Take A Closer Look At This Beloved Breed And See Why The Golden And Many Other Kinds Of Canines Should Be Celebrated Every Day
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Happy National Golden Retriever Day! This beloved breed has the reputation of being the perfect family dog —and for good reason. Goldens are friendly, funny, patient, smart and eager to please. They also require lots of love, plenty of exercise and some basic obedience training.
Before getting a golden retriever or any type of dog, you should do your research. Different breeds have different temperaments and needs that may or may not suit your lifestyle. The American Kennel Club is a good place to start your search, and talking to other dog owners can be quite helpful as well.
There are many breeds — including mixed breeds, of course — that make wonderful pets for different people. That said, are golden retrievers still the best family dog? Let’s look at both sides of the argument.
Is A Golden Retriever Right For Me: Requirements For Activity Level And Exercise
Goldens are a sporting breed and require daily exercise, and this is most pronounced during puppyhood . Although most Goldens will adapt to a less active lifestyle once they’re mature and conditioned, puppies and teenagers also have the energy to burn. If an adequate outlet is not created, this energy can be channeled into actions that are disruptive and appear to be “hyperactive.” And even though the puppy is still psychologically young, it can be a strong and powerful dog that can be difficult to control when energy is mounted. Rule to remember: a mentally exhausted puppy is a well-to-do puppy!
Appropriate opportunities for youthful excitement include brisk walks on a lead, fishing, hunting a ball in a protected enclosure, playing dates with known safe dogs, and even obedience, agility, tracking, and field training sessions. Activities such as jogging and biking with a dog are too difficult for a young Golden to grow joints and are not recommended until he is at least 12 months of age. Even then, the dog’s doctor, and probably the hip x-ray obtained to determine the hip’s joint condition, should be consulted before the gradual initiation of this form of operation.
Will A Golden Retriever Attack An Intruder Honest Answers You May Not Like Training
Golden Retrievers are wonderful, amazing dogs. They are loyal, smart, and very friendly to us. There is no surprise that they are incredibly popular all over the world.
However, they are not the best guard dogs, mostly due to their friendliness.
But, will a Golden Retriever attack an intruder? A Golden Retriever is unlikely to attack an intruder unless the intruder is physically threatening you or a family member. Goldens have strong protective instincts that will push them to protect their owners in dangerous situations.
It’s important to understand the difference between a Golden Retriever attacking an intruder that’s attacking the family or one that is attacking the family.
Being a watchdog and being protective of their owners are two completely different things, and Goldens are actually quite unique in certain aspects from other dogs.
To understand more about how your Golden Retriever will behave in different situations, we need to discuss this a bit more.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
So To Answer Your Question: Is A Golden Retriever The Right Dog For Me
Well, Golden Retrievers are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds in the Western world, but they really aren’t suited to everyone.
Don’t get a Golden if you have a small home, simply must keep your home immaculately clean, prefer a sedentary lifestyle or are short on time or short on money.
It’s important to remember that they shed a lot of hair, require a lot of time for exercise and are a 10 to 15 year commitment of this time and your money.
The aim of this article was not to talk you out of getting a Golden Retriever, but is a reality check for some who may have only considered the good side of Golden ownership.
Goldens are adorable in their looks, temperament and personalities. They really are the perfect family pet, life companions and friends. But you need to be prepared to handle the rough with the smooth.
Larry Snagged Some Crayons From His Siblings While No One Was Looking
Nicole Del Rosario, Digital Content Producer
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Meet Larry, the 4-year-old golden retriever that lives up to his breed name — in quite a colorful way.
The Arizona pup retrieves anything he can get his paws on. Most recently, he’s snagged some red and blue crayons that got him into a big mess.
Larry’s owner said he snagged them off the table on Monday while her kids were coloring.
He then took them into the backyard where they melted into the grass, and of course, his fur.
Even after three baths, Larry’s owners said he still has blue highlights.
About the Author:
Golden Retrievers Are Inherently Playful And Enjoying Making Friends
Golden Retrievers are designated to the Sporting Group of dog breeds, which means they love an active lifestyle. It is essential to keep in mind their energy level when deciding to adopt a golden. For instance, they wouldn’t make very good apartment dogs, and if you’re not a fan of walking, they aren’t the right breed for you.
Their water sporting and hunting past gives the breed unlimited energy and a love for playing outdoors and anywhere near water. They love to play fetch and will play for hours upon hours, which is perfect for families with energetic and adventurous children with large yards. The breed is not shy around new people and will welcome playtime with any companion who will join, human and animal alike.
Do You Have Enough Time To Exercise A Golden Retriever Sufficiently
That 1.5 hours exercise I mentioned above? Yes, that’s every day. Goldens are a sporting breed and high activity. So come rain or shine or after a bad day at work, your Golden will still need their 1.5 hours per day to be happy.
This is quite a commitment and is something you need to be aware of and commit to fully.
If you have a big yard, you can get away with 45 minutes per day with a good couple of 2 hour exercise sessions per week consisting of swimming, hiking, running or whatever.
But if you don’t do this, your golden will become bored and full of pent-up energy, leading to them bouncing around the house and likely destructively chewing. This is not a golden being naughty, chewing is a completely natural release for bored dogs with no other outlet for their energy.
You Shouldnt Leave Your Golden Retriever Alone For More Than 4
Goldens create strong bonds with their owners, meaning they’re great family dogs. They’re willing to please their humans and love being around children of all ages because kids are always ready to play.
Leaving your Golden by herself all day will only make her suffer, which in time can generate depression, separation anxiety, and in some cases destructive behavior.
Hiring a pet walker or taking your Golden to dog care during the day can help, but none of these solutions replaces your presence. Only buy or adopt one of these dogs if you or other family members have time to play with her every day.
Is A Golden Retriever Right For Me Reasons You Should Have One
The Golden Retriever is a high-profile breed, frequently seen in the media and consistently making top 10 lists of famous breeds in many countries. They work retrievers and assist dogs, as well as common family pets. And they’re seen all over the world and are well known and enjoyed by many. But is the Golden Retriever the best dog for you, huh? Are you and your family the best people for the Golden Retriever?
There are some very compelling reasons to want a Golden Retriever.
First of all, it’s an incredibly good-looking breed. Only take a look at the picture above, and we’re sure you’re going to agree with that. They’re great with children, other pets, and other animals. They are trustworthy, willing, and will do their best to please their owners. They’ve got wonderful, mischievous personalities. They love to play, and they always seem to be content. They are highly intelligent and can be conditioned to a very high degree, excelling in disciplines of agility and obedience and being used as assistance dogs.
How To Train Your Golden Retriever In General And For Guarding
Thankfully all the issues above can be quickly and easily resolved by training your dog. The earlier you begin training your Retriever the better. Begin by encouraging the qualities that will help your Golden be a good guard dog. You can encourage your dog through verbal praise and treats.
Along with encouraging good behavior, there are two major training methods you can use that will teach your Golden Retriever to be an excellent guard dog: the boundary method and the verbal cue method. Use both training methods to have a well-rounded guard dog.
Golden Retrievers: What’s Good About ’em What’s Bad About ’em
Golden Retriever temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
The Golden Retriever’s kindly expression says it all. This is one of the finest family dogs in the world: cheerful, demonstrative, trustworthy with everyone, and forgiving of any mistakes made by inexperienced owners.
Give this breed two brisk walks each day, play fetch games, and take him out for a good run once a week, and he is adaptable to almost any lifestyle.
Friendly with everyone , his bark is welcoming rather than protective.
You must control his tendency to chew on objects and to mouth your hands — provide a box filled with toys so he can carry things around in his mouth.
A Golden Retriever remains enthusiastically puppy-like for many years, so early obedience training is required to instill calmness and good manners.
Eager to please and wonderfully responsive, he is nonetheless distracted by exciting sights and sounds, so you must be both patient and persistent.
The mind and heart of a Golden is sweet and gentle, but his body is robust — until he’s taught not to pull on the leash, you’ll need good biceps to walk him.
If you want a dog who…
- Is large, athletic, and natural-looking
- Has a pretty feathered coat
- Has a cheerful, tail-wagging nature
- Is steady-tempered and dependable with everyone
- Is peaceful with other animals
- Is eager to please and very responsive to training
What About Exercise I Hear Golden Retrievers Are Very Active
Golden Retrievers are a sporting breed and require a fair amount of exercise.
Goldens were bred to be active and outdoors and make great companions on activities like runs, hikes, bike rides, and camping trips.
How much exercise depends on age. Puppies up to one year need about 5 minutes for every four weeks of age. Golden Retrievers beyond one year of age require about one hour per day of exercise.
Issues such as advancing age, injuries, or health issues may require that you adjust exercise needs accordingly.
Dogs are individuals, and differences in personalities and breed lines may also warrant more or less exercise.
Golden Retrievers are very well suited to active families. Golden Retrievers will also benefit from families with school-aged children through play activities.
Not only will mutual play help meet the exercise needs of your Golden Retriever, but your children will benefit as well. A win, win.
Family Consideration: Undesirable behaviors in Golden Retrievers are often due to lack of exercise. Busy families that cannot meet the exercise requirements should contemplate other options or consider if a lower energy dog might be a better fit.
Examples Where Golden Retrievers Have Been Used As Guard Dogs
Yes. Golden Retrievers have been recently trained to guard and protect in all types of jobs. Check out this article on Bud, the first working Golden Retriever for the Navy. Bud protects the Navy base perimeter and searches cars. He does this while still keep the Golden Retriever’s trademark friendly attitude.
Golden Retrievers have also recently been enlisted to work with police forces in the United States as support animals, but in India, these dogs have recently been added to their K-9 units. Golden Retrievers have been enlisted because of their hunting skills, intelligence, and good reputation.
What Makes Golden Retrievers So Amazingly Loyal And Friendly
Golden Retrievers have many wonderful qualities, but the most outstanding seems to be their loyalty and friendliness. The breed is known as one of the most hardworking because they were bred to work closely with hunters.
The qualities bred into Goldens make them extraordinarily patient and intelligent, as they were intended to be a hunter’s right hand. These qualities make them very patient with children and very receptive to obedience and skill training. The Golden Retriever breed is one of the most intelligent dog breeds and is very easy to train. This makes it effortless to create strong bonds between the dog, owner, and family.
Difference Between Labrador And Golden Retriever Temperament
The words commonly used to describe the temperaments of both Goldens and Labs are the words we use to describe very good dogs! Both breeds are friendly, reliable, affectionate, gentle, trusting, and kind. But many potential owners wonder about the differences between Lab and Golden Retriever personalities.
Before talking about temperament, it’s always a good idea to remind new dog owners that all dogs are individuals, and breed alone does not guarantee any specific personality traits or behaviors. Meeting the parents, good training and socialization practices from puppyhood into adulthood are the best ways to ensure that you get the kind of dog you want.
Labs and Goldens are both very trainable and obedient, which is good news for novice owners. Canine behavior experts explain the minor temperament differences between Goldens and Labs in terms of degrees. Generally, Goldens are said to be a bit softer, gentler, and more sensitive than Labs.
While both do well in families with children, Labs tend to have the advantage in adapting to households with boisterous, lively, and loud young children. Many Goldens prefer a slightly more calm and tranquil home environment.
It’s always important to take your lifestyle into account when choosing a dog…both the breed and the individual animal. An active family with young children may prefer an energetic Lab, while a retired couple may welcome a gentle Golden instead.
Labrador Retriever Vs Golden Retriever Which Did You Choose
We hope you have enjoyed reading through this comprehensive side-by-side comparison of Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever dog breed similarities and differences!
Remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” choice – only the right choice for you!
Golden Retriever owners will have to consider the risks of cancer, the potential health problems of early neutering or neutering at all, and that additional coat care.
Labrador Retriever owners will need to think about that increased bounciness and pushiness with strangers, and the possibility of separation anxiety or chewing problems.
There is no easy answer to the Labrador Retriever vs Golden Retriever debate.
But what you can be confident in is, as long as you choose your pup carefully, train and socialize them well, either dog is a great bet for a family pet.
When you do decide, we would love to hear your story of which breed you chose and how you and your new canine bestie met one another and knew you had found “the one!”
Comparing Golden Retriever Traits For First Time Dog Owners
As a starting point, first-time dog owners need to determine the pros and cons of the Golden Retriever and how it fits a person’s lifestyle.
Lifestyle fit is the single most important factor in choosing a dog and it is much more important than the breed of dog.
Consider a family with kids and how that lifestyle might differ from a single person who works 12 hours per day. Each is a markedly different lifestyle and would not be suited to the same type of dog.
For the Golden Retriever, take a moment to review the table below that compares the traits of the Golden Retriever and consider how these traits might fit your lifestyle as a first-time Golden owner.
| Personality | |
| Generally healthy dogs. Fewer issues if obtained from a reputable breeder. | Can be prone to health issues if not acquired from a reputable breeder. |
Three Methods To Train Your Golden To Be A Better Guard Dog
You can make your Golden Retriever a better guard dog if you invest a little time in training them. We’re going to go over three training methods pretty quickly and we’ll probably have a complete post with much more details later.
Method 1 – Teach Them to Pay Attention to Visitors
Objective: To train the dog to pay attention when someone comes to the door.
In this method, you should start training your dog when they are very young to pay closer attention to strangers. I have not used this method before, but it gets recommended a lot, and here how it goes;
This should teach they should pay attention to visitors and keep an eye on the door. This will make them more attentive of their surrounding.
Method 2 – The ‘Bark’ Verbal Cue
Objective: The goal of this method is to teach your dog to bark on command. Here is how it should go:
Here how it should go:
Could You Financially Afford To Care For A Golden Retriever
Forgetting the initial investment made for a Golden Retriever with good health and pedigree from a good, responsible breeder, the continuing cost of keeping the Golden Retriever fit and safe for the 12+ years of its life is substantial.
But if the money’s tight, and you’re still struggling to pay your bills, it wouldn’t be smart to get a Golden Retriever or some kind of dog. Either you, your dog or both, may have to suffer from the occasional abandonment of necessities. You’re not allowed to put yourself or a dog in this place.
Youll Have To Hide Your Shoes Because Goldens Love To Chew
These dogs like to carry things and, often when they’re bored, will start moving your stuff around the house. They’re famous for their chewing habits so provide her with resistant toys, specially made for heavy chewers, and don’t let her get too bored during the day.
Lock up your shoes, telephones, remote controls, games, kitchen utensils, clothes, and small pillows, or they’ll meet a very messy end. Also, move your garbage can inside a cabinet or in a place your dog can’t access.
She should never go through your dinner leftovers as eating human food can harm Golden Retrievers. For safety reasons, hide all electric cables before bringing your puppy or new dog home.
The crate is a good way to keep your dog away from temptations when you’re not around. This way she’ll be in a safe place and you won’t have to worry about the Nintendo you’ve forgotten on the sofa before going to bed.
Will You Have Enough Time To Exercise The Golden Retriever
The one and a half hours of exercise we described above? Yeah, it’s every day. The Goldens are a sporting breed with a high degree of activity. So come rain or shine, or after a bad day at work, your Golden will always require 1,5 hours a day to be satisfied.
This is quite a responsibility, and it is something that you need to be completely conscious of and commit to. If you have a large yard, you can get away with a decent couple of 2-hour workout sessions per week, consisting of swimming, hiking, running, or whatever for 45 minutes per day.
But if you don’t do that, your gold will be bored and full of pent-up energy, making them skip around the house and chewing destructively. This is not a golden being naughty. Chewing is a normal relief for bored dogs with no other outlet for their energy.
Can You Financially Afford To Care For A Golden Retriever
Forgetting the initial investment made for a Golden Retriever with good health and pedigree from a good, responsible breeder, the ongoing costs to keep a Golden fit and healthy for the 12+ years of its life is considerable.
You should be prepared and budget to pay out for:
- Licensing and a microchip
- Vets bills or ongoing pet insurance.
I couldn’t possibly calculate an accurate total cost per year, but a conservative estimate would be somewhere in the range of £1300 GBP or $2200 USD per year, likely more.
So if money’s tight and you’re already struggling to pay your bills it wouldn’t be wise to get a Golden Retriever, or in fact any breed of dog. Either you, your dog or both may have to suffer by giving up on essentials occasionally. You shouldn’t put yourself or a dog in this position.
All About The Keeshond Golden Retriever Mix In A Nutshell
The keeshond golden retriever mix is a friendly, loyal, and loving dog, they love to be surrounded by their family, and they need to be brushed daily due to their thick double coat, they are generally healthy, and will not make good guard dogs.
If you liked this article, you can share it with your family and friends and you can check out our other article if you are looking for a puppy and don’t know what breed to get.
+ Of The Best Most Cutest Golden Retriever Dog Names Ever
August 10, 2021
Golden Retrievers are one of the most lovable dog breeds in the world. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and friendliness. If you are looking to welcome a new Golden Retriever member into your family, then it is important that you find the perfect name.
In this blog post, we have compiled 400+ of our favorite Golden Retriever puppy names. We hope these will help you choose the perfect name for your new furry Golden friend.
What Traits Make A Golden Retriever A Good Fit For First
Golden Retrievers are medium to large dogs and are very well suited to first-time dog owners because of their friendly personalities, exceptional smarts, average maintenance needs, and adaptability. Dog owners who are active and looking for an outdoor companion are particularly well suited to this breed.
What Traits Make A Golden Retriever A Poor Fit For First
All dogs have traits that may make them a poor fit for some lifestyles and owners. Golden Retrievers are no exception.
Golden Retrievers shed a lot and can be prone to some health issues. Owners must ensure the dog’s physical, mental, and social needs are met, and failure to do so could result in a bored and mischievous dog. In addition, the breed is not a one-person dog and can be too large for smaller living spaces.
Not all dogs are well suited to all people. As noted earlier, a dog’s fit with a person’s particular lifestyle is much more important than a specific dog breed.
Let’s explore why some of the Goldens traits might align well with a first-time dog owner.
Things You Should Know Before Getting A Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a dog breed that originated from Scotland, bred to retrieve shot waterfowl, like ducks or other upland game birds. It’s a medium to large dog at about 20 to 24 inches tall, weighing between 55 to 75 pounds. The lifespan of the Golden Retriever is around 10 to 12 years.
Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular dogs both in the US and worldwide, thanks to their beautiful appearance and their nice characters.
I wrote this article about some of the things you should know about Goldens, because many of them end up in shelters, abandoned as soon as their owners have realized what having a dog really means.
Contents & Quick Navigation
Neutering Can Cause Health Issues To A Golden Retriever
Researchers at the University of California have discovered that neutering has negative effects on Golden Retrievers, increasing your dog’s chances of getting joint disorders and cancer. In this post, Dr. Karen Becker talks about alternative methods of keeping your dog from breeding, such as a vasectomy or tubal ligation.
Even if you choose not to neuter your dog she’s still prone to a long list of medical conditions, which include:
- hypothyroidism;
- eye disorders;
- skin problems.
If you own a Golden Retriever you need pet insurance that covers her for a wide range of health issues, besides accidents. This can increase your regular expenses, but it’s usually a good investment as Goldens are in the top of the most expensive breeds in terms of medical costs, with an average of $961 a year.
How Much Upkeep Are Golden Retrievers High Maintenance
Golden Retrievers are moderate shedders except for twice per year upon which they shed their double coats. Therefore, shedding during these twice-yearly events will be heavy.
Daily brushing is recommended during heavy sheds and once or twice per week for the rest of the year. On the plus side, Golden Retrievers do not require haircuts.
Owners should brush their dog’s teeth regularly and trim their nails often. In addition, ears should be cleaned frequently and checked weekly for infections.
An occasional bath is also required.
Ensuring your Golden Retriever remains healthy means regular vet visits and vaccinations kept up to date. No different than any other dog breed.
Golden Retrievers are mostly healthy dogs. However, they can be prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and heart issues.
Choosing a breeder that has tested for these conditions will help avoid these problems down the road.
Feeding requirements for a Golden Retriever are average for dogs this size. They require high-quality dog food and typically eat twice per day.
Overall, maintenance requirements for Golden Retrievers are about average – upkeep is better than some dog breeds and worse than others.
Shedding is the biggest issue.
How To Introduce Your New Companion To Golden Retriever
Well, this is one of the crucial steps, and I think that if you do this in a proper way for any dog-breed you bring as a companion can be the best friend of your golden retriever.
The core factor is training and introducing them for the first time. Well, I’m not that well known to explain to you about this but I can help you!
I hope that this guide will help you! Let’s move to the FAQ section now!
Is Rottweiler A Good Dog Companion For Golden Retriever
For me, YES! I have Chester and Max and they both enjoy their company! The only thing that I would like to tell you is that have a correct introduction to the Golden when you get your new pet!
For me the training was helpful, and no one suggested to me that go with Rottweiler or something like that! It was my wish and I adopted Chester and now Max and Chester share a good bond of friendship and I’m also happy!
Determining If A Golden Retriever Is A Good Family Dog
Let’s take a look at the most common traits that make the Golden Retriever such a well-suited dog to families. As I discuss each trait, I also include certain issues that families should consider for each trait.
If you want to read a more in-depth article on the pros and cons of a Golden Retriever, I suggest taking a look at this article when you have a moment: Golden Retriever Pros and Cons: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Are Golden Retrievers Or Great Pyrenees More Expensive
On average a Golden retriever costs between $500 to $3,000, which is the same as an average Great Pyrenees. However, a Great Pyrenee with competitive ancestry that is bred for competition can cost up to twice as much as a Golden retriever.
So, how much do golden retrievers and great Pyrenees cost?
Next-Day Pets keeps an updated estimate between $600 to $6,000 for great Pyrenees puppies.
The Happy Puppy Site shows golden retrievers cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000.
Keep in mind that a puppy almost always costs more than an adult dog, as many people want to train their dogs without someone else’s influence. Also, Great Pyrenees puppies are more impressionable than most breeds. Failure to bond and train when they’re young can create lingering issues.
Note: No matter which breed of dog you’re looking for, always purchase from a reputable breeder. The money you save on the dog from a questionable breeder will likely be spent ten times over on medical care later on.
What To Consider When Naming Your New Golden Retriever
There are many things to consider when naming your new Golden Retriever. The most helpful usually end up being his or her personality, coat color, resemblance to a favorite character, or just something you find adorable about the Golden Retriever breed. You may find yourself stuck in a naming rut, but the easiest way to get out of that is to spend some time reflecting on meaningful moments, objects, and words that can provide you hints on a naming direction.