Owning A Goldie Takes Money
Though Golden Retrievers are great dogs for many different people, theyre not the best breed for those on a budget. It can cost at least $500 to buy a Goldie from a breeder who owns the dogs and more than $3,000 to buy a registered pup. Some of the top breeders in the country show Golden Retrievers at American Kennel Club and other shows. They take those same dogs and breed them before selling their puppies. Some breeders will take the time to register those puppies or to provide you with the paperwork that you need to register your new pet. This can save you some time and gives you a registered puppy that you can show yourself.
The cost of buying and raising a Goldie includes much more than what you pay upfront though. It can take a few hundred dollars to cover its first vet appointment and a few hundred dollars more for the vaccinations and check-ups that it needs in the future. Youll also spend at least $100 a month on food and even more for the grooming that a Goldie needs, including nail trimming and teeth brushing.
Golden Retrievers that suffer from serious health conditions will require more money out of your pocket too. The cost of treating CID can easily cost $1,000 or more. Those with thyroid conditions may require expensive treatments too. Its really important that you consider the cost of ownership before deciding that a Golden Retriever is the best dog for you.
Golden Retriever Health Problems
All dogs are susceptible to certain medical conditions. As a Goldie owner, youll want to work with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet is healthy and lives as long as possible. Vets will often check the dogs joints, especially around the hips and legs. One condition that affects these dogs is canine hip dysplasia . CID occurs when the ball and socket of a joint do not develop properly. It causes pain and discomfort, which can make your dog seem lethargic or tired. Goldies may develop a symptom called the bunny hop that changes the way they walk and makes it seem as if they hop rather than walk. Other symptoms of CID can include changes in the way the dog runs and plays and trouble standing, climbing stairs or jumping.
Golden Retrievers are also susceptible to skin conditions such as dry skin and infections that do not heal properly. Hypothyroidism is also common among this breed. This is a type of condition that affects the dogs hormone production. It can make dogs weak and lethargic and cause issues with its mental capacity. You may also notice symptoms such as red or dry spots on the dogs skin and uncontrolled shaking that occurs when the dog is cold. Some Golden Retrievers will also have seizures, especially when they are older. Proper health care is important for Goldies. Not only can your vet spot the symptoms of any of these diseases, but the doctor can give you tips on caring for the dog at home.
Golden Retrievers And Other Pets
Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too.
Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time.
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Is Your Golden Retriever Dying Sick Or Hibernating
Unlike some of the animals, the Golden Retrievers cannot store enough amount of food and water in its body to hibernate. Therefore, hibernation is impossible for these breeds.
However, the behavior change in your Golden Retriever may sometime do occur due to disease and illness. And your pet may only be sick. Thus, to know whether your pal is ill or is in the transitional stage of dying, you need to consult with the Vet.
After some health testing, the Vet diagnoses the health condition of your pet and prescribes medication accordingly. However, the signs that show your Golden Retriever is sick are:
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Biting and chewing the things around it
- Restlessness
After the Vet confirms that the pet is dying, you should try to comfort the Golden Retrievers. For this, you can use all the above steps. But what to do about the emotional tornado?
What To Expect With A Golden Retriever Puppy
Golden Retriever puppies are the cutest things in the world.
Theyre fluffy little teddy bears that are full of joy, playfulness, and curiosity.
But
It can be really difficult raising a puppy.
They dont know not to potty in the house yet, so you have to take them out about every half hour to two hours so that they dont have an accident .
When you first bring them home, they can only hold their bladders for about 2-3 hours at a time, so expect to wake up 2-3 times per night to take them to potty.
Theyll probably hate their crate at first and bark and cry.
They bite a lot, theyll try to chew everything, and they need constant supervision so that they dont ruin your house or hurt themselves.
Plus, they have tons of energy!
Theyre a lot like having a toddler.
And all of this is totally normal.
Expect that raising a Golden Retriever puppy will be difficult, but know that it will be worth it.
In this section youll learn:
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How To Take Care Of Your Golden Retriever
Feed your Golden Retriever two to three cups of high-quality dog kibble that suits your dogs energy levels. You can divide this into two or three smaller meals to prevent him from scarfing everything down.
Avoid chicken bones and anything with high-fat content. Since they can become overweight, give food, and treats sparingly. Overfeeding can lead to certain health problems.
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How Much Exercise Do They Need
Golden Retrievers are energetic dogs who need plenty of exercise to help them stay in shape. An active lifestyle can also help prevent stress, frustration, and boredom, which can result in bad behaviors like chewing up your favorite shoes or damaging the furniture.
Your veterinarian can tell you how much exercise is right for your dog, but a good rule of thumb for Golden Retrievers is to get them moving for at least 30 minutes two times a day. That should tire out your four-legged friend. If its too hot for a walk, you can take your Golden Retriever for a swim. These dogs were bred to fetch birds from the water and tend to enjoy a nice dip in a lake or pool.
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The Golden Retriever Guide: Food Personality Exercise And More
Year after year, the golden retriever ranks among the top three most popular dog breeds in the U.S. and its not exactly hard to figure out why. Known for their friendly and people-loving personalities, goldens are as famous for being the perfect family pet as they are for their picture-perfect looks.
The typical golden is SO friendly, SO easygoing, and SO adorable that they can give the impression that theyre a low-maintenance dog. But, like any breed, they demand ample mental stimulation, exercise, and training. Goldens can be pretty chill compared to some breeds but most wont be content to laze the day away on the couch.
Read on to learn the basics about golden retrievers and golden retriever mixes, and insight from owners and experts to help you live the happiest possible life with this sunny companion.
Basic golden retriever breed facts
Golden retrievers are medium-to-large sized, sturdy, and muscular in build but with broad heads, short ears, and friendly, intelligent eyes. What really makes these dogs stand out, however, is that lustrous golden coat.
As the name suggests, golden retrievers always have a golden coat, though it can range in color from a light cream-colored gold to a dark reddish gold . Dogs of this breed often exhibit a thick ruff around the neck along with feathering on the legs, stomach, and tail. Some goldens have slightly wavy fur while others have completely straight coats.
Typical golden personality profile
Stella
Home environment
Sullivan
Health Of Golden Retrievers
Purebreds, in general, many times have more health issues than mixed breeds. There are several that come to mind with Golden Retrievers, but asking some questions up front might help to avoid these issues for you.
- Hip Dysplasia If your Golden ends up having this, it can get quite costly and can be painful for your dog. This can be screened for in your puppy before you purchase him, and most good breeders should have this done before puppies are going to their new home.
- Allergies Golden Retrievers are susceptible to allergies. These can be quite serious. I had a Golden who would chew all the fur off his feet until all that was left were pink feet. We ended up going to a specialist and had to give him shots every 3 weeks because he was in such bad shape. Our next 2 Goldens didnt have any allergies, but we asked before choosing them if the parents had allergies. They didnt, and ours never did either.
- Ear Infections They have long furry ears that result in poor air circulation. The best way to help prevent the infections is drying the ears after swimming and baths. There are also ear cleaning solutions that you can pick up almost anywhere you get pet supplies. Cleaning their ears regularly will help with fewer infections.
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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.
The Pros And Cons Of Golden Retrievers
The Golden Retriever. While it’s debatable if all blondes have more fun, this uber-popular blonde breed makes a strong case. Seriously, Golden Retrievers tend to live each day as if they have just discovered a swimming pool full of tennis balls and bacon. And while that sunny disposition is appealing, there are pros and cons to consider before bringing one of these blondies into your home.
Pros
- Sweet, calm, and probably nicer than your grandma. That happy-go-lucky image is not an empty stereotype. This breed is ridiculously good-natured.
- Smart and easy to train. Their size, speed, agility, and intelligence make them a fun animal to train. Not only for tricks like slow-dancing with you to Adele, but also service-specific skills for limited-ability companions.
- Loves large families and small kids. This breed loves being part of a family, inside the house and near the rest of the “pack.”
- A perfect pet sibling. Golden Retrievers adapt well to other pets with a more-the-merrier mentality.
- Eternal puppy. This breed loves to romp and play and is especially energetic for the first 3-4 years of life.
- Not barky. Or bitey. But totally dreamy.
Cons
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Exercising Your Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a sporting breed that requires plenty of exercise. Spend 40 minutes to an hour of physical activities with your Goldie daily.
Other owners break it into two sessions a day. Switch things up by bringing him along to your hunting trips, trekking, and cycling adventures.
But be warned, these playful canines sometimes dont know when to stop. Some have so much energy that theyll keep running until their legs give out.
Overexercise is possible, and it wouldnt do your pet any good. Because of this breeds love for water, you can take your fur buddy to go swimming.
It has a low impact on his body yet very beneficial. Pups should be introduced gently to this activity.
Those who are used to it will join in the pool on their own. Just look at Mia in this video:
The possibilities are truly endless. All you have to do is wait till they are fully grown before doing anything strenuous.
Show Dog Vs Field Dog Variant
Aside from the Golden Retriever types, there are also differences between Goldies who are bred for the field to those who are bred to be show dogs.
Field dogs have a sleeker appearance. Theyre more aloof with family members but are considered more intelligent.
Theyre also smaller with less lavish coats because theyre more active since theyre meant to work. They sometimes come in a mahogany color, like the Red Golden Retriever.
Show dog Goldens are basically the prettier version since they are bred for the ring or conformation events. They look more like teddy bears when compared to field-bred Goldies.
They have the signature blocky heads and are generally more heavy set.
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How Do I Know That My Golden Can Swim
Most Goldens love to swim, and its excellent exercise for them, even when young. Introduce them to water and let them explore on their own. If they are unsure about the water, you might get in and swim out a bit to encourage them, but let them take their own time. Younger puppies might be more standoffish to water than they would be in another month or two thats normal. Never toss a dog into water that doesnt want to go in! Sometimes a water-crazy older dog is perfect to have along to help teach your dog to appreciate swimming. You might also try tossing in a toy for him to get, but be prepared to go out and retrieve it yourself if he doesnt!
If you have a swimming pool, just remember that the dog hair in the pool will mean you need to clean the pool more frequently. Be sure that your dog knows how to get out of the swimming pool, and do not leave them unattended with access to the pool.
Golden Retriever Hair And Grooming Needs
As pets, Golden Retrievers do have high grooming needs, especially in the spring when they start shedding their undercoat. To keep the hair and fluff under control, its important to brush your dog every day more often during shedding season. Begin grooming during puppyhood, using a soft brush, going in the direction of the fur.
To get ahead of the spring-summer shedding, some pet parents opt to have their dog shaved. Before you take that step, its important to understand Golden Retrievers are double-coated, and those two layers each have a job to protect the dog and keep her feeling comfortable. You know how as puppies, Golden Retrievers look like freshly laundered bear cubs? That fluff is their future undercoat. When a Golden Retriever reaches about three months old, the first feathers start emerging in the tail. Eventually, that adorable puppy fluff is completely covered with a long, coarse, water-resistant top coat.
Under that long hair, the fluffy undercoat offers year-round insulation against both the cold and the heat, while also protecting the dogs skin against things like sunburn. These coats are self-regulating, meaning changes in the day length trigger hormone changes in the dog that cause the hair to grow thicker in the winter, and thin out naturally in the summer.
So before you go with the summer haircut, work with a professional groomer, so you can ensure that undercoat gets the right amount of thinning without causing discomfort to your dog.
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Not All Goldens Are Alike
Did you know there are several different types of Golden Retrievers? There are three main varieties of this dog breed: the Canadian Golden Retriever, the British Golden Retriever, and the American Golden Retriever8.
Golden Retrievers also come in a wide range of different hues. Youll find Goldens that are so pale they look almost white Goldens that are a deep, burnished auburn color and every shade in between. There are even black-furred Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers also have a double coat a thicker undercoat and an additional top coat, which helps them stay warm in the water.
Final Thoughts On What Is Bad About Golden Retrievers
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. As a total fan of this wonderful breed, I thought it would be hard to come up with anything bad about Golden Retrievers but easily came up with 13.
What about you? Are you able to look past the 13 bad things about Golden Retrievers? Let me know what you like or dont like about this breed. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Getting A Golden Retriever Puppy
Choosing to adopt or go through a breeder for your new golden retriever puppy is a personal choice that requires research. Thankfully, there are many resources out there to help you find a rescue or breeder that offers healthy, ethically-sourced golden retriever puppies.
Knowing what youre in for when you get a golden retriever puppy is an important step in being a responsible pet owner. Whether you find a responsible breeder or are planning on adopting, its up to you to be prepared for an energetic and friendly addition to your household.