Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake Barbara Davis

Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake Barbara 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) Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Temperament Q. How do Goldens act? Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Temperament Q. Do Goldens… –Bite people? –Hate dogs? –Fear children? –Kill cats? Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake –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 Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Conformation: What does a Golden Retriever look like? The Golden Retriever is a composite breed. Some of his ancestors are: –Retrievers –Spaniels –Setters –Bloodhounds Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Conformation: Color Everything from white to gold to red Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Conformation Size: 50 – 100+ pounds Ears: hang down Eyes: large, round, may be dark brown or hazel Tail: Long and straight, slight curve Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Conformation: Coat Double-coated (soft cottony undercoat, longer, coarser outer coat) Medium to long, with feathering on legs and tail Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Mixed-breed Dogs GRCGLARescue may intake mixed-breed dogs when resources allow (requires BoD approval). Intake standards: Conformation – looks mostly Golden AND Temperament – acts very Golden AND Under age 3, with no temperament or health problems Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

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 Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Golden RetrieverGolden Retriever Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees “Boo” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Chinese Shar PeiChinese Shar Pei Labrador RetrieverLabrador Retriever PekingesePekingese “Bonnie” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Boston TerrierBoston Terrier Japanese ChinJapanese Chin Bedlington TerrierBedlington Terrier English Cocker SpanielEnglish Cocker Spaniel Flat-coated RetrieverFlat-coated Retriever Labrador RetrieverLabrador Retriever “Darwin” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Irish SetterIrish Setter ViszlaViszla “Libby” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Great PyreneesGreat Pyrenees MalamuteMalamute “Logan” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: RottweilerRottweiler Chinese Shar PeiChinese Shar Pei “Molly” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Cocker SpanielCocker Spaniel Golden RetrieverGolden Retriever “Nutmeg” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Cardigan Welsh CorgiCardigan Welsh Corgi Chinese Shar PeiChinese Shar Pei Chow ChowChow Chow German Shepherd DogGerman Shepherd Dog Golden RetrieverGolden Retriever “Rusty” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: DalmatianDalmatian Chow ChowChow Chow German Shepherd DogGerman Shepherd Dog “Wyatt” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Breed: Siberian HuskySiberian Husky BeagleBeagle Australian Cattle DogAustralian Cattle Dog “Mimosa” Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Siberian Husky mix Golden Retriever

Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake What do you do? Use your best judgmentUse 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 area manager immediately:Report any potential problem behaviors to your area manager immediately: –Growling –Nipping/biting –Guarding food/objects –Aggression towards dogs, cats or people