Why are we so divided?

I apologize for my blog this week, but I'm going to step on my soapbox for a moment. 

Look at the coat colors above.    This is the accepted range of coat color for Golden Retrievers EVERYWHERE in the world except for my country, The United States of America.    The country of origin for Golden Retrievers is Scotland.  The Golden Retriever Breed Council and the Kennel Club in the UK say the following about the Golden Retriever breed standard as it pertains to color:

"Any shade of gold or cream, neither red nor mahogany. A few white hairs on chest only permissible."   

The FCI or The Fédération Cynologique Internationale is comprised of 90 member countries that follow their breed standard.  These 90 countries subscribe to this same standard for Golden Retrievers that they follow in the UK. 

But the US, always the one to be different, says the following from the Golden Retriever Club of America about the color of a golden:

Color -- rich, lustrous golden of various shades. Feathering may be lighter than rest of coat. With the exception of graying or whitening of face or body due to age, any white marking, other than a few white hairs on the chest, should be penalized according to its extent. Allowable light shadings are not to be confused with white markings. Predominant body color which is either extremely pale or extremely dark is undesirable. Some latitude should be given to the light puppy whose coloring shows promise of deepening with maturity. Any noticeable area of black or other off-color hair is a serious fault.

Even though today's judges are supposedly being told that a cream coat is not to be faulted, it is faulted all the time.   You can only find a handful of American Kennel Club show champions in my country because this standard caters to the American Golden. No one knows why the standard was amended in the 1980's where they took the word "cream" out of the breed standard.  If a golden is a golden no matter the type, the color standard should be what the rest of the world recognizes, and not anything different in the US!    American Goldens came from the UK.  They share the same DNA.  It's time to start looking at all Goldens the same without prejudice!

Off of my soapbox now!

New Health Issues in English Golden Retrievers

They have come a long way in health testing with dogs and specifically with English Golden Retrievers.  In addition to the normal tests for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye issues and heart issues, there are new tests that have just come out.  They now have tests for PRA-1 (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and Ichthyosis.  These are conditions that apply to English Goldens. What does this mean to pet owners?   This is just another test that responsible breeders will do to make sure their lines are free from health defects.  PRA is an eye issue that doesn't show up until later in a dogs life.  It causes blindness in the dog, and it usually doesn't show up until after age 5.   If you have two clear dogs, you can't pass it to their offspring.  If you have a clear dog and a carrier, your puppy still can't get it.  But if you put an affected dog to a clear or carrier, your puppy can develop it.  It's for this reason that breeders with dogs that are affected with PRA-1 should not be breeding them.  Be sure you ask your breeder if they have tested for this.

Ichthyosis is a much  more common problem.  Ichthyosis is a skin condition similar to dandruff, although in some puppies, they can develop very painful sores and lose their hair.  It's not an ideal situation to have with your dog, but breeders can have an affected dog for ichthyosis and put it with a clear dog and your puppies will never get the disease.  But this is only possible putting an affected dog with a clear dog.   Again, this is something that responsible breeders should be testing for. 

Be sure to ask your breeder if they have done all health testing and don't be afraid to ask for copies of it.   We can't protect the breed we  love without knowledgable pet owners asking questions.  

Summer fun with your English Golden!

Summertime is such a great time of year with your four legged friends.  My dogs love to be outside running, playing and being in the water.  If you have a ball, they have the will to play fetch any time!   They also love sitting inside in the cool air conditioning in the 100 degree days of summer.  In NC, there have been many 95+ degree days as of late.   In areas around the globe it's even hotter.  So what are some things you can do with your dog in this type of heat, and what precautions should you take?

First, you should always bring lots of water for both your dog and yourself.   Their coats act as built in air conditioners but they will need a lot of water to keep cool.  It's good for you too!

Avoid playing in the hottest part of the day if possible.    As with people so with dogs and they can get overheated just as we can.   If you have to be out in the hottest part of the day, make sure you take a lot of breaks for water and rest.  Again, you don't want either of you to become overheated in super hot weather.

And if you're like me with English Goldens, water is a great place to spend time.  My dogs love the water whether it be a lake, an ocean, a pool or a garden hose!    You may not like the mess that comes with a day at the water, but you're sure to have a lot of fun together!

Oh, and be sure to bring lots of sunscreen for you!  A non-sunburned owner makes for a much happier day!  Enjoy the weather and your furry friends.  Fall will be here before we know it!