Kazuri

Tusker

Zuwenah

 

DOGS PROFILE

Golden Retrievers

A Golden Retriever is an ideal choice as a gundog and also a family pet due to its excellent temperament. It's biddable nature has made it a favourite for being trained as Assistance Dogs.

The Golden Retriever is a fun loving dog, with a gentle temperament and thrive on day-to-day aspects of the family life. They always want to please and are in their element when you pick up a feeding bowl or a lead. These endearing characteristics make them one of the most suitable pets and they have infinite patience from the activities of boisterous young children to the elderly. However they are strong dogs and need training.

Generally their life span is between 12 to 14 years. There is no great difference between the temperament of the sexes and both make ideal companions. One of the most identifiable things about a Golden Retriever is its coat. This can come in various shades of gold to cream. They also love water and 'mud' and lots of it ! So if you are a house proud person this might not be the dog for you.

Considerations:

• Golden Retrievers thrive on human company and should never be left for long periods alone. They are not dogs that take to living in kennels all day long. They are dogs that need a garden so please do not consider this breed if you live in a flat. Their coat will need daily grooming and, if you are really keen, attention will be needed on trimming the tail to keep the lovely fan tail neat and around their paws for cleanliness. Nails will also need trimming back - walking on roads is not sufficient to keep them short enough.
• When buying a puppy check that both parents have been hip scored and both hold a current eye certificate. Ideally buy only puppies that are Kennel Club Registerd. The excuse they are only pets and thats why they haven't been KC registerd or parents not hip/elbowed or eye tested should be a warning sign not to buy.
• HIP & ELBOW SCORING SCHEMES
  Our dogs are x-rayed from twelve months of age. The x-rayed plates are submitted to the British Veterinary Association or the Australian KC Scoring Scheme where they are given a hip and elbow score by a panel of specialist vets.
• EYE TESTING SCHEME
  The Eye certificate is held for one year and then has to be renewed. A limited number of veterinary surgeons can issue eye testing certificates. The test confirms that the dog is free from Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Hereditary Cataract (HC) and (MRD) Multifocal retinal dysplasia. Before breeding you must have eyes tested. When purchasing a puppy a current up to date Eye certificate of both parents must be seen. We also have the gonioscopy/PLA test done on our current dogs to assess the predisposition of glaucoma. All the dogs have been DNA tested for GR_PRA1 & PRA2
  
• Even so, a good specimen of a Golden Retriever is one with a wonderful loving temperament which can only be tested by experience. We breed for temperament first.

Dani and Willow have worked extremely hard to achieve Dog Assistance status and obtained their Certificate. Willow is from Kazuri's first litter (Watamusand Touch the Wind) and is now a fully qualified assistance dog. We are very proud of their achievement and wish them every success in the future.

Examples of our dogs temperament

Feeding - We feed naturally and obtain our supplies from - Please see Useful Links

Exercise - Our dogs are exercised at least twice daily and are fit and healthy. All have been involved in obedience and gundog training.

Health - Golden Retrievers are a hardy breed and, with common sense and attention to detail, visits to the vets can be kept to a minimum. We have decided that our dogs are treated where possible with complimentary medicine. We use a homeopathic suppliers:

Dorwest Herbs (Click here for web site)

Canine Health Concern for additional information (Click here for web site) There is a link on this site to the DVD produced by CHC entitled 'In Search of the Truth About Dogs'.

Their general condition is testament to their diet and treatment.
We have experienced vaccination damage and it can be a controversial subject. Recently it has been reported that dogs and cats do not require annual vaccinations or boosters, this maybe is a start in the right direction.

Interest in Showing - We don't take this too seriously but our dogs are shown at open and Championship shows. Sakina, Tusker and Zuwenah have been to Crufts and they have been involved in obedience and gundog training. If you wish to look at grooming kit and accessories have a look at www.groomers-online.com

Registration - Our dogs are registered with the Kennel Club. Further information can be obtained from their web site (Click here)

Further Reading - If you are interested in feeding your dog the BARF diet please feel free to contact me on our contact form. There are also very good books you can purchase on natural feeding and vaccination damage. Puppy ownership books

Give a Dog a Bone by Dr. Ian Billinghurst

Shock to the System by Catherine O'Driscoll

The Tip Of The Needle by Catherine O'Driscoll - every pet owner should read this book

The Golden Retriever Companion by Catherine O'Driscoll

Raw Meaty Bones by Tom Lonsdale

The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat by Juliette de Bairacli Levy

Essential Care for Dogs (A holistic way of Life) by Jackie Drakeford and Mark Elliott MRCVS

Exercising Your Puppy by Julia Robertson and Elizabeth Pope (Bought through Amazon)

Manners not Mayhem: A common-sense approach to raising, training and living with your puppy by Lez Graham MA - (bought through Amazon) - I highly recommend this book.

Homeopathic Remedies for Dogs by Geoffrey Llewellyn

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