Transcript Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake

Evaluating Golden
Retrievers
for Intake
Barbara Davis
Evaluating Golden
Retrievers
for Intake
Barbara Davis
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
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…
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Bite people?
Hate dogs?
Fear children?
Kill cats?
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Hate petting?
Growl over food?
Pee in the house?
Fear strangers?
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
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:
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Retrievers
Spaniels
Setters
Bloodhounds
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
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
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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 Retriever
•Great Pyrenees
“Boo”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Chinese Shar Pei
•Labrador Retriever
•Pekingese
“Bonnie”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
“Darwin”
•Boston Terrier
•Japanese Chin
•Bedlington Terrier
•English Cocker Spaniel
•Flat-coated Retriever
•Labrador Retriever
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Irish Setter
•Viszla
“Libby”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Great Pyrenees
•Malamute
“Logan”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Rottweiler
•Chinese Shar Pei
“Molly”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Cocker Spaniel
•Golden Retriever
“Nutmeg”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Cardigan Welsh Corgi
•Chinese Shar Pei
•Chow Chow
•German Shepherd Dog
•Golden Retriever
“Rusty”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Dalmatian
•Chow Chow
•German Shepherd Dog
“Wyatt”
Evaluating Golden Retrievers for Intake
Breed:
•Siberian Husky
•Beagle
•Australian 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 judgment
•Listen to your gut
•Never pull a dog who scares you
•When in doubt (as to breeding), take the dog
•When in doubt (as to safety), LEAVE the dog
•Report any potential problem behaviors to your
area manager immediately:
–Growling
–Nipping/biting
–Guarding food/objects
–Aggression towards dogs, cats or people