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Is Golden Retriever A Good First Dog

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Hunting The Golden Retriever

Hunting a golden is typical of hunting most of your bigger retrievers. Theyre water-loving swimmers who shine in the duck blind, but they can also work an upland field with ease.

They retrieve naturally but will require shaping to perfect their bird retrieve to hand. Theyre a versatile hunting companion who will just be stoked to come along with you wherever you end up.

Although goldens have a sunny temperament, theyre a bit more sensitive than your typical goofy labrador retriever. But, theyre generally easy to train due to their eager-to-please ways. And their high energy levels keep them engaged in any field of work.

The hunting-bred golden does tend to be more intense than other lines within the breed. But, this serves a purpose in the field.

Goldens remain fabulous house dogs, family dogs, and best friends once your day in the field is complete. Theyre a dog you really cant go wrong with; theyre well-loved for many reasons. And goldens love you back in spades. A true gem of a breed, this one.

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What Is Spaying And Neutering

Spaying and neutering refer to the surgical procedures used to sterilize your pup. In other words, making them incapable of reproducing and having puppies. Spaying is the term used to describe removing the reproductive organs of a female dog. Neutering is the term used to describe removing the testicles of a male dog.

Things To Consider Before Buying A Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have long been one of my favorite dog breeds.

Here are some things you should consider before you get a Golden Retriever. They are great dogs, but you have to be aware of what you’re getting into.

Gulyás Bianka, CC0, via Unsplash

I was born a dog lover, but my love for Golden Retrievers didn’t really begin until 1997 when Duke joined our family. For over 20 years, Golden Retrievers have remained one of my favorite dog breeds.

If you’re thinking of adding a Golden Retriever to your family, I don’t blame you. However, there are 13 things I think every potential Golden owner should be aware of.

Golden Retriever Vs Pomeranian Which One Is A Better Dog Breed For You

“Find similarities and differences between Golden Retriever vs Pomeranian”

Comparison Criteria
Yellow Retriever, Golden Flat Coat Pom, Pom Pom, Deutsche Spitze, Zwergspitz, Spitz Nain, Spitz Enano, Zwers
Breed Type
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 as a Sporting breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed.
FCI Group Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the European Spitz section.
Breed Recognition Dog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc. Dog Registry of America Inc.Kennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.

Hunting Dog Profile: The Happy People

Is a Golden Retriever a Good First Dog?

Hunt / Fish

Easily one of the most popular dog breeds on the planet, the field-bred golden retriever is also a phenomenal gun dog.

Its unlikely that anyone reading this isnt already well-acquainted with the golden retriever. Their countenance is often seen in dog parks, hanging out of car windows, accompanying kiddos on a neighborhood walk, working avalanche duty on the ski hill, or in the halls of hospitals in a therapy vest.

To say the golden retriever might be the happiest breed of dog could even be an understatement. Their sunny disposition and puppy-like attitude make them entirely irresistible. And theyre the third-most-popular dog in the U.S. because of their merry ways.

The good news is that a field-bred golden retriever is also one of the best, most versatile gun dogs you can take into the field.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These sweet little dogs are great if you are looking for a snuggle buddy.  They love nothing more than spending time relaxing with their owners.  Their calm demeanor and attentive nature means they respond well to training, and they will always be eager to please.  While chilling out on the sofa may be one of their favourite things, just make sure you encourage them to get out and about, as daily walks will keep them in tip top shape.

They Are Easy To Train

Golden Retrievers are smart, they love to please, and they enjoy learning. Thats why they respond well to different kinds of training.

You also need to stimulate their brains with new tricks and games. Some of the great ideas to keep them happy and mentally stimulated is to provide them with physical activities, obedience classes, games, and toys.

Of course, you have to be patient with your Golden Retriever. Its a very sensitive breed and you may hurt the dog if you treat it roughly during the training period.

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. Its 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

Golden Retriever Training And Socialization Needs

Answering the question, Is a Golden Retriever a good family dog? often boils down to simple training and socialization!

The earlier this process is started ideally before your Golden Retriever puppy even leaves the litter the better the outcome is likely to be.

Golden Retrievers tend to be excellent students because they really want to please their people.

They also tend to see all interactions as opportunities for social hour, including training sessions.

This makes them enthusiastic participants.

However, one big issue that often crops up with Golden Retrievers is that these exuberant, playful, friendly dogs dont know their own size and strength.

Golden Retrievers tend to weigh between 55 and 75 pounds as adults that is a lot of dog!

Pros Of Spaying And Neutering

As mentioned earlier, spaying decreases the risk of your female dog developing mammary cancer. In fact, it decreases the risk of your dog developing uterine and ovarian cancer as well.

Spaying your dog will also prevent your dog from developing a life-threatening condition called pyometra. Pyometra is an infection of the uterus. If this happens to your dog, they will need to undergo an emergency spay procedure to remove the uterus. Otherwise they are at risk of dying.

Neutering your male dog will prevent them from developing testicular cancer. It will also prevent them from developing an enlarged prostate later in life. Many intact male dogs tend to get away from their home to seek out a female dog. Neutering them will decrease this behavior, and thus decrease the risk of them getting lost or hit by a car.

They Do Not Tolerate Living Outdoors

While golden retrievers are made for the outdoors, they arent meant to live outdoors or spend long periods of time outside by themselves. They love to be with you and their families and will likely have significant anxiety issues if left alone for too long.

Theyll likely cause unwanted damage to your yard and property if left alone outside for too long. Having your golden retriever as an outside dog will result in digging, chewing and possibly even aggression. They can be needy dogs, and spending time with their owners everyday will keep this negative behavior at bay.

Golden Retriever First Heat: Things To Know

  • Final Words
  • Youve just got your first golden retriever, and its a kid! Shes cute, playful, and shes coming from a long line of golden retrievers. The heat period of a female golden retrievers life is a significant occurrence. Its important to know when your gold will go into heat and how long their heat will last. You will learn about the golden retriever first heat in this article. Read on to learn more!

    Well, most female puppies will not enter their heat cycles until six months or so . Golden retrievers are more likely to have their first heat period at around 10 to 14 months, with giant breeds beginning at 18 to 24 months. Bear in mind, these are ranges, and they may be sooner or later, as every dog is different. Its crucial to keep track of when your dog has its first heat cycle. Mostly, their timing is expected to become normal after the first cycle.

    What Dog Is Right For Me

    Golden Retrievers and First Time Dog Owners: Is It a Good ...

    Is a Golden Retriever the right fit for me and my family?

    Goldens are sweet, loving, loyal and generally make wonderful family pets. They are outgoing people dogs. We lovingly call them Velcro dogs, because they prefer to be close to their humans whenever possible. They are generally next to you, on top of you or lying at your feet. Most will follow you adoringly from room to room. Because they love to be with their people, Goldens generally do not make good outside dogs; they are indoor companions. Goldens left as outside dogs may become depressed, neurotic, and destructive. Consider your life-style and household schedule If you travel frequently, work long hours, have no time to give love, attention and exercise to a Golden, you might be better off considering a different breed.

    In addition, Goldens need regular daily exercise in order for them to be calm enough to be good citizens in the house. Dogs will not exercise by themselves. Their owners must interact with them. Goldens that do not get enough exercise can exhibit behavior problems such as excessive barking, inappropriate chewing, digging, and other destructive behavior. They need fenced areas for safe exercise. Even senior Goldens need daily walks and play time in order to stay healthy.

    Youngster or Older Dog?

    Some advantages of a senior Golden:

    Puppy Love?

    Yes, we occasionally get puppies!

    Homeward Bound

    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.

    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.

    Beware Of Exercise When Your Pup Is Young

    Veterinarians typically advise against taking a Golden Retriever on any long strenuous hikes or runs or other activities until all the bones have finished growing .

    After your veterinarian signs off, however, you can enroll your dog in agility, tracking, obedience, dock diving, and other canine sports, which will readily burn all that extra energy!

    Because a Golden Retriever is a working dog at heart and has been bred for this role, it is very important to be sure you or someone in your household has sufficient time to spend with your Golden for training, socialization, play and enrichment time and exercise.

    This will ensure your dog grows up to be a great family dog!

    They Are Too Friendly And Not Great Guard Dogs

    A Golden Retriever is a people dog. They enthusiastically want to meet everyone, strangers, other dogs, other animals, anyone who they think will give them the time of day. If youre not a social person and dont enjoy meeting new people, then a golden is not the right dog for you.

    A golden wants to be friends with everyone, even strangers that come to your door. Dont expect them to keep your house safe from a burglar. I mean sure they will bark at strangers, but when a stranger approaches they will wag their tail and greet them with a smile and probably expect to get petted.

    Names Of Famous Golden Retrievers

    One of the most famous presidential pets who made a home in the White House was Gerald R. Ford’s golden, , given to him as a gift by his daughter, Susan. President Ronald Reagan had one, too, who he dubbed Victory. Another notable retriever, Pinky, won “Best in Breed” at the 2014 Westminster Dog Show. So if you want to flaunt some pedigree from dog celebrities, try one of these  golden retriever names in movies and books or from television shows and commercials.  

    • Parker/Enzo
    • Digby

    Field Bred Golden Retrievers

    Field golden retrievers embody what golden retrievers were originally bred to do: hunt.

    Field bred goldens are on the smaller end of the spectrum as far as how big goldens get, theyre athletic, and theyre typically more driven than other styles of goldens.

    Their coats are usually and range from gold to red, and they have tons of energy.

    They excel at hunting and agility, and make great family pets, as long as theyre trained properly and have a job to do.

    They also may be rather mouthy, considering theyre bred to retrieve things with their mouth.

    To be clear, field goldens are golden retrievers, theyre just a particular style of golden.

    The opposite of field bred golden retrievers are conformation, or show golden retrievers

    Golden Retrievers Are Gentle

    Golden retrievers are one of the most gentle and kind dog breeds, which comes from their deep-rooted desire to please their owners.

    Theyre amazing with kids and rarely cause trouble around the house , which is why theyre well-known as a great family dog.

    You can even see how much they adore their owner by their love and ability to play fetch.

    Theyre also a very tender dog breed famous for their incredibly soft mouth grip.

    Just think about it: What other dog breeds could possibly hold a raw egg in their mouth and carry it around without breaking it?

    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 . 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.

    Do You Mind A Bit Of Mess In Your Home

    15 Reasons Golden Retrievers Are Great First Time Dogs ...

    As with most dogs, Golden Retrievers have a smell about them. A distinctive unmistakable smell, that many people learn to love or at least accept, but its something you should be aware of.

    You can bathe a Golden now and then which will help to lessen the odor temporarily but you shouldnt bathe them often as they have natural oils in their coat that keeps it healthy and waterproof. Stripping these oils is strongly discouraged.

    Also, Golden Retrievers are a long-haired and double-coated breed that shed their undercoat in huge clumps and high volume every spring and fall. And they also shed hair in smaller amounts the whole year round. So you will always be finding Golden hair on your carpets, chairsand in your tomato soup ?

    But regular grooming can keep this down and really, it isnt that bad once youre used to it.

    Goldens being such outdoor and active breeds, you will also on occasion have to endure dirty, wet and muddy paw prints through your house.

    So all in all, if you like to keep a squeaky clean home, youll have your work cut out for you and this is something to keep in mind.

    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.

    They Are Not Watchdogs

    While there are certainly exceptions, as a general rule, Golden Retrievers are not watchdogs.

    Golden Retrievers are friendly by nature and tend to be more suited towards the ‘welcoming committee’ than ‘neighborhood watch.’ However, they may bruise a new guest with their powerful, rapidly wagging tail.

    But again, there are exceptions. A Golden Retriever’s intelligence and loyalty should never be underestimated.

    Questions To Consider When Adding A Second Dog

    March 29, 2021

    Is getting a second dog a good idea or not? Many people who have a dog often ask themselves whether they should get another. I did! I often asked myself; Does my golden retriever need a companion?

    After we adopted KORU BEAR at six months, I felt that he would benefit from having a Golden sibling to keep him company and play with at all times. He is a social dog and will not have any issues adjusting especially when he spent his puppy life in a multi-dog family environment.

    Spaying And Neutering Golden Retrievers

    Health and Nutrition

    Spaying and neutering are the most common surgical procedures performed on dogs, including Golden Retrievers. Spaying and neutering are the best ways to slow down the population growth of our pets in order to ensure most pups have a safe place to call home. It can also prevent certain health conditions and decrease unwanted behavioral issues in your much-loved Golden.

    Table of Contents

  • Your Golden Retriever Puppy Is A Healthy Puppy

    When the topic is all about the health of your puppy, good quality of foods is essential. Your golden retriever puppy is also in need to regularly visit a veterinarian.

    Your puppy is in need to see a doctor to undergo an examination. You can do this if your puppy is ten weeks old.

    The veterinarian usually checks the heart, belly, eyes, ears, and most especially the lungs of your golden retriever puppy.

    The veterinarian will also say toyou if your puppy is required to undergo vaccination.

    To know the health level of your golden retriever puppy, you need to know first if your puppy already undergoes some vaccinations.

    If you adopt the puppy, he or she might be vaccinated already, but if you purchase it from its breeder, the puppy might not undergo any vaccinations.

    However, if they do, you should need to know the vaccines that were injected to him or her.

    Probably, you will bring your puppyto a doctor from its first month to be vaccinated.

    Moreover, after that, you will have to bring your puppy again to the doctor when the puppy is six months old and when he was one year old.

    Holistic Select Senior Health

    Rating:

    Senior Health is one of 11 dry recipes covered in our review of the Holistic Select product line.

    • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, chickpeas, peas, lentils, dried ground potatoes
    • Type: Grain-free
    • Profile: Maintenance
    • Best for:Senior goldens

    Holistic Select Senior Health obtains the better part of its meat protein from chicken fat. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 13% fat and 48% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 43%.

    We also note this dog food contains no generic animal by-products, artificial colors or chemical preservatives. The recipes below-average fat content combined with its inclusion of both chondroitin and glucosamine make it an ideal option for senior goldens. Highly recommended.

    Neutering Can Cause Health Issues To A Golden Retriever

    Researchers at the University of California have discovered that has negative effects on Golden Retrievers, increasing your dogs 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 shes 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 its 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.

    Should You Get A Golden Retriever Puppy 12 Things To Know

    #goldenretrievernames

    Golden Retriever Puppies can be considered as one of the most popular dog breeds that you can find in the United States and other countries.

    They became famous because of their good character and having an attractive appearance.

    We all know that having a dog inside your house will give you responsibility for a long time. 10-12 years of responsibility to be exact if you have a golden retriever puppy.

    If you are a type of person that was not born as a dog lover but has a golden heart on taking care of breed dogs such as the goldens, here are the 12 things about what to know before getting a golden retriever puppy.

    The Best First Dog To Have

    If I could go back and choose to have a golden retriever as my first dog, I definitely would.

    From my experience of owning them, I feel there are few breeds better suited to introducing you to the world of dog ownership.

    The pros of the breed massively outweigh the cons, and theyre so easy going that they make it incredibly easy to learn how to care for an animal.

    You should always research whether a particular breed will fit into your home life though, and this is no different for golden retrievers.

    One of the most important things to consider is that theyre quite an active breed.

    This is because they were bred as working dogs, and so have a lot of energy.

    I take my golden retriever on at least one long walk a day, if not two.

    Granted, much of that is because I love being outdoors, but consider that you will need to walk it every day.

    And unlike smaller breeds, you wont be able to get away with too many short walks around the block.

    Golden retrievers are very easily trained, and respond well to obedience training of any level.

    WORTH A LOOK: Do Golden Retrievers Bite?

    I would recommend taking them for at least basic training so they respond to the sound of your voice, but you shouldnt have any problem teaching them more advanced commands.

    Considering you probably dont have much experience training a dog, this is another reason why theyre one of the best dogs for first-time owners.

    Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon

    Rating:

    Southwest Canyon is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.

    • First 5 ingredients: Beef, peas, garbanzo beans, lamb meal, canola oil
    • Type: Grain-free
    • Profile: All life stages
    • Best for:Golden retriever adults and puppies

    Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon acquires the bulk of its animal protein from fresh beef and lamb meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.

    Southwest Canyon also contains salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs. They help deliver better joint health and a lustrous skin and coat. A super popular brand. Highly recommended.

    Sample buyer reviewTaste of the Wild makes both me and my dogs very happy. I have a pack of three that all love it and have beautiful coats that I can only attribute to their diet. As for me, its cost-efficient and doesnt stink like other dog foods. Id recommend it to any of my friends.

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