So let’s start with the first— Golden Retriever cost – adoption expense. Typically you’ll be able to find a puppy in a range between $250 and $1500 dollars. It’s quite a range, but the price mainly depends on the quality of the puppy you are planning to adopt. The price will depend on how well a breeder managed to combine the traits of the parents to reinforce the strengths and reduce weaknesses.

If puppies are very cheap it may indicate that the breeder is trying to hide the low quality of puppies (for instance hereditary health problems) behind the attractive price. However, you may bump into people trying to sell you low quality puppies (like the pups from puppy mills) at a price of good healthy pups. That is why you always need to ask for health certificates and spend time with pups’ parents.

The high-end price is usually what a breeder will charge you for a show dog. If you are planning to show your Golden be prepared to pay several extra hundreds dollars. In this case the Golden Retriever cost will also depend on a number of champion dogs in a bloodline and the awards they won.

But in many cases you’ll find good healthy puppies at a price of about 500-750 dollars. Yes, they will probably never become show stars but if what you need is a good pet and family member and not a show dog it’s probably the best choice. But as well as in many other markets you may find good bargains and save some money when adopting a pup.

Sometimes breeders make good discounts. For instance, they want to build reputation before rising prices or are simply not aware of the puppies real cost. Sometimes they have to close their operations and are selling the pup with a good discount just to find a new home for them as quick as possible. Or sometimes you can buy a good pup from an unprofessional breeder who’s Golde just got pregnant.

Another option is to adopt a Golden Retriever from a rescue. It won’t be for free since most of rescues rely solely on donations and fund razing activities to keep the rescue operating. But the cost of Golden Retrievers there will be lower. In most cases you’ll probably pay from $300 to $400 to adopt a Golden. Keep in mind, dogs from a rescue has already gone through vaccinations, medical examination and were given medical treatment if necessary. So you really know what to expect from your new pet. Besides, it’s not only about adult dogs. Sometime you may find puppies in Golden Retriever rescues. It’s not very common but if you are patient enough you may be able to adopt a great pup from a rescue.

In any case, once you’ve started to think about adopting a Golden Retriever do a little market research in your area to find out an average price of a Golden to know exactly what you should expect. Otherwise you may just be fooled by someone trying to sell a poor quality puppy for a high price. Also be aware that adult dogs normally cost more than the puppies due to the greater amount of money spent on food, healthcare and other costs.

So, now you know what to expect in terms of cost when you go to look for a dog to adopt. But the Golden Retriever adoption cost is just the fist expense you are about to make. Again, it’s hard to tell the exact amount of money you’ll need to spend, but here are some items of expense that will help you make an estimate.

Health related costs

Probably the most expensive issue is a healthcare. This would include all the vaccinations your pup will need in the first two years of life plus annual booster shots. If you want to know how much it will cost you per year just call your local vet, tell him or her that you are planning to adopt a Golden and ask how much it will be for all the regular procedures.

However, health related costs are not limited to vaccinations and annual examinations. Unfortunately, like any other breed of dogs Golden Retrievers are prone to certain hereditary diseases. And the only way to avoid problems in future is to choose a puppy carefully. In many cases a more expensive puppy from a better bloodline which will cost you a couple of extra hundreds may save you much more money that could be spent on health problems treatment in future.

Food and other expenses

Another set of expenses is be connected with food, toys and grooming materials. You’ll need to but your dog chew toys regularly (better buy quality toys, they’ll save you money in a long run) and spend money on shampoos and other grooming material. If you are planning to show your dog you may need to pay for professional grooming which is quite expensive. You’ll also need to buy a food and a water bowl and leashes and collars (you’ll need more than one).

Naturally, food should also be included in the list. Always choose quality food for your dog. Depending on a type of food you are going to use it may cost up to $40 a month or more. Again, to find out the cost, visit the nearest pet shop in the neighborhood. If you need a list of thing to buy you’ll find it in my free e-mail minicourse.

Training and books

If it’s your first dog you may find it useful to visit obedience courses. Of cause you can train a Golden Retriever yourself, but if you’ve never done it before it’s wiser to invest some money in professional assistance. This will help you and your dog understand each other better. Buying a couple of books on Golden Retrievers is also a good investment since they will provide you with information on proper care about your Golden helping to avoid unnecessary expenses in future.

1. The key to easy and fun Golden Retriever grooming is to properly train your Golden as a puppy. If you do it right, he’ll learn to enjoy it and will easily and calmly endure the procedure.
2. You need to have a complete set of Golden Retriever grooming supplies at home: a brush, a comb, straight-edged scissors, thinning scissors, nail cutters and a flashlight. You may also find grooming table useful.
3. Thorough grooming of your pet normally takes about one and a half hour so you it’s better to make sure you are all set for the procedure before starting.
4. Regularly brush your dogs using a quality bristle brush together with an undercoat rake to minimize shedding.
5. Oil can aid in untangling knot hairs.
6. Regularly bathe your golden retriever with a quality dog shampoo to keep them fresh and clean. Do not be afraid of hair loss or skin drying – if you shampooing them with quality dog shampoo it will not harm your dog’s coat or skin.
7. Do not use detergent based shampoo or shampoo designed for humans for this will draw out natural oil in your dog’s skin and may even cause irritation.
8. Golden retriever grooming also includes clipping dog’s nails. Regular nails trimming will keep comfortable both you and your dog. In case you’ve missed the nail and cut the skin for some reason, do not panic and just put a styptic powder to the wound to stop the bleeding.
9. Never shave your Golden Retriever as the coat serves him as a protection from both cold and hot weather. But trimming the hair with a pair of scissors is a wise idea. Trim the hair around the pads bearing in mind to keep it with even length. The hair on the ears also needs consistent trimming.
10. Shedding is normal from your Golden Retriever especially during the summer. There is now way around it and the best thing you can do to minimize it is daily brushing and combing.
11. Do not hurry when trimming especially if you are not a professional in it. It’s better to cut little by little with regular combing to see how it looks. If you cut too much you won’t be able to repair the damage. Of cause it will grow back eventually but you want your dog to look great all the time, right?.
12. To make sure the hair is 100% tangle free, brush your Golden’s coat before the trimming session. It’s better to brush in either of two directions: from top to bottom or from head to tail.
13. Important: do not forget to clean the ears. Yes, you’ve trimmed the hair but it’s different from cleaning the ears. Doing this will prevent ear infections which may lead to complications. Use of a quality ear cleaning solution is highly recommended.

Golden retriever grooming indeed can be done effortlessly. But do not forget that it is equally important to do it regularly – at least once a week. Being conscientious and patiently following these basic steps will definitely insure that you are an owner of a clean, healthy, and great-looking Golden Retriever.

There are several reasons a pup may end up in a rescue. They may be given up by previous owners because they became unable or unwilling to take care for them for whatever reason. It is also often that some family members discover allergies after adopting a dog. Sometime breeders have to shut down their activities and need to find new home for the puppies fast. When puppy mills are shut down by authorities or go broke the puppies also need new homes. Sometimes even a pregnant Golden Retriever female is found wandering in the streets or is given up by a previous owner.

For whatever reason rescued Golden Retriever puppies appeared in the shelter they all go thought the medical examination. In most cases it will include vaccinations update, de-worming procedures, heart worm examination, hip and elbow dysplasia and cataract examination etc. And of cause the pup will be provided with medical help if needed. All the dogs are spayed or neutered in case they weren’t. It is done as the part of responsible pet ownership in order to avoid any further undesirable offspring – there are enough unwanted dogs that need new home already.

Rescued Golden Retriever puppies will be normally provided with some socialization process and basic training as well. Many of the pups that end up in Golden Retriever puppy rescue were abused one way or another and often distrust people. So they need to go through the rehabilitation process in order to be able to go through the adaptation process easily once they are in their new home.

Actually puppies at the Golden Retriever puppy rescue will be cared for as if they were at the reputable breeder’s until their new home will be found. And as well as any reputable breeder, Golden Retriever puppy rescue is very serious about finding a new home for the puppies. They just want to make sure a puppy will be in good hands and they are always willing to rescue it again if necessary. That is why you’ll have to be able to meet certain requirements to adopt a pup. Normally, the rescue will first review your application and then one of the volunteers or employees will pay you a home visit.

The rescue is mainly interested in several key points:

• The reasons why you what to adopt a Golden Retriever puppy.
• If you have enough time and space to provide your pup with the ability to exercise and necessary care.
• Is there anyone to take care of the pup during the day time?
• Does anyone in the family suffer from allergies?
• Safety and security issues.

The reason for all of this is not only to determine if Golden Retriever is the right breed for you but also to find the best fitting pup for your particular lifestyle and situation at home.

Finally, be prepared to pay an adoption fee. Most rescues are non-profit organizations and they rely solely on donations and grants. With all the medical and boarding expenses they need additional money to keep the rescue running smoothly. Anyways, your money will be well spent on rescuing another Golden Retriever puppy.

Black Golden Retrievers – The First Theory

According to the first theory, black golden retrievers appear as the result of recessive gene manifestation. Black golden retrievers may be a direct result of breeding a golden retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel and later crossing their offspring with a sandy-colored Bloodhound or Irish Setter among other breeds. There’s a pretty good chance that most golden retrievers today may be carrying the genes of all these breeds and still preserve the wild-type gene from, for instance, Flat-coat retrievers that may cause the birth of black golden retrievers.

Black Golden Retrievers – Something Noteworthy:

Black golden retrievers appear more often if their parents were siblings. However, you should not breed siblings nor take the above statement as a reason to do so. Under no circumstance is it safe to breed siblings, it may result in genetic problems and bad temperament in the breed.

Black golden Retrievers – The Second Theory

According to the Theory One naysayers, the gene was found present in the early 20th century and isn’t something new. Dog enthusiasts who support this theory point out that after the war, the number of golden retrievers and other breeds of dogs feel drastically; some kennel clubs allowed “pink form” registrations. What does that mean? It means that at the time, if a dog looked like it met breed standards then it was considered a purebred and could be registered as such. Lots of folks believe that this particular registration period may have been the catalyst for the expansion of the gene pool in golden retriever breeds and hence the “black” gene in some golden retrievers. Note: the same theory is actually used to explain the growing unprovoked aggression in golden retrievers that is found today; very atypical for the breed.

Regardless of the color of the golden retriever coat, these beautiful dogs continue to be some of the most intelligent, dedicated and loving friends and family members of many homes. Black golden retrievers grow at the same rate as regular ones, eat the same food, have the same love of water and desire the same amount of exercise. And as golden retrievers, they also, unfortunately, carry some of the breeds’ typical health problems.
If you decide to adopt a black be sure to consider all the steps you’d need to take before fully enjoying the company of such a wonderful dog.

A few bonus tips in getting a golden retriever:

1. Stay away from pet shops, find a reputable breeder.
2. Make sure that the parents of a pup are both healthy and have good temperaments.
3. Ask for all the health related papers and certificates.
4. And the fourth and most important tip…Find out if this breed is the right breed for you. The last thing you need is a sad or mad pup on your hands due to the incompatibility.

As it was mentioned before Golden Labrador Retriever inherited traits of both “parent” breeds. In fact, Golden Retriever and Labrador have many things in common making them excellent for crossbreeding. Thus, Golden Labs are very intelligent and obedient dogs. They are willing to please their owners, loyal family dogs that are incredibly patient with kind and good with other pets. They are very trainable and easy to socialize. However, this processes still require effort from the owner, otherwise these natural gifts will be wasted.

Lager part of the appearance Golden Labrador Retrievers inherited from Golden Retrievers. They are usual pretty big dogs that weigh 50 pounds and more. Their coat is normally long (sometimes it may be short as well) thick and shiny. The tail can be covered in long hair and curled. Canine has a good muscular built with a head shape similar to Golden Retriever’s. These dogs are usually very strong with a good chase instinct. Yellow or dark color of these dogs comes from Labrador.

These dogs love water and need to exercise. As well as Golden Retrievers they like long walks, running by the bicycle, jogging, swimming and paying all sorts for dog games and Frisbee. But swimming is still the favorite activity. Just like with Goldens exercises for the Golden Labrador Retrievers are absolutely necessary for their mental and physical health.

While being great family dogs Labrador Golden Retriever are reported to be not as friendly to strangers as Goldens. They also back and backs loud. Golden Labs generally bank strangers when they are inside or near the house, but sometimes they can back them even at a good distance. Natural chasing instinct may cause Golden Labs to chase cars and bikes. They should be trained from the very childhood not to do it otherwise the habit will stick for the lifetime.

These dogs shed a lot so they require regular grooming. Grooming once a week should be enough to keep shedding to minimum as well as provide necessary care for dog’s skin. By the way, Golden Labradors are less prone to skin allergies but they tend to develop dust allergy.

Since these are hybrid dog their health should be addressed even more carefully than the health of Golden Retrievers. In theory, they can inherit health problems of both “parent” breeds.  But they are even more likely to inherit problems common for both breeds like hip and elbow dysplasia and cataract. If you’ve decided to adopt a puppy be sure to pay special attention on medical records of its parents to make sure they posses no signs of hereditary diseases that may be passed to the offspring.

F1b is a result of crossing F1 dogs with another purebred dog (the result is 25% of mix with 75% of pure). For instance if we mix F1 Goldendoodle with purebred Poodle we’ll receive and offspring that is closer to Poodle than Golden Retriever and as the result is the least likely to shed and has the easiest coat to take care of.

F2 are the dog that were born as there result of breeding F1dogs from one litter with F1 dogs from another not related litter. In other words to make sure the traits you want are passed down to next generations you need to find other F1 dogs with the same traits and breed them. For instance, if some of your F1 Goldendoodles shed very little or do not shed at all and you find other F1 Goldendoodle that does not shed their offspring is very likely to inherit that trait. However, the probability of getting this trait is higher in F1b dogs from example above.

F2b is a cross of F1 and F1b dogs. Again F2b dog is more likely to inherit traits of F1b dogs. F3 is a cross of F2 dogs and multi-generation is a F3 or higher generation hybrid crossed with another F3 of higher hybrid. Now, taking all stated above into account you’ll be able to make more sense of what a breeder is telling you about the litter of mixed Golden Retrievers.

So why actually adopt a Golden Retriever mix? The major reason is that some of the genetic disadvantages of the original Golden Retriever may be fixed by crossbreeding. As we’ve seen with Goldendoodle the shedding problem can be solved making the dogs more appropriate for allergic people. Another advantage of this crossbreed is that both Golden Retrievers and Poodles are highly intelligent, obedient and trainable breeds. Naturally, it makes the offspring intelligent and obedient as well. However, all of these genetic traits are worthless without proper training and socialization efforts from the owner.

As always there is a downside of adopting a crossbreed dog. It goes without saying that most of them are not recognized by AKC or other purebred registry (at least for some time for sure). But the biggest concern in mixed dogs is health. While mixing dogs of different breeds may improve dog’s health in some cases it may also have a pernicious effect on it.

If you are planning to adopt a Golden Retriever mix you still need to find a reputable breeder and make sure that both parents are healthy and possess no signs of genetic diseases. It is especially true when your Golden Retriever mix is the result of breeding a Golden with other breed with similar health issues as the canine has (like Labrador or Poodle).

Also, be aware that not any breed is good for crossing-breeding with Golden Retriever. Golden is by nature a loving, intelligent, trainable and active dog. So choosing a possible pair it is better to consider dogs with same characteristics. For instance, creating a mix of Golden Retriever with a breed that is aggressive by nature will probably result in an offspring with unstable character.

As you see, producing or choosing a Golden Retriever mix is all about proper selection and careful research of parents, their traits and health. And as well as with purebred Golden Retrievers it is wiser to look for a reputable breeder rather than going to the pet store.

Golden Retriever pregnancy lasts for 63 day give or take 5 days. Normally Goldens tend to give birth earlier than the due date. If puppies are born week earlier they won’t survive. It is important that you note the date you were breeding your Golden in order to provide a vet with valid information and help to determine if there are any problems.

Symptoms and stages

The only sure way to find out if your dog is pregnant is by taking her to the doctor. However, there are some symptoms that may help you determine that your dog is pregnant. But please remember that just like humans Golden Retrievers are unique in their behavior during pregnancy, so the symptoms may vary.

Normally, in early stages your Golden Retriever will become even more affectionate and willing to be petted constantly. However, sometimes she may want to be left alone. It will go on of the first couple of weeks. You may notice her nipples to become softer then usual and slightly enlarged. She also might have dog equivalent of the morning sickness. It will go after several weeks but then come back later in pregnancy.

Nutrition is another thing that is going to change. At the early stages of pregnancy the Golden’s appetite may change. You might expect her to eat more, but in fact, at this stage she might lose appetite. The worst thing you can do regarding nutrition is try to change her diet or start introducing different vitamins and puppy food. Don’t do this during the entire pregnancy period! Otherwise you are putting your dog at risk of developing milk fever which will be discussed in more details later.

After several weeks she will return to her normal self and be playful again. The only difference will be the amount of food she’s consuming. She’ll not only return to her normal appetite but will start eating even more. Again, there is no need to introduce something in her diet. Just give her enough of good quality adult dog food. In case you still feel you need to add some other type of food, be sure to introduce it slowly during the week mixing with regular food to avoid problems with stomach. It makes sense to provide your pregnant Golden Retriever with the constant access to food. Being pregnant she is simply unable to hold all the food in her stomach so it’s better if she eats less but more often. Even if your dog tends to overeat it is worth trying this system since even such dogs being pregnant tend to leave this habit.

There is no need to specifically limit physical activities for your Golden. She’ll find the best balance in exercises herself. But it’s better to avoid long runs and walks including ball throwing for long distances.

Last two weeks

Last two or three weeks are the most important time in pregnancy. It is better to isolate her from other dogs (to avoid horseplay) and limit physical activities. By doing it you’ll prevent the risk of puppies being knocked off the uterus wall.  It doesn’t have to be a hard bump but it may be enough for pups to be stillborn since they don’t develop completely. Still no changes in nutrition are necessary at this stage.

At the last stage of Golden Retriever pregnancy she’ll need to urinate more often than normally and will sleep more as well. Nipples will be big and the belly will be big as well. However, the size of the belly depends on how the puppies are situated – sometimes pregnant Golden may look almost as if she wasn’t in labor at all!

Other symptoms include vomiting water right after she drinks and milk that comes from her nipples a few days before she’ll give birth. However, do not be surprised if you see no milk in first-time mothers.

Danger of milk fever

Although milk fever is more common in small dogs than in large ones Golden Retrievers tend to suffer from it too. Milk fever or canine eclampsia is a condition caused by low calcium level because of nursing. It is still arguable if big litters are and an additional risk factor for milk fever. However, it is clear that changes in diet contribute greatly to disorder development. As it was mentioned before, you should be very careful with changes in diet during the Golden Retriever pregnancy. The right time for those changes is when the puppies are born. Start giving the mother puppy food formula. It contains balanced calcium level and will work as a preventive.

The main symptoms of milk fever are easily recognizable. The dog may seem restless and nervous then starts shaking as if she’s cold and has tremors which develop in wobbling. Stiffness, panting and drooling come next. Her mouth, legs and other body parts may appear to be paralyzed. The dog needs immediate medical attention – the symptoms develop within hours and without proper veterinarian assistance she’ll die.

Worming and vaccinations

The general rule is – no worming or vaccinations in the pregnancy period. If it’s time for the annual vaccination and your Golden Retriever is pregnant – better lay it off until she gives birth. Vaccinations are safe when she is nursing. In case you need to do worming and for some reason can’t lay it off ask your vet for the medicine that is pregnancy safe.

The adoption donation is $350 dollars for a Golden Retriever under the age of 8 and $200 if a dog is more than 8 years old. The donation helps the organization to meet veterinary services and boarding costs although does not covet them fully.

Health and safety of dogs is the major concern of the organization. That’s why Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue has all the dogs’ health checked at the vet and if necessary provided with respective treatment. If you decide to adopt from the organization you’ll be provided with complete information of the dog’s health condition. Even if a dog has certain health problems (for instance epilepsy) you’ll still be able to adopt a dog in case you are willing and capable of taking care of such dog.

Adoption procedure consists of several stages. First, you need to call Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue hotline and study carefully materials to find out if it’s the right breed for you. Than, complete and send to YGRR two copies of application and wait for the volunteer to pay you a visit. The goal of the visit is to make sure you can provide all the necessary conditions for the safe and happy existence of Golden.

For instance, if you are planning to adopt a young (up to 8 years) Golden Retriever you’ll need to have a fenced area (the fence should be 4-5 feet high) to provide him with the place to exercise (not to live). This area should be preferably situated not far from your home. In case you dog will have access to the swimming pool it needs to have stares (leader is not enough) and “elephant proof” cover. The organization will also not let you adopt a Golden if you have children less than 5 years of age.

There is a number of other restrictions and all of them are designed to ensure dog’s safety. In some cases exceptions (like the fence requirement for experienced owners) can be made, but in general you must fulfill all the conditions to adopt a dog from Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue.

Finally, after going through all the stages you can visit YGRR facility for scheduled appointment. Procedure of adoption does not really change if you are adopting from YGRR not the first time. The process may seem a bit lengthy but with a bit of patience you’ll become a happy owner of a Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue dog.

Consult your local vet and get advice from the breeder on what food to buy and get enough of it. Otherwise be prepared to provide your pup with home-cooked food if you’ve decided to cook for your pup yourself.

Water and food bowl

Your pup needs separate bowls for food and water. When choosing them keep in mind that your little Golden will grow up into a big dog and he might roll them over.

Gates

You might want to restrict your puppy’s access to certain areas of your home. So you should consider investing in one or more baby gates, the ones placed in doorway will do.

Crate or cage

Yes, I know you may think it’s cruel to hold a dog in a crate or cage. But in reality it’s not. Before dogs were domesticated they used to live in caves. So a crate will give your pup a sense of protection and you’ll see your Golden coming back to the crate over and over as he ages. Besides, you’ll find it very useful for toilet training.

Collar and leash

You’ll have to buy several collars and leashes as your pup grows. When you choose the collar for your pup it does not really matter how strong it will be. The main thing here is to make sure the collar is light. When your Golden grows you’ll need to buy a new one for him anyways. And don’t forget to attach an identification tag to your friend’s collar.

Choosing a leash consider buying a couple of them. It is always wise to have a spare one. You don’t really want to buy a long leash – with shorter leash it’s always easier to bring your dog by your side when you need, a few feet should be enough. If you have a large yard buying a 30 feet leash with automatic reel is a good idea.

You may also want to attach reflective tags to both collar and leash. They are really helpful during night walk – drivers can see you and your dog easily. You’ll also notice that many collars and leashes are made of chains. I would advise you against them, especially if your dog is still a puppy – puppies tend to chew and may damage their teeth.

X-pen

Exercise pen is a good way to create a playing area for your pup. But don’t think that he won’t get anywhere if you put him in it. He might move it or crawl out or under it.

Bath products and shampoo

You must never use shampoo designed for people to bathe your dog. It may result in excessive drying of skin and coat and even allergies. Shampoo designed for dogs is much more appropriate. Also consider using cream rinse after shampooing to avoid static electricity problem.

Grooming tools

Of course you may buy them later, but it’s always good to have all the necessary things beforehand to avoid hustle before the first grooming session. You’ll need:

• Canine dental products
• Shedding blade
• Pin brush
• Slicker brush
• Flea comb and tick remover if fleas and ticks are problem in your region
• Nail trimmer or grinder

These are the essentials that will be enough for now.

Toys

Not only Golden Retriever puppies love to play but the adults too. One of the Golden’s most favorite toys is a ball. But you should be careful and choose the ball large enough not to be swallowed or get into your Golden’s windpipe during the game. A size of a tennis ball is about optimal for Golden Retrievers.

Chewing toys is another thing you need to buy unless you want your Golden to chew some of your stuff. Choose quality toys, they will not only fit your dog better but also eventually save you money. And of course you’ll need to buy new chewies from time to time, when the old ones develop cracks and sharp points.

The general character of the breed is described as active, powerful, well put together and symmetrical dog that possesses a personality that can be described as self-confident, alert and eager. All these characters are best shown in hard-working conditions due to the hunting origin of the canine. Any deviations from this ideal description will be considered a fault if they are in contrary to breed’s purpose or character.

Golden Retriever males are larger than females. Males are 23-24 inches high at withers and 65-75 pounds. Females are 21.5 -22.5 inches high and 55-65 pounds of weight. The length of the dog from breastbone to the point of buttocks should be in 12 to 11 ratio to the height and withers. Any deviations in height up to one inch shall be penalized respectively and the dogs with deviation of more than one inch shell be disqualified.

The foreface should be deep and wide, skull is broad. The Muzzle is a bit wider at the stop than at the tip, blending strongly and smooth into the skull. Eyes are preferably brown or medium brown, set well apart and reasonably deep in sockets. Medium-large in size with dark rims, they should be intelligent and friendly in expression.

Golden Retrievers should have rather short ears falling close to the cheeks, with front edge attached just above and well behind the eyes. If the ears are handing too much the dog may be penalized. The tip of an ear should just cover an eye when pulled forward. Golden’s nose is brownish black or black. A nose lacking pigmentation or a pink nose will be penalized. However, it is acceptable if the nose is lightly fading in the cold weather.

The rule about teeth is very strict. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite with the outer side of lover jaw touching the inner side of upper jaw. Both overshot and undershot will cause disqualification. However, overshot and undershot should not be confused with irregular placement (misalignment) or incisors meet each other edge to edge (level bite). Both are undesirable but will not cause disqualification. Also evident gaps between the teeth are a major fault as full dentition is desirable.

Neck of a perfect Golden should be medium-long with no throatiness. Backline should be strong and level no mater the dog is standing or moving. Body should be well-balanced with a well-developed forechest. Tail is think and muscular at the base and well set of. Medium sized feet should be round, well knuckled and compact.
And of cause a famous Golden Retriever coat should be dense and water-repellent. The outer coat may be straight or wavy but should be neither too long nor too short. Color is described as rich lustrous golden of various shades. Neither too light nor too dark in not accepted. That is why you can register your purebred White Golden Retriever with AKC but your dog will not be able to take part in competitions in America.
Finally the character of the canine is described as mild and friendly. Well balanced personality and desire to please its owner is what made this dog so popular. So these characteristics are the indispensible part of general breed description.
Despite the fact that AKC does not really have any formal health standards for member dogs, you are more likely to adopt a high quality pup from AKC members then anywhere else. Membership in AKC gives you access to a community of fellow enthusiast with includes support pack and participation in events organized by the club. The support pack includes guides, ACK medical foundation, canine search-and-rescue etc. AKC membership also allows to participate in AKC events even if you own a purebred without papers.