| A special breed of horse helps tell the story as to | | | | become rowdy, and even ill-tempered. Anyone |
| why Golden Retriever dogs are so popular. The | | | | wanting a Golden as a pet must be prepared to |
| Norwegian Fjord horse, an increasing popular | | | | make the commitment to see that it gets |
| breed, known for its ease in training, friendliness, | | | | adequate exercise. |
| and easygoing nature, has been called "the Golden | | | | While accurately portrayed in movies and on TV |
| Retriever of the Horse World". Quite a | | | | as an ideal family pet, the Golden is not a good |
| compliment, to both the horse and the dog. | | | | choice with young children around, especially if the |
| When you see a Golden Retriever, whether it's a | | | | dog is a young one. A mature, well-behaved |
| puppy or an adult, your initial impression is apt to | | | | Golden may be a different story of course, but a |
| be that the animal is attractive, friendly, and | | | | playful young one has a tendency to jump up and |
| appears to be quite intelligent. If it's a puppy | | | | to knock small people to the ground. No malice is |
| you're looking at, add boisterous to the list of | | | | usually intended, but it can still hurt or cause injury. |
| adjectives. Golden Retriever dogs, sometimes | | | | It might be best to wait until the kids are grown |
| simply referred to as "Goldens", are indeed all of | | | | up enough to be able to protect themselves and, |
| these things. Golden Retrievers are very loyal | | | | better yet, share the responsibility of giving the |
| dogs, they want to please, are playful and, when | | | | dog plenty of exercise. |
| properly trained, obedient to a fault. Also, when | | | | Golden Retriever dogs seem to have more than |
| you take one for a walk, it generally gets along | | | | their fair share of health issues, more so than |
| well with other dogs you may happen to come | | | | many breeds, with cancer, hip joint problems, and |
| upon. It will usually not start a fight, but is quite | | | | heart disease the most common diseases. Some |
| capable of finishing one. The Golden, when trained | | | | are genetic, and can be avoided by purchasing the |
| for the task, makes an excellent guide dog. It also | | | | animal from a breeder who is actively trying to |
| excels at search and rescue and, as the name | | | | produce a bloodline relatively free from these |
| implies, is an excellent upland bird and waterfowl | | | | diseases. For the most part though, with proper |
| hunting companion. | | | | nourishment and care, and plenty of exercise, |
| Young families, or young singles for that matter, | | | | your pet will very likely live out its normal life span |
| when searching for a perfect pet, often decide | | | | in good health. |
| that a Golden Retriever would be just right for | | | | Before purchasing any breed of dog, it's always a |
| the household. In many, perhaps most cases, this | | | | good idea to find out the pluses and minuses of |
| would be exactly the right choice, but under some | | | | bringing the breed into your household. In that |
| circumstances it might not be a good choice at all. | | | | way you won't end up with a dog that presents |
| While Golden Retrieved dogs can adjust to | | | | difficulties, or is harder to keep that you had |
| relatively small quarters, say a small house or a | | | | anticipated. In most households where there are |
| large apartment, they do require daily exercise. | | | | no very small children and there is room to run, |
| This particular breed, if deprived of frequent | | | | Golden Retriever dogs will become much loved |
| walks and runs, or an occasional swim, can | | | | members of the family. |