cancer and goldens

Question
 I really miss my golden I had for 12 yrs. that had to be put down, she was full of lymphoma. I talked to a woman who was an assistant at the Cornell Univ. cancer clinic for dogs and she told me that about 75% of the dogs they get in are golden retrievers. She also thought that the breed is so inter-bred that the cancer is pretty much through the whole breed. She thinks that if you bred one from Calif. with one from the east coast they would still likely get cancer.  Do you think the cancer could be that rampant throughout the breed?  I've read they don't have this problem in Europe but that would be too costly to buy from overseas. There may be breeds that are as friendly but none that are friendlier toward humans than goldens and would love to get another, but really don't need the heartache.
 What is your opinion, should I take a chance?
           Thanks, Dave

Answer
Goldens.  We were fortunate to have a 10 year old visit us last night.  Fine, healthy boy.  We talked about another friend that has a 12 year old male Golden, still in good health.  We have a 16 week old Lab/Golden.  Goldens are super dogs.  We make fun of a black Lab that was part of group last night.  He so loves attention, we call him a Golden in a Lab coat.  It is hard not to love a Golden, at least until you return from the field and try to brush it.

I have no reason to  doubt what the lady from Cornell told you.  Yes, there are many poorly bred Goldens, and perhaps some of them are more susceptible to cancer.  I can say with certainty that there are lines of Goldens that have long, active lives.  We talked last night about the 10 year old, and how he may may have to retire from the strenuous job as dog guide in a few more years.  At that time, it will cost the price of a new car to train a replacement for him.  His partner will go through a terrible emotional upheaval.  All the dogs mentioned in my first paragraph were bred to be dog guides.  Labs dominate, but after them, Goldens are one of the more popular breeds for that and other service dogs.  The schools are all private charities.  They can't afford to train dogs that will have their working life shortened by cancer.

We know another lady that has 5 Goldens as old as 15 years old.  The 15 year old is not carefully selected service dog stock, but just one that sort of came with her house.  He is on the old side and not doing too well now.  The dog guide school we do most of our volunteer work for doesn't even keep their own Golden studs.  There are so many great Goldens out there, they have no problem finding ones free of physical and personality defects to breed to their females.  Our cross they bred, was more to mellow the Labs than any problem with the Goldens.

Do not deny your heart a Golden.  Choose carefully.  Many breeders may be surprised to have you ask about longevity and the health of older dogs they have bred.  Many breeders have far different priorities.  Once you get your puppy, start it on a commercial puppy chow, switching it to adult chow at 4 months.  Stick to one source of protein when it is young, and that will make it easier to work around it, if it eventually develops allergies.  One of the biggest factors in avoiding cancer is to spay/neuter it 6 months.  Keep it lean.  Overweight shortens more dogs' lives than cancer.  See http://www.purina.com/dogs/nutrition.asp?article=292

Come back when you have found the right Golden.  I can help you get it off to a good start.