Introduction to Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers, also known as “Gâu Đần” in Vietnamese, are one of the most beloved dog breeds not only in Vietnam but worldwide. So, what makes Golden Retrievers so popular among dog lovers?
1. Origin of Golden Retrievers
The Golden Retriever breed was developed, bred, and refined by Dudley Marjoribanks, the mayor of the Tweedmouth region in Scotland, during the reign of Queen Victoria. They are the result of crossbreeding a Yellow Retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel.
These dogs were trained as ideal hunting dogs for birds and other animals. They were named “Retrievers” because of their ability to swiftly retrieve prey both on land and in water. In Vietnam, they are often referred to as “Gâu Đần,” pronounced similarly to their English name.
Golden Retrievers were first introduced to the public at a dog show in England in 1908. The breed quickly gained popularity and was brought to the United States and Canada. In the 1970s, Golden Retrievers reached their peak of fame. Even US President Gerald Ford owned a beautiful Golden Retriever named Liberty.
Besides the purebred Golden Retrievers, there are also mixed breeds such as Labrador Retrievers and Flat-coated Retrievers.
2. Characteristics of Golden Retrievers
a. Physical Appearance
- Weight: Female Golden Retrievers weigh between 25-30kg, while males weigh between 30-34kg.
- Height: They stand between 54-61cm at the shoulders.
- Golden Retrievers have well-proportioned bodies, with strong and sturdy builds. They have long coats, soft ears, and fur on their chest, abdomen, and tail. They have broad heads, brown eyes, black noses, and medium-length muzzles.
- Coat: Golden Retrievers have a double-layered coat – an outer layer that is thick and water-resistant, and a dense undercoat. Some have wavy fur, while others have straight fur. They shed a lot and require regular grooming. However, they are not suitable for people with allergies, and you may find their fur scattered throughout your home.
- Color: As their name suggests, Golden Retrievers come in various shades of gold, from light to dark.
b. Temperament
The wonderful temperament of Golden Retrievers is one of the reasons behind their popularity.
- Friendly and cheerful, these dogs bring joy to those around them. They love everyone and get along well with adults, children, and other animals.
- They are active and playful, enjoying being part of their family’s activities and making perfect companions. They particularly dislike being left alone or ignored.
- Their kind-hearted nature combined with their intelligence makes them excellent working dogs. They excel at tasks such as guiding, therapy, search and rescue, and scent detection.
- The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is 10 to 12 years.
3. Caring for Golden Retrievers
a. Nutrition
Golden Retrievers have a tendency to be food-obsessed and may stick around you when you’re eating, pretending they haven’t been fed for days! It’s important to provide them with a well-balanced diet suitable for Golden Retrievers. You can refer to feeding guidelines to determine what to feed them. However, any diet should be appropriate for their age, as some may be prone to weight gain. Pay attention to their calorie intake and weight if you want to avoid them becoming overweight.
b. Common Health Issues
Golden Retrievers are known to be relatively healthy dogs with a long lifespan. However, they are prone to some common health issues, including:
- Hip dysplasia: a condition where the thigh bone and hip joint do not fit snugly together. This can cause pain and lameness in the hind legs or may not show any symptoms at all.
- Elbow dysplasia: a common condition in large dog breeds. It can be caused by unequal growth rates and may result in lameness. The condition can be surgically corrected.
- Cancer: Golden Retrievers are prone to various types of cancer, with up to 60% of them dying from cancer.
- Cherry eye: a condition characterized by the swelling of the third eyelid or the colored part of the eye.
Regular veterinary check-ups and monitoring your dog’s health are crucial to detect any potential issues before they become untreatable.
c. Grooming and Hygiene
- Golden Retrievers shed their fur year-round, and shedding increases during spring and autumn. Regular brushing helps prevent matting and removes loose fur.
- Bathing helps remove dead hair and should be done about once a month. Ensure their coat is completely dry afterward to prevent skin problems.
- Golden Retrievers are prone to ear infections due to their soft ears. Regularly check their ears and consult a veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.
- Regularly trim their nails and brush their teeth to prevent dental issues.
d. Exercise and Physical Activity
- Golden Retrievers are highly energetic dogs with high exercise needs. Aim to provide them with two hours of exercise per day – one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. Make sure you can dedicate this time to them before getting a Golden Retriever.
- Since they are medium to large-sized dogs, it’s important not to over-exercise them when they are young to avoid potential harm to their growing bones. Follow the five-minute rule – five minutes of exercise per day for each month of age. For example, if they are four months old, they should have 20 minutes of exercise each day.
- Golden Retrievers are intelligent and can excel in dog sports. Consider training them in agility and fetch games!
e. Training a Golden Retriever
- Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and respond well to training. They are eager to please their owners and quick to learn. However, lengthy training sessions with repetitive commands can bore them. Break training sessions into shorter ones to keep them engaged!
- Start socializing your Golden Retriever at a young age, between 7 weeks and 4 months old. Introduce them to new people, places, sounds, smells, and animals in a safe and controlled manner. This will help them grow up to be well-rounded and confident dogs.
- Golden Retrievers respond best to reward-based training and positive reinforcement. This includes verbal praise and rewards. Avoid anger or frustration during training, as it will discourage them from learning.
- Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers need early socialization to learn how to interact with people and other things around them. They make great family pets and are well-suited for households with children. They are also good with other pets, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. However, proper socialization is still necessary.
e. Compatibility with Family
- Golden Retrievers are excellent family pets and get along well with everyone! They love children and make wonderful playmates. Their temperament is well-suited for kids. They also tend to be friendly with other pets in the house. However, proper socialization from an early age is important.
- Due to their high energy levels, they thrive in active family environments where they can participate in activities and play. They enjoy going for long walks, runs, and even swimming with you, making them perfect exercise buddies.
- While Golden Retrievers are not excessive barkers, living in small city apartments may be challenging for them due to their size and energy. If you live in an apartment, make sure to take them to parks and large open spaces daily.
- Golden Retrievers also make excellent guard dogs. However, they excel when given a job to do, such as fetching their leash when it’s time for a walk!
4. Pricing of Golden Retrievers
- If imported from Europe, the lowest price for a Golden Retriever starts at around $2800 (approximately 65 million VND). European imports are generally of high quality, health, and beauty.
- If imported from Thailand, there are two types available: with and without FCI certification:
- Without FCI certification, the price ranges from 32-35 million VND per dog, including transportation fees.
- With FCI certification, the price is slightly higher, ranging from 45-50 million VND per dog.
- In Vietnam, you can purchase a purebred Golden Retriever for about 10-14 million VND per dog. Prices may vary slightly based on color, with golden-colored dogs being more expensive by 1-2 million VND.
- Dogs with VKA certification in Vietnam are more expensive, ranging from 20-25 million VND per dog.
- Golden Retriever mixed breeds are much cheaper but of lower quality.
- There are many pet stores and websites where you can purchase Golden Retrievers in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and other locations. You can also buy them from online marketplaces such as Chotot, 5giay, Chodocu, specialized dog websites, or from breeders.
- Before making a purchase, research the seller’s reputation and credibility. If buying online, visit the location in person to inspect the dog.
Be cautious when purchasing a cheap Golden Retriever. Dogs priced too low are likely of poor quality, not purebred, or may have health issues. Buy from reputable breeders who ensure the health of both the parents and won’t breed if any potential issues could be passed on to the puppies.
Conclusion
It’s no surprise why Golden Retrievers are so popular. These friendly, loving, and caring dogs make perfect companions for many families. They are great with children and other animals and are highly adaptable to various environments. Their high exercise needs make them ideal exercise buddies. Although they shed a lot, their loyalty and kindness make up for it.