Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake Barbara Davis.

Evaluating Golden Evaluating Golden Retrievers Retrievers for Intakefor Intake

Barbara DavisBarbara Davis

GRCGLARescue Intake Standards

GRCGLARescue will intake any Golden Retriever, in any condition, regardless of age, illness or injury, provided the dog is not dangerous to people.

Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

What Are We Looking For?

• Temperament (acts like a Golden)

• Conformation (looks like a Golden)


Temperament

Q. How do Goldens act?


Temperament

Q. Do Goldens…

– Bite people?– Hate dogs?– Fear children?– Kill cats?


– Hate petting?– Growl over food?– Pee in the house?– Fear strangers?

Temperament

• Do not attempt temperament testing on your own• Listen to your gut• Do not take a dog you’re scared of or one you can’t

handle (don’t be a hero!)– Allow owner or shelter staff to handle first– Refer to your area manager for follow-up

• Report any potential problem behaviors (no matter how small) to your area manager


Conformation:

What does a Golden Retriever look like?

The Golden Retriever is a composite breed. Some of his ancestors are:

– Retrievers– Spaniels– Setters– Bloodhounds


Conformation: Color

Everything from white to gold to red


Conformation

Size: 50 – 100+ poundsEars: hang downEyes: large, round, may be dark brown

or hazelTail: Long and straight, slight curve


Conformation: Coat

Double-coated (soft cottony undercoat, longer, coarser outer coat)

Medium to long, with feathering on legs and tail


Mixed-breed Dogs

GRCGLARescue may intake mixed-breed dogs when resources allow (requires BoD approval).

Intake standards:Conformation – looks mostly Golden ANDTemperament – acts very Golden ANDUnder age 3, with no temperament or health problems


Mixed-breed Dogs

Problems:Marketing

• We attract adopters who want Goldens• Dogs who don’t resemble Goldens don’t get adopted timely• Dogs who don’t act Golden stay even longer• Many popular breeds are listed on insurance bans

Evaluation• Can be difficult to determine proper placement• May bounce when adopter expectations are not met• Impossible to determine breed mix from just visual and

preliminary behavioral assessment alone


Breed:Breed:•Golden RetrieverGolden Retriever•Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees

“Boo”


Breed:Breed:•Chinese Shar PeiChinese Shar Pei•Labrador RetrieverLabrador Retriever•PekingesePekingese

“Bonnie”


Breed:Breed:•Boston TerrierBoston Terrier•Japanese ChinJapanese Chin•Bedlington TerrierBedlington Terrier•English Cocker SpanielEnglish Cocker Spaniel•Flat-coated RetrieverFlat-coated Retriever•Labrador RetrieverLabrador Retriever

“Darwin”


Breed:Breed:

•Irish SetterIrish Setter•ViszlaViszla

“Libby”


Breed:Breed:•Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees•MalamuteMalamute

“Logan”


Breed:Breed:•RottweilerRottweiler•Chinese Shar PeiChinese Shar Pei

“Molly”


Breed:Breed:•Cocker SpanielCocker Spaniel•Golden RetrieverGolden Retriever

“Nutmeg”


Breed:Breed:•Cardigan Welsh CorgiCardigan Welsh Corgi•Chinese Shar PeiChinese Shar Pei•Chow ChowChow Chow•German Shepherd DogGerman Shepherd Dog•Golden RetrieverGolden Retriever

“Rusty”


Breed:Breed:•DalmatianDalmatian•Chow ChowChow Chow•German Shepherd DogGerman Shepherd Dog

“Wyatt”


Breed:Breed:•Siberian HuskySiberian Husky•BeagleBeagle•Australian Cattle DogAustralian Cattle Dog

“Mimosa”



Siberian Husky mix Golden RetrieverSiberian Husky mix Golden Retriever


What do you do?What do you do?

•Use your best judgment Use your best judgment •Listen to your gutListen to your gut•Never pull a dog who scares youNever pull a dog who scares you•When in doubt (as to breeding), take the dogWhen in doubt (as to breeding), take the dog•When in doubt (as to safety), LEAVE the dogWhen in doubt (as to safety), LEAVE the dog•Report any potential problem behaviors to your Report any potential problem behaviors to your area manager immediately:area manager immediately:

–Growling–Nipping/biting–Guarding food/objects–Aggression towards dogs, cats or people

Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake Barbara Davis.

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