Quote:
Originally Posted by Slynky
Really? I mean, I know, in general, bigger dogs live shorter lives than smaller ones. But are you saying golden retrievers and even an exception to that?
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Yep. They are prone to a smorgas board of health issues. The methods used in developing the breed, incredibly poor breeding standards in the 70s and 80s when they were "The Breed To Own", and being a large dog. Out of the four we've had, Rosie is the first to make it to 10 years. One dropped dead from a poor heart right in the yard, and another we had to have put down for tremendously malformed hips.
Our first one, JJ, died at 9 1/2 from canine leukemia.
However, they have such incredible personalities that even people that are uncomfortable around dogs are prone to like their affection and good nature.