Breeding Golden Retrievers is Serious Business. Are You Up to the Challenge
Breeding Golden Retrievers can be challenging and yet an immensely satisfying pursuit. It is certainly not a profitable on the weekend kind of job. You have to dedicate time and you have to be willing to put in the effort to breed healthy litters. You have to take full responsibility for the litter as well as the adult dogs in your care.
Guidelines: The guidelines for the breed standard of Golden Retrievers is provided by the American Kennel Club. You have to clearly understand these standards and use it as a benchmark while breeding Golden Retrievers. You have to also do your research into the health of the bloodlines, the health profile of the parent dogs and get the various health clearances and required certificates.
Health issues: There are inheritable eye diseases, heart diseases and hip diseases to contend with. Larger breeds like the Golden Retrievers are susceptible to a condition called Hip Dysplasia due to malformation in the hip joint. Hip x-rays of potential parent dogs should be taken and the evaluation has to be done by a recognized institution like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or OFA.
Breeding Golden Retrievers Should be Taken up for the Right Reasons
Breeding Golden Retrievers can go so wrong if you are not doing it for the right reasons. Breeders take on this responsibility for many different reasons.
Improving the Breed
The genuine hobby breeders and dedicated dog lovers who are truly passionate about the Golden Retriever breed are firstly very knowledgeable about the breed. They are very careful about following guidelines. They are very well versed with the importance of pedigree and healthy bloodlines.
Breeding Golden Retrievers to Get a Show Dog
If your interest veers towards show dogs, then you need puppies that can be trained for performance so that they can participate in competitions. Many breeders look for Champion lines so that the puppies come from a bloodline of Goldens that are winners of various titles. Champion pedigree has the potential to produce better looks, better build and better health in the puppies.
Breeding Golden Retrievers for Profit
There is nothing wrong in making a profession or business out of it so long as you take a keen interest in placing the puppies with good families who you are convinced will genuinely look after the puppies well. As a breeder you have to be concerned about the home environment of the puppies with their new families and ask the potential new owners all the right questions.
Breeding Golden Retrievers To have a House Full
The Golden fur and the gentle easy going temperament of Goldens makes many a dog lover want more of these wonderful pets around. But there is a word of caution.
A house full of puppies means loads of work for you in housebreaking them and training them. The potty training phase can be a nightmare and the house may become an unmanageable mess. Despite these initial problems, if you are still keen to have more Goldens around, then draw up a plan and decide in advance how you want to handle the house breaking stage to minimize the effort and hassles.
Learn More About Breeding Golden Retrievers
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The English Golden Retriever is a very attractive dog because of the light toned fur. Its health profile is slightly better than the American Golden. The tendency to breed Champion English lines is another factor that works in its favor. Find out why. more...
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