Everything You Need To Know Before Getting a Golden Retriever in Singapore
The ever so popular Golden Retriever is a true beauty and remains today as one of the most popular dog breeds. They are Scottish gundogs that make amazing hunters, guide-and-rescue and companion dogs for the blind, the definition of versatile!
Goldies are full of love and incredibly intelligent, we are in love!!!
Why Get a Golden Retriever?
- Other than the fact that they are drop dead gorgeous, there are countless traits that have made millions worldwide fallen in love with them. Goldies are known for their lovely personalities (from conservative to more energetic) and loyal nature.
- They are famous for their dense golden coats, friendly eyes and sturdy structure. Goldies typically have short ears, broad heads and overall great proportions. In my opinion, and many others, they are one of the most beautiful dogs to exist!
- The Goldies community would describe them as a trustworthy and eager-to-please breed. This makes them easy to train, also because of how smart and athletic they are!
- Golden Retrievers are a comical bunch! They make us laugh and are a joy to be around, they’ll definitely bring laughter and life into your home.
- Lastly, they help us get some exercise into our lives! Golden Retrievers are active pups and require lots of exercise. If you are looking for a dog to accompany you on walks, hikes and runs, a Golden Retriever is perfect for you. Happy dog, healthy life!
Continue reading to find out more about common concerns that most potential owners have about getting a Golden Retriever!
Is It a Good Idea To Bring Up a Golden Retriever Puppy in Singapore?
Naturally there are questions about whether Singapore’s environment and climate is good for Golden Retrievers, especially because they are a bigger breed.
Good news for Goldie lovers, they adapt well to Singapore!
Despite their thick coats they can live comfortably in tropical climates. Their double coats help regulate their temperatures, keeping them warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm.
We also recommend that they be grass trained to poop and pee when they go for walks which makes it easier to manage because of their size.
History
It all started from Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, the second son to a Scottish banker. He became interested in breeding as a teenager, something that was considered socially prominent back in the day.
For 50 years he kept record of every breeding he did in a leather bound book that is kept at the Kennel Club of England.
In 1865, Marjoribanks came across a golden wavy-coated dog by the name of Nous that belonged to a cobbler on the street, interestingly enough both Nous’ parents are black. Back then, black colored dogs were the only ones in the litter that were kept, thankfully Nous was one golden boy that survived!
Three years after Nous found Marjoribanks he was bred with a Tweed Water Spaniel, Belle (a breed that is sadly now extinct). It was a cross by Marjoribanks in hopes to combine Nous land hunting abilities and Belle’s water navigating skills.
This is how the world’s first Golden Retrievers were born, named Cowslip, Crocus and Primrose. They were named after wildflowers to represent how they thrive in unexpected circumstances!
Training
Getting a Goldie from an ethical breeder guarantees a healthier pup long-term and also one that is easier to train!
For potty training we recommend Goldies to be grass trained. This means that they will do their business on walks on grass instead of at home, grass training is easier for owners to manage because of their large size.
Goldies are very people-oriented dogs and they learn well with sessions that excite them. You can make things fun by using a happy tone, games while keeping playful to catch their attention!
Goldies are motivated by food! When you use treats your dog loves you’ll find an incredibly enthusiastic learner. Reward your dog when they get behaviours right and exercise patience when they don’t. You’ll have a dog who loves learning in no time!
Make training sessions short and consistent, consider including your entire family too! It is also important that every family member keeps consistent with what behaviours are rewarded and which are corrected.
We hope this set of tips helped! Have fun training!
Nutrition
Golden Retrievers are big dogs with even bigger appetites. Dry kibbles should make up the bulk of their diet because it is packed with nutrients that support a puppy’s growth. You can also opt to use a percentage of their kibbles they have per meal for training!
Dry kibbles promote oral health by removing plaque from your dog’s teeth. In addition to kibbles, you can include foods like salmon (good for shiny coats), sweet potatoes (healthy carbohydrates), chicken breast (good source of protein) and vegetables (contains micronutrients) that will give your dog a well-balanced diet.
Some owners prefer an entirely home cooked diet, which is possible for adult dogs but be sure to consult your vet first!
Natural diets with as little processed food as possible will be the best for your dog’s health. Look for treats that contain few or single ingredients, beware some common treats sold in pet stores contain things like starch (yucks!) that are unhealthy for dogs.
How Should I Groom My Golden Retriever?
Now, how to care for your Goldie’s notorious coats. A Goldie’s coat consists of two layers: an undercoat and overcoat that regulates their temperature. **Never shave your Goldie!!**
If their undercoat is cut it will grow back coarse, uneven and never the same.
Instead, to keep their fur soft and luxurious, brush them regularly. Brushing removes dead skin, helps remove shedding fur that may cause tangles and evenly distributes their skin’s natural oils for shine. Don’t forget their tails too!
Shaving their paw pads is important too!
Hip dysplasia is most often genetic and can be ruled out by DNA tests but environmental factors can cause dogs to develop the condition. Shaving your Goldie’s paw pads gives them better grip, it makes sure that they don’t slip and slide across the floor (something that can increase the risk of hip dysplasia later on).
Shower and Brushing
Remember to remove any tangles or matts as much as possible before showers and like every first time experience, make it a positive one! Keep an abundance of towels nearby because it might get wet!
Always make sure that your Golden Retriever is bone dry after the shower. The humidity in Singapore can cause hot spots and itchy skin if their coats aren’t dried properly so do take note.
Unfortunately, because of Singapore’s weather Goldie’s need to shower once a week, maybe once every two weeks depending on how dirty they get. Showering too often can be just as harmful as not showering enough because it’ll strip their skin of its natural oils. This will either cause them to overcompensate in oils or lead to dry and itchy skin.
Make sure to get in there to their fur and skin for a thorough and clean bath.
Nail Clipping
Source: tractive.com
Long nails can hurt your Goldie and the people around him/her, nail trimming sessions once a week should be sufficient.
It may not be the most comfortable for your dog, it’s normal! Take your time, take breaks and give rewards, soon enough these smart pups will know that it’s a normal part of their routine.
If you are a first-timer and you’re nervous, we recommend using a nail grinder that will take more time but is safer. Avoid the quick (blood supply and nerve that nourishes the nail) and clip millimeter by millimeter.
Brushing Your Golden Retriever’s Teeth
You should brush your Goldie’s teeth 2-3 times a week to prevent a buildup of tartar that can lead to gingivitis (the early stages of periodontal gum disease). This will cause tooth decay if not caught early.
We recommend either using a toothbrush or fingerbrush, this is up to preference of yourself and your dog. Early on in age, you can begin touching your dog’s teeth for as long as your Goldie is comfortable. Slowly, they will realize that it is nothing to be afraid of and brushing teeth will be a breeze for you!
Gradually exposing good habits to your Goldie when they are young will go a long way in terms of comfort and hygiene for your family
Golden Retrievers Known Health Issues
The size of Golden Retrievers can increase the risks of certain health issues that can either be inherited from parents or caused by environmental factors. These medical terms may seem scary but remember the purpose of this is not to worry owners but to keep you informed! It can go a long way in recognizing signs and problems to firstly avoid them altogether or to treat them early.
Hip Dysplasia: Is one of the most common health issues people hear of in bigger breeds like Golden Retrievers. Hip Dysplasia is where the hip joints of a dog aren’t properly developed, causing their hips to dislocate. It is a very painful condition but thankfully, any possibility of hip dysplasia, scientifically can be ruled out with health checks on parents by breeders (which is what we do here at PMP!). However, it can also come later on due to environmental factors like slippery floors or paws that cause Goldies to slip and fall. The best way to prevent this is to make sure your Goldie’s paw pads are shaved and to stop them from running on wet floors.
Skin conditions: are also common in Goldies. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t because of Singapore’s climate in combination to Golden Retriever’s dense coat. Their double-coated feature actually regulates their temperature for them! Goldies are more at risk for allergies that can lead to skin conditions and this is where proper health checks on parents is important to rule out the chances of skin conditions and allergies developing.
Cancer: is a word that nobody wants to hear and several studies showed that Golden Retrievers develop cancer at a higher rate than other breeds. Because they are at higher risk, sourcing from pet stores in Singapore that run genetic testing on cancer histories down generations can reduce the risk significantly. You can also avoid environmental risks by limiting their exposure to cigarette smoke, processed foods and any toxic chemicals. A good natural diet and decisions on nurturing can also reduce the risk of cancer in Goldies so do consult your vet on what is best moving forward!
Now that you are informed, we hope that it puts you more at ease. Health issues that Goldies are prone to doesn’t mean that your Goldie will get them, it just means the risk is higher. There are many things you can do to prevent them such as genetic testing, love and care!
Here at PMP we do our best to help our pups find the right families.
It is a huge responsibility but it is not at all scary. We’ll equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and community to provide a warm and safe home for your new puppy.
Drop us a Whatsapp message at 8878 4248 if you would like to know more about our Goldendoodles!
