Golden retrievers, just a couple questions....?

Question

First, how much food does a full grown female eat in, say, a month? How long would a 35lb bag last?

Second, how much do they cost to buy? I am fully aware that this is the least of the costs, but it is still fairly important in knowing how much I need to save before I go off and get one *it's still some time to go, but still* I mean, don't want to save up $2000 thinking that she'll be $500 and Ill be set with the $1500 for the first only to find out that all of it will go into the purchase price. Specifically how much are they in Florida, because i know prices differ around the country.

Is there anything truly special I need to look for in a breeder, beyond the basics *champion parent(s) with their hips tested and proven good*? I intend to go through the AKC classifieds and I know that not everyone advertising is really all that great to their dogs.

Anything else I should know?

thanks much.

I've actually got the food picked out, which will be the large-breed formula of what I'll be feeding my papillon as soon as I can order it (online). Chicken Noodl soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, the ingredients look god to me and it comes to about $40 for a 35lb bag including shipping. The only reason I can't order it is because I'm waiting for my debit card to come in the mail because my old one was left in my walet at Universal's Islands of adventure. Got the walet back, but they destroyed the card.Still need to order thenew one, actually.... need to do that...

Oh, and going through the club-sactioned breeders would be awesome, but I realy don't want to get put on a waiting list behind 50 other people and not get the dog until 20years later. *one litter a year, ten pups to a litter, five of those that get sold... do we have an understanding?*

Answer 1

Hi! As a former Golden breeder and still an owner perhaps I can help you.
I have 2 male Golden here with me now and they go through a 40 pound bag of food in 3 weeks. The cost of the food I feed them is approx. 35 to 40 dollars depending on where I go to get it. Females tend to be smaller in size than the males so their eating is less than that of the males.
Depending where you are in the US (if thats where you are) the cost of a well bred Golden costs will vary. Here where I am in CT. A well bred Golden start at $1,000.00 and go up from there. Also unless you are looking to show your Golden then looking on the AKC lists will probably get you nowhere and the ones that are listed will only get you frustrated because they breed so little and their pups probably have a waiting list a mile long.
I know of no breeders in Florida at this time that I would recomend to you so you may have to travel to get your Golden. There are a few in Georgia and further up towards the east coast, but he closer you get to New England the more the pup will cost.
A breeder of quality Golden will have both parents on site for you to look at and they will probably have their parents on site also. They will know their dogs and be able to answer any questons you have. The will probably have just as many question for you as you have for them. AKC paper should be present for you to look at. The kennel area should be clean with no urine or poop smells at all. The dogs should be clean and allert with bright eyes and a shiny coats. Also a good breeder will also have a puppy information packet for you too look at before you come to see the pups. I always set an information packet to all my clients before they came to see any of my pups. That way any question they had could be cleared up before they traved to see my pups.
Not all breeders will have all the tests done on their dog. Like hip, eye, thyroid, ect. If they are a good breeder and have proven dogs they will skip a generation and do these tests ever other generation. You will have to decide what is important to you as the buyer. It is a good idea to bring someone who knows this breed with you this way there are 2 sets of ears listening to what the breeder says. The most important thing is to take your time deciding which pup is for you. All Goldens are cute and beautiful do not let that sway your thinging. If I have forgotten anything you can e-mail me. OK

Answer 2

An adult golden will eat an average of 3 cups of food per day, or 90 cups in a month. A 35lb bag of food would probably last 3-4 weeks at most. I strongly urge you to research quality natural foods and avoid anything from the grocery store or Petsmart/Petco. Look for a large-breed formula if available. Here are some good brands to look at: Innova Evo, Chicken Soup, Wellness, Artemis, Canidae, Verus, Timberwolf Organics, Evangers, Eagle, Merrick, Fromm.

EDIT: Yes, they'll cost you more than crappy grocery store foods, but those grocery store foods contain chemical preservatives which have been banned from human foods for causing CANCER!!

I would suggest you google search 'golden retriever kennels in florida' and contact some of the breeders you find. Most breeders will not list a price for their pups and the only way to know for sure is to call around.

A breeder should offer:
-the dog's paper pedigree
-AKC registration paperwork
-shot records (all puppy shots should have been done)
-the parent's pedigrees, upon request
-Hip, heart, and eye certifications from the vet
-Allow you to meet the parents, see the kennels and grounds, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I guess I really cant answer this question.I have 3 labs and they eat a 50 lb. bag a week so 35 lbs ought to last 1 big dog a little more than a week.
Go on line to kennels and you can figure average cost of a dog like you want to buy.Prices very as to breeding.Depends on what you will be doing with the dog.
Depending on shots and weather you chip or tattoo or not there will be an initial cost for that.As well as everything you will use with the dog like collar,leash,bowls and toys and chews.
You can find breeders in GA and Ala. to if it is too high in Fla. and I've herd it is expensive for dogs there.
If you go through the AKC you should get very good breeders because most of them care about there breeds.
Good Luck..

Answer 4

A bit more than a pound a day. get a good brand and stick with it---I like Purina kibbles and Bits, because there is variety in every serving, and dogs like to play with their food. If she is an only dog, I'd keep her bowl filled at all times, then they don't get anxieties about food---vets and breeders say feed once a day, but I disagree. If she gets obese---and if she's fixed, she might---then you'll have to cut her back to once daily feedings, or put her on a low-calorie dog food.

Buy from someone with a few dogs---a home-raised dog preferably with kids in the house.

tell them you want a pet-quality female, and are willing to take the smallest one in the litter. The runt will likely be very smart and fun and feisty.

You should be able to find a healthy one for well under $500, anywhere.

It's easier to raise two dogs than one---they keep each other company, chew on each other instead of your house--(but they'll do that too) If you're planning on keeping the dog indoors, consider a Yellow Lab---same wonderful temprament, less shedding. And in Florida---yeah, they are WAY gonna shed.

by the way---I just saw Allyssa's answer---she's very knowlegable in many ways, conventional ways, but the dogfood advice is just going to cost you money. Kennels are not that freakin great, either---give me a home-raised dog every time.

Have fun---you're choosing the breed that most vets prefer. my first dog was a golden, Midas, of blessed memory.

Answer 5

Instead of going through AKC classifieds (many sub-par breeders advertise there), I would start with the Golden Retriever Club of America. Also, attend all the shows and specialties you can, meet the breeders, see their dogs, get to know them so you can have a good idea of what you are looking for.

Mandy, do you want quality? If you want the best, you must be prepared to wait for it.

Answer 6

im not really sure cause i have a cat and he doesn't eat much or how much they cost but i just wanted to say that i think that it is really great that your taking the time to find this stuff out....the puppy you get is going to be a lucky one....