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Golden Retrievers And Some Things You
Didn't Know About Them
by: Richard Cussons
How it
all began with Golden Retrievers: Sir
Dudley Majoribanks wanted a hunting dog,
but not just any hunting dog. He wanted
one that was just as a much a companion
as it was a retriever of the birds he
shot. The then popular Irish Setters and
Spaniels were only good for showing him
where the birds had fallen but their
coats, much too fine, kept them from
finding them in harsher areas. So,
Dudley Majoribanks created the Golden
Retriever and, coincidentally, one of
the most popular breeds. Of course, it
was not an easy task--it took him years
to create the dog he envisioned (years
and multiple breeds).
From 1865 to 1889, Majoribanks used his
pups to further the idea of the ultimate
hunting dog. When he finally
accomplished his goal, the result was a
mix of the Setter, lesser Newfoundland,
Springer Spaniel and the Water Spaniel.
Majoribanks had his Retriever.
Golden Retrievers are one of the most
popular breeds (second only to Labrador
Retrievers) and with good reason: their
gentle temperaments and sweet faces make
them a favored family dog. But, also,
their water-repellent coats and high
intelligence make them ideal for
hunting, which Majoribanks would be
proud to see continue. This mixture of
intelligence and loyalty mark them as a
natural choice for families. This is a
devoted breed, one that will do
everything they can to please.
Standing between 20 to 24 inches and
weighing 55 to 80 pounds, this is not a
dog meant for great intimidation (of
course, its friendly isposition cancels
that idea, no matter what the size).
Instead, this is a dog built for
activity: whether hunting, retrieving or
merely playing with its owners, the
Golden Retriever is meant to move.
This can cause a problem for some
households, however. Many people see the
Golden as the ultimate dog. In some
ways, it is, but there are
disadvantages. One, as mentioned before,
is the need for activity. Golden
Retrievers were not created to simply
lay around the house. It needs something
to spark its intelligence and use its
natural instincts. If you do not have
the time to devote to this breed, then
you should not consider purchasing a
pup. But, it's not just time spent
exercising--your Golden wants time with
you. That matters most. The affectionate
dogs cannot stand to be left alone. If
they are, for longer periods of time,
they may become destructive.
Of course, many people respond to this
by either: locking their pet outside or
crating him. Neither one of these
options is overly wise. The Golden is
prone to digging when left outside for
too long and could escape the yard, and,
if left in a crate, the dog would be
miserable. No, you need time to spend
with this breed. Otherwise, you will
both be unhappy.
Another disadvantage to the Golden can
also be argued as its greatest
advantage: its temperament. To the
Golden, everyone is a friend to be
licked and loved. In some ways, this is
excellent. You can trust your pet never
to harm your children, your other
animals or even strangers who visit the
house. In other ways, however, this is a
problem. The Golden does not make even a
tolerable guard dog. If you are looking
for something to defend you, this is not
it. This breed was meant to be sweet,
not to become aggressive if a stranger
should appear in the doorway. Now, yes,
the Golden Retriever will bark (they can
actually become quite vocal) but that is
all they are likely to do. Even intense
training is no guarantee that your
Golden will defend you. It's hard to
suppress centuries of loving instinct.
But, if you are searching for a dog that
will love you and try its best to please
you, then the Golden is the perfect
match. This is a dog that will always
greet you at the door, even when you've
just stepped out for a minute, and this
is a dog that will want to be with you
no matter where you are. If you have the
time and energy to devote to it, Golden
Retrievers will never let you down.
About The Author
Richard Cussons is a champion for dogs of all breeds but Golden
Retrievers in
particular. You can find
out more about Golden
Retrievers at
http://www.goldenretrieversavvy.com/.
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