Golden Retriever Puppies: Everything You Need To Know
Apple pie, football, and golden retrievers? This golden dog is a popular addition to many American households. In fact, golden retrievers rank number 3 in the American Kennel Clubs popularity rankings. Not surprisingly, golden retriever puppies are often seen on many calendars, greeting cards, and posters as the ultimate symbol of canine cuteness.
As much as they are celebrated in the US, golden retrievers werent discovered there. In the mid-1800s, they were bred and raised by gamekeepers at an estate owned by Lord Tweedmouth in Scotland. Its said that he crossed his yellow retriever Tweed Water Spaniel , an Irish setter, and a bloodhound. This new golden retriever was trained to hunt in the great outdoors.
Golden retrievers are so renowned, two United States presidents owned them while in office. President Fords golden retriever was named Liberty, and President Reagans dog was Victory.
Golden Retriever Puppies Are Not An Outside Dogs
If you bring your golden retriever dogs outside for a very long period, it will just bring them flea allergies and different skin problems, especially in the town of Florida.
Golden retriever puppies that stay outside might bring them some thunderstorm anxiety.
They are also considered as a sporting dog in which they can climb over the fence and left out along for a longer time.
Golden retrievers always want to interfere with other people.
So it is crucial for your golden retriever not to be alone inside your house, or else it will find some people that they can play with.
Golden retrievers are also susceptible to theft when the pet is walking along the streets.
Some of the golden retrievers might develop problems in their behavior if they are separated from the members of the family.
The golden retriever is not an outside dog. So dont let your golden retrievers stay outside or else it might bring you some mess.
What Good Breeders Prioritize
Reputable breeders breeding companion dogs have two priorities:
If a breeder seems to prioritize any other quality above that then they might not be what youre looking for.
Reputable breeders care a lot about their dogs so theyll be asking you a ton of questions.
To help further decide on whether or not a breeder is reputable, the next section covers a big list of questions for you to ask a breeder.
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Snowwater Retrievers Jamestown Pa
If you have a soft spot in your heart for English Cream golden retrievers, then SnowWater Retrievers offers exactly what you need. Specializing in golden retrievers that display white or light cream coats, SnowWater Retrievers caters to a highly discerning niche in the golden retriever market.
The sires and dams residing at this Jamestown breeder have been carefully selected for their traits and imported from all over the world to create ideal pups. If you desire a golden retriever puppy with a coat so white that it would raise the eyebrow of a dog show judge, then SnowWater Retrievers can satisfy your needs.
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Good Dog Breeder Directory
You can also look for a breeder near you on the Good Dog breeder directory. To be listed on the Good Dog website, breeders must go through an in-depth screening focusing on breeding practices and environment, the physical and mental health of the dogs and puppies, and their selling policies.
It doesnt mean you shouldnt do your research, but its already a step in the right direction.
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What To Do Before You Get A Golden Retriever Puppy
There are a lot of big decisions youll have to make before bringing your puppy home, including where to get them from, how to pick a puppy, and what to name them.
These next few sections will cover all of those decisions in detail, but theres one thing that you need to make sure of before continuing on.
Do you really want a golden retriever puppy?
Yes, theyre sweet, adorable, fluffy balls of joy, but theyre also a lot of work and theyre not cheap.
Our Complete Guide To Golden Retrievers is a good place to start if youre unsure about committing to a golden.
But if you are sure, heres the first question to ask yourself
Best Place To Get A Healthy Golden Retriever Pup
A dog is the best companion you can ever ask for, and raising one is a fantastic journey. To truly enjoy it, it is essential to get a healthy puppy with a good lineage. The quality of a golden retriever puppy highly depends on where you get it from. Lets look into the three major ways to get a puppy and which one is the best.
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Is The Golden Retriever The Right Dog For You
If you are looking to buy a Golden Retriever for your home, we encourage you to take the simple quiz below. Most first-time dog owners find it difficult to decide on the right dog breed for their family. Try to answer these simple questions, and we can help you choose the right dog breed for your family. To retake the quiz, please refresh the page.
Where To Find A Good Local Dog Breeder
You can find professional dog breeders in many different ways. One of the best ways to find them is by going to a dog show. Once there, you will find breeders and also find loads of information about different breeds and dogs in general. Youre going to see the dogs that the owners have bred in action and get to meet them. You can also see the puppies being socialized at the show.
Another way to find reputable Golden Retriever breeders is by going on to the AKC registry and breed-specific clubs. You can also look on the AKC website for Breeders of Merit, Breeders of the Year, and Breeders of H.E.A.R.T. These are the breeders that have been recognized by the AKC as breeders that only breed for the betterment of their breed. Many breed-specific dog clubs also give out awards to outstanding breeders who have proven to better the breed.
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Questions To Ask About The Puppys Parents
Why did you decide to breed these two dogs in particular?
Most breeders have a specific reason they were excited to breed two dogs together.
How many litters has this mom had? And how old is she?
Most good breeders dont breed their females more than once a year.
Can you provide proof of the health clearances for these two dogs?
Youll want elbow, hip, heart, and eye clearances, and you can verify these clearances on www.ofa.org.
Do these dogs have any titles?
If a dog has a title it means that theyve shown some aptitude for sport, conformation , or obedience.
Even if you dont plan on doing any of these activities with your dog, its good to get a dog with good genetics that shows they are trainable and can work well with humans.
Can I meet the parents?
Meeting the parents is the best way for you to get a feel for their puppies personalities, size, etc.
The parents should be friendly and outgoing to you and any other dogs around.
Golden Retrievers And Children
If you have a young family then Golden Retrievers can be fantastic with children. If socialised properly from a young age, Retrievers can be quite calm and tolerant. While they usually have a great temperament, its best to always supervise your dog with children.
As puppies, its normal for Retrievers to be mouthy, which means they have a tendency to nip and play bite. This is especially true when theyre teething. Although they dont mean this in an aggressive way, its best to use positive training techniques to let them know that biting you can be sore and isnt a fun game. That way, when theyre adults theyll know this isnt a good way to play with humans or other dogs.
Always supervise children and vulnerable adults with your Golden Retriever and make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and play with dogs with care and kindness, to prevent any issues.
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Buying A Golden Retriever From A Respectable Professional Breeder
Purchasing a Golden retriever Puppy from a respected, responsible professional breeder is by far the best option when it comes to getting yourself a good quality, healthy puppy given the best start in life.
A responsible professional breeder:
- Cares greatly about the overall quality and welfare of the breed and selectively breed for the betterment of the Golden Retriever population as a whole.
- Guarantee a purebred GR so you can be sure of what youre really getting.
- Screen sire and dam for health issues in trying to breed puppies with the lowest possible chance of inherited disease.
- Will help you to select the right puppy for you from the many different personalities in their litter. Not all dogs are created equal! Some are more energetic, more headstrong, more confident, others less so. They will match you to the perfect puppy for your hopes and lifestyle.
- They handle, care for and socialize puppies in such an expert way that the puppies have had the best possible start in life and the greatest chance of growing up a confident, happy dog of good temperament.
- They provide some of the best advice and support that can be given about how you should care for your new family member, from the moment you make the decision right through your Goldens entire life.
So as you can see, there are many benefits to buying from a professional breeder. But surely there must be some cons you may be thinking? Well it depends how you look at it, but:
Who Is It Not For
While the Golden Retriever is certainly a great dog to have, it is not suitable for everyone. Your lifestyle is a primary factor when deciding whether or not you can have this dog breed as your pet.
Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone. If your lifestyle demands long hours of work and you cant give enough time to your dog, you are better off without having this dog breed.
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Cost Of Adopting A Golden Retriever
Buying a golden retriever versus adopting one is a common debate for aspiring dog owners. Adopting a dog usually means finding your future pet at a rescue or shelter. Conversely, when you choose to buy a golden retriever you typically purchase the dog directly from their owner or breeder.
Adoption is typically cheaper than buying a golden retriever since starting adoption fees tend to be around $250 to $500. Please note that depending on the shelter, you may have to pay additional golden retriever costs for certain shots and procedures.
Unfortunately, at shelters and rescues, you may not have a wide selection of dogs to choose from especially if youre looking for a specific gender, breed, age, or health level.
Its also important to remember that, sometimes, adopted golden retrievers have behavior or health issues, which could make things harder for you in the future. You simply dont know as much about your new dogs history as you would if you purchased directly from a trusted breeder.
On the other hand, when you buy from a reputable breeder, youll have a higher chance of bringing home a happy and healthy golden retriever that will cost you less in the long run.
What Is Bad About Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are a healthy breed of dogs, but they have their share of health problems. Some things Golden Retriever owners need to watch out for include: Cancer, Hip & Elbow Dysplasia , Cataracts and Epilepsy among other symptoms like Hypothyroidism or Allergies all these can cause serious damage if not dealt with in time!
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Is It Better To Get A Female Or Male Golden Retriever
female golden retrievers when it comes to temperament and behavior. You may have heard that male goldens are more affectionate, or that females are calmer or easier to train. However, thats simply not true! There is no evidence that gender plays any role in determining the temperament and personality of any dog.
Golden Retriever Club Of America
The Golden Retriever Club of America is a dedicated club that owns and breeds golden retrievers. The responsible members of this club protect the rights and interests of the gorgeous breed through their events and education.
The organizers and members of this club truly understand that all prospective buyers want an active and healthy pet. Therefore, the pets they own and breed go through regular veterinary care. Since pets can be at risk of developing health concerns at any point in time, they ensure that they provide the best possible care to their golden retrievers at all times.
GRCA Member Club Puppy Referral and GRCA Rescue Committee are the two quick ways to get in touch with the concerned authorities that can assist you in buying a golden retriever puppy. The club also accommodates various rescue groups in a number of cities from where you can get a puppy according to your lifestyle.
GRCA always helps connect its customers with responsible breeders whose first priority is to ensure the overall well-being of the golden retriever. These breeders carefully research pedigrees, double-check health clearances, and raise puppies in their own homes. Hence, getting a puppy from them will turn out to be a safe and trouble-free experience.
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What Questions Should You Ask A Breeder
Golden Retriever Breeder Research
A responsibly bred Golden Retriever puppy will usually cost you upwards of $1000 in the USA .
However, this price will be considerably higher for show quality dogs. It will also vary depending on your location and demand.
Dont forget that the cost of sale is just the beginning. Your biggest expense is likely to be annual pet health insurance. Its a good idea to get some quotes in for this it will be several hundred dollars a year.
You can find breeders through your national Golden Retriever breed club. Here are a few Golden Retriever breed clubs from around the world:
Finding the breeders is the first step. But, you also need to ensure they are a good and reputable breeder, not just someone trying to make a quick profit.
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Summing Up: The Top 5 Prize
We believe that getting your dog from a good breeder will help ensure that you have a happy, healthy, and even-tempered Golden Retriever.
We highly believe that you should get your dog from a breeder that puts quality above quantity to ensure that your dog is well taken care of, healthy, and bred to be even-tempered and resilient.
In this blog post, we went through some of the best prize-winning Golden Retriever breeders in the world.
Did we cover everything you needed to know? Let us know in the comments section.
If you have any questions or concerns, leave them in the comments, and well get back to you as soon as we can.
The Cost Of A Golden Retriever
On average, a Golden Retriever puppy will cost $1,000 in the USA. Most puppies can be found between $700 and $2,000. The price will vary depending on the breeder and location and the dogs bloodline, color, and age, among other things. It is also possible to adopt one for $50 to $500.
The cost of owning a Golden Retriever is $22,720 on average through the dogs lifetime. This accounts for the cost of the dog itself, supplies, food, grooming, training, and preventive healthcare. It could be must more expensive if you need regular services such as dog walking or dog boarding.
To know more, check our whole article on the cost of owning a Golden Retriever. You will find all the information on supplies, food, preventive healthcare, training, grooming, and tips from pet professionals . We also have a cost calculator that you can play with to establish your dog budget.
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Golden Retriever Puppies Are Suitable For Small Children
Many dog lovers will automatically think that the golden retriever puppies are the best dog for a house that has many children.
Golden retriever puppies can turn into an unruly, strong, and a dog that has a higher energy level to play with children very quickly.
Golden retrievers whose age is six months old or two years old has a higher energy level.
Families who have children living in their house whose age is seven years old below is not recommended to buy golden retriever puppy for it might harm your children.
The above pieces of information aresome of the things that you should know first before buying golden retrieverpuppies.
This article is not meant to persuade you to buy this kind of dog, but rather this article tells you the information that you should know about a golden retriever puppy.
It is always your choice to purchasea golden retriever or not.