The Perfect White Golden Retriever Puppy

You have combed through pictures of all of the breeds of Dogs. With a stroke of luck, you found a picture of a white golden retriever puppy. Deciding on this adorable Dog was an easy choice. So, how do you find one? What is a white retriever anyway? How do you prevent being sold some white colored mutt at a high price? This is a guide for finding the perfect cream golden retriever puppy.

First it is important to understand that the Breed Standards for American and European golden retrievers are slightly different. That is why American goldens have a different look to them. The American dogs are a little taller, more slender, tend to have a longer coat, and may often be a darker shade of gold. The European Breed Standards allow for a lighter shade of gold in the breed. White is actually not allowed, but a very pale cream color is acceptable. So, the 'white' golden retriever is actually a European golden who has a very light cream colored coat. They can be also called British, English, cream, blonde, and platinum. The good news is that they are legitimate goldens and have all of the same great characteristics of the breed. Great family dogs, they are also intelligent, friendly, always willing to work, and highly trainable and capable. So an authentic cream golden retriever should conform to a European Breed Standard. You can find the British Breed Standard at thekennelclub.org.uk, the official site for The Kennel Club (KC).

Generally the best place to find a cream golden is through a breeder. There is a strong demand for these dogs, so finding one through adoption or at a pet store could be a difficult task. There are a lot of white mixed breeds that are sometimes passed off as 'white goldens'. The best way to attain a healthy, purebred cream golden is through a quality breeder. Do not jump at the first breeder you come across. Make sure you do business with someone with a responsible, quality breeding program. Visit the grounds if possible. A good breeder will let you spend time with all of the dogs, the parents of the litter being the most important. The dogs should be registered with the KC, or the appropriate Kennel Club. A good breeder will have a record of 3 to 5 generations of purebred goldens, and you can check the registration numbers with your Kennel Club. Cream goldens sold in America should be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), because imported purebreds can be reregistered with the appropriate national Kennel Club. A good breeder will tell you which dogs in the line were imported and can show you their European paperwork.

Golden retriever health is also an important part of finding the perfect puppy. The most common health issues in goldens are all related to genetics. Over-breeding of this popular breed has led to a number of health problems: hip and elbow or knee dysplasia, cataracts and other eye issues, cancer, and heart and thyroid diseases. The best way to prevent these ailments is to test the parents of each litter and their ancestors. Quality breeders keep records of certification for all of these health issues with the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and CERF (for eyes). Also, it is not responsible to sell puppies until they are at least 7-8 weeks old.

The last step in finding your perfect puppy is to visit the breeder in person. Now you can spend time with the dogs and see firsthand how healthy they are, talk with the breeder, and see the conditions they were raised in. Prepare a list of questions for the breeder. He or she should be knowledgeable about the breed, be passionate about breeding them, and have a strong regard for the dogs. Also ask about a puppy guarantee in case you are not satisfied for some reason. Spend some time with the parents of the litter, so you can have a good picture of your future dog. Spend time with the whole litter so you can gauge the different personalities of the puppies. Finally, spend some time alone with your puppy and see how comfortable he or she is with you. Good luck!

Laurence Burrows is a golden retriever lover, and trainer. Click here for more great tips on Cream Golden Retriever Puppies, and visit here for more Golden Retriever Info.

Are Golden Retrievers Suitable for Seniors?

Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle personalities. They work as guide Dogs for the blind and as helpers for people with motor disabilities because of their good temperaments, eagerness to please, and strength. Although they rarely act aggressive, Golden Retrievers will bark and wake their families in the presence of an intruder. That being said, Golden Retrievers were bred as hunting Dogs. They are large and need a great deal of activity to be happy. They also love to swim. They take two to three years to mature and often stay clownish their whole lives. These large, active puppyish Dogs need to live indoors with their humans because they form attachments and are not happy living out in the backyard.

Their size and need for activity, however, do not necessarily make them unfit for seniors. They can be taken to dog parks and beaches where dogs are allowed to run around off leash. They have a love of chasing things, and seniors who are past jogging can throw a toy for a golden retriever to fetch. Throwing a toy into a lake or into the ocean can provide a large dog with the fun of chasing, swimming, and retrieving and use up plenty of energy.

Puppies of this dog breeds can be wary of water, so take your Golden Retriever pup to a lake and allow him or her to explore. Puppies have a natural tendency to be curious and want to experience new things. When the puppy begins to touch the water, give praise and encourage him or her to explore further. Another technique is to stand on one side of a pool or small stream and have another family member stand on the other side. Put the puppy down near the water and have the other family member call him or her. When the dog reaches the opposite side, give praise, then call him or her to the other side. Make a fun game of it until the puppy appears ready for a rest. When the puppy grows to its full size and strength it will be able to handle ocean waves that an average human swimmer can play in.

For seniors who are not able to take their dogs to parks or beaches, professional dog walkers are available. Golden Retrievers should be walked twice a day for half an hour. If the cost is prohibitive, family members who live nearby, such as responsible grandchildren, can be helpful.

In the case of older people with fragile bones, a large, playful puppy can be dangerous if allowed to jump, but fortunately Golden Retrievers are easy to train due to their good dispositions and natural talent for obedience. A puppy who jumps is looking for attention, so do not pet him or her. Turn away and say, "off". When he or she calms down, give praise and affection or a treat or play.

Their playful, mischievous natures can make for difficulties in training if your Golden Retriever decides it is fun to see how much he or she can get away with. For this reason, it is best to be gentle but firm in establishing that you are the pack leader. Do not shout or physically punish your pup if he or she does something that is against the rules. That is counterproductive. In a calm, stern voice, say "no," and take away the shoe your puppy has just chewed. Turn away to show your displeasure. This will work better than confusing or frightening your dog with a raised voice or hand.

If giving a golden retriever enough exercise and training sounds like a daunting task for a senior, consider smaller dog breeds. Choosing a dog should take into account the unique needs of both the dog and the human caregiver.

Lea Mullins discusses whether Golden Retrievers make a good dog for seniors. Learn more about dog breeds from TrainPetDog.com.