Posts Tagged ‘ Golden ’

20 Golden Rules to Live Your Life with Positive Energy and Achieve More

December 31, 2010
By

We fail in life because of the negative energies that surround us. Most of these negative energies develop because of our own thoughts. Given below are 20 golden rules that will help you live you life with positive energy and achieve more than you ever thought possible.

1.) Don’t take advantage of others: Don’t take anyone for granted. You might think that the other person is naive and is not going to mind, but he does. So respect everyone no matter how gullible you think the other person is.

2.) Don’t work for money – work for a cause: Never work for money. Work because you like to work. Work thinking of the end product of the work and money will follow suit. It’s not the other way round.

3.) Behave with others the way you want others to behave with you: The only thing I like about the Bible is the golden rule which is to behave with others the way you want other to behave with you. Practice it!

4.) If you have the capacity, help others: Great people show their greatness by the way they treat small people. So if you are in a position to help others, do so. Think twice before turning down someone’s plea for help.

5.) Practice Silence – Don’t talk too much: You waste a lot of positive energy by talking. Talk less and you will be amazed at the amount of work you can get done.

6.) Don’t Ridicule or Support People Who do it: Making fun of others is easy, but is a stupid thing to do. People who ridicule others do so because they do not have a backbone. They lack confidence so they try to find the negatives in others and poke fun at them. Stay away from such people and do not laugh at their jokes.

7.) Develop Empathy: Try and understand others. Analyze their actions and figure out why they do what they do. Understanding others will help you understand your own being more clearly.

8.) Don’t Try to Please Everyone: If you try to please everyone, you will end up pleasing no one. So learn to say no.

9.) Don’t be Too Religious: Religion is man made. If you feel at any point that you are being too religious and your religious faith is hindering the way you work or behave with others, then it is time to change. Don’t take religion too seriously. No one knows if God actually exists so cool down a bit. There are better things to do than reading a bible or sitting for hours in the church unless and until you love doing it. If you do it out of guilt stop doing it.

10.) Try Looking at the Positives in Other People: Don’t focus on the negatives. Focus on positives of other people and this will directly reflect on the way you look at your own self.

11.) Respect your body: Your body is your greatest gift. Respect it and work towards removing the factors that makes you dislike it. If you are obese start doing some exercises to reduce obesity. If you are a smoker, work towards reducing the smoke intake. Love your body and your body will love you back by molding itself the way you want it to look.

12.) Define your own success: Forget about society’s definition of success. Society will tell you that fame and money is what makes you successful. But this combination does not work for every one of us. So define your own success and try to achieve it. If you think living a lazy life in the countryside is your definition of success then go for it. Don’t bother about what others think.

13.) Don’t get too excited: Remain at ground zero at all times. Never get too excited, even if you with 100 million dollars keep your cool. Remember that nothing in life is permanent. So there is no point in getting excited about anything. Feel happy that you achieved what you achieved and move on. There are many more things left to achieve.

14.) Change the way you look at this world: The world looks at you the way you look at the world. If you think the world is bad, it is bad. If you think it is good, it is good. So remove the negatives and start looking at the positives. Remember that this world is nothing by your thought. You are what you think you are.

15.) Try to remain thoughtless at times: Going into a thoughtless state of mind is difficult. But you can achieve it by constant practice of meditation. Concentrate on your breathing and try to forget everything for a while.

16.) Do not marry if you don’t want to: Don’t marry because of peer pressure or by any other pressure. If you don’t feel like settling down you should not. Marriage is just a process defined by the society. And society is made by human beings like you and me. There is nothing wrong in defying laws made by men if those laws go against your beliefs.

17.) Quit your job if you don’t like it: You are not doing anyone any good by doing something that you don’t like to do. If you don’t like your job, quit it today. Don’t wait to get another job before quitting the current one. Quit your job if you don’t like it and then look for another one. Believe in yourself and you are sure to get a new job, a job that you will like. You can even start something on your own. It’s not that hard, believe me.

18.) Do not over spend or take a loan even at zero interest prices: Spend what you have. If there are certain things that you cannot buy with what you have, you probably should not be buying it in the first place. You can very well survive without it. So unless it is absolutely necessary, stay away from taking loans no matter how attractive the scheme may be.

19.) Don’t discriminate: Everyone is a human being and is as vulnerable as everyone else. So why discriminate? You are bigger than the other person only if you can cheat death or if you are indestructible; which you obviously are not. So stop discriminating and start accepting others for what they are.

20.) Learn to forgive and forget: Don’t keep burning in vengeance to take revenge over something. There are many reasons why the other person could have behaved the way he did. Just forget it and move on when ever possible. This will keep you away from a whole lot of negative emotions.

What To Feed Your Golden Retriever

October 13, 2010
By

You know how important dinner is for your family. So, what about your golden retriever? Don’t you think your faithful friend deserves a good meal too? Maybe it is time to turn your furry vacuum cleaner into a member of the family! One of the most important aspects of golden retriever health is feeding. What foods should you feed your dog, and how should you feed him/her?

Your golden retriever puppy is growing fast. Don’t hold back at meal time. Food and treats can also be used as positive reinforcement for training. However, it is a good idea to get your puppy used to a regular feeding schedule. Don’t leave his/her bowl out all day long. When goldens get older they can be prone to overeating and obesity. Obesity contributes to several common health problems in goldens: hip dysplasia, bad knees, arthritis, and heart problems for example. Make sure your older dog gets plenty of exercise as well. A regular feeding schedule can have other advantages also. It makes travelling easier, and training more effective.

What kinds of food can you feed your golden retriever? There is a movement these days to make diets healthier. Perhaps, you have seen some British guy on television telling you how terrible school lunches are. Well, this movement has extended to dogs and pets also. There have been efforts to make commercial dog food more healthy. Some dog ‘experts’ advocate eliminating commercial dog food altogether. Believe it or not, a diet of raw meats is a natural diet for a dog. It is OK to feed your dog cooked meats as well. You don’t have to feed your golden like a lion if you don’t want to; even if you happened to name him or her after one! A diet of chicken, turkey, beef, fish, and other meats will keep your dog healthy and happy. Mix in some healthy grains and vegetables that your golden will eat. Remember that goldens have an excellent sense of smell, so this may require a little trial and error.

Why not commercial dog food? Obviously, this won’t kill your dog. However, would you like to be fed a diet that resembles potato chips and cardboard? With some brands, that would be putting it nicely! Take a look at the long list of ingredients in a commercial dog food. Where are all of the meats in the ingredients list? Why are there so many meats? In addition, the meats in dog food are the low quality leftovers, like the fruits that fall off the conveyer belt in fruit cocktail. Commercial dog foods often contain soybeans and corn, which are difficult for goldens to digest, and can cause skin allergies. What about all of the chemicals and preservatives? They can’t be healthy for your dog. In addition, are there any “by-products”, “fillers”, or “animal digest” in the ingredients? Perhaps, you have heard about some of these fillers from China in the news? Some of them actually do resemble cardboard! Avoid these brands. Finally, have all of the ingredients in the dog food passed USDA inspection? Most likely, the answer is no.

Does this healthy movement include vitamins and supplements? If a vitamin or supplement can improve your health, then they can also contribute to your golden retriever’s health, as well. Keep in mind, that pills are ‘supplements’ and are not meant to take the place of your dog’s core diet. They are meant to add to the diet, not change it. For example, some owners whose dogs have arthritis have experienced some success with supplements for joint health. The success of vitamins and supplements varies greatly and is entirely the choice of each owner. Once again, goldens have sensitive noses, so getting your dog to eat pills may require trial and error. Grinding them up and mixing them in food or things like peanut butter might work. However, there is no single recipe that works for every dog!

When it comes to today’s dog food, times have changed. This is a good thing for your golden retriever. Even a dog’s diet can be healthier! The days of your dog’s sad, watery eyes staring at the dinner table may never end. However, your guilt about your dog’s diet could.

By: Laurence Burrows

Laurence Burrows is a golden retriever lover, and trainer. For more great Golden Retriever Health Tips, visit www.loyalgoldenretriever.com.

Golden Rules Of Weight Loss Journey

September 10, 2010
By

If you are planning to be a part of any Biggest loser weight loss club or starting with something on your own, Guys- it is not an easy process. Having just perseverance won’t work, you need something more to look beautiful and slimmer. If you are depriving yourself that it will be the most difficult task in the world that you will be doing. Even if you are motivated and exited about it, It will become a struggle against yourself. Set certain rules for yourself and follow them as if they are the golden rules:

1.Be responsible for yourself and actions
2.Pick the weight loss program that is suitable for you
3.Take the ups and downs positively
4.Take it seriously
5.Follow through to the end

We all try to follow short- cuts. Rather most of us do follow them for quick results and for that reason we are attracted towards magical ways of loosing weight or loosing 10 lbs in a week or crash/ fad diets. These ways can help you lose weight quickly, but most of us gain the weight back. And some of the ways are also unhealthy and dangerous. You would not be loosing muscle tissue and water if the program you have adopted is right.

To loose weight , a calorie deficit in the body is created. It is one of the natural and healthiest ways that are followed at Biggest loser weight loss club. You got to know how to control our weight by making healthy food choices and leading an active lifestyle. Exercising is the most important part of any program. It is crucial to long-term success. If we talk of the issues that concern the most for the weight control and are of persistent nature:

Processed food
Metabolism damage
Aging
Eating behavior
To get slim, you need to erase the above stated issues and any Biggest loser weight loss club will help you in doing that.

You need to be encouraged, supported, disciplined, determined and be a part of community of like-minded folks.

By: Shilpi Sharma

Shilpi Sharma is the author. For more information about best weight loss programs, biggest loser Australia, Biggest loser weight loss club, biggest loser Australia, Melbourne personal training, please visit The Biggest Loser.

Maintaining a Healthy Golden Retriever Dog

July 12, 2010
By

The key to a strong and healthy Golden Retriever dog is building a strong immune system that will repel illness and disease. There is more than one way to build up your dog’s immune system, but basically it all adds up to what you feed him. Responsible pet owners will want a dog in top shape, enjoying all the benefits that good health has to offer. Here are some guidelines to get you on the road of a stronger immune system for your dog.

Consider feeding your retriever a homemade meal. This can act as a substitute for your regular canned food, or as a complement to be mixed together. Food cooked at home taste a lot better than the one that comes in a bag or a can, plus it contains a lot of vitamins and essential nutrients. Be prepared for the fact that once you have placed your dog in a homemade food diet, it is unlikely he will ever want a taste of the old dry food. Complement his meals with natural spring water. Even if he seems to prefer, or has grown accustomed to the faucet water, spring water is a lot better for him health wise.

When feeding your dog treats, choose to give him bones with plenty of meat in the marrow, so as to motivate him to chew on it and serve as a vehicle to clean and improve his teeth. Keeping proper hygiene in the mouth is very important for the Golden Retriever breed. Including a bone a day in his diet will ensure healthier and cleaner teeth, with less need on your part to have to clean them manually with a tooth brush. You can also mix this activity with playing dog games. For example, provide your dog with chewing toy available at retail store in many forms and shapes. These will not only keep his teeth clean, but also provide good exercise for improving jaw strength, all while having fun playing dog games with his toy.

Give yourself an edge in the race towards better health by doing a little bit of research on illnesses that may affect your dog. You’ll be one step ahead when consulting your veterinarian and learning about any type of ailment threatening your dog’s health. In the event that your vet where to diagnose a problem with your dog, it would help you to know a little bit about what he’s talking about in order to better defend yourself against disease.

Consider whether or not you will be involving your pet retriever in reproductive activities. Reproductive problems are common in Golden Retriever dogs. If you are not planning to breed your dog, consider having him neutered or spayed.

Pet owners who decide to watch the health of their dog closely are likely to live a healthy life, with less grievance and painful diseases. Some exercise, a good home cooked diet and an occasional visit to the veterinarian will ensure that your dog grows up healthy and strong. His physical health will pose a better defense against illness than the average dog, less time at the clinic and fewer medical bills.

Dog Breeds – The Golden Retriever

May 21, 2010
By

Are you looking for some information about the Golden Retriever? Then you have come to the right place! This breed of dog is adorable and charming, they are a very intelligent dogs but require obedience training from a young age, as they do like to push their luck otherwise! As puppies, they love to be the center of attention and can be a little too much at times – but try to enjoy whilst teaching them what acceptable behavior is.

Golden Retrievers were bred to be working dogs and they are highly respected for their work as guide dogs, rescue dogs and for their input into various police work (such as drug searching.) This information would suggest that they have a lot of potential and can become very well trained and obedient if given the chance. Your best bet is to take a Golden Retriever as a puppy and train them from the beginning for the best start in life. If you make the fault of waiting until they are older, you are in for a really tough time as they can be both large and heavy to handle!

Physically, they can reach on average twenty four inches in height and between fifty five and seventy five pounds in weight. This breed of dog is muscular and athletic and can have a coat form very light, almost white to golden and honey coloring. For show purposes, those with a medium golden color are most highly praised, but really and truly the color of your Golden Retriever shouldn’t make you love them any less!

They can be very energetic dogs and will need plenty of exercise to let off steam and burn calories. The consequence of not taking them on long walks on a regular basis is undesirable behavior such as chewing your favorite pair of shoes or causing havoc in the backyard! As puppies especially, you need to keep one eye on them at all times as they can be very mischievous – sometimes seen as cute, but ultimately a nightmare if you don’t gain adequate control on their behavior.

A common health concern in Golden Retrievers is hip dysplasia, but you can help to prevent this by making sure they get the right nutrition as their bodies grow and develop. Speak with reputable breeders or your veterinarian who can offer guidance on the best diet for your dog. Don’t be put off either, if they suggest certain foods with a higher price tag – it might be more expensive in the short term, but if you ignore this advice, you might have to shell out a lot more in vet bills further down the line.

Due to their medium length hair, this breed of dog does benefit from daily grooming to prevent matting and also to reduce the amount of hairs littered around your home. Dogs with longer hair are also at a higher risk of picking up ticks when they are out in the open – make sure that you are checking for this on a regular basis.

Pet Insurance For Your Golden Retriever

May 17, 2010
By

You’ve welcomed your newest family member into your home, bought all the necessary items, like a leash and a food bowl, took him to the vet for immunizations and started obedience lessons. All is going well and there’s no reason to think about trouble, right? Wrong.

Most cats and almost all dogs will need more than preventative veterinary care during their lifetime. It could be something relatively small, like a broken leg or a skin rash, or it could be major, like a car accident or cancer. It could happen when your pet is young and seemingly healthy, or it could come with old age. Your dog might visit the vet only a few times over the years, or he could be one of those that your vet knows by name.

The problem with this, of course, is the uncertainty. If you knew that your dog was going to experience the average amount of medical problems, you could find out what the average lifetime vet bill is for a Golden Retriever, a put money aside each month to cover it. But as any pet owner can attest, that’s not how it works. You find out suddenly when your pet needs expensive health care. At the same time you’re wondering if your pet is going to pull through, you’re also wondering how much this is going to cost. Then of course you feel bad because how can you think of cost at a time like this?

The best way to reduce stress at a time like this, and to protect your pocketbook at the same time is to make a plan for the veterinary bills long before your pet gets sick or injured. Compare pet insurance policies and find the one that offers the best protection for the money for your Golden while he’s still a puppy – preferably before he has the opportunity to get into trouble!

Golden Retrievers and other purebred dogs are the most expensive to insure, and there’s a reason for that. Dogs are more likely to need expensive medical care than cats, partially because they seem to get into more accidents. Cats can stay out all night, dodging dogs, cars and other dangers. Dogs, especially young dogs, are more prone to run out into the street or have some other mishap.

Because of inbreeding, purebreds are more likely than mixed breeds to develop certain diseases. Golden Retrievers are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts and skin allergies. Hopefully you got your puppy from a reputable breeder who made sure that your dog’s parents were free from these problems before they bred them. Even so, these kinds of problems keep cropping up for Golden Retrievers, and they’re often costly.

When you compare pet insurance policies be sure to check whether they cover hereditary conditions. Those that do will naturally be more expensive, but they’re worth it. After all, the reason you need a pet insurance policy at all is to protect yourself against large unexpected expenses. If you shop for insurance based on price alone, you’ll find out at the worst possible time that you aren’t covered at all. That defeats the purpose of buying pet insurance in the first place.

Take your time and evaluate several policies. Don’t stop until you find the one that offers the coverage you need. It’s out there.

Dog Breeds – The Golden Retriever

May 14, 2010
By

Are you looking for some information about the Golden Retriever? Then you have come to the right place! This breed of dog is adorable and charming, they are a very intelligent dogs but require obedience training from a young age, as they do like to push their luck otherwise! As puppies, they love to be the center of attention and can be a little too much at times – but try to enjoy whilst teaching them what acceptable behavior is.

Golden Retrievers were bred to be working dogs and they are highly respected for their work as guide dogs, rescue dogs and for their input into various police work (such as drug searching.) This information would suggest that they have a lot of potential and can become very well trained and obedient if given the chance. Your best bet is to take a Golden Retriever as a puppy and train them from the beginning for the best start in life. If you make the fault of waiting until they are older, you are in for a really tough time as they can be both large and heavy to handle!

Physically, they can reach on average twenty four inches in height and between fifty five and seventy five pounds in weight. This breed of dog is muscular and athletic and can have a coat form very light, almost white to golden and honey coloring. For show purposes, those with a medium golden color are most highly praised, but really and truly the color of your Golden Retriever shouldn’t make you love them any less!

They can be very energetic dogs and will need plenty of exercise to let off steam and burn calories. The consequence of not taking them on long walks on a regular basis is undesirable behavior such as chewing your favorite pair of shoes or causing havoc in the backyard! As puppies especially, you need to keep one eye on them at all times as they can be very mischievous – sometimes seen as cute, but ultimately a nightmare if you don’t gain adequate control on their behavior.

A common health concern in Golden Retrievers is hip dysplasia, but you can help to prevent this by making sure they get the right nutrition as their bodies grow and develop. Speak with reputable breeders or your veterinarian who can offer guidance on the best diet for your dog. Don’t be put off either, if they suggest certain foods with a higher price tag – it might be more expensive in the short term, but if you ignore this advice, you might have to shell out a lot more in vet bills further down the line.

Due to their medium length hair, this breed of dog does benefit from daily grooming to prevent matting and also to reduce the amount of hairs littered around your home. Dogs with longer hair are also at a higher risk of picking up ticks when they are out in the open – make sure that you are checking for this on a regular basis.

Maintaining a Healthy Golden Retriever Dog

May 6, 2010
By

The key to a strong and healthy Golden Retriever dog is building a strong immune system that will repel illness and disease. There is more than one way to build up your dog’s immune system, but basically it all adds up to what you feed him. Responsible pet owners will want a dog in top shape, enjoying all the benefits that good health has to offer. Here are some guidelines to get you on the road of a stronger immune system for your dog.

Consider feeding your retriever a homemade meal. This can act as a substitute for your regular canned food, or as a complement to be mixed together. Food cooked at home taste a lot better than the one that comes in a bag or a can, plus it contains a lot of vitamins and essential nutrients. Be prepared for the fact that once you have placed your dog in a homemade food diet, it is unlikely he will ever want a taste of the old dry food. Complement his meals with natural spring water. Even if he seems to prefer, or has grown accustomed to the faucet water, spring water is a lot better for him health wise.

When feeding your dog treats, choose to give him bones with plenty of meat in the marrow, so as to motivate him to chew on it and serve as a vehicle to clean and improve his teeth. Keeping proper hygiene in the mouth is very important for the Golden Retriever breed. Including a bone a day in his diet will ensure healthier and cleaner teeth, with less need on your part to have to clean them manually with a tooth brush. You can also mix this activity with playing dog games. For example, provide your dog with chewing toy available at retail store in many forms and shapes. These will not only keep his teeth clean, but also provide good exercise for improving jaw strength, all while having fun playing dog games with his toy.

Give yourself an edge in the race towards better health by doing a little bit of research on illnesses that may affect your dog. You’ll be one step ahead when consulting your veterinarian and learning about any type of ailment threatening your dog’s health. In the event that your vet where to diagnose a problem with your dog, it would help you to know a little bit about what he’s talking about in order to better defend yourself against disease.

Consider whether or not you will be involving your pet retriever in reproductive activities. Reproductive problems are common in Golden Retriever dogs. If you are not planning to breed your dog, consider having him neutered or spayed.

Pet owners who decide to watch the health of their dog closely are likely to live a healthy life, with less grievance and painful diseases. Some exercise, a good home cooked diet and an occasional visit to the veterinarian will ensure that your dog grows up healthy and strong. His physical health will pose a better defense against illness than the average dog, less time at the clinic and fewer medical bills.

The Possibilities of Eye Disease on Your Golden Retriever

May 3, 2010
By

A common ailment among the Golden Retriever breed of dogs, is eye disease. A great number of these dogs may be affected by cataracts, as a hereditary trait in their genes. You can tell at a very early stage, if your dog has been affected with hereditary cataracts. Although the presence of this disease does not have to necessarily affect the dog’s vision, it could have a negative impact, to the point where severe loss of sight is manifested.

Hereditary traits may or may not be the cause of cataracts in a Golden Retriever. A closer look by a certified veterinarian could better determine just how bad the ailment is. In the event that your veterinarian where to diagnose cataracts on your dog, he would probably suspend any kind of breeding from taking place, and even recommend that your dog be spayed. This is just a measure to stop the disease from spreading any further.

Quite a few specimens of the Golden Retriever breed have been noted to be carriers of CPRA (Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy). This is a disease that affects the retina of the eye, and could be the cause of loss of sight in a young puppy. Other eye conditions affecting this breed of dog exist, such as retinal dysplasia. This affliction hinders the dog’s ability to breed.

Some health conditions also occur on Golden Retriever dogs related to the eyelid and eyelashes. Some of these conditions are also blamed on hereditary traits. Rotation of the eyelid in or out of the eye, and the constant rubbing of the eyelashes against the eye are also common problems. These types of dog afflictions are usually corrected with minor surgery. However, dogs affected by these conditions are normally not allowed to breed or participate in competitions, or shows under AKC rules.

Eye disease can appear on your retriever at any given age. For this reason, it is important that you take your dog for a consultation with the veterinarian on an annual basis. When the time comes to examine your dog for abnormalities in the eye, perhaps it would be best to have a veterinary ophthalmologist do the exam. This type of veterinarian is specially trained and licensed for eye diseases, and will probably carry all the necessary equipment and experience necessary to better examine your pet.

Considering all the possibilities of eye infections and diseases that may affect your dog at any given time, it is probably a good idea for you as the pet owner to become acquainted with some of them more in depth. The value of knowing what the conditions are, and the symptoms they show, if any, may give you a comfortable edge in healing and prevention. As mentioned above, the primary cause for these eye diseases are hereditary traits, thus a little research on the dogs parents is in place. Depending on where you bought your puppy, medical records for the parents may also be available to you. Eye diseases are no dog games, and should be taken seriously and responsibly.

Golden Retriever

May 3, 2010
By

The Golden Retriever is a perennial Top Ten popularity breed for many reasons. The normally calm demeanor, active but gentle nature and eager to please attitude combine with intelligence and trainability. They are friendly, reliable and trustworthy.

What this means to the average owner – you need to actively TRAIN them. They are eager to learn and seek to be busy. They need mental stimulation – toys, games, activities – to keep from being bored and destructive. They want to please and learn new tasks.

It is said that the Golden Retriever traces his heritage to Scotland. A yellow puppy from a litter of black wavy coated retrievers was used as payment of a debt, and ended up in the hands of Lord Chichester Marjoribanks, who took the pup to Scotland where he maintained a kennel of hunting dogs. Searching to create an outstanding dog suited to the Scottish climate, ground and game, he later bred the yellow pup to a Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed that no longer exists except for as a trace of the Golden Retriever. These offspring were bred with Tweed Water Spaniels and a red setter, but it was mostly the golden pups kept. Marjoribanks was a breeder with a vision, and these initial pups, born in the late 1860s, appear much as the Golden Retriever does today.

Working ability was of great practical importance, much like the other Scottish breeds of dogs. There was little room or funds for “free-loaders” – dogs had to pay their way. In the early 1900s the dogs made their way to shows as a “Retriever – wavy or flat coated, any other color” but in 1920 officially named Golden Retriever. In 1932 the AKC recognized the breed here in the U.S.

Currently by the standard males are 23-24 inches with females slightly smaller, with dogs 65-75 pounds and females 55-65. Those interested in showing may find the physical standard at http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/ – and it bears noting that many dogs are used for more than showing.

Like several other large breeds the Golden Retriever is subject to some hereditary diseases. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), eyelid problems, a heart disease known as subvavular aortic stenosis, thyroid disorders, seizure disorders and other health issues which affect all breeds. Many of these hereditary disorders can be found by testing, and animals that show signs of these diseases should not be used for breeding. Unfortunately, many lower priced puppies do not have breeders who test for these disorders so often you don’t know what you are truly getting. While the breed can easily live to over 10 years old, one statistic reports just over 60% of older goldens being affected by cancer – something that bears watching in your older dogs.

Select your puppy with longevity in mind. This is a breed that can have 8-10, sometimes 12 puppies – and a dozen growing little mouths is a lot of time to raise them properly.

Regular grooming is essential for this breed. Their distinctive coat is for outdoor activities but regular brushing is needed. Also, some Goldens get matts in the fine hairs especially near their flanks, on the chest and behind the elbow. Trimming these out before they get down close to the skin makes for a happier dog. Regular grooming keeps the burrs and other material out of the coat also. Nail trimming and dental care is needed, as with any dog.

Many naturally love water also. As with some other retrievers, take care that the dog does not become overweight, which can lead to other health problems. For a larger breed they don’t eat as much as some people expect, and can easily become overweight, which shortens their life.

The selection for intelligence and function has developed a dog that today suits many needs in a wide variety of activities. From a beautiful and energetic show dog to a calm service dog, a hunter, a K-9, search and rescue, dog freestyle, agility, flyball, tracking and many other activities the Golden is a breed that seeks to perform and please.

While as a K-9 they aren’t likely to have the drive to take down a criminal, their use is for other important tasks. Their nose, developed for hunting, can still be used in the field today hunting and retrieving birds. Goldens are also highly visible for searching for lost people.

An example of what these amazing dogs can do is displayed in dogs like “Austin,” a Golden Retriever inducted into the Texas Animal Hall of Fame as well as honored with the US Search and Rescue Dog of the Year from the AKC. A group of hunters found Austin, lost in the woods near Houston, and the pup was turned over to a breed rescue then trained as a hearing and service dog. His life took another turn when he became a cop. Certified in advance tracking, area and evidence search, cadaver search and air operations, Austin can search for lost people, can calmly helicopter in and with his handler dangle off the edge of a cliff.

Golden Retrievers have been on the front lines of disasters such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the World Trade Center attacks, hurricane Katrina as well as many other natural and man-made disasters around the world.

Golden Retrievers have served as heroes of other kinds too. Their work with autistic people, as service dogs with a wide range of duties and as guide dogs are but a few ways they help people. Searching for drugs, explosives and other illegal things makes use of the breed’s intelligence and discernment.

Probably the most recognized celebrity of the breed is “Duke”, the mischievous opportunist seeking to sell the secret recipe for Bush’s beans on television commercials. “Liberty” was a White House dog, as President Gerald Ford’s dog. “Victory” was another presidential dog, beingowned by Ronald Reagan. Christopher Reeves had a Golden as an assistance dog.

Among the celebrity ties in the breed is Oprah, Dean Koontz, Jim Belushi, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Tom Cruise, Billy Ray Cyrus, Neil Diamond, Ron Howard, Paul Newman, Conan O’Brien, Joe Pesci, Jane Seymour, Martha Stewart and Alan Thicke are but a few celebrities with Golden Retrievers.

Equally, the list of Golden Retriever heroes is long. Many have saved people from fires. A 15 year old Golden saved the life of a three week old baby by alerting his owners something was wrong with the child. The AKC awarded this hero with special honors – sadly, less than a year later Bullet lost his life to cancer. Goldens have also saved their owners from bears, choking, snakes, carbon monoxide, cancer, coyotes, drowning and freezing. One sniffed the owner’s brain tumor while another alerted to a heart attack.

These are all expressions of the loyalty from the breed and help explain why so many people love this breed. Ranking fourth nationally in 2007, they were first in Honolulu. They rank second in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Minnepolis-St. Paul, Portland, Raleigh, Seattle and St. Louis. They were also listed third in Dallas, Des Moines, Little Rock, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, San Diego and San Francisco (tied).

The Golden Retreiver is truly a people’s dog. A dog of many hats but with the same dedication, loyalty and willingness to please as a hundred years ago, they are a breed for a wide range of living situations providing the owners understand the breed, provide training and exercise and treasure the dog. Treasure him not as a human, which demeans him and takes away those special things dogs can do that we can’t, but as a creature who seems to understand we are flawed and worships us anyway.

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