Golden Retriever Help please!?

Question

I want a dog for the whole family to enjoy. My brother and I really want a golden retriever. While my mom and dad want a small dog. I'm fine if we just get a small dog becuase I really just want a dog in general. But I really prefer a golden retriever. Could you give me some information about golden retrievers, with past experiences if you have had one or still do. Please write appropraite responses becuase my mother will be reaing this. Please only people who own a golden retriever answer this or know a lot of information. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Golden Retrievers are great family pets, they are medium sized, and can shed a bit if you dont keep them trimmed when summertime comes, but they are energetic and fun-loving. The best breed to have around children of all ages, and are very attuned to how people are feeling. If you are sad, this breed is going to know, and they are going to make an effort to cheer you up. Most Retrievers love water, so break out the water hose.

Answer 2

Golden Retrievers are GREAT family dogs.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/index.cfm

People think that small dogs will be easier, but they're NOT. They usually have more energy and are much harder to housebreak. Females are a bit smaller than the males. If they really don't want a Golden, consider a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. They are very rare, but are sort of a smaller (and more expensive) version of a Golden.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/nova_scotia_duck_tolling_retriever/index.cfm

Goldens are quiet, friendly and sweet, minimizing the risk that your parents might get sued if your dog ever bites someone. Long-haired dogs like Goldens do shed some, but they shed LESS than a short-haired dog and it's a LOT easier to vacuum up. A Lab's hair is nearly impossible to vacuum up from the carpet and upholstery. Goldens are among the EASIEST dogs to housebreak and obedience train. If you use a crate for the first year, you almost never have problems with chewing. They do like to fetch and carry things, so you'll have to train them that only a few toys are theirs - everything else is OFF limits!

BEFORE you get any dog you should read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money. The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.

Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are often kept in deplorable conditions - spending their entire lives in small wire-bottomed cages. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there.

These so-called "breeders" have now figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.

Answer 3

Golden retrievers are probably the sweetest dog breed in existance. Mine was named Kiska, and she just died this past November of cancer at the age of 13. My family and I adopted another one, a pup, just about 5 weeks ago... they are really a wonderful family dog and loyal companion.

The only things you have to be prepared for that may not be great are:
1) shedding! - Goldens have a lot of hair and shed it a lot!
2) hyperactivity - Goldens have a higher liklihood of being hyperactive, due to the breed being so popular and thus bred more often than other types of dogs
3) many Goldens get hip displasia and cancer in their old age, and most die as a result of either of these problems between the ages of 10 and 12

Good luck!
I would highly recommend a Golden over a small dog since it is going to be a family pet. Goldens are so friendly, faithful, and trustworthy that they won't require a lot of socialization to become a wonderful neighborhood dog. Just make sure you do a lot of leash training and don't encourage hyperactive behaviors.

Answer 4

I have only owned one dog in my life. And he is a Golden Retriever. He was born on my birthday. I personally adore him. They are very smart dogs. My dog was a breeze to train, and I also taught him lots of tricks like playing dead, roll over, shake, jumping through hoops etc.. Other answers claim they are medium dogs.. well that is not true. They can be medium, but it really depends of the dog. My dog weighs almost 90 pounds.... not really medium... But he is very beautiful... people on the street always compliment my family on how beautiful he is. He has the most expressive face, and is truly an adorable dog. Some golden retrievers are very energetic and are always on the go, while some prefer to cuddle... but they are all very friendly and good with children. The one book i suggest to buy is Golden Retrievers for Dummies, it is the best book! Goldens are Great Companions, but they have long fur, so they do shed! You also need to have a big backyard, and you must dedicate yourself to this dogs happiness... you can't just leave the dog home alone all day! Even if you have a big yard, they are not going to exercise themselves, you need to be an active family who can take the dogs on walks to the beach or to your brother's soccer game! Any other questions, just let me know! I would be happy to send pictures etc! You must have a lot of time to spend with your pooch!

Answer 5

Goldens should have a fenced in area large enough to run and play in safety. they are way too social to be kept outside in a kennel. they need a lot of affection.

Their coat requires daily brushing as they tend to shed all year round. Labrador retrievers have shorter hair but they still shed.
not as bad as a golden retriever though.

They are extremely intelligent, gentle and loyal.

The breed displays amazing tolerance for children. Although their size can overwhelm a small child, this didn't stop my little girl from crawling all over my lab when she was 5 months old, and he loved her so much no matter what.

You won't have to worry about a snippy little dog snapping at the younger children with a retriever. When they get tired of being mauled by the kids they just slowly get up and find a quiet place to hide out of the way.

If you have the room and the time, get a real dog not a toy. Also please don't leave them outside your home. They are social animals that show emotions and need interaction with the entire family. Little dogs tend to find one person to whom they attach themselves to.

Answer 6

My mother-in-law trains service dogs. She prefers dogs that are either Golden's or Labs. Her golden shed's less than her 5 other dogs. Little dogs are ok, but tend to be "high maitance" dogs, where as golden's are much more care free. For example, little dogs demand a lot of your attention, where as a Golden doesn't mind going off in a corner to sleep for a bit. They are very easy to train & very people friendly. You should get a dog that fits your family's personality. If you're very active, get a dog with a little more energy. If your not so active, get a dog that doesn't have so much energy. Golden's are generally a well rounded fit for just about any family.

Answer 7

Hi - I have had the pleasure of having two golden retrievers-my first one was Casey, a male, deep red golden who lived to be eleven. I got him when my kids were 8 and 5 years old. I now have Maggie, another darker red golden who is five years old. Both dogs were (and are) loving, wonderful pets, easy to train, and they love all kids and other dogs. Maggie even had a pet cat (my now-grown daughter's cat) and they would sit and play with each other endlessly. I also have a husky/shepherd mix who is younger than Maggie, and she accepted him completely.

I crate trained both dogs and have never had an accident in the house with any of the dogs. Goldens are notoriously even tempered and loving.

The only downside is that they need a lot of exercise, you need to brush them alot, and they are useless as guard dogs due to their reputation as sweet dispositioned dogs. They are very alert though, and will bark if they hear someone outside the house.

Personally, I would never have another kind of dog other than a golden. (the husy mix was a dog that was being neglected by a family when we were on vacation, and we offered to take it off their hands and did so...). Also if you purchse a golden (or any dog for that matter), make sure you see both parents so you have an idea of the size and termperment of the pup. Remember that goldens are puppylike in nature (but not in size!!) until they are about 2 years old, and can be very active until they settle down around 2 or so. Not obnoxious, just lots of energy. Also make sure the golden is check for family history of hip dysplaysia (excuse spelling). That can be a hearbreaker if you have a dog who develops it, and golden are prone to it. And of course, be prepared for the vet and food bills. My golide eats about 2 cups of Iams dry food a day-a good premium food is best for the dog's health and longevity. Assume about $500 a year in vet bills-it may not be that much, but good vet care isn't cheap-you might find a verternary oollege in your town or nearby that can provide wonderful care at a fraction of the cost of a regular vet. Check out pet insurance, too...can save a bundle in the long run.

I hope your parents decide on a godlen. They are wonderful, playful, obedient and sensitive dogs, and a joy to welcome to any family. Good luck, hon!!!

Answer 8

I know you requested someone who owns a golden but I thought I would comment even though I don't own one. I have known many people who have had goldens and loved the dogs.

Golden Retrievers are typically very gentle, very loving dogs. They usually love everyone and are eager to please their humans. They rarely meet a stranger and are a wonderful breed of dogs. They are not small dogs so if a small dog is what you want or need for the yard or space you have, a golden might not be the dog for you. That is of course, unless you or your family is willing to take the dog walking etc. to get some exercise and burn off some energy.

When getting any dog, I would encourage you to consider all the pros and cons of dog ownership and be sure you and your family are willing to take on the cost and responsibilities. It is not cheap to have a dog these days and give it proper vet care and good quality food. And they do require time and energy. They are a living thing and requires you to care for them. Many dogs end up in shelters because people do not consider these things before getting a dog. Then they grow tired of the dog and stick it out in the yard where they are alone, exposed to the cold and heat and get no attention or dump them in shelters to die.

I really encourage you and your family to look for your dog in a local shelter. Literally hundreds of thousands of dogs are killed in shelters each year because no one wants them. If you can find one from a shelter, (check your local animal control or humane society ) whether it is a golden or a mixed breed or whatever, saving its life will be a wonderful thing for you to do. You can also go to www.Petfinder.com and look for a golden or other dogs available either in shelters or through rescue groups in your area.
With so many dogs in need of homes I encourage you not to buy a dog but adopt one instead.

It would be good if you can read up on different breeds of dogs to learn a little bit about the temprament of that breed before looking for a dog. That way, you will kind of know what to avoid or what might fit into your family and your lifestyle. For example, a jack russel terrier tends to be a high energy dog and requires a lot of exercise or he bounces off the walls with energy.
Pretty much the same with a border collie. If you have a large yard for burning off energy and can give the dog some play time that breed might work. Otherwise, you might want to read about the temprament of different breeds that might be more subdued.

Dogs are wonderful companions. They give you unconditional love and would literally lay down their life for you. If you will just give a dog love and care, you will have a friend for life. I hope you can find a wonderful dog for you and your family...one you can keep and love forever. Good luck!

Answer 9

I bought a Golden Retriever for my kids two years ago, and boy was I in for a surprise. Golden Retrievers are great family dogs meaning they will most likely not bite anyone, but they are hyper. The hyper thing doesn't go away for at least two years, because mine is two and he's still ornery. I have six acres which are "invisible fenced" so he can run, but he would just stand at the door and bark because he wanted to be with us. We got another dog at the pound, an English chocolate lab, who is much calmer. My Golden at least has a playmate now, but he's still a handful. I would seriously think about a smaller dog. I love my Golden to pieces, but unless the whole family is going to spend weeks and a lot of money training, and commitment, it will be frustrating. Yes they are loveable, but in a needy, "pet me pet me pet me" kind of way.

Answer 10

My family has owned two. They are really nice sweet dogs. Usually VERY good with kids. But they are active, and need to be with their families. They do best as house dogs with a yard to run in. They also need some grooming, not a huge amount, but at least twice a week. Dogs from straight show lines have heavier coats, therefore need more grooming. Dogs from straight field lines have less coat, but are higher energy. They are intelliegnt dogs, and need activities to keep them busy or they will find ways to occupy themselves, like digging or barking. They do very well in obedience, agility or flyball, even with novice handlers. They also make great lake companions. They love "kiddie pools", and most love sprinklers. If there is a runner or power walker in the family, they are ideal. They usually do well with other pets, but birds can be iffy. They DO chew. They were bred to carry things in their mouths, you need to have plenty of toys around for them. Most are not destructive chewers, but it is a common concern. They also mouth people, and need to be trained not nip.

Do not be fooled by their mostly sweet nature, if they need to, they will protect their family.

For most families, a golden would be a good choice, but do alot of research. If you are interest in the breed look for a rescue group. Goldens are playful and active most of their lives, so they will still have plenty of "get up and go" but they will have the puppy stage behind them. Most will be housebroken, and they will have all their vet care already done, and included in the adoption fee.

If your family is undecided on a breed, I always sugget visiting your local shelter. It has all the benefits of a rescued purebred, but with a much wider selection as far as size, color, and uniqueness!!!

Also, the smaller breeds that have some of the same qualities as goldens are Beagles, Schipperkes, Shetland Sheepdogs, Bichon Frise, Boston Terriers, Brittany, Havanese, Bull terrier, Dachshund, Japanese Chin, and Pugs. Of course, all these breeds have pros and cons, and you need to do plenty of research before deciding!!