can i get a golden retriever?

Question

we're thinking of getting a dog and a golden retriever is our first choice because of their great reputation, friendly character and gentle giant appearance.
if anyone else has one, i would be interested to know if they get along with cats (i have 2), dont have a problem with being alone during the working day and their required amount of exercise.

also, should i get a puppy or an older dog (retired service dog for example)

Answer 1

Golden retrievers make great family pets, although you better train them early on, otherwise they will be a bit of handful.

Depending on whether they have been brought up with cats, or whether they have had any bad experiences with them will determine whether they'll get along with your cats. The best thing to do is when you have decided what you want (a puppy or an older dog) you take your cats along and see how they get along - because the dog may like the cats, but the feeling might not be mutual.

Puppies are hard work, but it gives you the chance to mould them how you want them to behave, whilst older dogs may have bad habits instilled into them by previous owners. Although that is not to say that older dogs are not as good, as puppies, in some ways they can be better, i.e. trained, house-trained.

Answer 2

Hi! Golden's are very loyal and the one of the most loving breed of dog. Most Golden's get along with not only cats but also with other dogs. I feel they are easy to train because they are very smart. They need to be exercised like any dog but they also are very happy to have a good game of catch in the backyard and then just sit by your side waiting to be brushed and petted. They do need to be trained a good obedience class will do the trick and besides it's fun for you and the dog. I have 2 big boy's here with me and I just love them to pieces. Whether you get a pup or a older dog is up to you. If you have the time to raise a pup I'd suggest you go that route so you can train the pup to your lifestyle, if not look into a local rescue group with a good reputation to seek out a Golden. What ever avenue you choose I think you will be happy you got a Golden.
Good luck!

Oh by the way I have never met a stupid Golden just owners who are lazy and do not train the dog.

Answer 3

Ignore the response where 'John' says Goldens are stupid. They are not. They are part of the Labrador family. Depending on their training, they can get along with cats. If you do the 'rescue' route, most rescues have the dogs in foster homes where the foster family can tell you if the dog gets along with cats or not. My dad's golden tends to ignore cats. She is very friendly and gentle though and LOVES being around people. She has never been alone though because she has two dog friends with her at all times. But again, if you go the rescue route, the rescue can tell you if the dog doesn't mind being alone. If you get a puppy, you can train it to get use to being alone. Just do some research on the internet depending on which route you go.

Fair warning...Goldens do have what is called 'thunderstorm anxiety' which is common. This can be solved in various ways: medication, training, both. My father's dog did not develop this anxiety until she was about 8 years old and I think that was just due to her being older. So be prepared for this...

They are smart dogs, love to play, love to swim (so can be easily bathed), love to play with tennis balls or other toys. Funny and fun loving.

Answer 4

Yes Golden Retrievers are excellent family dogs and are dogs that mix well with other dogs and cats, I had a golden retriever mix, (he passed on, bless his sole, I loved that dog he was like a close buddy to me) Golden retrievers typically live ten to fifthteen years and it is typical they get arthritis as well, poor dogs and they are so well mannered and friendly towards everyone too. My dog was friendly to everyone, and everyone loved him, they will make you lots of friends, Yes they do need lots of attention and lots of exercise very energetic dog if you are very busy I would suggest you not have this type of dog, and not just put outside in a yard you need to take them walks and let them run, they can not be cooped up these types of dogs., I would suggest you get a golden that is about 10 months to 1 year this is the best age I have found, my dog was ten months when I got him he was at an age when he was easier to train. I walked my golden about four miles aday so you can see he had lots of energy and plenty of exercise I also allowed him to run loose and chaise wild rabbits, so you can see you need to be able to devote lots of time and have lots of energy for these dogs. They are also very intelligent these Goldens, if anyone tells you that they are not a smart dog they do not know what they are taling about, my Golden was very much smarter than any dog I have ever had, honestly ! My Golden was easiest to train than any dog I have had also and they don't require alot of food, I spent about fifty dollars a month and I only fed him organic diet which was the most expensive brand the store carried, and No, they don't need medication to calm them such as one answerer mention, but I did give him a homeopathic aid just in case it happened this was a famous homeopathic called Bach flower it is good at calming all pets anxiety and fears. but he never really needed it, he was so well behaved it is all in how you train them and how much attention you give, the more the merrier with these dogs. Good Luck !

Answer 5

They are wonderful dogs, but try to remember he/she will *not* start out as a gentle giant. The puppies get large quickly and they are more like a yellow tornado, especially in the house. Large dogs are also more difficult to train and just to live through the first couple of years. :) When large dogs pee, they pee a LOT. So you have some considerations to getting a large dog as a puppy. I have had better experiences with older dogs, although they come with their own special hang-ups. But if you won't be around a lot, that might be better for you. I've never yet had a dog that liked to be alone. But I tend to have spoiled kids and spoiled dogs. Good luck!

Answer 6

Retrievers are, as the name suggests, bred as hunting dogs.
That means they need loads of exercise to be happy, and if you leave any dog alone for extended periods it will be unhappy. Dogs are social creatures like humans and if you work you should have an outside area of decent size and another dog for company.

Any dog will get along fine with cats if it's accustomed to them from an early age, but it can be quite hard to train an adult dog to leave them alone once it's unsupervised.

So for your sake and that of your future dog, please think long and hard about it. A retired service dog might be a good choice for you, but you have to remember that dogs don't live that long, and it's always a heartbreak to lose a beloved dog.

Answer 7

Yes, it is a good idea to get a golden retriever. Puppies can be cute, but you would have to spend a lot of time training them, and have a lot of patience. Older dogs are less trouble.

Answer 8

Golden Labrador? you ought to intend Yellow Labrador. besides, i don't be attentive to all the lots approximately Labs, yet i be attentive to approximately Goldens... a million) A 30-minute walk in the morning and at evening is unquestionably no longer adequate workout for the dogs. Goldens are ball-loopy, so which you will finally end up out in the outdoor tossing a ball for him for hours and hours and hours till he/she flops down exhausted. 2) Goldens are in many circumstances superb with young little ones, yet must be supervised while around them till you have found out what sort of temperament the dogs has. Even the sweetest of breeds has lemons. can help around the domicile? In what way? for greater archives on Goldens, click the links i've got blanketed in "materials".

Answer 9

I couldnt help but laugh at the comment that someone made of Golden Retrievers being dumb dogs. They are the fourth smartest breed of dog in the world, ranking right behind the German Shepherd who steals third position of smartest breed in world.

Answer 10

Be sure to not be too fooled by their reputation.They still need to come from a good breeder and be well trained-if not you get a dog like the goldie in my village which is a vicious psychopath.