Product Description

For the past decade, the Golden Retriever has ranked among the five most popular breeds registered with the AKC, with more than 65,000 Goldens registered every year. The Golden Retriever’s personality is as golden as his outer coat. He was bred to please, and please he does. He started out as a hunting partner who delivered birds to hand and has evolved into modern times delivering whatever suits his owner’s fancy. Because Golden Retrievers were originally bred to work in tandem with humans, they are also highly trainable.

Golden Retrievers For Dummies is intended for busy 21st century dog owners who don’t have time to sit down and read through 300 pages at a crack. This is a reference you can jump in and out of as dog questions rear their furry heads. This handy guide is also for you if

• You own a Golden Retriever or thinking about getting one.
• You've just brought home a Golden pup.
• You want to find the best way to raise and train your Golden.
• You want to help your Golde n to not just survive but to thrive.

Find out what it takes to own this active, intelligent, and friendly dog. Explore the Golden's personality traits and living requirements. Discover which diseases are hereditary. This reference guide covers all the aspects of dog ownership, including:

• Looking at breeders, rescue groups, and animal shelters
• Adopting and caring for older dogs
• Selecting a puppy with help from an established testing process
• Dog-proofing your house and yard
• Crate training, housetraining, and obedience training
• Canine communication and growing pains
• Feeding, exercising, and playing with your Golden
• Dealing with illness, problem behavior, and treatment
• Grooming for health and beauty

If you’re serious about this Golden business and not just caving in to the kids or some other wild impulse, follow the advice of responsible dog owners and breeders. Look deep into your dog-loving soul and carefully consider the big picture. Love alone is not enough.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68379 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Back Cover
"A gold mine of information…. The author knows her retrievers." Mickey Strandberg, noted Golden Retriever breeder Praise for Golden Retrievers For Dummies^® "What a thoroughly wonderful book!" — Joyce Kinghorn, Former President, Golden Retriever Club of America "A valuable, highly educational read for a range of people, from new to experienced dog owners." — Kaye Fuller, DVM, and Roger Fuller, former Western Director, Golden Retriever Club of America

Find out about your Golden Retriever's special needs

Get the lowdown on keeping your dog healthy and content There's much more to a Golden Retriever than its lush coat, sunny disposition, and desire to please. This fun and friendly book shows you how to prepare your home for a new Golden puppy, socialize and train your new pet, and much more.

Discover how to: Choose the right Golden for you Maintain your dog's good health Feed your dog properly Exercise and entertain your dog Handle behavioral problems

Get smart! www.dummies.com Attention pet owners! Get free Dummies Daily^™ e-mail newsletters Sign up today for tips on dogs, cats, or birds Keep your pet healthy and content — the Dummies Way^™

About the Author
Nona Kilgore Bauer has shared her life with Goldens for more than 30 years. Her dogs have won many obedience and other working titles.

Customer Reviews

wealth of good information
Having a 4 month old Golden puppy, I am finding this book to be a great source of information for even the smallest of questions I have about my puppy and the development stages she will go through into adulthood. Although this is my second Golden Retriever, I have forgotten alot of what it takes to raise a Golden from a puppy. I recommend this book to any new or soon to be owners of a Golden Retriever puppy.

Solid "Dummies" entry.
Golden Retrievers for Dummies is a solid contribution to pet maintainence and care. The book is by an author who has owned numerous golden retrievers. It shows here in the text. However, there are dozens of Golden Retriever books on the market, and some say the text is uneven and lacks detail. Many would not recommend the Essential Golden Retriever because of the lack of important information. Well, all of these problems are solved!
This book covers every essential fact for someone pondering getting a Golden Retriever. There are many categories to read, including vital health concerns, keeping your dog content, and feeding the correct dietary supplements. Another brief section is about coping with the loss of an animal, and caring for an elderly dog. Yet another talks about Hereditary & Behavior issues.
Out of the dozens of books on dogs available, this, without a doubt, would be the unsurpassed choice.

A great primer for potential Golden owners
This is a great reference book for anyone who is looking to obtain a Golden. The topics are just what is needed to give the necessary information on everything from looking for a pup to caring for them into adult life. The text is easily understood and the instructions are informative without being too long and wordy. I had gotten several books from the library but found that this book contained more usable information than all of those combined. You can't go wrong with this one!