How to Care for a Golden Retriever

The golden retriever is a medium-maintenance dog. Known for its incredibly sweet disposition, it mostly needs love and attention - follow these steps to take the best care of your golden.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Beds
• Dog Bones
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Carriers
• Dog Collars
• Dog Combs
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Dog Toothpastes
• Dog Toys
• Dog Training Aids
• Dog Treats
• Doggie Toothbrushes
• Doghouses And Doors
• Muzzles
• Nail Clippers For Dogs
• Pet Doors
• Reduced-calorie Dog Food
• Dog Shampoo

1. Keep your golden's weight down. Overweight dogs have more health problems, including heart trouble and arthritis.

2. Learn about the health problems associated with this breed: hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, congenital heart disease, epilepsy, thyroid disorders and allergies.

3. Brush your golden weekly to help keep shedding down. This breed sheds year-round.

4. Bathe the dog infrequently; it doesn't require special grooming and can be washed at home.

5. Make sure to trim this dog's nails monthly to prevent foot problems.

6. Remember that retrievers try very hard to please and train fairly easily as long as you are consistent and patient with them.

7. Keep your retriever inside if at all possible. This is an extremely social dog, and it will be very unhappy if left alone outside while its family is together in the house.

8. Check with your vet regarding anal expressions - some dogs need help with this and it's a job better left to a professional. Look for signs like the dog dragging its bottom along the floor.

9. Be prepared to enjoy a good 10 to 14 years with your dog, as this is the average life expectancy of a golden retriever.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you or someone in your home is willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes a day playing with and exercising the dog.
• Purchase a hand vacuum if you plan to keep your golden indoors. Its hair will stick to everything.
• Golden retrievers love the water. Keep a towel handy when you go near the ocean or a lake.
• Regular brushing will prevent matting, which can quickly become a nuisance. Note that this breed sheds a lot. The main reason people give up their goldens is because they shed too much. The second reason is that they got bigger than expected.

[daytonagirl]

on 5/24/2009 My golden is having extreme hair loss after giving birth to a litter of 8. Any treatment tips or vitamin supplement suggestions?

[svarrone]

on 4/27/2009 hello- my best friend golden- she is only 4 years old.She is really a fighter, she had liver failure about 6 months ago- her chance of making it were slim. I told the vet "do everything in your power to save her" I was so glad she MADE IT through.Now recently she diagnoise as pancreatitis, I am really physically, emotionally, mentally drained at the same time I am trying to be strong for her. She is on a special diet. She really doesnt like her prescription food. Is there any way I could make her homemade low fat food??? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciate. Thank you so much--Golden paws-

[dpitcher67]

on 1/20/2009 Please, any
tips or advice would be great, thanks.

[dpitcher67]

on 1/20/2009 (sorry, I guess I ran out of space lol) continued..

Last summer I was home for a couple of months, and it was great, I spent lots of time with him, I took him for walks, and just basically made sure he was being taken care of properly. My parents house isn't that big, so that pretty much limits the dogs area to the kitchen and living room, oh and of course his kennel which he has to sleep in every night. Now, months later, I have been away since the end of summer, the novelty has worn off for the dog, now he just sits there, in his house freezing, sometimes 5, 6, 7 hours a day without food or water on occasions. If anyone knows anything about Newfoundland winters, then you know that it is not even fit for a dog outside most of the time. The dog does not get his exercise, he is pretty much always lonely, and it really kills me, because for the most part there is nothing I can do...Plea

[dpitcher67]

on 1/20/2009 What's up guys? I'm a 22 male, and I would just like to say first that I love dogs, but especially golden retrievers. There is just something about the breed, such a good looking, friendly and smart dog. All my life I wanted one, but we never really ever had the space or the money to raise a dog like that growing up. I have been moved out of my parents house now since I was 19, and about a year ago they decided to take a golden retriever from a family who couldn't care for him anymore. Basically I think the dog got bigger than they expected, and they were starting to neglect it and would just leave him tied on outside all day. So my parents kind of saved him I guess.

When they told me that they had gotten the dog, I guess I was happy at first, then maybe a little jealous,(because I really wanted one lol), but then as time went on I just felt really sorry for Dakota. Last summer I w