Of the dogs that are performing the unprovoked attacks on guide dogs, bull breeds of dogs account for 40% of all of the attacks. The data has been compiled from reports dating between Nov 2006 and Apr 2009.

Worse yet is the fact that 61% of the attacks on the guide dogs came when they were actually working, guiding their handlers. Most of the instances also included males, with 85.7% of the attacking dogs being male, and 62% of the guide dogs being attacked also being male.

Most guide dogs are either Labrador or Golden Retriever breeds – and are unable to defend themselves against aggressive attackers such as bulldogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Pitbulls. 61% of the aggressive dogs that attacked guide dogs were not on the lead, and 46% of them were ‘bull’ breeds.

According to research, bull breeds only account for around 6% of the dogs in the UK, so 46% of attacks on guide dogs being attributed to bull breeds is worrying.

Following the attacks on the defenceless guide dogs, 49 of the dogs had to be rushed to the vets for treatment. 19% of the attacks also saw the guide dog’s handler, or a passer by, also injured by the aggressive dog.

Sadly, two of the guide dogs that were attacked could no longer continue to work as guide dogs following the incidents.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the attacks was that in just six of the incidents did the owner of the aggressive dog actually apologise for the attack. Eight incidents saw the owners of the aggressive dogs flee the scene of the attack without even speaking to the handler of the guide dog.

Every guide dog in the UK costs approximately £50,000 to train and support for the duration of its life.

The authors of the research commented:

The financial implications of attacks on guide dogs should not be underestimated, especially if retraining or replacing a guide dog is necessary. Most importantly, a person in critical need of a guide dog may be without one for a period of time while waiting for a suitable replacement to be trained; this will impact on their quality of life and mobility.

Height: 20-24in, 51-61cm
Weight: 60-80lb, 27-36kg
Average Litter Size: 8
Life Expectancy: 14years
Good with Children: Exceptionally good
Kennel Club Classification: Gundog

Colour of a Golden Retriever

Any shade from light cream to deep gold is acceptable, however over recent years, lighter shades have become more popular in the UK. Darker gold colours still dominate in the US. Shades of red or mahogany are not permissible. Puppies are often born near white in colour, which tends to darker as they get older. A gradient of dark to light shades can be seen usually from the top (ears, neck and back) to bottom (undercarriage and feather)

Grooming a Golden Retriever

The Goldie has a luxurious coat (much longer than a Labrador’s), that can be flat or wavy with a dense waterproof undercoat, extensive feathering on forelegs, and a beautifully thick plume on its tail. However, they shed excessively twice a year, and throughout the year at barely a lower rate.

To keep the Golden’s coat looking naturally glamorous, a good brush at least every other day is vital, and a thorough grooming session once a week. Slicker brushes are best used on the body, but be gentle on the undercarriage where there is not much undercoat. A comb should be used for the feathering and ears, and a wide, metal brush is useful for the plume. They do not really require any more bathing than any other dog, but every 2 months is ideal to keep the coat in tip top condition.

Golden Retriever Common Ailments/Health Issues

The number 1 killer of Golden Retrievers is cancer. Due to this some experts are suggesting that the average life span could be down to 10-11 years. Because cancer in Goldens can be largely genetic, buying from a good, knowledgeable and careful breeder can reduce the chances of cancer in the later life of your Golden.

Canine Hip dysplasia (CHD) is a malformation of the hip joint, caused from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Puppies from 8 weeks can be crippled, but other dogs may exhibit no symptoms their entire life. It is sensible before breeding that parents have their hips screened, and the scores are available to potential buyers. The scores show the chance of the puppies suffering from CHD.

Due to their floppy ears and the long fur surrounding them, Goldens are susceptible to ear infections. The ear anatomy is prone to trapping moisture and heat, a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, lice and infections to take hold. Regular cleaning and drying can considerably help this. Large amounts of wax that is very dark in colour, regular head shaking or rubbing on the ground and tilting the head to one side are all symptoms of an infection.

Goldens are not fussy eaters, have a big appetite and a bottomless stomach to accommodate. Without adequate exercise they are very prone to weight gain so controlled feeding is wise.

Temperament of the Golden Retriever

It could be argued that this is the most friendly, willing, affectionate, gentle, patient, laid-back dog breed there is. It loves everyone: babies, children, pensioners, visitors, deliverymen, passer’s by in the street and other pets of any species. Often employed as a therapy dog, the Golden seems to have an ability to sense those with mental disorders or the very elderly, and has a tolerance threshold that cannot be reached.

Training a Golden Retriever

Intelligent and eager to please, the Golden Retriever is an easy pleasure to train. They do however lack some focus that comes natural to other typical working breeds, but food is sure to keep them engaged. For any strenuous training, it is vital that the Golden is naturally enthusiastic about the activity, otherwise it’s like trying to get a cucumber to dance.

Exercise for a Golden Retriever

The Golden is happy to sleep for 10 hours or walk for 10 miles, but they do not have a naturally athletic body, so regular exercise is vital to keep them fit. Also prone to weight gain thanks to their unfussy appetite, two 30 minute walks per day is essential, one hour for each walk is ideal.

History of the Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is descendant from the Flat-coated Retriever, which it now overshadows and has largely replaced in popularity. In 1865, the man who would later become Lord Tweedmouth, designed a breeding plan to create the perfect gundog on his Scottish estate near Inverness.

A Brighton cobbler owned a litter of black wavy coated retrievers, in which there was a single yellow one. Tweedmouth purchased this puppy, called Nous, and mated him three years later with a Tweed Water Spaniel bitch named Belle. Out of their litter of four yellow puppies, Cowslip was selected and mated with a Red Setter, and a Tweed Water Spaniel. The Water Spaniel ancestry explains the modern Golden Retrievers love for water. The offspring of these two litters were bred back with black wavy-coated Retrievers. The puppies that resulted from this were a chocolate box of variety, from pure black to light cream. The golden puppies were selected and bred together, creating the foundation stock of the golden retriever. However it was originally named the Flat-coated Retriever, Golden, and it was registered under that name with the Kennel Club in 1903.

First exhibited at a dog show in 1908, 1911 saw the Golden Retriever Club being formed, and it was classed as a separate breed being called the Yellow or Golden Retriever. Since dogs the colour of the yellow Labrador (that was gaining in popularity as a working dog at the same time) were not being produced, the ‘Yellow or’ was dropped from its title, and Golden Retrievers in the colour from cream to golden were only acceptable.

The Golden Retriever made its first appearance in North America at the end of the 19th century, and in Canada in 1881, it finally reached the United States in 1890, but wasn’t accepted by the AKC until 1932. It spread right around the globe and is now one of the most internationally recognised of all dogs.

Famous Golden Retriever dogs:

Air Bud – 1997 film about a Golden Retriever who could play basketball. Sequel Air Bud: Golden Receiver 1998

Snow Buddies – 2008 film starring five golden retriever puppies that take part in a thrilling dog sledge race across Alaska.

Lucky – In the several Dr Dolittle movies.

Shelby – The golden retriever in the TV series Smallville.

Isabella – A golden retriever at Safari Zoological Park, made famous for nursing and raising three white baby tiger cubs that had been rejected by their mother.

Useful links:

The Golden Retriever Council, representing the 13 Golden Retriever Clubs in the UK

Southern Golden Retriever Rescue, in the South-East of England

North-West Golden Retriever Rescue

Golden Retriever Gifts from calendars, t-shirts, mugs, plush puppets to porcelain ornaments.

The yacht, called the Tafadzwa, was found seemingly abandoned after its captain, Paul Janse van Rensburg, went missing while at sea. When the recue boat pulled alongside the yacht they were amazed to see the head of a golden retriever cross, named Juanita, pop up from the hatch.

Floyd Prendeville is one of the fishermen from the boat Legionaire, that found the Tafadzwa. He commented:

When we pulled up alongside, she poked her head out for a bit, but went down below again.

She was very wary of me, and then I just pulled her in and gave her a couple of comforting pats, and she was shaking, and then she came right.

Obviously she was looking for someone. I tried to give her a bit of water and she didn’t want water, so she wasn’t dehydrated in any way.

The dog had spent 17 days alone aboard the boat, drifting with the winds between the East Cape and the Chathams – which is over 700km south east of Napier. Somehow the dog managed to find water and food for itself when its owner, Janse van Rensburg, fell overboard and was lost at sea.

Mr Prendeville explained the moment they came up to the drifting yacht:

I’ve never come across a boat with nobody on it, drifting in the ocean, torn sails.

It was eerie going on board. I hadn’t seen the news this morning. I heard about it through talk on the island, and I just jumped on board to help out in any way I could.

When we pulled up alongside, I don’t know what I was expecting. I was hoping to see somebody, maybe.

After being recovered, Juanita was given some time to find her land legs before being taken to the constable’s house to recuperate. It is not known will happen to Juanita now as her owner’s family have not come to collect her.

Constable Kane Haerewa commented that the dog is recovering well and beginning to find her playful side again:

She’s running around with the kids. She’s a lot better than she was when we first got on the boat …

She isn’t 100 per cent – dogs aren’t really made for the sea, and two weeks or over by yourself in some pretty rugged sea, I don’t think is very easy.

The example of dog courage occurred in Boston Bar in Canada and the incident involved an 11-year-old child, a wild cougar and a white golden retriever, Angel. Austin Forman was assaulted by the cougar when he was engaged in the collection of firewood. Cougars seldom venture into the neighbourhood and Austin was understandably shocked by the cougar attack which happened just before teatime. Although the cougar may have been immature, it seems to have been over two feet tall and its paws were large. Austin was unprepared for the attack and the first he knew of it was when Angel interceded on his behalf.

Angel had attempted to alert Austin to the threat prior to the appearance of the cougar, but Austin could not interpret Angel’s slightly eccentric behaviour. In the fight between Angel and the cougar, much blood was shed and Austin initially did not know what to do. However, Austin reacted swiftly and ran into the house for assistance. With the obtaining of help, the cougar was defeated, but it at first looked like Angel had sustained a fatal injury. Fortunately, Angel soon revived and looks very well set to make a full recovery. Austin would have been heartbroken if things had turned out differently.

To reward Angel, Austin’s family bought her a prime T-bone steak. Their gratitude for Angel’s valour may be expressed several times in the future.

Oh yes, and the collar can save your dog from falling 70ft off a cliff.

That’s just what happened to a golden retriever who was chasing a rabbit by a cliff’s edge on the Isle of Wight. The golden retriever is called Mac and he chased the rabbit off the cliff, and rather than fall to his death was saved when his collar became snagged on the rocks.

Mac still suffered serious injury, breaking tow of his legs and suffering a collapsed lung, but he survived and is now walking again, albeit with the aid of splints.

Mac was with his owner Margaret Sills when he bolted after a rabbit, heading straight over the cliff top.

His owner explains:

It saved his life. If he hadn’t been wearing one he would have just free-fallen all the way and there’s no way he could have survived.

After being taken to the animal hospital, Mac was operated on and given pins in his legs.

He’ll be in the plaster casts for six months so he can lead a true dog’s life until then.

He can’t really move so I’ve been helping him get outside on special ramps I made for him. He can barely support his own weight so I even have to support him when he goes to the toilet. He’s really embarrassed I’m sure.

Mrs Sills also has problems walking, just like Mac, after being the victim of four strokes. She is delighted that her dog survived, call because of his dog collar:

He’s my only companion at home and he’s my best friend. He makes a lot of things possible for me. If I can’t get out of my chair he comes over and supports me. He even picks up my mobile phone when I can’t reach it and I haven’t even trained him to do it.

Now it’s my turn to go around picking things up for him, but I don’t mind at all. I’m just so happy he’s still here.

This just goes to show how important it is that your dog wears a collar at all times. You never know when it will save their life.

The 17 year old Wisconsin teenager, Jon Meier, was to take a school trip to Peru with his Spanish class, but the family’s one year old Golden Retriever named Sunshine had had a little chomp on the corner of the passport, which meant a few of the numbers were unreadable.  Meier didn’t have time to get another passport.

Meier’s hopes were up when officials at O’Hare Airport in Chicago told him the slightly chewed passport would be ok but when they got to Miami, officials there rejected the passport and refused to let him aboard the airplane.

Meier was naturally disappointed in missing the 12 day trip to Peru, which returned earlier this week but told the media he couldn’t blame anybody and not his dog.  He added:

“I love her too much”

Ah, the words of a young dog lover who didn’t pay for the trip himself.  How much do you love your dog, would you forgive him for making you miss your holiday?

There are six retriever dog breeds recognised by the Kennel Club as Retrievers and these are:

•    Labrador Retriever
•    Golden Retriever
•    Flat Coated Retriever
•    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
•    Curly Coated Retriever
•    Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The correct term for a Labrador is actually a Labrador Retriever, although they are often referred to as a Lab.  In terms of appearance, the Labrador Retriever should be entirely black, liver/chocolate, yellow or cream in colour although a white patch on the chest is not uncommon.  Their coat will be short haired, flat and give a fairly hard feel to the touch.

The Golden Retriever should range from dark golden to pale cream in colour.  Their coat will be flat or wavy, but longer than the coat of the Labrador Retriever.  Generally speaking, the Golden Retriever is usually the shorter of the two breeds.

Wendy, who lives in Barnstaple, Devon, suffers from a skin condition that means her skin is very brittle and blisters constantly. She has been given a golden retriever named Edward to help perform daily tasks to save her skin from blistering.

Edward has been helping Wendy since he was a puppy, and responds to over 100 different commands. His skills range from helping Wendy to undress, to taking clothes out of the washing machine.

To help feed Edward, the local council gives Wendy £30 each week.

Wendy says that Edward has made her life much easier:

He has gone for help before if I need it.

If I stop breathing in the middle of the night and my husband and I are both asleep, Edward’s worrying my husband’s pillow, saying: ‘She needs help’.

Edward has become a sort of carer for Wendy, so that her husband Peter doesn’t have to do everything himself.

If we go out, Peter’s not going as my carer, he’s going as my husband, and that is so important for the relationship.

Edward was paid for and trained by the charity ‘Canine Partners’.

Eric has relied on guide dogs for the past 20 years to allow him to stay mobile, and he’s had Alice for the past 6 years. However when Alice retires soon Eric will have the dog taken from him, and will not be given another one.

Officials for the charity have stated that because Eric’s health is poor and his mobility is sufficiently hindered that he cannot have another guide dog.

Eric is a retired factory worker who has had guide dogs since he was 60-years-old.

Eric claims his speed shouldn’t be a factor in refusing him a new guide dog:

I’m not Linford Christie – I am an old man not in the greatest of health,’ he said. ‘I suffer from sciatica so it’s hard for me to walk quickly.

A trip to the shops just two streets away usually takes me ten minutes with a dog. Without one, it will take me twice as long.

A man came round and checked my pace against Alice and saw how I reacted if she moved left or right. Then he said I wasn’t quick enough.

Without a new guide dog from Guide Dogs from the Blind, Eric will be forced to use a white stick to get around.

I’m very down about it, very disappointed.

Alice has been a good dog – she’s not only a guide dog, she’s company. It will be like having a member of the family taken away.

Compared to walking with a stick, walking with a dog is like a jet plane.

With a stick, you have to swing side to side and it’s just not the same.

You can miss some things. A dog doesn’t miss anything and will always find a way for you. It’s going to be a struggle with a stick.

Eric lives in Daubhill, Greater Manchester. He used to live with his wife Elsie, but she died in 1988. Shortly after in 1990 Eric had his first guide dog named Zilla, since then he has had a further two dogs.

Alice has been one of the best dogs I’ve had. She is still as alert as ever and she could go on for years.

They all have their own character and their quirks. Alice loves going out and meeting people. She always puts her paw up to say “Hello”.

According to the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity, Eric’s slow pace means he would not be able to look after a guide dog so cannot have one granted when Alice retires.

The charity was unable to accept Mr Gamsby for a replacement guide dog straight away due to concerns regarding his capability and potential safety to be a guide dog owner.

With a guide dog, Eric will be unable to get out of his home as much as he can with Alice.