Rave-On Golden Retrievers

05/11/2024

We'll be participating in the Turkey Trot. The weather is getting colder in our area. It's important to make sure that humans and dogs are outside and moving.

The AKC Fit Dog Program is organizing its annual 5K Turkey Trot for dogs and their owners. Learn how to safely exercise with your dog and earn a medal.

05/11/2024

As much you love your dogs' company, it doesn't mean you want them having access to every room in your home, or at least not all the time.

25/10/2024

Neutering before 12 months of age influences risk of cruciate rupture in Labrador Retrievers.

Open access article: jav.ma/cr

20/09/2024

This heartfelt testimony showcases the incredible impact that our service dogs have on the lives of their handlers. 🌟

With the support of Sunrise Service Dogs, individuals can gain independence and confidence, transforming their daily lives for the better.

Thank you to everyone who supports our mission! Your contributions make stories like this possible.

Together, we’re creating a world where everyone can thrive with the help of a loyal companion. 🐾❤️

16/09/2024

What is a service dog? Can my dog be a service dog? There are many misconceptions about service dog laws and training. Here's everything you need to know.

16/09/2024

Checking in with Chime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsNm2SsfUXE

In this video above I do a short training session with new puppy Chime where I demo some of the building blocks I start with on a new competition puppy.

I build motivation and engagement using Food Chase, work on pre-heeling exercises (paying attention to both sides of my body). I also do some practice on position changes including an "up sit" and a "fold back down".

15/09/2024

25/07/2024

https://rufflyspeaking.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/puppy-buyer-ettiquette/

I am posting this specifically because I do NOT have any puppies here now, and don’t anticipate any for a while. So you know that I’m not singling any real person out. This is because i…

11/07/2024

DO YOU KNOW THE RISKS⁉️

Dry Drowning, secondary drowning, occurs from water being aspirated into the lungs or other parts of the dogs airway. In cases where the water does not make it into the lungs the vocal cords can be effected, causing spasms which make it difficult for the dog to breath.

Dry Drowning has serious health concerns and can lead to death ❗
What makes it so scary though is that is can effect your dog hours to days after the water exposure ❗

Have you ever had water go the wrong way when you having been swimming, causing you to choke? Often the incident that leads to dry drowning does not look like much, which is why it does not register with us as a concern. When a dogs head goes under water, even for a moment, you should monitor for symptoms. An unprepared water instant can also lead to a gasp for air at the wrong moment, increasing the risk of aspiration.

Playing with the sprinkler or the hose... these activities can also contribute to dry drowning💦

Some Symptoms may Include some of the following:
💧 Difficulty Breathing
💧 Wheezing
💧 Coughing or Hacking
💧 Signs of Chest Pain
💧 Extreme Lethargy
💧 Poor Capillary Refill and/or Pale Gum Colour

If you suspect dry drowning seek immediate veterinarian assistance❗❗
If your dog stops breathing perform artificial respiration, or CPR if no heartbeat is present, while you are waiting for professional assistance. To prepare you for this Canine Health Canada offers K9 CPR & Emergency First Aid Training Courses that you can register for.

What can you to for Prevention?
💦 When Swimming make sure your dog can get out of the water and knows where that location is
💦 Do not spray the hose at your dogs face or allow them to "attack" the hose while water is coming out.
💦 Monitor play with sprinklers as well, if they start biting at the water it may be time to stop playing in the spinkler.
💦 When boating use a properly fitted life jacket in case the dog falls in the water
💦 Supervise play while swimming and playing in the water, know when to stop because your dog will keep going even when they shouldn't!

25/06/2024

Join us in welcoming Dr. Julia Labadie as the new Principal Investigator of our Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. Julia formerly served as an epidemiologist for the Study and continues to practice as a veterinarian alongside her role at the Foundation.

“I’m thrilled to be back,” Julia said. “We’re in a really exciting place where we can hit the ground running and increase our scientific impact.”

Learn more about Julia and her role at the Foundation: https://maf.link/Julia

25/06/2024

Hope everyone stays safe during this crazy heat wave!🌞

25/06/2024

More dogs go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year. Put your dog's safety first.

The 4th of July is coming up quick 🎆! This is a high volume prescription request time for your vet. If your pet needs medication to help during the festivities and fireworks, call them in now 💊. DO NOT wait until last minute as your vet office may need extra time to get prescriptions approved and filled.

25/06/2024

A staggering 24% of all cancers diagnosed in dogs is lymphoma. Here’s how our foundation is helping dogs affected by the disease:
➡️ Two different research groups are using Golden Retriever Lifetime Study samples to develop a new early detection test for lymphoma. Each team is taking a different approach to the problem, and if successful, the results could significantly impact diagnosis and treatment.
➡️ Another team funded by our foundation is harnessing the power of machine learning to help detect if any cancer cells remain after chemotherapy. If even a tiny amount of cancer cells remains after treatment the risk of disease relapse increases, so this could help optimize therapy.

These are just a few of the 52 lymphoma studies our foundation has funded over the years, and with your help, we can support more lymphoma research. Give now to help Stop Cancer Furever: https://maf.link/3REe5Ui

25/06/2024

A new risk factor for cancer was recently identified by our researchers, and the good news is it’s easy to limit your pet’s exposure.

Scientists reported an increased risk of bladder cancer in dogs exposed to pool water and high concentrations of chlorination byproducts from their municipal water source in a recently published scientific study. Based on these findings, they recommend limiting your dog’s pool time and using a water filter to remove chlorination byproducts.

This is just one of 12 tips from our experts to protect your pet from cancer. Get them all: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/pet-cancer-prevention-tips

14/06/2024

BACKLINE IN REVIEW
© 2019 GRCA Judges’ Education

PURPOSE: The backline is part of the axial skeleton and foundation on which the dog is built. The curves of the spine, like the curves and arches of a bridge, are designed for strength, support, and flexibility.

ANATOMY: The backline is part of the topline from the withers rearward to the point where the croup begins. At about the 10th thoracic vertebrae the spires change their angle, with the forward spires slanting toward the rear and the rearward spires slanting toward the front; the spires are shorter in this area, which is called the anticline, and may create a slight dip that is not a weakness. A sag between the withers and croup is a sway back, and does indicate weakness. An arch between the withers and croup in the lumbar region is a roached back, and may be due to incorrect structure or, in the case of a change in backline, a dog experiencing internal pain.

AKC BREED STANDARD: “Backline strong and level from withers to slightly sloping croup, whether standing or moving. Sloping backline, roach or sway back, to be faulted.”

JUDGING: A strong, supple back is level in stance or in movement, without bouncing or rolling. Hands on examination while standing is necessary to ensure that a level back has not been artificially created by grooming.

Many correctly built dogs in hard working condition may show a slight dip just behind the withers called the anticline. This is not a fault.

A sloping, setter-like topline is undesirable.

REMINDER from the AKC breed standard: “Overall appearance, balance, gait and purpose to be given more emphasis than any of the component parts. Any departure from the described ideal shall be considered faulty to the degree to which it interferes with the breed’s purpose…”

[Portions of this article are from “Judging the Golden Retriever,” © Marcia Schlehr, used with permission.]

14/06/2024

The Best Golden Retriever in the Ring May Not Look Like the Rest!
© 2019 GRCA Judges Education

Exhibitors, spectators, and judges themselves are most comfortable with consistency in placements and awards. But the Golden Retriever has never been a cookie cutter breed, and the best dog(s) in the ring may look different from each other, or from the majority of dogs in the ring. This could be due to proportion, substance, coat, grooming – or any combination of these factors.

The breed standard calls for “length from breastbone to point of buttocks slightly greater than height at withers in ratio of 12:11,” which is slightly off square. Golden Retrievers in the breed ring should not be long in body, short on leg, or both; their proportions should be correct for a working retriever.

The breed standard calls for “weight for dogs 65 – 75 pounds; bi***es 55 – 65 pounds.” Dogs that meet the height requirements but have heavy bone and excessive substance should be penalized. Moderation in build contributes to endurance when hunting, and is more practical in a boat or blind.

The breed standard calls for coat that is “dense and water-repellent with good undercoat…lying close to the body; may be straight or wavy.” It further states that “Excessive length, open coats, and limp soft coats are very undesirable.” Many Golden Retrievers seen in the conformation ring carry excessive coat length, but this departure from the described ideal interferes with the breed’s ability to function as a hunting dog.

The breed standard calls for color that is “golden of various shades.” No color is preferable over another within the acceptable range from light gold to dark gold. The retriever breeds come in a variety of colors, none of which affect performance in the field.

The breed standard states that “the natural appearance of coat or outline should not be altered by cutting or clipping.” Judges are unable to adequately assess coats for correctness that have been cut, clippered, blown open, or altered with products. Such entries should be penalized accordingly. A correct double coat that wraps and protects the body is a defining trait of this sporting breed.

The breed standard, and breed purpose, should be the only considerations when judging the Golden Retriever. However there are many variations which display correct type, such as color range, straight or wavy coats of good texture, coat length within a functional range, etc. An ideal Golden Retriever in the ring may not look like the rest, but it should be rewarded as the best!

REMINDER from the AKC breed standard: “Overall appearance, balance, gait and purpose to be given more emphasis than any of the component parts. Any departure from the described ideal shall be considered faulty to the degree to which it interferes with the breed’s purpose…”

07/04/2024

Puppies available from our spring litter. Please email [email protected] to express interest and request a questionnaire.