Dogs have long been known as man's best friend and Golden Retrievers are right at the top of the affection and loyalty ladder. Owners of these wonderful dogs have a big responsibility to care for them. Any health problems with Pure bred Golden Retriever are few, as they are a fairly easy to care for and a hardy breed. However, there are some issues that owners need to keep an eye out for. Goldies have the needs commonly associated to all dogs but also some that are specific to this type of dog. Obviously water, food, exercise, and love is something that should be given to all dogs.
As far as food, Golden Retrievers will eat just about anything. Dog food is the food of choice; some of them have been shown to decrease the likelihood of disease and joint issues. They will also eat what we would normally eat but should not be given any foods that may cause digestion problems, such as grapes or chocolate. Essentially, they are meat-eaters and their stomachs are not made to deal with more than occasional vegetables and fruits. Water should be kept readily available for drinking. Golden Retriever health is dependent upon lots of exercise each day, preferably outdoors. They adore running and swimming.
Mentally, Golden Retriever health is based in interaction with people. These dogs are extremely popular and this is mainly due to their temperaments. They are helpful, friendly, easy-going, and love people. In fact, if they are ever separated from their owners for quite a long time, they can easily become depressed. They would rather live in the house with their "family," instead of outside in the back yard. Because they thrive on reward systems, they love to learn new tricks and skills. This makes them perfect stunt dogs, "seeing eye" dogs for people who are sight-impaired and help dogs for the disabled or elderly. An this of course, also makes them great for catching frisbees and baseballs with kids.
This particular breed of dog is predisposed to certain health issues, especially when bred by inexperienced or uninformed breeders. One serious potential Golden Retriever health problem is a loosening of the joint, causing arthritis pain and restricting the dog's movements. Canine hip dysplasia points to problems with the hip joint while Elbow dysplasia is a separation of the three elbow bones. Eye health issues include cataracts, inversion of the eyelids, and some misdirected eyelash growth. Blood disorders, heart defects and bone deficiencies can also be an issue, but are not as prevalent. Finding a reputable breeder and being able to see the parents of the golden will help lessen the chance of any serious health issues.
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