Golden retrievers are America’s favorite breed for families. Below we answer some common questions you may have before making the decision if a golden retriever is right for you.
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What age should you get a golden retriever?
You may be questioning if you should get a puppy or adopt an older dog. The great thing about adopting an older dog is that they are usually potty trained, and you skip all the teething n chewing issues. The downside is your not 100% ever going to know what the dog was exposed to or how it was treated previously. Something to take into consideration if you have young children and are adopting a dog. Most rescues do a great job at matching rescue dogs with everyone’s needs in mind.
If you decide to go the puppy route, a breeder will let the puppies leave their mom around 8 to 10 weeks. In my experience, we got our puppy right at eight weeks, and he did great. A puppy is more work from the start. They will need to go out every couple of hours, and they will cry at night for a little while, especially if you choose to crate train the puppy. It’s a chore and time investment, but getting a puppy gives you the chance to bond with the puppy right from the start. It also allows you to make sure the dog is adequately trained.
I have experienced both; as mentioned before, we got a puppy at eight weeks and have been in love ever since. We choose a puppy because we have a special needs child and wanted to train right from the start for the puppy to know her.
We also have fostered a golden that was going to be brought to the pound. It just happened that a friend of a friend was going to bring their dog to the pound, and I got a call because I already had a golden. There was no way we could let the dog go to the pound knowing how great these dogs are. So we took her in, knowing it may be forever if we couldn’t find the right home for her. She was excellent from the start! She was potty trained but a little scared ( I don’t think she was in the best situation). She followed me around and laid at my feet as I had raised her. We got her groomed and give lots of love and playtime with our boy.
It just happened that my neighbor came by, and I told her the story. She has an older dog that was getting ill, and they have a ten-year-old girl, so they were starting to consider getting another dog. They love our golden retriever. So it was a match made in heaven. The dog and the girl have a new best friend. She turned out to be a great dog for their family!
So when choosing to get a puppy or adopt an older dog take into consideration the time you have. All dogs are a time investment, but a puppy is extra even though it is short lived. Also, consider if you have children their age and how well they will do with a puppy or an older dog.
Should I get a male or a female golden retriever?
This really comes down to personal preference. Some people tend to think there is a difference in the affectionate department, but the truth is goldens in general, are very affectionate and love attention. I have had both a female and a male golden retriever. They both followed me every time I moved and would lay at my feet. The female did tend to go lay down if I was in the same room while my boy would stay right by me. At the time, the female was older than the male, and my male golden does this now. So when choosing whether to go with a female or male golden retriever, being concerned about having a loving dog should not be a factor. They’re all loving!
A couple of things to consider when choosing whether to get a male or female is size, mental maturity, and training.
Males are generally bigger than females they can be anywhere from 60lbs to 85lbs. Where females can be as small as 45lbs. Some larger females can reach the 60-pound mark. Males often have a bigger head commonly referred to as a “blockhead” and have a thicker coat. This does not mean males shed more they shed about the same if the female is spayed. If you have a female that is not spayed she will shed more than a male after a heat cycle.
Females tend to mature faster than males. This is what I experience with an almost 2 years old female and a 1-year-old male. He was still in puppy play mode and she was already to cool for him.
Since females mature quicker it also means they are easier to obedient train. That being said males will potty train first! This is because they physically mature faster and can control their bladder sooner than a female puppy.
You can’t go wrong with this breed male or female!
What are 3 types of Golden Retrievers?
There are 3 different types of golden retrievers that are mainly factored by physical differences and not temperaments or overall health.
The 3 different types of golden retrievers are the Canadian Golden Retriever, English Golden Retriever, and American Golden Retrievers.
The Canadian golden retriever is the most different out of the three. Their coats tend to be shorter and thinner. You will also find the Canadian golden retriever stands a much as 2 inches taller than its English and American counterparts.
Canadian Golden’s are usually light golden, and their coats are not feathery.
Up next is the English (Creme) Golden Retriever or European Golden Retriever. The most notable difference is their coats; they are more feathery and usually a creme color (white).
The English creme golden retriever also has a broader, more muscular build with a blocker head.
Lastly, the American Golden Retriever. They have darker coats and are leaner, less muscular of the three. They also sport the same long wavy coat that varies in shades of golden from light to dark in color.
Are golden retriever hard to train?
No, Golden Retrievers are not hard to train. They are very smart dogs and catch on to commands pretty quickly. As with any dog, you will need to be consistent with training and use the same commands.
Everyone that is training the dog should use the same command, so “no” is ‘No’ don’t use the word “stop” and think you will get the same result. This will confuse your puppy and not produce the training you are seeking.
Start training early ( 8 weeks) as soon as you bring your puppy home and be persistent with the training. Your puppy will likely be potty trained in a few weeks.
Some accidents may happen due to the inability to hold their pee, but the puppy will learn quickly to go to the door. It’s on you to get the door open for the puppy to go out. Make sure the puppy walks out to the designated potty spot. This will help them smell their way to the correct area. Remember to praise your puppy when they go outside.
Are Golden retrievers high maintenance?
Yes, Golden Retrievers are high maintenance. Golden retrievers have long hair and require grooming and brushing quite often. They are also prone to skin and ear infections that require frequent bathing and ear care. Goldens are also prone to several health problems and may result in more than average vet care.
Golden retrievers also demand attention and need exercise. They will let you know when its playtime. They will continuously bring you a toy or ball wanting attention. They also need exercise; younger goldens need challenging exercise twice daily. The less exercise a golden receives, the more hyper and destructive chewing you will experience.
They are also velcro dogs. They want to be part of the family and want to be next to you at all times. It’s not often that I leave a room without my pup on my trail. He follows me everywhere even if he is in a dead sleep, he will wake up to follow me and go back to sleep where I stop, and the process repeats itself all day.
Golden Retrievers do not make good outside dogs. They want to be with their family and will often develop separation anxiety if left outside. They are eventually going to dig or climb out of the fence. If you are looking for an outside dog, a Golden Retriever may not be for you.
If your okay with having a dog inside, then a golden may be right for you. One other thing to know is golden retrievers are messy. A puppy will often play in their water bowl, and an older golden will almost aways drip water all over when drinking. As mention before, their shedding is quite a lot and will not only require brushing but will also mean more cleaning for you. That being said they are wonderful dogs that make great companions for their humans.
Why do golden retriever smell bad?
A Golden Retrievers has a thick water-resistant coat and oily skin. Because of this, they are prone to skin and ear infections. Places where the skin stays moist like ears, neck folds, and under the tail, can develop a bacterial or yeast infection. This will lead to a funky odor.
Allergies can also lead to skin infections due to your dog being extra itchy and developing a hotspot that turns into an infection. It is important to pinpoint what is the cause of the skin infection.
My golden loves to swim so this has lead to ear and skin yeast infections. It is key to catch them early before they get too nasty. When we notice him developing a skin issue, we take a break for the pool and bath with anti-fungal shampoo. Usually, after two baths, we are looking good! Getting him completely dry is also key, which is sometimes hard to do without a dog dryer.
Typically my dog does not have an odor on a day to day basis. The odor is usually from the infection which we quickly treat. We also bath him pretty regularly but odor has not been an issue.
Can a golden retriever be left alone?
Yes, Golden Retrievers can be left alone. Typically goldens do just fine being left alone for short periods of time.
You may be looking up the question because you have a full-time job and are looking into getting a golden retriever. One thing to understand is you can leave them alone a couple of times a week for a couple of hours a day. If you are running errands throughout the week, but if you work 8 hours a day and have an hour commute home. Rethink getting a golden retriever or have a plan in place for the dog not to be alone all day.
Goldens are social dogs, and it’s not fair and will cause undue stress for them to be left home alone for extended amounts of time daily.
If you a full-time worker and have your heart set on getting a golden, some options that may make it possible would be to come home on lunch break, hire a dog walker, drop your dog off at doggie daycare, ask family members to come by during the day.
Are golden retrievers good indoor dogs?
Yes, Golden Retrievers make excellent indoor dogs! In fact, goldens do better as an inside dog than an outside dog. They will need their outside time for exercising but love being with their family.
Our golden will go outside in short sessions by himself. He does completely fine if the door is open, but if we close the door, some separation anxiety kicks in—full-blown excessive drooling down the door and back and forth from the entrance to the window.
Now, if the tables are turned, and I am outside, and he is inside where he is comfortable, he doesn’t have as much anxiety he will watch us and go back and forth, but he will eventually lay down and go to sleep.
Maybe he feels more secure with it since he has learned to open the door and let himself out now!
If you are against having a dog in your house and think your golden can live in the yard with a dog house. Please rethink your decision to get a golden retriever. It is just not the case. They love love being with their humans, and leaving them outside will bring on a set of issues for you, the dog, and possibly your neighbors.
Are golden retrievers lazy?
This is a yes and no question. Golden retrievers definitely have a lazy side, but they are also active dogs. Once your golden reaches a year old, you will start to see their lazy side where they nap all day, but they are always up for playtime.
My dog has always been pretty laid back even as a puppy. He also gets plenty of exercises on a daily basis that wears him out pretty good. He typically will sleep on and off thought out the day with a couple of trips outside but come evening time. He knows its playtime! He knows everyone is home to give him the attention he needs. So all evening and into the night, he will bring us toys and wants attention. He usually goes out to the mini-farm in the evenings and gets some good exercise and just general outdoor time.
What’s is it like having a golden retriever?
So you may be wondering what is it like having a golden? Why do people go golden for life?
Well, despite the fact that some of the negatives (shedding) golden are so fun to live with. We joke and say our golden really doesn’t know he’s a dog! They are the most loving, caring dogs. Always next to you for a snuggle or a hug. They are very animated dogs, and by animated, I mean they show the expression on their face. They move their eyebrows and listen to you. They also talk! Wait.. Don’t think I am just another crazy dog person, lol, but our golden retriever moans and makes sounds to communicate regularly!
We are always surprised and entertained by our golden and often wonder what did we do before we had a dog! If you are looking for a companion in a dog well, golden retrievers are the best. They will be right with you every step and always up for a trip. If your an active person, a golden retriever is the breed for you. They love swimming and hiking and will load up with you with no problem ready for an adventure.
Is a golden retriever good for a first time dog owner?
Yes, of course! Owning a golden retriever is excellent for anyone who understands the needs and care of one. If your reading this, hopefully, you have read the above on what to expect and what comes with owning a golden retriever. Lets recap. There are some negatives with owning a golden; I really hate to call them negative because it’s like with anything worth doing or having there is work involved, and the same goes for being a golden retriever parent.
I would say the number one thing to understand is they shed. It pretty consisted throughout the year, and two times a year, it is extreme. You will need to invest in a cleaning arsenal, and some lint rollers and understand your house will never be free of pet hair completely. It’s just a fact. They are 100% percent worth the extra cleaning and living with a little fur in the house.
There is also a time and financial investment for owning a golden retriever. They need daily exercise and attention. They are also prone to health problems that may result in some extra cost in vet bills. They need high-quality food due to allergies the breed as a whole suffers from.
Golden retrievers are also sensitive dogs and do better with positive reinforcement over scolding. Overly scolding or being harsh can lead to aggressive behavior.
It’s important to take into consideration if you have very young children that may hit or mistreat the dog unknowingly that will result in your golden being aggressive. They are very loving dogs when treated correctly. They are also smart enough to know when they are being mistreated, and just as they communicate when they are happy, they will also communicate when they are not, which can result in a growl or snip.
This happened with my very nonaggressive dog when a family friend was over with a rambunctious child that hit him and try to take his ball. He did not bite, but his behavior immediately changed, and he did let out a low growl. He never showed teeth, and I honestly did not think he would bite but knew he was being mistreated. The next night he played with five well behaved active kids in the pool with no issues. So it’s not unheard of for goldens to be aggressive, so if you have a small child that may hit or pull on the dog, you will have to commit to teaching your child and being vigilant during those years of the toddler stage.
Conclusion
We hope we answered some of your questions or concerns you may have while deciding on whether or not to get a golden retriever. They really are phenomenal dogs that have a goofy, fun personality that will become part of the family.