How Much Does It Cost To Raise A Golden Retriever
When purchasing a dog like a Golden Retriever, it is also a good idea to consider the costs involved with supplying a large breed dog. Caring for a dog properly involves much more than just food and water.
Consider some common yearly costs:
- Taking your dog for their annual vet visit can cost $100 to $300 depending on where you go and the services they need. Your dogs vet bills will cost about $1,000 to $3,600.
- You can expect to spend about $250 to $750 on food per year. In your dogs life, that can add up to $2,500 to $9,000.
- A license can be free or up to $20, depending on your city. Licensing your dog will cost nothing, or it might cost $240 for their entire life.
- You can pay anywhere from $0 to $100 each year on toys and maybe more when your dog is a puppy. Dog toys can run you up to $1,200 or more overall.
The annual cost of owning a Golden Retriever comes to about $350 to $1,070. And with the average lifespan being 10 to 12 years, you may have to spend $3,500 to $12,840. But keep in mind that those numbers dont include paying for emergency surgeries, dog sitters, and other less frequent costs.
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Avoiding Questionable Sources For Puppies
So how do you avoid irresponsible sources of purebred golden retrievers? Doing plenty of research before you purchase your puppy is the best course of action. You can also ask any seller for the proper paperwork, which should include health and medical tests for any health issues that the puppy may have.
It is also important to visit any rescue shelters and reputable breeders that your local community trusts. The great news is that not all responsible breeders will empty your bank account. You will be able to save money and still find a healthy puppy. In such cases, rescuing a dog is also a really great option.
If you arent looking for a golden retriever puppy, then adopting a dog from a shelter will not only be easier on your pocket, but it will also give a dog a second chance at finding a loving home.
Of course, if you have your heart set on a purebred golden retriever puppy, you have a better chance of finding one through a breeder.
Things You Need To Know About Adopting From Grrmf:
We do have a waiting list and be aware that younger dogs and 4 7 year old goldens are our most requested ages with the longest wait times. If you are approved to adopt a GRRMF retriever or blend, and one of our dogs is a match for you, you will be contacted after their evaluation period.
We thank you for your patience and support of GRRMF.
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How To Start The Adoption Process
To start the application process, ensure you have read out policies above and can meet them and fill out our online adoption application. After your application is received, it will be 4 weeks before first contact is made with you due to the volume of adoption requests being received.
Complete our online adoption application. BEFORE you start the application to save you time, please collect 4 photos we will be asking you to attach to the application:
It is possible to of the application and mail it to us, however, processing may be delayed up to three weeks if you choose this option.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Thank you very much for your interest in Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida.
Adopt A Golden Retriever
As we have no control over when Goldens come to our service, it is impossible for us to estimate how long it will take to find the right Golden for your familys lifestyle.Many of our dogs are not posted to the website because we have a qualified applicant waitingRead about adopting a senior dog here.we do not place dogs out of stateOur processWe will set up a call with you, to review your application, when we have a dog that fits your criteria.
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So What Is The Best Age To Bring A Golden Retriever Puppy Home
Throughout this article Ive not actually once mentioned the age at which you should take a puppy home have I?
I did this for a reason! So you would read the whole thing and hopefully understand why you should follow this advice:
Leave a puppy with its mother and litter-mates until its 8 weeks of age and then you can take him or her home to live with you.
Yes, 8 weeks old is the recommended perfect time to take a puppy away from its mother and litter-mates and home with you to live. This is when theyve learnt a good deal already from their mother and litter-mates but are still very open to bonding strongly with others and openly accepting of new environments and experiences.
You may want to have them earlier because after all, theyre extremely cute when younger! But you would be doing far from the best for your new puppy and could be stunting their development, leading them toward behavioral issues and affecting their entire future lives.
On the other end of the spectrum, leaving it later than 8 weeks to take your puppy home they could be missing out on essential socialization opportunities. Responsible breeders will have started this process way before 8 weeks, but its something that you need to be aware of and make sure you provide for your puppy.
How Much To Feed Golden Retriever Puppy
Those who have golden retriever puppy at home are advised to give him frequent meals in small portions. You can get the idea that serving him four meals a day for up to three months is recommended and after that, you can feed him with three meals a day for the next three months. Once your puppy is a year-old then fix a schedule of two meals in a day.
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Dont Get A Golden Retriever If You Dont Want To Deal With Its
High Energy
A sporting dog which exudes ample energy, Golden Retrievers do need plenty of exercises on a daily basis.
Shedding
If you have a strict standard of hygiene in the house, the fur from Golden Retrievers would do you no favours.
Health Problems
Golden retrievers may develop several joint problems that will restrict its movement as it gets on in age.
Mouthiness
Their energy extends to their jaws. They like to chew on things, as well as carry the most random objects around.
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Coat Color And Grooming
Golden Retrievers have a dense, water-repellent outer coat with a thick undercoat. Some coats are wavy, some are straight. The fur feathers on the back of the front legs and underbody, with heavier feathering on the chest, back of the thighs, and tail.
Golden Retrievers come in all shades of gold, from light to dark gold. Some breeders have begun selling “rare white Goldens,” but the American Kennel Club does not recognize white as a coat color for the breed.
Golden Retrievers shed moderately in the winter and summer, and heavily in the spring and fall. If you live with a Golden, you’ll need to adapt to a certain amount of dog hair in your house and on your clothes.
The Golden’s thick coat means lots of grooming. Daily brushing is recommended to prevent tangling, and once a week is the bare minimum. Your Golden will also need a bath at least once a month, often more frequently, to keep him looking and smelling clean.
Brush your Golden’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Begin accustoming your Golden to being brushed and examined when he’s a puppy. Handle his paws frequently dogs are touchy about their feet and look inside his mouth. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult.
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Another Factor That Goes Into Costing How Much To Adopt A Golden Retriever In The Shelter Or Rescue Is The Cost Of Advertising
Not all shelters or rescues advertise in local papers, and if they do, sometimes they only do so during the most active part of the year . However, because of the high demand for dogs, and the high cost of adopting one, some shelters and rescues will advertise continuously throughout the year, or even around the holidays to maximize their capacity to care for and adopt out animals. These fees will be included in the cost of adopting a dog from the shelter or rescue.
Other costs that you should consider when learning how to adopt a golden retriever include travel fees. This can add up especially if you are traveling to take the dog along with you on a trip. In addition to the cost of the trip, there may also be additional fees associated with boarding. Again, remember that many shelters and rescues will only have a few dogs available at any given time, so be sure to ask about the expenses associated with admittance to the shelter or rescue.
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The Cost To Feed A Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are large and grow to be 65 lb. on average . They will need quite a lot of food and owners can expect to spend $155-$310/year for a puppy and $140-$450/year for an adult dog. In fact, a puppy will eat around 200 lb. of dry food during the first year and adult Golden Retrievers can be expected to consume about 290 lb. annually.
These cost estimations were made using prices of some of the most popular brands including Purina, Pedigree and Blue Buffalo.
| Yearly Food Cost |
This illustrates the price difference between budget-friendly and premium dog food.
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Why Are Golden Retriever Puppies So Expensive
When possible, we will use affiliate links when referring to recommended products. It does not cost you anything to use these links but it does help us earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Thank you in advance for your support!
When I first started looking for my puppy, I was shocked at how much Golden Retriever puppies cost. Looking a little further into why, I found some really useful information that helped me understand the cost a little better. Despite being surprised at the cost, it helped me to understand why they cost so much, and having Minnie curled up next to me as I write this confirms that I made the right decision.
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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Golden Retriever Puppies For Adoption For Free
The Golden Retriever is subject to many health difficulties. Its not unusual to become golden retrievers that are several months old because the family couldnt find homes for all of the puppies. Finding either an absolutely free adult golden retriever or an absolutely free puppy might not be quite as hard as you believe.
Golden Retrievers are not merely a mans best friend, but a buddy to other animals too. Golden Retrievers shouldnt be relegated to the backyard. Golden Retrievers are often regarded among the top 5 smartest dogs on the planet. Golden Retrievers are among the most friendly dogs to get around kids. Golden Retrievers with a high activity level will succeed on this food.
Some dogs may need more calories based on their degree of activity and their personal metabolism. With your support, you will observe a lot of these dogs appear on this page someday readily available for adoption! Our dogs are put into the best homes for them based upon their personal requirements and personalities. Frankly speaking, acquiring a dog isnt simple or cheap. Please be aware that its extremely rare that we get puppies under 6 months old, and we dont have a waiting list. Therefore a three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy should go outside every 3 hours, a four-month-old should go every four hours, and so forth.
Golden Retriever Clubs In Maryland
Golden retriever club members might be able to help you find a dog who needs a new home.
Its like the Facebook strategy where its not always a quick find, but it can help if youre patient and talk to the right people.
And then, once you do adopt your golden retriever, the golden retriever clubs can be of even more help.
You can talk with and get advice from experienced golden retriever owners, you can socialize your golden with other goldens, get them involved in dog sports and activities, and you can get referrals for services like veterinarians, groomers, or doggy daycares.
Heres are the nearby golden retriever clubs:
Chesapeake Golden Retriever Club
Heres a list of everything you need for a Golden Retriever, and you can click here for a list of Golden Retriever rescues in every state.
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What Is The Best Age To Bring A Golden Retriever Puppy Home
The best age to get a puppy is a much discussed issue on the internet, with most answers ranging from between the 7 and 10 week mark, but with some outlandish answers going all the way up to many months!
So what is correct? What is the best age to bring a Golden Retriever puppy home?
Furthermore, what factors should you consider before taking a puppy away from its mother and litter-mates to start a new life with its soon to be new owners?
I think the most important things to consider are any long-lasting negative effects on the puppy by taking it away too early.
Finding A Golden Retriever Breeder
The first step is to do your research. Sadly, there are many puppy mills posing as reputable breeders along with plenty of online scams. Be aware, and reach out to different online forums for conversations about getting your future furry family member.
Be sure to ask questions, make arrangements to meet the parent dogs or mother, and follow your gut. If something seems wrong at a breeder you visit, or the golden retriever puppy seems too good to be true, theres likely something sketchy going on. The AKC also offers resources for finding a breeder, with fairly strict guidelines on who they let participate.
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Why Should You Adopt
Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and youll have a friend for life.
What is the difference between adopting a dog, adopting a cat, adopting a kitten or adopting a puppy versus getting dogs for sale, cats for sale, puppies for sale or kittens for sale from a dog breeder or a cat breeder?
When someone is breeding puppies or breeding kittens, they are creating new dogs and cats who need homes. Some people are interested in a very specific breed of dog, cat, puppy or kitten and they think the only way to find that specific breed is to buy a dog for sale or buy a cat for sale from a puppy breeder or a kitten breeder. Yet animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats who must find homes.
So rather than buying a dog or puppy for sale from a dog breeder or buying a cat or kitten for sale from a cat breeder, we encourage people to adopt a dog, adopt a cat, adopt a puppy or adopt a kitten at their local animal shelter, SPCA, humane society or pet rescue group.
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