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Golden Retrievers are among America’s most popular dog breeds. Not only are they skilled hunters, they can also work as assistants for the blind, or as search-and-rescue dogs. Even as pets, they’re loyal, lovable, and great with kids.  If you plan on getting one for yourself, here are a few things you need to know about Golden Retrievers.   Breed history  Golden Retrievers can trace their history as early as the 1800’s, where they initially bred as hunting dogs in Scotland. Though this was their primary role, they also excelled in search-and-rescue as well as guide work.   In 1908, they were displayed at a British dog show and later, the Kennel Club in England recognized them as a distinct breed in 1911. They were first known as “Yellow or Gold Retrievers” due to their yellow or golden fur color. This changed in the 1920’s when they were eventually reclassified as “Golden Retrievers”.  This breed was also introduced around the 1910s in the United States and Canada and later recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1932.  The signature gold coat color is what separates them from Labrador Retrievers, which are usually black in color. Some Labrador Retrievers can also have a pale white-yellow or even a chocolate-colored coat as well. Apart from the coat color, Labradors can also be slightly larger than their golden counterparts by a few inches and heavier by at least 5 pounds.   Is the Golden Retriever the right breed for you?  Since these dogs are bred as hunters, they require at least an hour of exercise daily. This means taking them out for walks or even playing fetch outdoors. You can also have them do mental challenges like treat dispenser puzzles, but these should not be treated as replacements for physical activities.   Not giving them enough time for exercise can result in these dogs doing things like digging or chewing at objects like furniture to relieve their stress. If your lifestyle doesn’t allow time for taking your dog out on walks at the very least, it might not be advisable for you to get one as a pet.   As puppies, they also require a fair amount of socialization to help them adjust to life in the city. The first 2 years of their lives require their owners to be outgoing and fairly active so that the Retriever can be comfortable taking walks and getting the needed exercise later on.   For city dwellers, Retrievers have a tendency to shed moderately. This means you may need to sweep or vacuum your house often to get rid of any fur that may be lying around. Brushing once a week can also help keep their coat looking well-groomed.   Common health issues  Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of at least 10 to 13 years, this means they may be prone to diseases in their later years and may require greater care and assistance on your part as pet owners. There are 3 common things to watch out for regarding their health as they grow older.  Cancers like Lymphoma are more likely to affect this breed, according to the Prestige Animal Hospital. This disease causes the dog’s body to form abnormal lymphocytes or white blood cells. Fortunately, this form of cancer is treatable with chemotherapy and can be detected early with regular blood tests.  Other things to watch out for are problems in the bones and joints. Since Retrievers are also classified as medium to large dog breeds, they may suffer from weakened joints in their later years. This means they can be less active or even suffer arthritis as they grow older. Large-breed dog foods with Glucosamine can help maintain healthy joints and minimize these risks.  Allergies are also a common issue for them. Pollen, mold, dust, or certain foods can make their skin itchy. Frequent scratching or licking can be signs of allergies to watch out for. If your dog suffers from severe meat allergies, then it might be a good option to give them plant-based proteins as an alternative.  Diet and nutrition  Golden Retrievers require high-quality protein in their diet. They would also benefit from a diet that's enriched with Glucosamine and Chondroitin as these supplements support their mobility.   To keep your Golden Retriever healthy, feed them with Addiction MEGA. MEGA is a Complete and Balanced diet made with premium New Zealand Lamb and Beef, high-quality proteins to help medium to large breed dogs build and maintain muscles. It’s also enriched with Glucosamine and Chondroitin to keep their joints healthy. Best of all, it has large-size kibble that encourages thorough chewing and digestion. That way, your dog gets the most nutrition out of each serving. For more information about dog breeds and pet care, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. – Addictionpet.com 

Part of your dog’s growth is learning how and when to make the switch from puppy to adult-formulated dog food. Such changes aren’t made outright, as your dog’s stomach needs to adjust slowly to a new formula. If done improperly, indigestion can happen. Before we discuss the when and how, it’s important to know the difference between the two.  Puppy vs. dog food  Puppy-formulated dog food has one main difference from adult ones: higher Fat and Protein content, according to American Veterinary Medical Association member Dr. Jennifer Coates.   Dr. Coates goes further to say that the Association of American Feed Control Official’s (AAFCO) minimum required amounts of Protein and Fat are at 22.5% and 8.5% on dry matter basis respectively. While adult dog food has a lower minimum required Protein and Fat content at 18% and 5.5% respectively.   How and when to switch  Starting from their puppy food, introduce a small amount of the adult formula at least twice per day. Then slowly increase the ratio to half before finally feeding them only adult food. If your dog experiences any symptoms of indigestion, return to giving the previous food before repeating the process.  The transition period for new food can take 5 to 7 days on average, according to Dr. Sherry Lynn Sanderson from the University of Georgia.  The rule of thumb is to slowly introduce adult dog food to puppies once they are one year old, according to the Tufts University Veterinary Medical Center. Keep in mind this can vary depending on the breed. Dogs like Labradors may begin at 12 months of age, but bigger breeds like Great Danes and Mastiffs may need as long as 18 months.  In choosing food for your puppy, it’s important to consider the protein source. At this age, your puppies are still growing and need higher quality protein to build muscles and their strength. New Zealand King Salmon is one such source that can give them a great start in life.  One example of puppy food that features a high-quality protein source is Addiction Pet Foods’ Salmon Bleu for Puppies. It has a slightly higher Protein content at 26%, and Fat content at 12%. That way, your growing dogs get more of the needed nutrients in order to grow healthy.   Then once your dogs reach adulthood, you can slowly switch to Salmon Bleu for dogs which gives up to 24% Protein and 13% Fat content. Both Salmon Bleu for puppies and dogs are rich in Omega-3 for radiant coats.   It’s important to take into account the individual preferences of your dog first during this transition period. Once the transition period is complete, they’ll be able to enjoy eating the new food without any problems.   – AddictionPet.com

Just like introducing someone to others for the first time, your dog needs to be comfortable with other people to be socialized properly. Doing so takes time to build trust and can’t be done outright, especially if it’s a new dog or a rescue that hasn’t had much human contact.  Socializing is also a vital part of training your dog. According to Paul Owens, a professional dog trainer, this means you need to have your pets comfortable with you, family, and friends so that they don’t feel stressed. This paves the way for introducing new situations that are safe, positive, and confidence-building.  The act of training your dog is especially important during National Train Your Dog Month in January. This is an initiative started by The Association of Professional Dog Trainers as a public service announcement to help people and pets live a better, happier life together.  Here are 3 tips to help you get started with socializing your dog  1. Start them young If you’re socializing a puppy, up to 3 months of age is the best time for them to be exposed to new experiences. These can include meeting unfamiliar people, things you find in a park, traffic signs, bicycles, and even vehicles.  The earlier you familiarize your puppy with these everyday encounters, the better they can handle being with people and other dogs later on in their lives.   Experiences like being with their mothers and littermates will often be the first of many in getting them to socialize with others. As they grow older, exposure to other pets, household objects, and your friends and family can likely give them a safe environment to start with.  2. Frequent walks Being familiar with your surroundings and the people around you requires repeated exposure. It’s the same with socializing your dogs. Taking frequent walks is the most cited piece of advice for raising your pets, regardless of age.  Start by walking them a distance away from the park or other people where your pet can observe the environment. Slowly as they become more familiar, you can move them closer until they can interact with other people or animals.   Keep in mind that even with this gradual transitioning, dogs will always encounter unfamiliar situations in these walks, be it animals like birds or other dogs. It may be likely that they will bark at strangers, but the point of this exercise is to make them comfortable outside.   When your dog barks often, it’s best to remove them firmly but calmly from the situation to make them relax before you continue walking them.  3. Your attitude matters too While it’s important for your dog to adjust to its environment, you also need to be mindful of how you treat your dogs. Dogs may bark at strangers, other dogs, or even at anything that excites or agitates them. In these cases, forceful or restrictive actions like pulling back their leash will only worsen their reactions.  Remaining calm, confident, but firm will play a long way in getting your pet’s emotions under control. A reassuring tone of voice or command they’re trained to respond to beforehand may help get them to quiet down.   Socialization isn’t something that happens instantly, but something that’s done over a large part of your dog’s life. If done correctly, your dog will be more mature and will most likely be open to new experiences without overreacting too badly.  – Addiction Pet Foods