[NAGDU] Golden Retriever Question

[Danielle Sykora]

I think the health issues, mainly allergies, are one of the main
reasons. Obviously Labs or any other breed can also develop allergies,
but they usually occur more often in the Golden. I also think guide
dog schools prefer Labs because they tend to be more adaptable, while
Goldens sort of have a sensitive but stubborn personality. I'm
thinking that the slightly lower grooming requirements of the Lab are
also a minor consideration. I'm not sure how accurate this is, but
I've heard these reasons at one time or another.

Obviously Goldens still make great guides though, and allergies can be
seriously reduced by providing a quality diet and managing certain
environmental factors.

The Lab/Golden cross is typically intended to combine the best of both
breeds: the adaptability and slightly lower risk of medical problems
of the Lab with some sensitivity of the Golden.

Danielle and Thai

On 6/24/16, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Golden Retrievers tend to have a lot of skin and allergy issues. They often
> develop these hot spots which are systemic. I think they may be ear
> infection prone, too. They are wonderful guides though; I think my really
> best dog was a Golden Retriever, but I retired him too late. He would get
> to
> panting even just walking down a hall. I didn't listen to him and he  (and
> I) paid dearly for it.
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmail.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2016 6:01 AM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Golden Retriever Question
>
> I don't know about personality comparison, but my understanding of why more
> Goldens aren't used as guides has to do with health issues.
>
> Julie
> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
> available! Get the book here:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lisie Foster via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2016 12:27 AM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Lisie Foster
> Subject: [NAGDU] Golden Retriever Question
>
> I have a sort of random question, I don't know if anyone will have time to
> answer!
>
> I'm wondering what the traits are in purebred (versus Golden/Lab mixes)
> Golden Retrievers that cause them to make up such a relatively small
> percentage of the total number of working guide dogs?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Lisie and Finn
> lisiefoster at yahoo.com
> Sent from my iPhone
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