Bielakiewicz Gerilyn J - The Everything Golden Retriever Book : a Complete Guide to Raising, Training, and Caring for Your Golden

Copyright 2004, F+W Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-59337-047-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-59337-047-3
eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-2291-8
Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bielakiewicz, Gerilyn J.
The everything golden retriever book : a complete guide to raising, training, and caring for
your golden / Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz and Paul S. Bielakiewicz.
p. cm.
(An everything series book)
ISBN 1-59337-047-4
1. Golden retriever. I. Title. II. Series: Everything series.

SF429.G63B54 2004
636.75227 dc22

2003028139

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar
Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

Cover photo Kaelson, Carol J. / Animals Animals / Earth Scenes
Interior Photography: Karen Hocker Photography

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, call 1-800-289-0963.

Welcome to THE EVERYTHING DOG BREED GUIDES

AS THE OWNER of a particular type of dog or someone who is thinking about adopting one you probably have some questions about that dog breed that can't be answered anywhere else. In particular, you want to know what breed-specific health issues and behavioral traits might arise as you plan for the future with your beloved canine family member.

THE EVERYTHING DOG BREED GUIDES give you clear-cut answers to all your pressing questions. These authoritative books give you all you need to know about identifying common characteristics; choosing the right puppy or adult dog; coping with personality quirks; instilling obedience; and raising your pet in a healthy, positive environment.

THE EVERYTHING DOG BREED GUIDES are an extension of the bestselling EVERYTHING series in the pets category, which include The Everything Dog Book and The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book. These authoritative, family-friendly books are specially designed to be one-stop guides for anyone looking to explore a specific breed in depth.

Visit the entire Everything series at www.everything.com

THE EVERYTHING Golden Retriever Book

Dear Reader,

Golden Retrievers have been part of our lives now for more than a decade and we will never be without them. They are soulful and willing companions capable of learning anything you take the time to teach them. Golden Retrievers have a wonderful sense of humor, a knack for bringing joy wherever they go, and are natural healers of the soul.

The Golden Retriever does not come without vices, but if you are willing to exercise and train them, they make the most wonderful companions. In our years of training and raising dogs as working companions and family pets we have never seen a more willing, more forgiving breed than the Golden Retriever.

We hope that you will find great information on the pages that follow to help you maximize the potential of your great dog. From family pet to search-and-rescue dog, Goldens are the ultimate versatile companion. As you begin your journey into the ownership of a Golden Retriever, we hope that you enjoy each moment you are together. You will never forget the love that this dog will bring to your life.

Dedication:

To Sam, my wonder dog you did it all with style!

Height:

Males 2324 inches; females 2122 inches.

Weight:

Males 6575 pounds; females 5565 pounds.

Head:

Skull should be broad without prominence of the occipital bone (that is, the bump at the back of the skull, between the ears) and in good proportion to the rest of the body.

Ears:

The ear should be fairly short and set just above and behind the eye. When brought forward, the tip of the ear should just cover the eye.

Feet:

Should be well knuckled and compact.

Tail:

Should follow the line of the back. The tip should not reach below the hock.

Coat:

Colors in shades of cream to gold.

Topline:

The back from the shoulders to the tail should be level.

Movement:

Steady, smooth and straight, without bounce.

Temperament:

Friendly and outgoing toward people and dogs. In normal, everyday conditions, should be neither timid nor shy, and should show no hostility or aggression to other dogs.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my husband Paul, my coauthor, researcher, and friend. If not for your help, this project may never have come to be. To my mom for watching our sons, ages two and three, while we wrote. What would we do without your help? To our dogs, who have been the inspiration for all our work thus far. To Sam, who taught us patience and made us better dog trainers. To Reggae, who made it look easy and makes us look good. To Stryker, for keeping us humble and never letting us forget to have a sense of humor. To all of our clients, volunteers, and friends, who entrusted us to teach them how to train their dogs. I hope we gave you a glimpse of what a wonderful ride this can be. Special thanks to the following people for their time and knowledge in helping us gather the information for this book: