Adopting A Golden Retriever Puppy Advantages And Challenges
Puppies are cute and enchanting and if you have experience training dogs, adopting a golden as a baby will allow you to shape them into the perfect pet for your family. In addition, if you are adopting a Golden Retriever to use as a future hunting or retrieving dog, a puppy is likely to be your best choice. Although, dont assume older goldens cant learn the ropes too, after all that is what the breed was created for.
On the other hand, puppies need a tremendous amount of care and attention in order to become great adult dogs. Puppies are more unpredictable in regards to future size and personality than adult dogs. You can not always tell how big your puppy will grow to be. The personality they have as a puppy may not be predictive of what personality they will develop as an adult. This is especially true if you choose a golden mix puppy, as the other breed will play a part in size and behavior.
Golden Retriever puppies require a lot of exercise in a safe environment where they can not get into trouble . In addition, puppies need to be trained so they know what behaviors are appropriate and where it is appropriate to go to the bathroom.
Keep in mind that puppies need to be let out several times a day for the first few months. The general rule is that puppies can not be expected to hold it for more than one more hour than they are months old. So for example, a brand new 2 month old puppy should go out, at minimum, every 3 hours during the day.
Where Can You Buy Or Adopt A Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are extremely common in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Golden Retrievers rank 3rd. Everyone seems to know someone who has a Golden Retriever!
Adopting From Dog Rescue OrganizationsGolden Retrievers are often available from Dog Rescue groups. Goldens may be turned over to Rescue because they shed too much, or need too much exercise, or are too rambunctious for a sedentary family. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise and training that they are lacking.Other Golden Retrievers are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all. Middle-aged and elderly Goldens are a special joy to live with, and I urge you to consider these wonderful dogs.
Here’s one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder BOTH PARENTS of a Golden Retriever puppy should have:
If a seller can’t show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Golden Retriever ends up blind and crippled, or dies early from inherited heart disease.
Golden Retrievers are frequently found in pet shops. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!
How Much Is It To Adopt A Golden Retriever
Adopting a golden retriever costs significantly less than purchasing one from a breeder.
Its usually just $200-500, compared to a couple thousand.
And if you do decide to go this route, youre doing an amazing thing.
All goldens deserved to be loved and if you treat them right, odds are that youll end up with an amazing dog.
I mean, theyre still golden retrievers!
Check out this article to find golden retriever rescues in your area.
Another consideration when it comes to adopting a golden retriever is that if you adopt an adult golden, youll save a ton of money on various things only puppy owners have to pay for.
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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.
Adopting From A Shelter Or Rescue
Adopting a golden retriever from a shelter or rescue organization costs significantly less than buying a puppy from a breeder. In most cases, the typical adoption fee ranges from $200 to $500, which is markedly cheaper than going through a breeder.
Besides being much cheaper, adopting a golden retriever is also a more humane thing to do! These dogs too make wonderful pets and companions and are no less deserving of a loving, forever home. Although it can take a bit longer to find a purebred golden retriever in a shelter versus buying one directly from a breeder, its worth the wait and decreased cost.
Another factor worth mentioning is if you adopt an adult golden retriever, you can save a lot of money on various supplies only puppies need when going into their new homes, like house training pee pads and teething toys.
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Golden Retrievers That Need A Home Now
There are hundreds of benefits to owning a dog. If you are looking to add to your fur family, consider adopting a dog. You will save the life of that dog and allow another to come into the shelter to be saved.
Golden retrievers are well-mannered, loyal companions that love to play. They love meeting new people, and their enthusiasm is contagious. Goldens make great family dogs and hiking partners.
Check out all 25 golden retrievers looking for their forever homes and share with a friend.
Buying From A Breeder
The average cost of a golden retriever puppy from a quality breeder is between $1,000 and $3,500. When buying a golden retriever, like when buying just about anything else, you get what you pay for.
For example, if you decide to go with the cheapest option available to you, you need to be aware that puppies from deceivingly inexpensive breeders likely havent gone through health check-ups or veterinarian procedures like deworming, microchipping, and vaccinations. All of these missing costs will end up being your responsibility once you bring the puppy home and will soon add to the initial cost of buying a puppy.
On the other hand, breeders who charge more for their golden puppies will likely have a higher breeding standard. This means the puppys parents will be genetically tested for breed-specific health problems and be hip certified.
If you want your golden retriever to live as long as possible, youll spend more money now on your initial investment and purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder.
Going through a breeder, however, isnt the only way you can welcome a golden into your home. This brings me to
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Tips For Getting Approved By A Rescue To Adopt A Golden Retriever
Adopting a Golden Retriever is not as easy as paying at the counter. Financially aside, you must prepare yourself and your surroundings. Here are some of the tips you can do to secure adoption:
- Design your home in accordance with the adoption requirements. A lot of rescue centers have identical requirements that are specific to the home of the applicant. Some of these include a physical fence around the house, a comfortable sleeping quarter for the dog, and a pool with stairs. All of these aim to ensure the safety of the dog in your vicinity. If you are eager to have your application approved, make sure to comply with these guidelines before the home visit, or better, even before applying for adoption.
- Prepare yourself financially. In adopting a pet, you should make sure that you will be able to provide for its regular needs. Most of the rescue centers consider financial capabilities as one of the most important criteria in adoption eligibility.
- Be honest and transparent. Do not make up things during the interview just for the sake of approval. Most of the time, people value and appreciate transparency and honesty. If you do this in the interview, the evaluator might see the sincerity in your actions.
Adopting Golden Retriever Puppies
According to the AKC, most breed rescues report that a majority of their rescue dogs come from individual owner surrender, with the most common reasons being a change in lifestyle or the breed not being a good fit. This means that there may be many dogs and puppies out there that are looking for a new forever home.
The main difference between a breeder and a rescue is that a rescue may not always have young puppies to choose from. The benefit, however, is that most are mandated to only adopt out dogs that have been microchipped and spayed/neutered. This means you may end up with a dog thats already been housebroken, and doesnt need these common medical procedures. You may also find a golden retriever mix that has all the traits you want from the breed, but with a little extra thrown in.
Finding a golden retriever rescue can be as simple as searching the internet. The AKC also has an excellent list of golden retriever rescues on their site.
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Who Is The Best Human For A Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are a tried and true family dog. They love swimming , running, and playing in a big backyard. Theyre highly social, so a large and active family household works well for them. They also need plenty of affection and snuggles. Due to their hunting heritage, they love to play fetch! Looking to please you, theyre relatively easy to train.
Theyre great with children and seniors alike. Golden retrievers do best with plenty of companionship, and so despite their activity level, often do very well with retirees who can devote plenty of time to them.
This Map Shows How Many Golden Retriever Dogs Are Posted In Each State
Golden Retriever Rescue Information: The Golden Retriever is a gundog that loves the water. Originally bred for hunting, Goldens make wonderful family pets. Golden Retrievers are very sweet, patient, gentle, and excellent with children. Goldens are eager to please and respond very well to obedience training. Goldens make good watchdogs but are far too friendly with everyone, from strangers to other dogs, to be used as guard dogs. Goldens need human companionship. They can get into trouble if neglected. This breed is suitable for homes with yards, and needs plenty of brisk daily exercise.
Golden Retriever Trivia: Golden Retrievers excel in competitive obedience. Golden Retrievers are often used as therapy dogs. Golden Retrievers are descended from various English hunting dogs possibly including the bloodhound. Golden Retrievers can be trained as seeing eye dogs. Golden Retrievers are among the most popular family pets.
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Caring For Your Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are usually real big softies and can make a great addition to a home. They are a popular pet for families, but be aware that they are prone to certain health conditions and you will need to make sure your pets been screened where possible to avoid them. Its also really important to keep your Retriever in shape, as they can easily become overweight.
Adopting A Golden Retriever Adult Advantages And Challenges
Adult dogs on the other hand, already have established personalities. This means that when you adopt an adult Golden Retriever, you will have a good idea of how they behave and if they will get along with your other pets and/or do well with children.
On the other hand, an adult golden may have behavioral concerns or health issues as the reason they were surrendered and these will need to be addressed. Keep in mind that dogs in shelters and rescues may not show their true personality right away .
Golden Retrievers older than 1 year have reached their full height so you know where they are on the Golden Retriever size spectrum. Many adult dogs have already been housetrained, so for busy families or individuals they may be a better choice.
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Adopting A Golden Retriever: 2 Tables To Compare The Options
So you have decided on adopting a Golden Retriever, congratulations! You are ready for your new family member, but how you go about adopting a Golden Retriever, will depend on a few key decisions. Do you want a puppy or an adult? Do you want to rescue a golden from a shelter or purchase from a reputable breeder? This article will help you make the decisions needed to adopt a Golden Retriever that is best suited to your family.
Tips For Caring For Rescue Dogs
You might want to take a look at our new puppy checklist before bringing home your new puppy. While our list focuses on puppies youll find a lot of items youll also need for a rescue dog.
Unlike brand new pups adopted from responsible breeders, rescue dogs often come with behaviors and habits from their previous homes that may or may not be suitable for their new home with you.
There are a few things you can do to make your dog feel comfortable in your home quickly and start learning new house rules without delay.
Golden retrievers in particular are very intelligent pups and should have no problem adapting if you do a few smart things.
- Dogs, like children, thrive on regularity, so create a schedule for them. Establish regular eating and exercise times, so they learn to know what to expect.
- Reward your dog for correct behavior by treating them with food or play. Dont yell or punish. Your dog can develop a negative reaction to this, especially if they have been punished by previous owners.
- Make sure everyone in the house is giving the same commands and following the same rules. It can be confusing for dogs when people use different commands for the same behavior, or when different behavior is acceptable with different members of the household.
- If they are not house trained, have them sleep in a crate, but not alone. It is better to place the crate in someones room. They can stop sleeping in the crate when they can consistently hold it the whole night.
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Adopting From A Golden Retriever Breeder
First you should decide on a field or show golden when adopting a Golden Retriever puppy. Check out our article on Show Golden Retrievers vs. Field Golden Retrievers.
Good breeders take care to select only the best for future generations so you can be sure that the Golden Retriever you are adopting is the best possible. They do this by selecting dogs that perform well in either the show ring or in the field, as well as screening potential moms and dads for genetic diseases.
When adopting your Golden Retriever, you should look for breeders that have dogs with titles indicating they have demonstrated excellence. There are different titles for hunting Golden Retrievers than titles for conformation Golden Retrievers. A list of potential titles and what they mean is available on the American Kennel Club website. Some exceptional breeders breed dogs that have both show and field titles, these are called Dual Champions.
The GRCA states that Reputable breeders are expected to conduct screening examinations for these diseases on the parents of a litter, and to disclose the results to prospective puppy buyers. Common diseases in Golden Retrievers that have available testing include: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, heart disease and eye disease . An organization called the OFA keeps a registry of the test results of each dog. So before adopting a Golden Retriever puppy, look for a breeder who screens for these diseases in their breeding dogs and posts every result.
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.
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