Great Things To Know When Looking For A Golden Retriever

 

           

ORIGIN:  In 1868 Lord Tweedmouth mated a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever (Nous) which he had bought from a cobbler in Brighton (bred by Lord Chichester) to a Tweed Water Spaniel (Belle) from Ladykirk on the Tweed. These Tweed Water-Spaniels, rare except in the Border Country, are described by authorities of the time as like a small Retriever, liver-colored and curly-coated. Lord Tweedmouth methodically line-bred down from this mating between 1868 and 1890, using another Tweed Water-Spaniel, and outcrosses of two black Retrievers (this is why some Goldens now a days are born with a black spot), an Irish Setter and a sandy colored Bloodhound. It is now known that one of the most influential kennels in the first part of the century which lies behind all present day Golden Retrievers was founded on stock bred by Lord Tweedmouth.

  PURPOSE: Believed to be created with the intention of creating a dog that is both skilled in field work, and an asset to the family life the Golden Retriever has become the American dog.  Goldens are said to have an eager, confident and yet gentle personality. A Golden's devotion to love it's family is profound. The Golden is thought by many to be the perfect companion.  They are affectionate pets, great ball catchers, natural hunters, and an always gentle friend to a child.  In fact, Golden Retrievers are increasingly used as service dogs for those with all types of handicaps.  Most recently children and adults within the Autism spectrum, Aspergers, or various other neurological, cognitive, or physical and/or emotional limitations are discovering wonderful results from working with Golden Retrievers.

 STANDARD: The Golden Retriever was first acknowledged by the American Kennel Club in 1932.  With males growing to about 65-75 pounds and females to about 55-65 pounds they are a very hardy, yet comfortable size. With many variations to standard through the years we are currently in an interesting time for the breed.  American and English standards differ *.  Though once considered mutts, some individuals find that mixing a pure bred Golden Retriever to a comparable quality breed such as a Labrador creates a "designer breed". These mixes are thought to offer the wonderful traits of a Golden as an asset to the admirable trait of another breed. * 

APPERANCE: Goldens have a cheerful expression.  Ranging in color* Goldens have a soft, water repellant coat.  A boxy, symmetrical build is most preferred.  Eyes can be any shade of brown.  A dark pigment is desirable. Though dew claws are commonly removed  Kinship Companions sees this practice as inhumane in most cases and does not recommend the removal of puppy's 5th digit.

GROOMING:  Bathing at the end of each season at minimal is recommended. The dense under coat typically grows thick if exposed to cold elements.  In spring some find that their Golden will shed this dense undercoat all at once in a "blow" of  coat.  This is most intense after puppy's first winter. The outer coat is water repellant and should have a soft sheen. Weekly brushing is recommend. Feet should be well kept, feathers can be long and of lighter shade. 

*See Information Below

The Different Types Of Golden Retrievers

 

 

Classic American Golden Retrievers

 

 

 

What Is It	The look that most people think of when the breed is mentioned; "Air Bud" type to darker Golden look.  The more narrow the confirmation and "lanky' looking the older the line.(Terms often used in marketing to describe; American, Standard, Old Style/Traditional.)
Color/ Temperament	Fall Between shades 3-10. Often described as: True, Honey, or Dark Golden. These are the "oldest" type in America.  The puppies often represent decades of American breedings.  Most often the Champion dogs found in these pedigrees are hunting champions.  Typically, the lesser quality the dog the more it looks like an Irish Setter. We have found some aggression in the more vintage lines of this type.
Cost	Typical Range: $200-$1500. This is the hardest category of Goldens for the average client to figure out. You must take into consideration and have knowledge about things such as: Pedigree, Health, Conformation, Quality, Experience, and credibility of the breeder.  It is nearly impossible for a layperson to discern these things.  Most often the only factor a puppy purchaser has to go on is the cuteness of the puppy and niceness of the breeder. Unfortunately, this has allowed breeders to charge all sorts of prices on puppies. Only those that have some sort of Champions in the first 2 generations should be priced over $900.
Watch out for	Meet the parents for this kind of breeding to confirm a calm personality and good look. If there are field Champions in the line the puppies will be more athletic. Although very smart, an American breeding must be done well to prevent a hyper or unattractive dog. A bad breeding could produce puppies that are more energetic and harder for the average family to handle.  If we have ever found there to be a problem with a Golden's temperament it has been with the field line dogs. This is the type of Golden most commonly used in puppy mills and sold at pet stores; also mixed as doodles.
The Great Thing About Them	It is believed by some that these lines have a greater health vigor and longevity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choice European Blend Golden Retrievers

 

 

What Is It	This is the combination of an Imported line to a Domestic (American) line.  It must be at least 50% Imported lines.  (Terms often used in marketing to describe; English blend, Creme', English American breeding)
Color/ Temperament	Fall Between shades 2-4. Puppies are born rather light and will typically increase in color as they age. A well bred English blend puppy will be a very light blonde, to white with big bone and gentle personality. We have noticed that the majority of our blend puppies are more calm than most Goldens, though we still see silly ones now and again.
Cost	Typical Price Range: $1000-$2200.
Watch out for	"Crème" puppies are being produced much like Golden-Doodles. There are breeders that will try to compensate for being a low quality breeder by breeding an English male to really poor quality American females.  They might then advertise "crème" or "ultra light" puppies.  Notice, if the dam is a dark color the puppies WILL NOT stay crème, they will be the same color as any light golden, but the breeder will be charging a premium with a misconception that they have puppies that will be "crème" as an adult. A well bred English blend puppy is hard to come by.  The genetics of these breedings lend towards the puppy taking on the characteristics of the American dog in color and bone. The aggressive American genetics can often over ride the more recessive English genetics and produce what is simply a more costly American looking Golden.
The Great Thing About Them	When well bred; These breedings can offer the best of all worlds.  They can be likened to a smaller version of a Newfoundland because of their boxy build and calm personality.  They can be the best pets for households with children because they are likely much calmer than the Goldens of yesteryear.  They have the very light colored coat without the premium price of the pure white coat that a 100% Imported pup would have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premium White Imported Golden Retrievers

 

 

What Is It	This would be a breeding that is believed to produce puppies that are 75% (white) Imported lines or more.  Their lineage should show an equal amount of foreign dogs behind it.     (Terms often used in marketing to describe; Platinum, Ultra-light, Pale, English, White. English, European, Nordic )
Color/ Temperament	Shade 1-2. Currently in the states these puppies are white or show very little shadowing.  Notice, they have nearly all foreign names in their pedigree.  Their parents or grandparents should have been imported from a good breeder. In our experience the imported lines are no different in temperament to any variation of American breedings.
Cost	Typical Price Range: $1500-$4000.
Watch out for	At least 1/2 of the breeders that we have seen that breed "White Goldens" in America are doing so for greed.  These breeders figure it is easier money; more expensive puppies mean more money for less work.  However, without becoming a study of the breed and knowing how to work with the recessive traits of the "white" lines it is very easy to breed ugly dogs with health issues.  Clients that buy these puppies need to understand these facts and be prepared to accommodate their needs.  Ask how long the person has been breeding AND if they started their breeding career with "White Goldens" Ask how many other breeds they do. These kind of Goldens require an additional investment on your part and you need to make sure your breeder has a passion for the Golden Retriever breed, not just the color of this one type. Unfortunately, some of those associated with showing American Goldens believe that the lighter white Golden is a "mutant".  The fact that AKC does not accept this type of Golden into the ring has contributed to a lack of regulation.  Look carefully at the parents of "white puppies" they should have just as high quality confirmation, coat, personality and health as their American counterparts.  We have chosen to have direct imports because of the high standards that the foreign countries have with this type.
The Great Thing About Them	The look of these dogs is VERY appealing.  They have great personalities and will turn heads everywhere they go.  The foreign breeding habits are typically more governed than that of North America so the quality of the lines is maintained with more distinct criteria.  In most foreign countries the breeder themselves have to be certified before breeding.  All in all owning a "White Golden" is simply magical!