It is all your fault if your Golden retriever turns out to be anxious and public disobedient. This adorable dog breed is always fun to be around. Aspiring dog owners need to know what they are signing up for before they end up abandoning their dogs.
Knowing what a golden retriever is in terms of behavior, their basic requirements, and what to expect from them will make your life a lot easier, save you a bunch of headaches and help you avoid the mistakes many others are making.
It is just sad that too many dogs are abandoned or neglected because the owner and the breed weren’t a good match.
So to help you decide if a gold retriever is right for you and to help you have the proper expectations when you do bring them home, here are the 6 things you should know.
Golden retrievers are expensive
Golden retriever puppies are not cheap. They are one of America’s top favorite dog breeds. It will cost you about $1000-3000 or more to get one of these. The price may also be above that estimate depending on what the dogs are bred for, where the breeder is located, and the breeder’s experience.
The cost does not end with buying the puppy, it just only begins. Since they are big dogs, it means they need big crates, big toys, and a lot of food. That is not to mention vet bills for the health checks. These expenses will eventually dig a hole into your finances and that is where people end up abandoning their dogs. You better be prepared. Or just do have an expensive dog like this breed.
Golden retrievers shed a lot
They make a list of the top 5 dogs that shed a lot. While they are still puppies, they don’t shed. But as they grow older starting from about a year and a half, expect to see golden hairs over everything in your house.
You will occasionally find golden hair in your dinner, lunch, or breakfast and you won’t even know how it got there. This means you will need to vacuum clean your house a little more than usual. If this sounds like something you can keep up with, go ahead and get a golden retriever puppy.
Golden retrievers are big dogs
Goldens weigh about 55 to 75 pounds. The males are a little bit bigger than the females. Here there are a few things to consider. First, it means you will need a relatively big apartment with enough place for the dog to play.
Second, you will need a bit more training to avoid them to be jumping on people. If they were little dogs, jumping on people would not be an issue. The third thing to consider about golden retrievers’ size is traveling with them. They will need a seat of their own.
Golden retrievers are mouthy dogs
All puppies bite a lot but golden retrievers were originally bred as gun dogs to retrieve shot waterfowl with their mouth during hunting and shooting parties so it’s in their nature to be extra mouthy. They are likely to get into mischief chewing, biting, and ripping up things you name. You will need to put them under constant supervision or confine them into their crate or special room. This behavior diminishes as they grow, especially with good training.
Golden Retrievers are time consumers
You are going to invest a lot of time with this breed in terms of training, playtime, and general care. Due to their high energy, they want to be doing things all day. In fact, many dog rescue organizations won’t allow you to adopt a golden retriever unless you have a fenced-in backyard so your dog can be able to run.
Beware of backyard breeders
Since golden retrievers are people’s favorite and expensive breed, some people who should not be breeding dogs are now in the business of breeding dogs. Avoid these people at all costs. You may end up getting a golden retriever with health or temperament issues.
So you still want to buy a golden retriever puppy? With the above information, you are going to make a decision that you will not regret later. Golden retrievers have amazing personalities; they are sweet, they are loyal, they are loving, they don’t bark that much, and they are cuddly.
