Meet the Golden E-Book

American Kennel Club

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: AKC Meet the Breed Series
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Seitenzahl: 179

Beschreibung

Meet the Golden is the American Kennel Club's first official publication on this ever-popular sporting breed, published in conjunction with the Golden Retriever Club of America. Meet the Golden presents accurate, authoritative information on all aspects of purchasing and owning the Golden Retriever, heavily illustrated with color images of well-bred puppies and beautiful adults. The book contains eleven detailed chapters devoted to the breed's history, characteristics, and the special requirements for owning this versatile, active dog that excels in countless areas of work and sport. A chapter devoted to the purchase and selection of the Golden puppy gives the reader specific guidance on how to locate a qualified breeder and to recognize a healthy, sound puppy. Individual chapters on house-training and basic obedience serve as a crash course in positive-training techniques, the AKC's recommended way of training dogs. Chapters on exercise, grooming, feeding, and healthcare present indispensable information for new dog owners.As an official publication of the AKC, Meet the Golden also explains the many vital programs offered by the country's leading canine organization to all pet dog owners, including the S.T.A.R. Puppy and the Canine Good Citizen programs. The final chapter offers owners over a dozen ways to get active with their Golden Retrievers, including the various dog sports sponsored by the AKC, from conformation showing and obedience trials to agility, hunting tests, field trials and more. A detailed resources section offers recommendations for websites, books, periodicals, and club affiliate programs, all of great interest to responsible new dog owners.

Leseprobe

Brought to you by The American Kennel Club and The Golden Retriever Club of America.

Lead Editor: Karen Julian

Art Director: Cindy Kassebaum

Production Manager: Laurie Panaggio

Production Supervisor: Jessica Jaensch

Production Coordinator: Leah Rosalez

Vice President, Chief Content Officer: June Kikuchi

Vice President, Kennel Club Books: Andrew DePrisco

I-5 Press: Jennifer Calvert, Amy Deputato, Karen Julian, Jarelle S. Stein

Photographs by: Gina Cioli/I-5 Studio: 10, 14, 28, 31, 33, 40, 42, 67, 72, 84, 86, 94, 109, 120; Cheryl Ertelt: Cover inset, 3, 4, 12, 24, 29, 30, 41, 77, 87, 106, 115; Christopher Appoldt Photography: Cover, Back cover, 4, 13, 46, 47, 50-51, 54, 56, 64, 68, 69; Cris Kelly Photography: Cover inset, 43, 60, 112-113, 121; Fox Hill Photo: Daniel Johnson, 35, 96; Paulette Johnson, 52, 58, 66, 89, 95, 97; Connie Summers/Paulette Johnson, 78; Gondolin Photography (Christopher Butler): 20-21; LMEimages (Laurie Meehan-Elmer): 6-7, 34, 36, 45, 82-83, 108, 110; Mark Raycroft Photography: Cover insets, 4, 8, 9, 15, 16-17, 18, 22, 25, 26-27, 37, 38-39, 44, 48, 49, 53, 57, 59, 61, 62-63, 92-93, 105, 114, 119; PawPrince Studios (Pamela Marks): 23, 32, 73, 79, 88, 98; Shutterstock: 55, 65, 75, 81, 85, 99, 118, 124; Sporthorse Photography (Tara Gregg): 1, 11, 70-71, 74, 76, 80, 90, 101, 102-103, 111, 116.

Copyright © 2012 The American Kennel Club and I-5 Press™

I-5 Press™

A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of I-5 Press™, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The American Kennel Club’s meet the golden : the responsible dog owner’s handbook.

p. cm. -- (AKC’s meet the breeds series)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-935484-88-2

eISBN 978-1-620080-16-0

1. Golden retriever. I. American Kennel Club.

SF429.G63A44 2012

636.752’7--dc23

2012007688

Printed and bound in the United States

16 15 14 13 12           1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Meet Your New Dog

Welcome to Meet the Golden. Whether you’re a long-time Golden Retriever owner, or you’ve just brought home your first puppy, we wish you a lifetime of happiness and enjoyment with your new pet.

In this book, you’ll learn about the history of the breed, receive tips on feeding, grooming, and training, and learn about all the fun you can have with your dog. The American Kennel Club and I-5 Press hope that this book serves as a useful guide on the lifelong journey you’ll take with your canine companion.

Owned and cherished by millions across America, Golden Retrievers make wonderful companions that also enjoy taking part in a variety of dog sports, including Conformation (dog shows), Obedience, Rally®, and Agility.

Thousands of Goldens have also earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen® award by demonstrating their good manners at home and in the community. We hope that you and your Golden will become involved in AKC events, too! Learn how to get involved at www.akc.org/events or find a training club in your area at www.akc.org/events/trainingclubs.cfm.

We encourage you to connect with other Golden owners on the AKC website (www.akc.org), Facebook (www.facebook.com/americankennelclub), and Twitter (@akcdoglovers). Also visit the website for the Golden Retriever Club of America (www.grca.org), the national parent club for the Golden Retriever, to learn about the breed from reputable exhibitors and breeders.

Enjoy Meet the Golden!

Sincerely,

Dennis B. Sprung

AKC President and CEO

Contents

1 MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

2 GOLDEN BY DESIGN

3 THE SEARCH FOR GOLD

4 A GOLDEN HOMECOMING

5 GOLDEN RULES

6 HOUSE-TRAINING ETIQUETTE

7 TOP OF THE CLASS

8 FOOD FIT FOR A GOLDEN

9 A GOLDEN BEAUTY

10 HEALTHY IS HAPPY

11 GO FOR THE GOLD

RESOURCES

Is your dream dog friendly, energetic, smart, and covered in a shimmering golden coat? Then the Golden Retriever is the perfect dog for you! Bred by a British nobleman in the nineteenth century to hunt waterfowl, this breed has become one of the most recognized, beloved, and talented dogs in the world. The Golden is truly a wonder dog that guides the blind; assists the disabled; sniffs out bombs, drugs, and cancer cells; searches (and rescues!) people buried in the aftermath of natural disasters and terrorist attacks; and brings smiles to the faces of children and seniors in hospitals and nursing homes. Plus he’s one swell chum to his human family.

Always the Bridesmaid

The Golden Retriever is in the top five AKC registered breeds but has never beaten the most popular breed, the Labrador Retriever. To register your Golden pup with the AKC, fill out the Dog Registration Application you were given by your breeder and mail it to the AKC office in North Carolina. You can also register your dog online at www.akc.org.

You can see the smiling face of Goldens on television commercials, magazine advertisements, birthday greeting cards, T-shirts, kitchen magnets, wallpapers for computers—virtually everywhere imaginable. People can’t seem to get enough of the Golden Retriever. Not only has the Golden been in the top five most popular breeds in the United States for over three decades, according to American Kennel Club registration statistics, but the breed ranks high in England, Japan, China, Sweden, and Norway as well.

ARE YOU RIGHT FOR AN 18-KARAT GOLDEN?

Anyone who’s owned (or been owned by) a Golden will attest that this breed is the ideal family dog and companion. A better canine friend cannot be found. Golden Retrievers might be all-around, do-it-all dogs, but you must remember that every dog has his own distinct personality, and in a breed as versatile as the Golden, you can find individual dogs with extremely different personalities and abilities.

“Friendly” is actually in the definition of the breed, and Goldens make everyone they meet feel like a long-lost friend. They greet family members, postal carriers, and kind strangers with tail-wagging enthusiasm. This quality makes the Golden Retriever a wonderful therapy dog that visits patients in care facilities, veterans’ hospitals, and assisted-living communities. This quality has also led the breed to excel as guide and assistance dogs, bonding with their caretakers regardless of their physical limitations.

Goldens have the need to retrieve and will happily play fetch for hours. Channel your Golden’s energy into obedience training.

Lovable, huggable Golden Retrievers are popular not only in the United States, but in Europe and Asia as well.

Few breeds surpass the Golden’s zest for life. He finds joy in every moment of the day, exploring every hole and corner of the yard, and retrieving every stick and leaf he can find. Like all other retrievers, Goldens love to mouth. They will retrieve anything within their reach—socks, underwear, leather belts, and their absolute favorite, anything made of feathers (down comforters, jackets, pillows, and the occasional feather boa). Unchecked, they will shred these things to pieces. Many Golden Retriever puppies are miniature chewing machines. Some chew their way well into adulthood, leaving telltale scars on furniture and cabinetry. Conscientious owners quickly learn to keep everything off the floor and away from puppies, adults, and senior Goldens. If you’re waiting for your puppy to mature and grow out of his “I-love-feathers” phase, don’t hold your breath!

Wise owners minimize damage around the home with diligent supervision, providing appropriate chew toys, and teaching their Golden Retriever puppy what he may and may not chew. Owners who fail to dog-proof their homes or supervise their puppies tell horror stories of the impossible things their Goldens have consumed or destroyed.

Did You Know?

The Golden Retriever breed migrated to the United States in the early 1900s and gained official American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition in 1925. The first Golden registered with the AKC was Lomberdale Blondin in 1925.

The shimmery coat of the Golden Retriever is one of the breed’s most recognizable characteristics. Keeping the coat looking good requires a lot of work.

The glory of your Golden Retriever’s luxuriant coat is a mixed blessing, as it sheds twice a year and transforms into golden tumbleweeds of doggy fur. The fuzz of a Golden puppy will blossom into a thick, medium-length coat that will require frequent brushing to keep it clean and manageable. Shedding periods in the spring and fall are heavy and can last about three weeks; however, Goldens shed the other forty-six weeks of the year, too! Dedicated (dog- and house-proud) owners devote at least ten minutes every other day brushing their dogs, and twenty minutes on the days in between vacuuming floors and furniture. And don’t forget those muddy paws, tromping through your garden and across your kitchen floor. Few Golden Retriever homes have spotless tiled floors. If you’re really fussy about a tidy house, there are other dog breeds with less coat.

HIGH-ENERGY EXPECTATIONS

Goldens are not for lazy dog lovers. A member of the Sporting Group, the Golden is a natural athlete and requires a lot of daily exercise. They enjoy lively outdoor fun and games, which are excellent outlets for their energy and enthusiasm. Originally developed as a hunting dog expected to work all day, a Golden left alone for hours on end in the backyard with a half-eaten Frisbee or in the kitchen with a king-size Kong will quickly get bored—but not for long! Soon he’ll begin to make his own sort of “fun.” Your dog’s definition of “fun” often leads to destruction and disaster. Golden Retrievers have been known to redesign entire landscapes, dig up perennial gardens, remodel the living room furniture, and eat paneling and wallpaper.

Get to Know the AKC

The country’s leading canine organization, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the betterment and promotion of purebred dogs as family companions. The AKC is the largest and most prestigious dog registry in the United States. It was founded in 1884 with the mission of “upholding its registry and promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.” Supporting everything from health and wellness to breeding standards to fun activities for the whole family, the AKC thrives on the participation of dog lovers like you.

Help continue the legacy by registering your purebred Golden Retriever with the AKC. It’s as simple as filling out the Dog Registration Application you received when you bought your puppy and mailing it to the AKC in North Carolina, or register online at www.akc.org/reg.

Your dog wants nothing more than time spent outdoors with his family. He is not a loner. In fact, Goldens are pretty miserable when left alone. Keep your dog smiling by being an active part of his daily life, and give him opportunities to impress you with his real talents. The American Kennel Club has many activities that Goldens excel in, from dog shows and agility to obedience, field trials, hunting tests, and much more.

The Golden Retriever is considered a medium- to large-sized breed, with males standing 23 to 24 inches in height at the withers (shoulders) and weighing 65 to 75 pounds, and females 21½ to 22½ inches in height and weighing 55 to 65 pounds. Golden Retrievers are great with children, but they can be especially exuberant, so both dog and kids must be supervised to prevent mishaps due to normal Golden rowdiness. A 75-pound adult male—barreling happily forward—can topple a full-grown adult just as easily as he can a child or a senior. This is a lot of canine to handle, so training and discipline must be high priorities on the Golden owner’s to-do list.

BORN TO HUNT

Yes, it’s true that many pet Golden Retrievers only retrieve Frisbees or newspapers, and they’re perfectly happy doing so. Yet, the breed today continues to be bred for its original purpose of hunting upland waterfowl, such as small ducks, grouse, and partridge to large Canada geese, pheasants, and snow geese. It takes a strong, determined dog to carry a 20-pound goose through freezing water back to his owner. Many breeders specialize in producing super-charged hunting dogs, which can be too much for the average pet owner to handle. These Golden Retrievers have more drive and determination than show dogs and appear a bit racier and less coated.

Tweedmouth’s Dream Dog

The Golden Retriever is a man-made breed, and the man behind it all was the first Lord Tweed-mouth of Guisachan, sometimes known in history books as Sir Dudley Marjoribanks. It was Tweedmouth’s dream to have a superior yellow retriever to hunt ducks in the icy waters off the coast of Scotland. In pursuit of his dream dog, he paired a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel, both extinct ancestors of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Curly-Coated Retriever. Tweedmouth’s breeding program focused on the golden color, a people-loving temperament, and a water-loving ability, resulting in today’s much-loved Golden Retriever.

Golden Retrievers were originally bred as water-loving hunting dogs that retrieved waterfowl like ducks and geese. Today, Goldens are bred as show dogs and working dogs—versatile beauties with brains to spare.

Show breeders concentrate on ensuring that their dogs conform to the breed standard, the written description of the ideal Golden Retriever, in addition to retriever instincts. These breeders desire such qualities as a broad head, properly angulated front assembly, and a thick coat.

All Golden breeders should produce sound, healthy puppies with the friendly temperament that defines this very special breed. Pet owners generally favor Goldens that show breeders produce because the dog is more laid-back and generally less intense and easier to handle and train than those bred strictly for hunting. But don’t be fooled, even a well-bred puppy from a good show breeder can be a handful. His enthusiasm and zest for life can easily overwhelm a novice owner who is unprepared for the breed’s natural bounce-off-the-walls vitality. Perhaps due to the Goldens’ high public profile, many people are unaware that the breed requires rigorous training, no matter how naturally smart he is. Like most other Sporting dogs, the Golden is more than anxious to please his owner, but he needs to learn how to do that. Obedience training is the only route to transforming an exuberant Golden into a well-behaved companion.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Getting a dog is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself on all that is involved in being a good pet owner. As a part of the Canine Good Citizen® test, the AKC has a “Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge,” which states:

I will be responsible for my dog’s health needs.

I will provide routine veterinary care, including check-ups and vaccines.

I will offer adequate nutrition through proper diet and clean water at all times.

I will give daily exercise and regularly bathe and groom.

I will be responsible for my dog’s safety.

I will properly control my dog by providing fencing where appropriate, by not letting my dog run loose, and by using a leash in public.

I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification when appropriate (which may include collar tags, tattoos, or microchip identification).

I will provide adequate supervision when my dog and children are together.

I will not allow my dog to infringe on the rights of others.

I will not allow my dog to run loose in the neighborhood.

I will not allow my dog to be a nuisance to others by barking while in the yard, in a hotel room, etc.

I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in all public areas, such as on the grounds of hotels, on sidewalks, in parks, etc.

I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in wilderness areas, on hiking trails, on campgrounds, and in off-leash parks.

I will be responsible for my dog’s quality of life.

I understand that basic training is beneficial to all dogs.

I will give my dog attention and playtime.

I understand that owning a dog is a commitment in time and caring.

Search and Rescue Hero

The Golden Retriever’s strong desire to please its owner and its unlimited love of people is manifested in its superiority in search and rescue work. The Golden has labored valiantly during many disasters, notably the September 11th terrorist attacks; Hurricane Katrina; and earthquakes in Chile, Japan, and Haiti. The cover of the best-seller, Dog Heroes of September 11th, proudly bears the image of a Golden resting alongside a New York firefighter.

Structure and sound movement are important in every Golden Retriever. Whether your dog is dashing after a fallen pheasant, gaiting confidently next to you in the show ring, or pouncing on leaves falling from the maple tree in your front yard, he needs to be able to run effortlessly to “do his job.” He also needs to be friendly and biddable, traits that all breeders strive for, regardless of their emphasis on the show ring or the field.

Whether you participate in obedience, agility, or therapy work, or if you just visit the dog park every weekend, your Golden Retriever will appreciate the time spent with you, his favorite human.

Not sure if your lifestyle is right for a high-energy Golden Retriever? Thoroughly research the breed before deciding on getting one.

THE WELL-ROUNDED GOLDEN

Golden Retrievers really can do anything. Lots of Goldens are dual titled, meaning they hold titles in conformation (dog shows) as well as performance, such as obedience, agility, or hunt tests. The Golden is not just a pretty face smiling from the Best in Show circle. He is a working dog that can hunt all day, participate in sports, and learn to do just about anything any other dog can do—and probably better. To learn more about this sweet, fun-loving breed, go to the American Kennel Club website at www.akc.org, or check out the Golden Retriever Club of America’s website at www.grca.org.

At a Glance …

Golden Retrievers are friendly and trustworthy. This loyal breed is the ultimate family dog. With proper training, the Golden can become a cherished member of your family for a lifetime.

The Golden Retriever is not a lazy owner’s dog. As a Sporting breed, the Golden requires lots of exercise and outdoor activity. Not a runner? Hate the outdoors? Have a small apartment? The fun-loving Golden Retriever may not be the right dog for you. Research the breed and talk with other owners before deciding on a Golden Retriever.

The Golden Retriever excels in a variety of sports and activities due to his energetic and eager-to-please personality. Goldens are one of the most popular choices for service dogs, as well as therapy and search and rescue dogs. Check out all of the opportunities to get involved with your Golden at www.akc.org or www.grca.org.

What makes one Golden Retriever look so much like the next? If you’ve ever been to a dog show or watched one on television, you’ve seen a stellar lineup of champion Goldens. As you look down the lineup, a bevy of blonde and golden beauties, you should be struck by the “sameness” of the dogs. Every head broad and slightly arched; every ear the same shape and falling close to the cheek; every coat, a rich lustrous golden color, lying close to the body; and every tail feather uniformly waving with enthusiasm. This “sameness” is no mere coincidence—it’s absolutely by design or, shall we say, by the standard.

Goldens of all ages share certain characteristics inherent to the breed such as a golden coat, dark eyes, and a friendly personality.

THE GOLD STANDARD

The breed standard describes in great detail the qualities that make the Golden Retriever distinct in conformation, ability, and character. Breeders and judges call these qualities “type,” and it is type that defines a breed and makes it recognizable. Written by the Golden Retriever Club of America, the breed standard sets forth guidelines used by judges in conformation (dog shows) and by breeders in planning their breeding programs. Using the parent club’s “blueprint” as their guide, breeders are able to produce dogs that are typical, sound specimens of the breed, and judges are able to select their winners by choosing the dogs that most closely conform to the ideal dog as described in the standard. Without a breed standard, the Golden Retriever would eventually lose its “type,” all those qualities that make it “golden.”

A PIECE OF HISTORY

A minor controversy during the 2011 Christmas holiday occurred when Monsignor Robert Ritchie included an Italian sculpture of his own Golden Retriever, Lexington, in the nativity scene at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Ritchie believed that man’s best friend had a place alongside the stable animals, though he conceded that the Golden Retriever was anachronistic in BC Bethlehem.

ROOTS OF A RETRIEVER