GOLDEN RETRIEVER

For many years, it was believed that golden retrievers are descended from the Russian Shepherd dog, which can often be found in the circus arena. The breed was actually bred in Scotland on the estate of Sir Dudley Major Banks, who later became known as Lord Tweedmouth. He, like many rich people of that time, bred animals of many kinds, trying to improve one or another breed. According to the surviving records of Tweedmouth for the years 1835-1880, it became known that he wanted to bring dog golden in color, which would be distinguished by the ability to hunt waterfowl, the presence of a keen sense of smell and unlimited attention. Tweedmouth wanted to breed a dog that would outperform Setters and Spaniels, which he used in the breeding process.

The breeding process began with a yellow dog named Knows, which Tweedmouth acquired from a local shoemaker in 1865. After several experiments, Lord decided to use retrievers, spanielsand irish setters. The resulting dogs have become very useful to many hunters in foggy Albion. The Golden Retriever was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club as a separate breed in 1911. Then it was classified as "Yellow Retriever" or "Golden Retriever". Already in 1920, the name of the breed was officially changed to "Golden Retriever". The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1932. golden retriever today - it is the second most popular breed in the US.

The long hair of a golden retriever requires due attention, which means regular combing. In addition, the owner of this dog will have to brush his pet's teeth daily. Golden Retrievers shed all year round, but the heaviest sheds occur twice a year. In order to prevent the spread of hair around the house, it is necessary to carefully comb the dog, especially in spring and autumn - during the active molting process.

For dogs of this breed, monthly bathing is mandatory, as they are prone to developing an unpleasant odor. Check your retriever's ears weekly. They should not have irritation or signs of inflammation and infection. Clean the ears with a special solution that is prescribed by a veterinarian. When cleaning the ears, do not use cotton wool. To do this, it is better to take a swab made of soft cloth. If for some reason you cannot brush your dog's teeth every day, then do it at least once a week. In principle, this will be enough to prevent the formation of tartar and unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.

The list of the most common diseases in golden retrievers is headed by cancer, including lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and bone cancer. Methods for the treatment of these diseases are expensive and, in most cases, ineffective. The exact fact of the transmission of cancer in golden retrievers by heredity has not yet been established. But the frequency of their occurrence stubbornly points to a genetic predisposition to the mentioned ailments.

Quite often in dogs of this breed there is such a disease as hip dysplasia. This ailment develops when the bone develops in such a way that it does not enter or incorrectly enters the articular cavity. Hip dysplasia subsequently leads to arthritis, the complete cure of which is possible only with expensive surgical intervention.

Another organ that is often hit by an insidious disease is the eyes. Most often, eye diseases are hereditary. That's why it's important to check all medical certificates, including ophthalmological reports, with the puppy's parents. All documents must be original and certified by the relevant medical institutions.

Heart disease can also be attributed to one of the most common among golden retrievers. These dogs are most likely to develop subaortic stenosis. - narrowing of the aorta, which carries blood to the heart.

Cardiac diseases usually begin to manifest themselves through heart murmurs. They can occur in both puppies and adult dogs. Narrowing of the aorta - a serious illness that can lead to the sudden death of a pet. That is why pay special attention to the condition of the retriever's heart. Check it out annually, visit the appropriate specialists.

There are other illnesses that can occur in Retrievers, including: epilepsy, ear infections, and hypothyroidism. In general, it should be noted that these dogs are very weak in terms of health, so the owner must pay all his attention to the pet and its health.