My lovely Golden Retriever bitch died in her sleep mid morning a couple of days ago. She'd eaten her breakfast with enthusiasm a few hours before and been out in the garden with the other 2. They all came in and settled down to sleep in the hall. When we went to go out a short time later, she had died in her sleep. We were in the next room, door open and didn't hear a sound and there was no sign of a struggle. She wasn't quite 2 and I am devastated as I bred her and she was my 'baby'. Any suggestions as to what it could have been please?

How awful, deepest sympathies.

Lots of reasons, I'd be having a post portem pronto if it was me. Especially as you say its one you have bred yourself.

I don't have any suggestions, just wanted to say how sorry I am. What a terrible shock for you.

So very sorry.

A pup I bred myself died in his sleep aged 5 months. The owners had a post Mortom done and nothing was found. Heart,brain everything all fine. A friend of mine lost one at a similar age also with no found cause.

Sorry, I know it doesn't help you find answers and even a post Mortom may fail to do that but sadly this isn't that uncommon. I would have the PM done to see if you can get closure from it .

Again so sorry x

As a fellow GR owner and with a three year old girl, I can fully understand how devestated you must be feeling. I hope you are able to find out what happened to your dog. Although it probably doesn't help much, at least she didn't suffer.

No answers for you but wanted to say how sorry I am.  I understand how hard it is to loose them young especially one you have bred.  Run free special girl. xxx

If there were no other signs I would think you were looking at a heart or related cause - supraventricular tachycardia - pulmonary thromboembolism - subaortic stenosis - TIA - aneurysms - cardiomyopathy - ischemia/myocardial infarct...
I would look into it as you bred your little one as hard as it is to think of having a post mortem.... that is a really hard thing to go through too.

I am so sorry for your loss - with a dog that young it is little comfort that they went suddenly and peacefully even though it is how we all wish our old ones would go.

I cant imagine what it must feel like or what you must be going through.  I don't know what else to say except you have my sympathy and that I'm sending you a big hug.

How awful for you. My Goldens are my life. I can't imagine anything more devastating especially as she was so young and apparently healthy.  My hunch would be sub aortic stenosis. This was identified as a potential problem in Goldens back in the 70s / 80s and of course the breeders at the time were up in arms in denial. However, there was enough evidence for the medics to want to highlight it and I believe, ask for testing. A two year old, bred by me, dropped dead in the park at that time.  He was perfectly healthy until that point. I was not told in time to request a p.m. and , let's face it, it would not have brought him back. I guess if you want to continue breeding from the same lines, a p.m. would be at least advisory and a responsible breeder would do that to prevent the heart ache happening to anyone else.  Try to focus on her happy times which I don't doubt were many. She must have had a very happy 2 years. Take comfort from that, if not now but in the future. Goldens make the most of EVERY minute and I am sure that your baby did just that.

Terribly sad for you, no insight on cause although a dog I sold was found dead when the owners came home, no signs of anything wrong, PM showed heart failure.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

So very, very sorry to read this.  I can truly understand your devastation.  I've lost a youngster suddenly and I wouldn't have a PM because it wouldn't bring her back.  I haven't bred a litter since, the hurt was all consuming. 

RIP lovely girl.  x

Gosh how terrible, you must be devastated. I would try to get a post mortem for peace of mind, though I know it won't bring her back. xx