 |
Golden Mountain Dog |
|
He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Switzerland -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Golden Mountain Dog |
| Big and beautiful are two words that personify the Golden Mountain Dog, a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog. Not only are they incredibly handsome and noble, they're also beautiful on the inside. Concerned and loving, Golden Mountain Dogs will always put their family first and are incredibly affectionate. With a soft, thick coat, often brown and black, Golden Mountain Dogs look very much like Golden Retrievers that have been dyed. With a strong, athletic body, they are powerful dogs that need plenty of exercise to keep them in shape. |
History of the Golden Mountain Dog |
| While the Golden Mountain Dog may seem more like a mythical creature than a specific cross-breed of dog, this mix between the gentle Golden Retriever and the dedicated Bernese Mountain Dog is now a reality. Little is known about when and where they were born, but we do have a lot of information about their parents. |
A little of the Golden Retriever |
||
| The development of the Golden Retriever as a breed is attributed to Scottish Lord Tweedmouth. He worked diligently between around 1835 and 1890 to develop a golden dog gifted at retrieving waterfowl. He achieved this by selecting golden puppies from litters produced by matings between the now extinct Tweed Water Dogs, Flat-Coated Retrievers and Irish Setters. Officially recognized by the Kennel Club in 1911, they were then referred to as yellow or golden, and it was in the 1920s that the golden moniker was officially adopted. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Golden Retriever | ||
A little of the Bernese Mountain Dog |
||
| The Bernese Mountain Dog is a Swiss working dog that has been working for centuries as a farm dog, raising livestock and protecting them from potential predators. Although they require a lot of exercise and attention, they are often kept as pets in continental Europe. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Bernese Mountain Dog |
Appearance of the Golden Mountain Dog |
| The Golden Mountain Dog is an impressive dog with a sturdy body built in proportion and should not have exaggerated features. Their head tends to be thinner than that of the Bernese Mountain Dog and more like that of the Golden Retriever. Their muzzle is of medium length, ending in a good-sized black nose. Their dark brown eyes are relatively small, with an alert expression. As with their parents, their ears hang down to frame their face and are neither too long nor too heavy. Their legs are straight and powerful, ending in broad paws. The Golden Mountain Dog's coat is of medium length, incredibly dense and soft. Although called the Golden Mountain Dog, their coat is not golden, and most individuals are black, bicolor (black and white or black and brown) or tricolor (black, white and brown). At maturity, these large dogs can reach heights of 61 to 66 cm and weights of 34 to 50 kg. |
Temperament of the Golden Mountain Dog |
| Often described as a gentle giant, Golden Mountain Dogs are kind-hearted and affable souls, as laid-back as they come. They show great loyalty to their families and become particularly attached to the children in the household, whom they will aim to protect and keep safe. Although sensitive, these dogs also have a playful streak and love to joke and play games. Calm and quiet most of the time, Golden Mountain Dogs are pleasant companions and well-behaved house guests. Although they may bark at new arrivals, they don't make good guard dogs, as they tend to welcome strangers willingly. Although the Golden Mountain Dog is people-oriented and enjoys being around two-legged animals, they don't tend to be overly dependent on them, and conditions such as separation anxiety rarely develop. An independent animal, the Golden Mountain Dog is content with its own company or that of other dogs. |
Needs and activities of the Golden Mountain Dog |
| Big and friendly, Golden Mountain Dogs come from a working environment, so they like to be active and engaged. A walk twice a day is ideal, whether in the neighborhood, on the beach or on the river. They make an ideal training dog, running alongside you or your bike. Keep their minds stimulated with plenty of play, especially when they're challenged. Games of fetch or tug-of-war will be fun, or a visit to the pet park will offer opportunities to socialize with other dogs. They're not averse to splashing in the water to relax a bit with the kids. |
Maintenance of the Golden Mountain Dog |
| Golden Mountain Dogs are high on the maintenance list, their long, thick coats seem to be in a constant state of shedding although there is a respite during the winter months. They need daily brushing and your home will need vacuuming more often, but for such a charming and natural dog, most owners consider this a small price to pay. While brushing, don't forget to check in their ears, as many dogs contract infections and inflammation in this area. Wipe the ear with a soft, damp cloth and don't insert anything into the ear canal. Train your gentle giant to enjoy letting you brush his teeth and gently clip his nails. He'll love the attention and the grooming will keep him looking good. Bathe him only when necessary, with a mild dog soap to preserve his waterproof coat. |
English (United Kingdom) 
Comments