Page 30 - ShowSight Presents The Golden Retriever
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desire to please they excel in obedience tri- als. They are particularly valued for their high level of sociability towards people, calmness, and willingness to learn and will remember what they are taught for the rest of their lives. In fact, the first three AKC Obedience Trial Champions were Golden Retrievers. They are also very com- petitive in agility and other performance events. However, harsh training methods frequently cause Goldens to “shut down,” therefore positive methods are a better way to train these dogs.
The affable Golden is a welcome addi- tion to any dog team. As search-and-rescue dogs, Golden’s are enthusiastic and bidda- ble, often working long hours for a game of fetch or tug. As service dogs, Goldens bring independence and freedom to their human partners day in and day out.
The Golden Retriever is the ultimate therapy dog. He is unrivaled in his abil- ity to comfort and give hope to the many
lonely folks who eagerly count the days until his next visit. Not every dog can be a good therapy dog. A therapy dog must not only possess the right temperament, he must also have extensive training and social skills with other dogs and people to be a useful partner in the visiting therapy team.
Goldens, with their trusting nature, do not make the best guard dogs. They are excellent when it comes to barking when a stranger approaches, but as soon as the stranger arrives, they are met with a wag- ging tail and lick.
The Golden Retriever is an athletic working dog, a companion beyond com- pare, beautiful to behold, and possessed of a kind and generous spirit. They adore their owners and exhibit what can be described as unconditional love. The grace and beauty of the Golden Retriever makes them easy on the eyes, while the breed’s compassionate nature keeps owners loyal to this versatile breed.
BIO
Rita Robins has
owned and trained
Golden Retrievers
for over thirty years.
Her first Golden was
a four-year-old res-
cue named “Rocky”
that introduced her
to competitive dog
sports and achieved
his UD, SH and WCX titles. She strives to maintain the versatility of the Golden by competing in conformation, field and performance events.
Rita is an AKC qualified MH judge and has titled multiple dogs includ- ing CH, UD, MH, TD, HRCH, WCX, VCX, SDHF and DDHF. She and her husband, Gerry, typically have one or two rescue dogs amongst their clan and she tries to find an activity that each of the dogs can enjoy.
“...A COMPANION BEYOND COMPARE, BEAUTIFUL TO BEHOLD, AND POSSESSED OF A KIND AND GENEROUS SPIRIT.”
