Golden Retrievers are wonderful dogs. They are fun to live with, they are great family dogs. They are good at hunting, obedience, agility, therapy work and tracking. They are happy doing nothing (as long as it is with you) or doing everything (as long as it is with you). They are NOT outdoor dogs; that is, this is not a dog to acquire if you primarily want a dog that will live outside in your yard. They were bred to be gentlemen's hunting companions, with the emphasis on companion.

They shed and need constant watchfulness as puppies. They are terrible watch dogs. They love to play in mud and rain, and are extremely exuberant. In our view, they are all that a dog should be.

It is our belief that well-bred Golden Retrievers are generally quite healthy. We read and hear the terrible stories of allergies and bad hips and auto-immune problems and certainly these things occur, but not terribly frequently.

One of the key things in Goldens is to learn about the health issues that are real, and to locate the resources that can provide you with information. The Internet has made this much easier -- and provided a great deal of misinformation.

The most important step you can take is to find a really good veterinarian. Unfortunately we find that many people assume that because there is a license, a veterinarian is competent. Just as with human doctors, some are better than others. Some elected that career because it can be lucrative, some because they love animals.

Dogs are big business these days with all the major drug companies devoting resources for dog drugs. The trick is not to substitute common sense for pills. And so ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get a second opinion (not a referral from your current vet) if there is a major health issue. We feel so strongly about this that one of the requirements to get a Sunbeam puppy is to buy and read "How To Afford Veterinary Care Without Mortgaging The Kids" by Dr. James L. Busby. While we don't agree with everything he says, we're with him on most things. (www.oldcountryvet.com). We give our puppy people lots of information on supplements and other homeopathic ways to take care of dogs. And we try to update the information on a regular basis. Make sure that your breeder does the same for you.

It's hard to imagine that if you have the right circumstances, lots of patience and a sense of humor, that adding a Golden Retriever to your family will not enhance you life. And when you are thinking about a Golden temperament, keep this video in mind.

SWIM PARTY - CALICOS and SUNBEAMS from Cathie Turner on Vimeo.