Choosing a Dog: Is a Golden Retriever Right for You?
By: Ali Prescott
My sister and I with our dogs
Choosing a dog can be confusing; there are so many options. There are toy, small, medium, large and giant breeds, and each size range offers its own set of characteristics. For a golden retriever owner, like myself, the golden retriever falls in to the large size category.
According to the America Kennel Club, the golden retriever is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in America. Golden retrievers have an exceptional work ethic with a strong will to please their human companions; this makes them ideal as assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs and hunting companions to hunters. They are a part of the sporting group of the AKC, and are among other retrievers as well as setters and pointers. The most important thing to remember about purchasing or adopting a dog like a golden retriever is that they require exercise strictly because of their instincts.
So do you want a large, active golden retriever or are you more capable of handling a smaller dog like a pug? Here are things to consider when purchasing or adopting a golden retriever:
o Size: The golden retriever can weigh from between 55 to 75 pounds on average, which makes them a large size breed. Imagine having 75 pounds of pure muscle jumping up and greeting you at the door every day. Sounds amazing, right? My 2-year-old golden retriever jumps up every time I walk through the front door and licks my face.
o Demeanor: Golden retrievers are highly energetic and very eager to please their trainers. They are very trustworthy and friendly toward humans and other dogs. Be cautious of a golden that is not friendly; chances are that golden was not trained or bred properly. With that being said they are very devoted to their human companions. My 2-year-old golden retriever is attached to my hip 90 percent of the time and I love it. It’s really funny to see her try to fit her 60-pound body on to my lap. Even when golden retrievers are adults, they still maintain their puppy-like playfulness.
o Athletics: To work out all of their vibrant energy, golden retrievers should be exercised daily to promote health mentally and physically. A light swim or running through the back yard is a good way to get your furry friend into awesome shape. However, with all that energy comes a lot of curiosity. They follow their noses and that can really lead them anywhere. My golden retrievers frequently will wake me up at 4 a.m. and will get into my closet to chew on a shoe. Luckily, it’s generally one I don’t wear.
o Grooming: It is best to groom a golden retriever once a week to prevent the fur from matting together. Golden retrievers also shed their coats seasonally, and brushing can help aid proper shedding. If they aren’t groomed well, there will be plenty of dog hair attached to your black pants and furniture.
o Puppy versus Adult: Adult golden retrievers, especially ones from reputable breeders or shelters, are typically already trained. The only adjustment that will really be necessary is getting the adult dog accustomed to the new home. However, if you think you want a puppy, that is an approximately 18 month to two-year commitment of housebreaking and training. Ultimately, if someone doesn’t have time to train a puppy, he or she should consider an adult dog.
o Costs: Getting any breed of dog from a proper breeder can cost a lot of money. I know we’ve paid upwards of $500.00 for our golden retriever puppies. That’s just the fee to the breeder. That doesn’t count other fees like: regular vet checks, first year shots, yearly shots, toys, leashes, shampoo and food.
The most important thing to remember about having a dog is remembering that you must make a commitment to that dog. Golden retrievers can typically live on average 10 to 15 years, depending on health and other factors. Some golden retrievers can live longer and some, unfortunately, will not make it to that average lifespan.
While golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in America, it’s important to remember that golden retrievers are not for everyone. If you cannot handle the jumping and shedding, then a golden may not be for you. If you cannot handle the chewing or the training, then a golden retriever may not be for you. If you want a dog that does nothing but lie around and not exercise, the golden retriever is definitely not for you. The important thing is do research on many breeds before deciding which breed is right for you.
According to the America Kennel Club, the golden retriever is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in America. Golden retrievers have an exceptional work ethic with a strong will to please their human companions; this makes them ideal as assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs and hunting companions to hunters. They are a part of the sporting group of the AKC, and are among other retrievers as well as setters and pointers. The most important thing to remember about purchasing or adopting a dog like a golden retriever is that they require exercise strictly because of their instincts.
So do you want a large, active golden retriever or are you more capable of handling a smaller dog like a pug? Here are things to consider when purchasing or adopting a golden retriever:
o Size: The golden retriever can weigh from between 55 to 75 pounds on average, which makes them a large size breed. Imagine having 75 pounds of pure muscle jumping up and greeting you at the door every day. Sounds amazing, right? My 2-year-old golden retriever jumps up every time I walk through the front door and licks my face.
o Demeanor: Golden retrievers are highly energetic and very eager to please their trainers. They are very trustworthy and friendly toward humans and other dogs. Be cautious of a golden that is not friendly; chances are that golden was not trained or bred properly. With that being said they are very devoted to their human companions. My 2-year-old golden retriever is attached to my hip 90 percent of the time and I love it. It’s really funny to see her try to fit her 60-pound body on to my lap. Even when golden retrievers are adults, they still maintain their puppy-like playfulness.
o Athletics: To work out all of their vibrant energy, golden retrievers should be exercised daily to promote health mentally and physically. A light swim or running through the back yard is a good way to get your furry friend into awesome shape. However, with all that energy comes a lot of curiosity. They follow their noses and that can really lead them anywhere. My golden retrievers frequently will wake me up at 4 a.m. and will get into my closet to chew on a shoe. Luckily, it’s generally one I don’t wear.
o Grooming: It is best to groom a golden retriever once a week to prevent the fur from matting together. Golden retrievers also shed their coats seasonally, and brushing can help aid proper shedding. If they aren’t groomed well, there will be plenty of dog hair attached to your black pants and furniture.
o Puppy versus Adult: Adult golden retrievers, especially ones from reputable breeders or shelters, are typically already trained. The only adjustment that will really be necessary is getting the adult dog accustomed to the new home. However, if you think you want a puppy, that is an approximately 18 month to two-year commitment of housebreaking and training. Ultimately, if someone doesn’t have time to train a puppy, he or she should consider an adult dog.
o Costs: Getting any breed of dog from a proper breeder can cost a lot of money. I know we’ve paid upwards of $500.00 for our golden retriever puppies. That’s just the fee to the breeder. That doesn’t count other fees like: regular vet checks, first year shots, yearly shots, toys, leashes, shampoo and food.
The most important thing to remember about having a dog is remembering that you must make a commitment to that dog. Golden retrievers can typically live on average 10 to 15 years, depending on health and other factors. Some golden retrievers can live longer and some, unfortunately, will not make it to that average lifespan.
While golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in America, it’s important to remember that golden retrievers are not for everyone. If you cannot handle the jumping and shedding, then a golden may not be for you. If you cannot handle the chewing or the training, then a golden retriever may not be for you. If you want a dog that does nothing but lie around and not exercise, the golden retriever is definitely not for you. The important thing is do research on many breeds before deciding which breed is right for you.