I'm surprised you and 05rouch do shoot it and make a pair of mittens out of it? ...I'm just teasing!!

 

Golden retrievers and labs have been bred a great deal in this country---because of that, many goldens and labs are prone to allergies and other traits that may be recessive in nature. My choco has had allergies and we have to take him to a veterinary allergist---the only one in Northern Ohio, which luckily is only fifty minutes away. He gets a shot once a week in the summer and at times has to eat a prescription dog food only available through vets.

I would seriously urge you to not buy a puppy from a pet store---as I said before, they normally get them from "puppy mills"; we have them down in Holmes County here in Ohio---run by the Amish---and they may have many costly health problems. Hip dyspasia, knee problems, digestive problems,etc. If you do decide to buy a purebread, find a reputable breeder and take a good look at the mom,the dad, the other pups, and their living conditions, as well. I would, as I have said before, urge you to rescue a dog. I help transport rescued dogs and there are many, many wonderful dogs out there that would make a wonderful pet for you.

Goldens and labs are very energetic dogs and demand attention and exercise everyday. Trust me on this---having three labs and a labX, there is alot of excercising and ball throwing and walks to the river or lake. I have great dogs, but they do demand a great deal of my love, my attention, and my time in return---

best of luck to ya!

Tim C.

 

lmao..

we have a miniature schnauzer thats 4
the one before was 13 and had to be put down in august of 05

were gonna be lookin into gettin a german shepard in spring.

 

As others have mentioned, almost any purebred dog is predisposed to a variety of genetic anomalies due to the generations of inbreeding required to keep the breed 'pure.'

Hip dysplasia is a big one with labs and retrievers. If you have your heart set on a purebred golden, I would make sure his parents have had official OFA radiographs and ratings so you know that he is not predisposed to hip dysplasia. While not a guarantee that he won't develop it, it's reassuring to at least know he doesn't come from parents who had it. Hip dysplasia can end up costing you thousands of dollars in orthopedic surgery, or euthanasia if you can't afford the surgery.

http://www.offa.org/

Like some other posters, I am a huge advocate of adopting shelter dogs. The vast majority of mutts don't suffer the genetic predisposition for health issues. They are cheap to adopt, you aren't supporting puppy mills by adopting them, and you're giving an animal a second chance at life he may not have had otherwise.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Am I the only one thinking that a Golden or a Lab would shed like crazy in southern California?

 

You're right. They still shed a lot even in cooler weather.

 

Forget the dog Kobi. Get a 20 year old chick instead. She'll cause you just as much grief and cost just as much cash as the puppy but at least you get to bang her and brag to your friends. Post nudes.

Merry Christmas! :santa:

 

Now see, thats some good advice!