Your Golden greets you at the door like you’ve been gone a year, not an afternoon. The devotion of that nature pays off a bit. To keep one of them a-going in Colorado, however, requires more than a complete bowl and a belly rub.
Thin mountain air, bone-dry winter, and fierce heat of high country all have their claim to this breed. Smart Golden Retriever health and care out here implies getting along with the climate rather than combating it. The positive is that none of it is complex, given the understanding of what to seek.
Feed the Engine, Not the Couch
Goldens love to eat. They would gladly wash the bowl twice or more, should you allow it, and this is how so many of them become overweight.
Stick to good food according to the dog’s age and activity level. A hiking friend lights a fire more often than an older man sleeping next to the woodstove, and thus gets the pet dog a munch before you move on with the life changes.
Keep Your Pup Healthy!
Treats are also welcome; therefore, they should be small and based on merit. Keep an eye on the waistline, not the scoop.
A lean Golden is a long-lived Golden, full stop.
Exercise and the Altitude Factor
It is a working breed bored Golden chews baseboards. One who is slow of breath sleeps like a gentleman.
Colorado gives you a playground every playground owner could wish for. Just respect the elevation:
- Gradually increase in case you have shifted to a low altitude, as your dog also must.
- Always bring water along, and not even on those little trips, because the dry air quickly absorbs water.
- Exchange sweltering summer afternoons with cool mornings.
- Feel the paws and ears of forktails and burrs following tall grass.
Whether you brought home a family retriever or a working retriever, daily movement keeps both body and brain sharp.
Coat and Skin in Bone-Dry Air
That gorgeous double coat was built for the cold, which makes our winters the easy part. The actual annoyance is dryness.
Brush a couple of times a week to distribute natural oils and prevent mats. Take it easy with the baths, as an excess removes all the skin, leaving it dry and flaky. Fancy a complete program? We have a grooming guide that guides us through all the steps.
Split paw pads become apparent within hours of snowy walks, so that any balm will be a worthwhile purchase. One of the easiest indicators of good Golden Retriever health, both indoors and out, is a healthy coat.
Less bathing and more brushing is the golden rule in a dry climate.
Get Ahead of the Common Stuff
Goldens of good breed are amazingly robust, although the breed bears several identified watch points. It is always better to prevent trouble than to try to handle it afterwards.
Keep an eye on:
- Hips and joints, particularly in large, quickly growing puppies.
- Moisture gets trapped in the ears, causing them to swell up and become infected.
- With regular brushing and dental exams, the teeth.
- Annual visits to help monitor the weight, heart, and blood pressure.
The resources provided by the American Kennel Club will help in breed-specific screening of all Golden Retrievers. Pair that with a vet who knows the breed, and you’re set.
The Short Version
Golden Retriever care in Colorado comes down to a few simple habits. Eat smart at high altitude, exercise smart at higher altitudes, brush more than you bathe, and never miss checkups.
Do it, and your dog returns the favor with years of dirty paws and unconditional love. Considering a Golden as a family member, or have a care question about your Golden? Contact Slater Creek anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much exercise does a Golden Retriever really need in Colorado?
Adult Goldens, most desire no less than an hour of good work each day, and some are excited to allow you two. The altitude thing is to slide into it. A dog unaccustomed to higher altitudes will fatigue and lose water more easily, so it is best to begin with shorter walks and increase their duration as it adapts. Combine body work with mental training, such as fetch, scent games, and brief training sessions, as a Golden’s brain requires exercise just as much as its legs.
Do Golden Retrievers handle Colorado winters, okay?
Beautifully. And that heavy, twofold coat was designed to keep out the cold, and a lot of Goldens can’t take snow any better than the cold itself. The part to watch is their feet. Ice, road salt, and frozen ground crack paw pads. These cracks can form in a few swipes. You should wipe and check them after every walk and grab a balm when necessary. And resist the impulse to shed the coat in summer, as well, because in fact it is a coat impervious to heat and protects the skin against that high mountain sun.
What should I feed my Golden, and how often?
A good meal tailored to their daily life stage and level of activity covers most bases. The younger puppies are happiest with smaller meals divided throughout the day, and the adult animals take two regulated meals. Goldens are global beggars, and part your dog by body status and not by the whims and fancies of the beggar’s eyes. To price a specific litter or learn more about how we do it, Contact Us, and we will be happy to take you through it.
How do I choose a reputable Colorado breeder?
Seek health testing of both parents, a healthy and truly loving environment, and a breeder who poses as many questions to you as you pose to them. The good ones will be behind their dogs and will remain accessible even after your puppy returns home. You can always read our process, look through the previous litters, and contact us with any questions that you have. One of the greatest breeders takes the relationship to be an enduring one, not a one-time transaction.