yorkshire Terrier

Golden Retriever

By Matthew Burns

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, PA 19008 www.masoncrest.com © 2018 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval

system, without permission from the publisher. Printed and bound in the United States of America. Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-3848-6 Hardback ISBN: 978-1-4222-3857-8 EBook ISBN: 978-1-4222-7936-6 First printing 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the publisher.

QR Codes disclaimer:

You may gain access to certain third-party content (“Third-Party Sites”) by scanning and using the QR Codes that appear in this publication (the “QR Codes”). We do not operate or control in any respect any in- formation, products, or services on such Third-Party Sites linked to by us via the QR Codes included in this publication, and we assume no responsibility for any materials you may access using the QR Codes. Your use of the QR Codes may be subject to terms, limitations, or restrictions set forth in the applicable terms of use or otherwise es- tablished by the owners of the Third-Party Sites. Our linking to such Third-Party Sites via the QR Codes does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of such Third-Party Sites, or the information, products, or services offered on or through the Third-Party Sites, nor does it imply an endorsement or sponsorship of this publication by the owners of such Third-Party Sites.

Contents

1 Introducing the Golden Retriever........................ 6 2 What Should a Golden Retriever Look Like?..... 16 3 What Do You Want From Your Golden?............. 26 4 Finding Your Puppy. ......................................... 38 5 A Golden-Friendly Home................................... 48 6 Caring for Your Golden Retriever....................... 72 7 Training Your Golden Retriever. ....................... 84 8 Keeping Your Golden Busy............................... 102 9 Health Care.......................................................108 Find Out More.......................................................................... 126 Series Glossary of Key Terms................................................. 127 Index. ...................................................................................... 128

Key Icons to Look For

Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic moments, and much more! Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives.

Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

Chapter 1 Introducing the Golden Retriever L oyal, loving, intelligent, and stunning to look at, the Golden Retriever is a superb family companion with a worldwide fan club. Once you have owned a Golden, no other breed will do. The Golden Retriever was developed as a top-notch hunting retriever (also known as a gundog), capable of using initiative, yet cooperative and easily trained. It is this combination of intelligence and willingness that makes the breed so special. Physical characteristics The first impression of the Golden Retriever is one of energy and athleticism. He was bred as a working dog, and retains the powerful, active build of a dog who has speed, endurance, and agility. Balance and symmetry are the words that best describe his conformation, and when he moves with long, effortless strides, he is a joy to behold. The Golden Retriever has a broad, finely chiseled head, framed

6

7

by drop ears that are set level with his eyes. The typical expression is alert and intelligent, but the dark brown eyes offer something more. They are soft and melting and seem almost a mirror to the soul of this wonderful breed. The topline—the line along the back— is firm and straight, end- ing in the feathered tail, which is carried level with the back when a dog is on the move. This is very important, because it gives the Golden Retriever his very distinctive look: He exudes optimism, self-confidence, and enthusiasm. The coat can be wavy or flat. The most important feature for a working gundog is for the coat to be weatherproof, and therefore a dense undercoat is essential. The color is, of course, golden, but this does not mean the breed lacks variety. The shades range from the very palest cream to a rich, lustrous gold. The black pigment on the nose and eye rims provide a dramatic contrast and are very much a breed feature. Temperament Where to start? The Golden Retriever has an outstanding tem- perament, which makes him the ideal working dog and the perfect companion. He is intelligent and can think for himself, but he re- mains easy to train and will readily take direction. He is exception- ally sweet-natured and relates well to people of all ages. He loves children, combing the roles of nanny and playmate. Occasionally his halo will slip. The Golden Retriever does have a stubborn side, but this is easily avoided if you are a little creative with your training. The good-tempered Golden reacts best to posi- tive methods; make something sufficiently rewarding and he will be back to his best, tail wagging and eager to cooperate. Breed characteristics The Golden Retriever has a number of specialties that are very

8

much part of his charm. Bred to retrieve downed waterfowl, he takes this role very seriously and is never happier than when he has something in his mouth. It really doesn’t matter what it is—a toy, a book, a shoe, a towel—all are regarded as suitable gifts to present to you when you return home, or to welcome visitors. Golden Retrievers love being included in family outings, and many Goldens view the car with special affection. It is a positive treat for a Golden Retriever to be taken on a car trip, even if it is no more than going to the store and back. The beautiful golden coat is one of the stunning aspects of the breed but, unfortunately, few Goldens take pride in their appear- ance. A Golden likes water and mud, and a combination of both is best of all. You can set off on a walk on a dry, sunny day, but some- how you always return with a dirty Golden who appears highly delighted with his makeover.

Lifestyle choices The Golden Retriever is a medium to large dog with an adaptable out- look on life and, as such, he is a good choice for a wide range of owners. However, this is not the breed for everyone. He will be a cheerful and loving family companion, and thrives on being included in all activities. But he will also suit older, active owners and will form a close bond with the special people in his life. Although essentially a country dog, he will be

9

perfectly happy in an urban setting, as long as he is given plenty of exercise every day. But there is one aspect of Golden Retriever ownership that is nonnegotiable. This is a breed that thrives on human companion- ship, and if you have to spend long periods out of the house and will be forced to leave your Golden home alone, you should definitely think again. No breed of dog should be left for lengthy periods, but a Golden, more than most, regards separation as pure torture. Golden Retriever history The history of many dog breeds is shrouded in mystery, and it is difficult to separate fact from fiction, myth from reality. Howev- er, the Golden Retriever has a remarkably well-documented history that traces back to a country estate in Scotland.

10

Talent spotting Dudley Marjoribanks (later the first Lord Tweedmouth) owned a 20,000-acre estate in Inverness, Scotland, called Guisachan. Marjo- ribanks was keenly interested in developing a superb retriever suit- ed to the Scottish climate, terrain, and type of available game. In 1865 he purchased Nous from a cobbler near the town of Brigh- ton in southern England. Nous was the only yellow dog in a litter of black Wavy-Coated Retrievers. The one-year-old dog had been given to the cobbler by the gamekeeper of a local landowner, Lord Chichester, to settle a debt. Marjoribanks took this young dog with him to Guisachan to join his kennel of sporting dogs. In 1868 he started his breeding program by mating Nous with Belle, a Tweed Water Spaniel (a breed now extinct) from the Lady- kirk area on the River Tweed. The result was three yellow puppies: a male named Crocus, and two females, Cowslip and Primrose. These puppies became the foundation of the Golden Retriever breed. We have detailed knowledge of

how the breed evolved in the early days, thanks to the meticulous re- cord-keeping of Lord Tweedmouth. Aristocratic connections Lord Tweedmouth kept Cow- slip and Primrose at Guisachan and gave Crocus to his son (later the sec- ond Lord Tweedmouth). A second litter by Nous and Belle produced Ada, given to Lord Tweedmouth’s nephew, the fifth Earl of Ilchester (at right), who started the Ilchester line of Golden Retrievers. Lord Tweedmouth continued his

11

breeding program using the offspring of Nous and Belle, sometimes introducing fresh blood. Nous and Belle’s descendants were com- bined with wavy and flat-coated retrievers, another Tweed Water Spaniel, and a red setter. Marjoribanks kept primarily the yellow puppies (and a few blacks) to continue his line. In those early days, breeders placed a lot of importance on a dog’s color. Black was believed to be the best and hardiest and least sus- ceptible to fatigue, hunger, and danger; and brown and yellow dogs were though to be he most alert and best swimmers. American link

When Lord Tweedmouth’s youngest son, Archie Marjoribanks, went to America to run the family ranch in Texas, he took a Golden called Sol with him. There are no records available, but there is a photo taken in the early 1890s of Marjoribanks

12

sitting astride a horse, with a Golden called Lady by his side. Sol is believed to be the sire of Lady, but what is certain is that Lady went on to be the foundation bitch for the breed in the United States. Early Golden Retrievers had appeared in Canada and the U.S. some years before their official recognition by either the Canadian (1925) or the American Kennel Club (1932). More imports from Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century ensured the breed’s suc- cess. The Golden Retriever Club of America was founded in 1939. Developing the breed It did not take long for Lord Tweedmouth’s excellent gundogs to develop a following—although only in his private circles. Some were given to friends and relatives. Working ability was always the top consideration, and these yellow retrievers were used by game- keepers and as gentlemen’s gundogs. A few dogs were given to the Earl of Shewsbury, whose Ingestre Kennel, well known for its Flat-Coats both black and yellow, appears in the background of nearly all Goldens today. In the early 1900s a number of pioneers adopted the Golden Re- triever as their chosen breed. A few Golden Retrievers, as we know the breed today, made their first appearance at dog shows about 1906, shown as “Retriever—Wavy or Flat Coated.” The breed was of- ficially recognized by The Kennel Club in the U.K. in 1911; dogs were

registered as “Retriever—Yellow or Golden.” Finally, in 1920, the name was changed to “Retriev- er—Golden.” The great divide In the early 20th century, the Golden Retriever was equally prized for his hunting ability and his good looks. But the days

Golden Retriever basics

13

14