Are UK Field Golden Retrievers suitable for first-time dog owners?

UK Field Golden Retrievers are remarkably intelligent and require consistent discipline and training to truly thrive. This breed is active and doesn't enjoy sitting idle around the house. If you're seeking a pet that enjoys lounging, a toy breed or a cat might be a better fit. Field Goldens need structured training and a confident owner, making them less suited for first-time dog owners unless you are truly committed to educating yourself and dedicating the time necessary for their development. Their energetic and intelligent nature as pups makes them excellent companions for those ready to engage fully with their dynamic needs.

Just as people don't usually buy a Ferrari for their first car, the demanding needs of a Field Golden pup require a confident and experienced owner.

In our opinion, they are in a league of their own. Once you've experienced the joy and challenge of owning a Field Golden, it's hard to go back to any other breed. Their ability to learn quickly is unmatched; I can train my Field Goldens in a tenth of the time it takes for other breeds. However, this also means they can pick up bad habits just as fast. Without clear boundaries and consistent training, they will test your limits and outsmart you at every turn. If you're up for the challenge and ready to invest in their training, you'll find a loyal, intelligent, and endlessly rewarding companion in a UK Field Golden Retriever. But if you prefer a more laid-back pet, it might be best to consider a different breed.

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You'd like your Puppy Become a Therapy Dog?

If you're interested in making a positive impact in your community, Delta Therapy Dogs offers a fantastic program where they train both you and your puppy to visit hospitals and nursing homes. This program brings immense joy to residents and patients, and is both enjoyable and rewarding.

Take, for instance, Drummer, one of our own dogs who has been participating in therapy visits for the past couple of years. He is exceptional at his role, especially known for his gentle interaction with dementia patients, eagerly nudging them to receive cuddles. He is equally adored by the staff, and we often find ourselves extending our visits to allow everyone enough time to enjoy his company. After each visit, the fulfillment is palpable—I always leave feeling uplifted.

Our newer sire, Dexter Junior, passed his exam and has started visiting a local nursing home. He's quickly becoming as popular as Drummer, capturing the hearts of many. It's telling that while everyone knows the dogs' names, few remember mine!

This role not only brings happiness to others but enriches your life and your puppy's, fostering a deep sense of connection and purpose. If this sounds like something you and your puppy would love, Delta Therapy Dogs is a wonderful place to start your journey.

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You'd like your  puppy compete in obedience competitions?

Absolutely! Obedience competitions provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase the results of your hard work and dedication in training your puppy. Participating in these events is not only a true test of your training skills but also a delightful way to see how well your dog can perform under pressure. Many dog owners often share stories about their dogs' abilities, but competing in obedience trials allows you to truly put those skills to the test in a structured environment.

Even if you're not initially inclined to compete, attending these competitions can be a great way to learn more about dog training and the various levels of obedience mastery. It’s an excellent chance to meet other dog enthusiasts, exchange tips and experiences, and see a range of breeds demonstrating their training. Competitions vary from basic obedience trials to more advanced routines that require seamless communication and profound trust between the dog and its handler.

If you're curious about what these competitions entail or how you might get involved, a simple online search for "dog obedience competitions near me" will yield information on local events. Attending a competition can provide you with a clearer picture of the commitment and joy involved in this sport. It’s also immensely entertaining—there's something truly inspiring about watching well-trained dogs and their handlers work in perfect harmony.

Whether you decide to train your puppy for competitive obedience or simply want to enhance your pet’s discipline and responsiveness, obedience training is a rewarding experience that strengthens the bond between you and your dog. It’s a commitment to excellence and mutual respect that pays off in countless ways beyond the competition ring.

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Why our experience counts?

With over 30 years of experience in dog breeding, I have had the privilege of learning from some of the world’s most knowledgeable breeders. This mentorship has been invaluable, deepening my understanding of what traits to prioritise—going beyond standard health tests to place a significant emphasis on temperament, which is crucial once health screenings are completed.

One key aspect of my approach is the strategic outcrossing of bloodlines to enhance genetic vigour.

Breeding dogs is an intricate blend of science and art; it involves not just matching dogs based on their physical and genetic profiles but also crafting the next generations with an eye toward remarkable health and temperament.

Beyond breeding, the nurturing of puppies through carefully planned raising techniques—including thorough socialisation and desensitisation processes—is essential. My breeding programme and puppy-rearing practices are continually evaluated and refined for enhancement. While we are immensely proud of the puppies we produce, our commitment to improvement is ongoing. We are dedicated to not only maintaining high standards but also to finding new ways to elevate the quality of our puppies.

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Backyard Breeders !!!!

When considering bringing a new puppy into your home, it’s vital to understand the difference between a responsible breeder and a backyard breeder. At Activ Goldens, we regard anyone who is not an ANKC-registered breeder as a backyard breeder—because if they aren’t, they are hiding something.

Since COVID, we’ve seen a surge of new breeders entering the industry. Many of them are only here to make a quick profit. They will disappear just as fast as they arrived once the inevitable health problems from their poor breeding practices begin to surface—leaving families to deal with the heartbreak and costs.

Responsible breeders follow strict standards of health testing, welfare, and pedigree integrity. Backyard breeders, on the other hand, cut corners. They often operate without proper care or accountability, which leads to serious problems: poor nutrition, exposure to infectious diseases like parvovirus and kennel cough, parasite infestations, and long-term behavioural and genetic issues. Not only does this compromise the dogs’ welfare, but it also fuels the ongoing problem of abandoned pets ending up in shelters.

Many backyard breeders rely on platforms like Gumtree to sell their puppies quickly. They avoid essential health checks to reduce costs and rush sales. This is especially dangerous with breeds such as Golden Retrievers, which are prone to hereditary health issues. What might look like a “cheap” puppy up front can easily turn into thousands of dollars in vet bills and years of emotional strain.

To protect yourself and your puppy, always choose an ANKC breeder who can provide:

• Official hip and elbow scores

• Current heart and eye clearances

• Full DNA profiles and verified ANKC pedigrees

These are not optional extras—they are safeguards. ANKC breeders invest heavily in doing things the right way, and that’s what gives you the security and protection you deserve.

In the end, a well-bred puppy is worth it. A cheap puppy can cost you dearly.

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Oodles - is the nickname for all the poodle crossbreeds ? 

While “Oodles” (Poodle crosses such as Labradoodles, Cavoodles, Spoodles, and Groodles) are often marketed as “designer dogs,” the reality is very different. They are not a recognised breed and are bred outside the ANKC system, meaning there is no governing body, no consistent breed standard, and no accountability. Without these safeguards, there is no uniformity in health, temperament, or even coat type. Buyers are often promised a “low-shedding, hypoallergenic dog,” yet in reality, coat types vary dramatically—even within the same litter—leaving many families with a high-maintenance dog that requires constant professional grooming.

Because most Oodles are produced by backyard breeders, essential health testing is often skipped altogether. This lack of care has resulted in a surge of hereditary issues, poor temperaments, and behavioural challenges that responsible breeding programs work hard to avoid. Of particular concern, Groodles are now the number one dog in Australia requiring hip replacements and suffering hip-related conditions, a direct consequence of unregulated and careless breeding practices. Without structured programs and health protocols, these problems will only continue to grow, leaving unsuspecting families to carry the emotional and financial burden.

As an ANKC-registered breeder, I see this firsthand. I am constantly contacted by Groodle breeders who attempt to deceive me with lies in an effort to gain access to my dogs or puppies for their breeding programs. If they are going to these lengths, it raises serious questions about what other shortcuts, misrepresentations, and unethical practices they are willing to engage in. Their focus is on producing puppies quickly for profit, not on safeguarding the long-term welfare of the breed or the families who purchase them.

In contrast, ANKC breeders are bound by strict regulations, transparent health testing, and proven breeding protocols designed to protect both the dogs and their future families. Every ANKC pedigree is backed by verified DNA parentage, comprehensive health clearances, and generations of records ensuring genetic integrity. This is the difference between a system built on ethics, accountability, and care—and one built on marketing, deception, and short-term gain.

Choosing where you get your puppy is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a dog owner.

By supporting ANKC-registered breeders, you are not only protecting yourself from unnecessary heartache and costs, but you are also helping to preserve the health and integrity of breeds for future generations.

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Spaying and Neutering Golden Retrievers?

In recent years there have been new recommendations put out for large breed dogs, on when to spay and neuter.

The reason to wait until your Golden is at least 18 months old prior to spaying or neutering is to ensure they have a chance to fully go through their version of puberty. Golden Retrievers have their first heat cycle between 6 months and 18 months of age (9 to 15 months is the most common).

A recent study suggests neutering after 1 year of age can decrease the risks of bone and joint abnormalities as your Golden grows. Waiting until after 1 heat also allows their urinary tract to fully mature and decreases the change of infections.

 

In one large study of Golden retrievers by Dr. Torres de la Riva in 2013, the chance of a cranial cruciate ligament injury was significantly increased if a dog was spayed early (before 1 year old) vs. spayed late or left intact. This injury is the same knee injury as an ACL injury that human athletes often get.

Spayed dogs live longer. A very large study by University of Georgia and another study by Banfield Pet Hospitals both found that spayed female dogs lived longer than intact (un-spayed) female dogs. The UGA study said they lived 26.3% longer and the Banfield study found spayed dogs lived 23% longer. Although the specific reasons for living longer are not clear, there is evidence in these studies that spayed dogs live 1-2 years longer than dogs that are not spayed.

https://goldenretrieversociety.com/spaying-and-neutering/

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I recommend to wait on Neutering male Golden Retrievers until 18 months old (one and a half years) and for females wait until 12 weeks after the first heat cycle. Studies have shown that spaying your dog prior to her second heat cycle can drastically decrease the risk of them developing mammary cancer later in life (from a 50% chance to 8% or less). 

Sometimes the first heat can be “silent”, so even if you don’t notice the heat, it is still ok to spay at 18 months.

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Age at gonadectomy and risk of overweight/obesity and orthopedic injury in a cohort of Golden Retrievers

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0209131

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If your veterinarian recommends desexing your puppy at a young age, which is becoming increasingly common, it may be advisable to seek a second opinion. Early desexing can have significant health implications for Golden Retrievers. For example, desexing too early can disrupt the hormones responsible for regulating growth and joint development. This was evident in a case where a puppy desexed at 16 weeks grew to be about 20% taller than average by two years old, resulting in disproportionate body structure and potential future hip issues.

Similar concerns have been observed in other dogs, such as Groodles, who experience hip and health problems due to early desexing at 8 weeks. Therefore, careful consideration and professional guidance are crucial in deciding the appropriate age for desexing your pet to ensure their long-term health and well-being.