Dam or Bitch?
I don’t like using the word “bitch” because it has a derogatory meaning in common language, but there is actually a difference between the words dam/bitch. The terms dam and bitch both refer to female dogs, but they are used in different contexts and carry different connotations: Dam Bitch Key Differences: Term Primary Use Tone…
Hot Spots!
We’ve been careful and fortunate that we’ve gone 3 years without a hot spot; that lucky streak ended this week. This post shares what I’ve learned during this process. Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly nature, loyal companionship, and gorgeous golden coats. But with that beautiful fur comes the responsibility of proper skin and…
Nosework Diary YouTube Channel
I’m excited to share some of Dixie Rose’s latest nose work lessons at school. I’ve decided to create a training diary and capture it on YouTube. She practices at home, but she especially loves attending school and learning from our teacher Julie Gaunt. This search was a first for us!! She did 2 paired hides…
Nosework Diary
I’m excited to share some of Dixie Rose’s latest nose work lessons at school. I’ve decided to create a training diary and capture it on YouTube. She practices at home, but she especially loves attending school and learning from our teacher Julie Gaunt. Each week she generally does 3-4 searches with 1-2 hides each search.…
How Do You Exercise Your Golden?
Golden Retrievers are classified as a sporting breed. They are one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide, known for their friendly disposition, intelligence, and versatility. They are not only excellent family pets but also excel in various roles such as service dogs, therapy dogs, and hunting companions. To keep a Golden Retriever healthy and…
Suicide in Veterinary Medicine
I learned today that vets have some of the highest rates of suicide in the healthcare profession. Our vets are literally dying from compassion and empathy for our pets. Several studies have identified a link between suicide and occupation. The rate of suicide in the veterinary profession has been pegged as close to twice that…
Now We’re Spelling
Golden retrievers are known for their intelligence and trainability, which makes teaching them a variety of words possible. Obviously, we expect our dogs to learn the words we use every day (walk, sit, ball, etc.), but when a dog knows the language, it means they interact with our language! This sometimes catches us unprepared- like…
How to Trace a Pedigree
Tracing a dog’s lineage is fun as long as your dog’s ancestors are registered. Unregistered dogs pose challenges, mainly because they create a break in the chain. Imagine trying to trace your family tree without knowing your grandparents. It’s so valuable when owners register their dogs. The first place to start is the AKC website.…
Golden Retriever Coloring
Our golden retriever is a beautiful dog. She is technically AKC registered as a “light golden” (one of the only 3 recognized colors of golden retrievers) but in layman’s terms, I sometimes describe my Dixie Rose as a “strawberry blond.” For Dixie Rose, it’s all about the sunlight. In bright sun she is more red,…
Do Golden Retrievers Bark a Lot?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes the golden retriever as an exuberant Scottish gundog of great beauty, a serious worker, a superb guide for the blind, and a competent search-and-rescue dog. Of course, it’s also one of the most popular dogs in America – but does it bark a lot? I love the “Compare Dog…
12-Week Window: 100 Exposures in 100 Days
Socialization is the process of introducing your puppy to the world in a way that will help him be confident and unafraid of people, places and things that he will encounter throughout his life. The most critical socialization window occurs before the age of 12 weeks, and that window is considered to be closing by…
Service Animals vs Therapy Dogs?
I enjoy bringing Dixie Rose to dog-friendly stores and restaurants, but pups aren’t welcome everywhere. I’m always a little skeptical when I see someone with their dog sporting a $17 Amazon special harness and boldly marching past the store greeter with a “dare you to stop me” confidence. Service Animals The truth is that dogs…
H.E.A.R.T. Program
We are thrilled to announce that we are joining the AKC Breeding with H.E.A.R.T. program. We aren’t eligible until our litter has arrived, so still several months away, but making the decision to participate was an important one! This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate good breeder ethics, and our commitment to placing puppies…
7 Scents Dogs Can Detect
You know Dixie Rose is trained to detect birch, clove, and anise essential oils. Her search is for sport, but it’s the same principle used to train scent detection for work. Our scent teacher often reminds us that the dog already detects the odor; it’s the handler who has to be trained to recognize the…
Ethical Breeders
I follow a popular Golden Retriever blog called The Canine Chasm. Maegan, the writer, is also the founder of the Natural State Golden Retriever Club and owner of champion Golden Retrievers. I encourage you to check out her blog, but today, I want to share a checklist from her 2021 post How to Recognize Ethical…
An Easy Dog is Not a Houseplant
People are quick to point out that there are no bad dogs- only bad owners, but there are breeds that are more accommodating to the owner’s wishes, quicker to learn the owner’s demands, and naturally more agreeable. Owners who are determined to work with their dog 24/7/365 will undoubtedly end up with a “good dog”…
Testing Golden Retrievers Before Breeding
Dogs that are “only” family pets do not need OFA testing, but all dogs who are being considered for breeding need “all” OFA testing. Even pets may benefit from OFA testing, so if you’re curious about it, ask your vet if extra testing is recommended. In the case of this breeding pair (Dixie Rose x…
Inside or Outside?
Raising a puppy indoors offers several advantages compared to raising them outdoors: Socialization: Indoor environments typically provide more opportunities for puppies to interact with people, other pets, and various household stimuli. This exposure helps them develop better social skills and adaptability. Safety: Indoors, puppies are protected from outdoor hazards such as extreme weather, predators, poisonous…
Back to School!
After a brief maternity leave, our K9 Nosework instructor has resumed classes and we are back at it! (We really should have practiced more over our break… maybe she won’t notice?) Dixie Rose’s class is called “Advanced Odor” and is taught by the famous Julie Gaunt! Advanced Odor means Dixie Rose will locate 3 target…
Big Breeders are Big Business
There is no question a purebred registered pup can cost several thousand dollars. With most small breeders who take the time to ensure their dog has all health and genetic clearances and plan 1-3 litters in their dog’s lifetime, it is unlikely that they will make anything other than a modest profit. The costs you…
Full Pedigree Complete! 45-Generations!
Tracing a dog’s pedigree is fun, at least for a while, but unregistered dogs create deadends that require the tedious task of repeatedly starting over. To trace our full ancestry meant going back 45 generations. Mathematically, that’s over 2 trillion ancestors! Thankfully, I didn’t have to chase down every possibility because of the K9Data.com database.…
CHIC Number!
All testing and Dixie Rose’s health clearances are complete and after extensive rounds of testing, she has met every standard and issued her CHIC number! We are so proud! There is no better way to celebrate than with about 1,000 rounds of fetch. (read more about CHIC below) CHIC# 193071 A CHIC number is issued…
1 Year Anniversary Scent Training
This marks our 1-year anniversary with Gaunt Nose Dog Training guru Julie Gaunt-Harris. This wonderful sport was founded by Julie’s father Ron Gaunt along with his colleagues Amy Herot and Jill Marie O’Brien. Julie is a professional handler and trainer of narcotics and explosive detection canine. K9 Nose Work® is a fun game for any…
OFA: 1st Screening Results
Dixie Rose DeRosa passed her OFA health screenings with flying colors. She’s sleepy from the anesthesia, but wow are we excited! Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) health tests for hips, elbows, patella (knee), and cardiac. What to expect: we arrived at our vet’s office this afternoon and she was weighted and briefly examined before being…
OFA 1st Screening
We just celebrated Dixie Rose’s 1 year birthday, and that means it’s time for her first full OFA Health Screening. Our veterinarian will administer her essential Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) health tests. While this is always important before breeding a dog, having this valuable information early in your dog’s life can give you information…
Golden Retriever Puppies 