Bigger Dog ownership?

[PaulaSue]

a little background...I have always been a cat person but while I was a Nanny my family adopted a golden and I have been in love with them since. Now this was 15? years ago when I worked there so I need some refreshing as to what all care and expenses they need.

Dh wants a lab and I want a golden and I feel the urge that it is soon time (cat willing the company) but I want to know what I am getting into. The girls are getting older and are great with our cat.

Are boy or girl dogs better with children in your OP?

How often/expesive are the vet visits a year?
How many times a day to you walk or let out approx?
How many pounds of dog food a week do they go though for your bigger dog? (Still not sure if we want a golden or lab, dh likes shorter hair)
How many years did it take them to get out of the puppy stage and follow basic commands? When do yoou start lessons?
Where do you crate them, if so, during the away times?

Any major thing I am forgetting?

Btw, are purebreeds better with kids than a SPCA puppy?

We want to get a younger puppy. I really want one that will travel in the car for short trips to school, stuff like that, etc...

P.S. anyone in PA having golden or lab puppies???

 

[minkydog]

I have a large 6yo Standard Poodle, about 75lb. He's built like a greyhound. I grew up with a 200lb Saint Bernard. I think I can answer some of your questions, just not the Golden-specific ones.

*Are boy or girl dogs better with children in your OP? All of our dags have been boys. The most well-adjusted of the lot is our poodle, who was neutered at 10wks. He's happy as a clam.

*How often/expesive are the vet visits a year? [Since my dog has seizures he goes about every 6 months for blood tests. The bloodwork is about $75 a pop,shots are about $180/yr. When we first got him he became very ill and we spent almost $2500 on him. He's sweet, but I don't think I'd do that again.

*How many times a day to you walk or let out approx? [COLOR=BlueNow he goes out about 4-5 times aday. As a puppy it was every 90 min.[/COLOR]*How many pounds of dog food a week do they go though for your bigger dog? We buy a 25lb bag and it lasts 2wks (Still not sure if we want a golden or lab, dh likes shorter hair) Labs and goldens shed like mad. Be sure you understand just how much hair you're willing to live with. Poodles don't shed, but they need to be groomed about every 3-4months, $60/grooming.

*How many years did it take them to get out of the puppy stage and follow basic commands? When do yoou start lessons?Where do you crate them, if so, during the away times? Well, they are very puppyish until around 2yrs old. You can start puppy training at around 3 months, but the real obedience training doesn't really start to take until about 6months. The first few months is when they are learning to socialise, housebreak, crate-train, etc. Our crate is inthe kitchen. Minky went inthere when i could not keep my eye on him, like when I'm cooking. Now he just lays in there for comfort

Any major thing I am forgetting? #1- Don't let him start sleeping in your bed no matter how much he cries #2-Do submission training with him so he understands that he not the leader of the pack. The pack is your family and he comes last(trust me.)

Btw, are purebreeds better with kids than a SPCA puppy?
I have had three purebred dogs and one rescue(my persent dog.) I can't say that I see any difference. They were all good dogs.

We want to get a younger puppy. I really want one that will travel in the car for short trips to school, stuff like that, etc... Be sure you have a lot of time to give. Puppies are a lot like babies and they need your physical presence. If you really don't have time, then consider an older dog. They are very grateful and a lot less troublesome.

Cathy--mom to Minky

 

[beckmrk04]

We adopted a lab mix from a rescue group. She's wonderful. BUT- beware. Raising a puppy, especially a larger breed, is EXPENSIVE and time consuming for the first few months.

Jules cost $100. Pretty cheap, huh? NO WAY. SO much more goes into it.

Vet- Spay cost us about $80. Frontline meds (for fleas and ticks) is about $20/month, I think, maybe a little less. Every time I walk into the Vet, it's at least $40. The there are at least 3 rounds of shots for pups. Heartworm meds.

Food- I buy premium dogfood, and Jules weighs about 70 lbs. She eats about 3 1/2 cups/day, which means I buy a 20 lb. bag every week and1/2 to two weeks (About $17/bag).

Treats and toys- theyare expensive, but you'll need to have some of each. I highly reccomend a Kong!! My dog loves hers.

Crate- I cannot tell you how fantastic crate training is. She is a year old and we still crate her when we leave the house, and sometimes if we have guests. She also gets crated overnight. We're going to start giving her more freedom in the next 6 months, slowly, to see how she does. Expect to spend about $100 or so on a crate for a large dog.

ALSO- youhave to have a plan for the dog if you are going to be gone all day. We have family that can come walk Jules, or we bought a kennel for outside ($300) and a doghouse ($75) so she can stay out. AND, we plan on fencing our yard.

Obedience classes are a must, and can range in cost dramatically. Ours was $100 for a 6 week puppy course. Jules started learning basic commands right away- and after practice, she now knows manycommands, but it takes a LOT of time and PRACTICE.

I personally like girl dogs, but goldens and labs are known for being greatwith kids, no matter if you get a girl or a boy.

My dog is a year old, and she's still not quite out of her puppy stage. SHe's housetrained, but last week she peed on my bed. Most larger dogs aren't considered out of their puppy stage until 1 1/2-2 years. That said, it also depends on the dog. Ours is still very excitable. But, full of love.

Scared yet?
I love my dog. She's like my kid. SHe goes to the bank with me,and to visit my parents. She is sweet and rotten. AND totally worth every minute and every penny!!!

ETA- she sheds like CRAZY!!!!! Blond hair all over. ANd, she goes out several times a day, but I think my dog has a miniscule bladder.

 

[VegasMonarch]

since it is what i want, i say get a lab. and since i am a veterinary technician, i say get one from the shelter. it's something like 9000 animals are put to sleep per day across the country. so i am a supporter of shelter pets. and another reason to get a lab is because they have the least medical problems of any breed of dog. golden retrievers often (not always) get a really nasty type of blood tumor by the time they are five years old. it attaches itself to the spleen (which can be removed and take care of the problem if it is caught in time and has not spread to the liver) or it attaches to the right atrium of the heart (and if it is there ther is nothing you can do). but goldens are really sweet and are excellent with kids, and can be easier to obedience train than a lab. most people that i know who have labs say that they like females because they calm down by the age of two, where as their males took longer (up to two years more). keep us posted about what you end up doing, and i hope you enjoy whatever you get. pets enrich our lives as much as children do.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I don't have specific answers for your questions, but I can vouch for the Golden! I LOVE my dog!

 

[horseshowmom]

We have a lab mix. She is always totally happy and absolutely loves everybody. She's gentle with our Chihuahua (lets him think that he's knocking her down and "winning").

That said, she'll be 3 this summer and has "finally" pretty much stopped getting into things (garbage, dragging things out, etc.). Well, to be honest, she did bring my uncle's tennis shoes to us last weekend (he lives next door), but at least she doesn't chew things up anymore.

My brother has a registered lab (gotten as a puppy), and she actually ate the chairs of the dining room table (not to mention several pairs of expensive boots!). As with us, once she got to about 3, she didn't do any of that anymore, and they adore her (she sleeps in the bed with their teenage daughter).

 

[Jennifer S]

I have a female Goldendoodle- the best dog we have ever had. I love having a female - gentle, great with kids, doesn't run away.

See if you can borrow a crate - that will save some money. Yes dogs are pricey bur worth every cent.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

We have an almost year old boxer who thinks he is a lap dog! Puppies are not cheap but worth every penny. For us it seemed like the things that cost a small fortune are the treats and toys and all of the stuff you need to get when you first bring home the puppy (like bowls, leashes & collars, tags, training pads, crate, bed, etc.) Vets bills aren't cheap either. But even more than the $$$ is the amount of time you need to devote to a young puppy. We got Champ when he was only about 8 weeks old. Someone needed to be with him almost 24 hours a day. He needed to go out all the time and always needed to be watched to make sure he wasn't getting in to anything. He is almost a year old and he still cries if we leave him alone (not in his crate) for awhile or sometimes even if we just run upstairs for a few minutes. We chose to crate him for sleeping and whenever we leave the house and he doesn't seem to mind, I think he likes his crate. Ahh... there is just so much to say about a puppy! I hope you find exactly what you are looking for and good luck!

 

[2BigKIdz]

I really am a large breed person, I like all dogs but just have always fancied big dogs.

I prefer male dogs, I have found them easier to train and more mild temperament.

Regular vet visits are no more expensive for large dogs v. small dogs, kennels will charge you more though if you plan on that. Our dogs are seen once a year unless they are sick. Heartworm pills and medicine will cost you more but I don't think it is a significant enough amount to change your mind on breed.

We have a fenced in yard so they go out often. Different dogs require different amounts of exercise.

I'm not sure how much food I use, don't pay attention to how long the bags last.

Start lessons right away. Mine never went to obedience school but my next one will.

My two older dogs (one in doggie heaven now) were crate trained in the bedroom. My youngest dog, a collie, is claustrophobic and could not be crate trained, but he was housebroken in no time at all. They have full run of the house but they are older. They did destroy stuff if left alone until they were about 2 years old. Now they don't pay any attention to the stuff they used to tear up (shoes, remotes, furniture etc)

We have an SPCA mutt and a AKC registered collie, they both love kids and I wouldn't say one is better than the other. They are both really friendly guys and just love people. I have heard that some of the pure breeds will be higher strung that mutts but I don't know how true that is.

Long haired dogs will require alot more grooming.

I also have 2 cats and the cats and dogs get along great 98% of the time. My oldest cat (15) and my oldest dog (13) are absolutely the best of friends, the cat follows him around everywhere meowing and rubbing up against him. Sometimes you can just tell by the look on the dog's face that he has had enough of the cat for awhile but he never snaps or growls at her, it is so funny.
Good luck and post pics when you get your puppy!

 

[mcnuss]

We have 2 Labs (hence my tag - we have 2 Atomic Tails in this house) and we used to have a Golden who passed away at age 12. We also have 2 cats now but at one point had 3 different ones. We went with the Labs this time bc once we had our DD we never had time again to take care of the Golden's coat and he looked like a rat for the last 4 years of his life, poor thing. He was a matted wreck. All of our cats and dogs have always gotten along great and we have one cat now who has basically taken ownership of the older Lab.

I think most of the other posters covered your cost questions. One thing you cannot do enough of is train. We spent a fortune on training with both our dogs and I don't regret it. Most people think Labs are hyper but ours have always been (well, at least since we got past the puppy year and a half) calm as can be. They are so mellow and docile. I also completely agree about crate training. At 4 & 6, ours no longer use their crates much anymore, but if we have to be out of the house for more than 8-10 hours, we will crate them. They never mess their crates and they can "hold it" for a good 12-14 hours but that is soooo pushing it. As they age, they probably won't be able to hold it as long. That happened to our Golden. We also have invisible fence which cost a ton of money but the peace of mind is worth it. Goldens and Labs love to chase - people, squirrels, birds, you name it - and I did not want to have to be 100% vigilant every time they were in the yard. I'd very much recommend if your yard is right for it.

Our Golden was a male and the Labs are both females. We have all decided that we prefer females, but we're not sure why. We think they're more lovey but who knows if that's real or just imagined bc we love them so much.

 

[mrsv98]

We have two labs and are getting a baby girl on 3/25. IMHO, labs rule!
I will try to answer some of your questions but know every dog/family situation is a bit different.

Dh wants a lab and I want a golden and I feel the urge that it is soon time (cat willing the company) but I want to know what I am getting into. The girls are getting older and are great with our cat.

Are boy or girl dogs better with children in your OP?

We always get females, they tend to be smaller and have less of a tendency to roam. I also think they have the better temperment but that is really a matter of taste. They are more expensive initially because spaying is more expensive than neutering.

How often/expesive are the vet visits a year?
Puppies are like human babies and go to the vet often in the first year. We will pick up our baby on Sat and she will go for an initial visit on that Mon. Then is is about every 4-6 weeks until she is spayed at 6-7 months. A follow up visit to take out the stitches and then she should be fine until the next year. Then it is once/year until they are considered "senior." Our Sammy girl is 10 yo and goes every 6 months. This is relatively new but we think it is a good idea.

In terms of expense, that varies widely from area to area and from vet to vet. Of course, since we have 2 and soon 3, we never get out of there under $150 but that is just us. Heartworm meds go about $60-$100/year depending on the size and whether you do 8 months or 12 months (we do 12 months since we take our girls to the dog park.)

How many times a day to you walk or let out approx?

They need to go out evertime the phone rings or I pick up my book! No really, the minimum is 4-6 times a day. We have a fenced back yard so they go out as much as they like really. When the weather is cooperative, we take them to the dog park and let them run and interact with other dogs. Excellent exersise and way fun!


How many pounds of dog food a week do they go though for your bigger dog? (Still not sure if we want a golden or lab, dh likes shorter hair)
They get about 1 1/2 to 2 cups twice a day. We buy the food in 47lb bags at petsmart for about $24/bag. The bag lasts about 4-6 weeks. Pretty soon we will be buying old dog food (for Sammy), fat dog food (for Lilly) and puppy food (for baby Belle)...we should buy stock in Purina! Also figure in rawhides and biscuits. You want to give a sporting dog something you choose for them to chew, otherwise, they will happily chew your couch!

How many years did it take them to get out of the puppy stage and follow basic commands? When do you start lessons? Where do you crate them, if so, during the away times?

This depends entirely on the dog. Labs stay in the "puppy" stage longer than many dogs, but that is why labs should always be crate trained. Sammy is one of the smartest dogs I have ever known. She was easily trained and reliable at a year. By the time she was 2, she recognized and followed hand signals and would follow voice commands off-lead. I totally trust her. Then there is Lilly. Very sweet but dumb as a box of rocks. She is trained and follows commands, but "forgets" quickly. She is still crated when we leave because she likes to chew paper. However, this is no hardship. She likes her crate and hangs out in there during the day when she is resting. On the other hand, she loves DD above anyone and will put herself between DD and another dog, if the strange dog gets too close. That is worth a lot.

Housebreaking depends on consistency and crate training. Get into a good schedule and it shouldn't be more than a couple of months before you have some reliability. For us, it is even easier. Puppies love to follow the leader so our new baby will imitate the big girls and should catch on quickly.

Read up on crate training. With a dog that is "mouthy" like the sporting breeds you will lose your mind if you dont have a crate. It is really the best method and will make everyone happier. You won't be constantly angry or frustrated because the pup has just eaten something or gotten in the garbage...again. And the pup will be more relaxed because you are.


Any major thing I am forgetting?

Only the difference in coat maintainence. Golden should be brushed daily or their hair will mat. They need to go to the groomer a couple of times a year, too. Labs only need to be brushed 1 or 2x/week unless they are really shedding. Their nails need to be clipped but they do not really need to go to the groomers at all. We rarely give our girls a bath, with the waterproof caot, it takes FOREVER for them to dry and they really don't need it. They love to go swimming and we take them when it is warm and when we have time for them to dry off before bed.

Btw, are purebreeds better with kids than a SPCA puppy?
Hoo boy, did you open a can 'o worms with this question...this is JMHO....

We always get our girls from a breeder. We know her, we know about a dozen of her dogs. We have been to her house and seen the facilities. We know she only breeds her girls once/year and is careful with the bloodlines. While our DD is young, this is the way we will go. When she is older, we will probably get a rescue dog here and there, but I do not trust a dog I haven't trained with DD in the house.

My DSis rescues Boxer and has had varying experiences with aggression and with the rescue places lying about the age/health of the dogs. She is about to lose her 2nd boxer in the last three years because it is way older then she was told and had medical issues they should have known about (and probably did).

Again, this is JMHO

We want to get a younger puppy. I really want one that will travel in the car for short trips to school, stuff like that, etc...

Our girls go with us everywhere. I take them with to pick up DD and for trips around town as long as it is less than about 72 degrees. Sammy is black so she cannot tolerate much heat and I like to be on the safe side. When we take a long summer vacation, we take them with and usually rent a house on a lake so they have a vacation too! Here is a picture of them last summer in the Dells, WI

Oh my, I have written a lot! But we love these dogs and while they can be work, they are WELL worth the time and effort. You will have dogs that love and protect you all their lives.

 

[JVL1018]

Dh wants a lab and I want a golden and I feel the urge that it is soon time (cat willing the company) but I want to know what I am getting into. The girls are getting older and are great with our cat.

Are boy or girl dogs better with children in your OP?

I have a black female lab, I don;t know if girls or boys or better, but I wanted a girl.

How often/expesive are the vet visits a year?
Not bad, I think around $100 for last year($300 something the first year with all the shots)..

How many times a day to you walk or let out approx?
Hmm, I don;t know, I'm home all day and we have a fenced in backyard so I just let her go out whenever she wants to, I never walk her(though that is chnaging because she's a fatty). If we are out for the day, like 8-10 hours she can hold it fine though. I think she just likes ot be outside so she goes out often if we're there to let her out.
How many pounds of dog food a week do they go though for your bigger dog? (Still not sure if we want a golden or lab, dh likes shorter hair)
I have no idea.
How many years did it take them to get out of the puppy stage and follow basic commands? When do yoou start lessons?
Honestly my lab learned sit like immediatly. We took a puppy class with her and she did okay, but we didn't follow through at all..still she's very well behaved except that she jumps. I took her for a walk the other day and she was yanking and pulling on the leash and it took only 3 times for me to tell her no before she walked nicely at my side. Labs are SMART..and dumb in other ways, but she gets things very quickly.
Where do you crate them, if so, during the away times?
Her crate is in our room. We used to crate her whenever we left the house and at night, but now she's never in there unless she wants to be(to get away fomr the kids mainly). She'll be two in April and is trustworthy with our belongings now.

Any major thing I am forgetting?
Be prepared for shedding shedding and more shedding. It's insane. I love my pup and I hoep she's with us for a good long time, but I don;t think I will get anther dog again because there is hair EVERYWHERE. I am constantly vacuuming/sweeping/lint rollering my house. And spring is coming which means even more shedding. ::sob sob::

Btw, are purebreeds better with kids than a SPCA puppy?
I don't think so. My husband had a mutt and that was the best dog ever.

We want to get a younger puppy. I really want one that will travel in the car for short trips to school, stuff like that, etc..
Just be aware that your house may get chewed apart. My coffee table is chewed, my molding in my kitchen is chewed, countless pairs of shoes were chewed..
She doesn't do it at all anymore, so we are finally going to replace the coffee table and molding, didn't want to do it before I was sure she wouldn;t just do it again.
She's a big tub of love, and I am sure your new dog will be too.

 

[beckmrk04]

Also figure in rawhides and biscuits. You want to give a sporting dog something you choose for them to chew, otherwise, they will happily chew your couch! [/color] [/b]

sooooo true.

My dog is a CHEWER!!! Luckily, she has never ruined anything- she did get a couple of pairs of flip-flops and the remote, but not too bad. But, we have always had plenty of things that were just for her to chew on!! And any time she started to chew on something that was not hers, including us- (oh, the biting phase.... ), we replaced it with oneof her toys. Now, at 1 year, I can leave anything laying around and she is completely trustworthy, because she has her own things (and she knows the names of each of them- that's a fun exercise!!).

We started with regular Nylabones- which are not edible. One day, while I was cooking dinner, I gave one to Jules, who was still very small, maybe 3-4 months. Not 25 minutes later, I check on her she has swallowed 1/2 of it. I freaked out. The vet said not to panic, but henceforth we have bought the Nylabones for POWERFUL chewers!

But, mrsv98 is SO right: have plenty of DURABLE toys and chews on hand!! Your house and belongings will thank you!

And mrsv98: your dogs are precious!

 

[andromedaslove]

Just wanted to point something out that I didn't see mentioned in any of the other replies. I know that you said your DH wants a lab because of their short hair but...... as someone who has 3 full grown labs (2 yellow males and 1 chocolate female) be forewarned that they shed like crazy. Especially my boys, I swear they blow their coat all year long, at least the female only does it twice a year (when she would usually go into heat). I am sure Golden's shed too, but I don't have a whole lot of experience with them.

Dana

 

[minkydog]

Just wanted to point something out that I didn't see mentioned in any of the other replies. I know that you said your DH wants a lab because of their short hair but...... as someone who has 3 full grown labs (2 yellow males and 1 chocolate female) be forewarned that they shed like crazy. Especially my boys, I swear they blow their coat all year long, at least the female only does it twice a year (when she would usually go into heat). I am sure Golden's shed too, but I don't have a whole lot of experience with them.

Dana

You know, this is specifically why we got a poodle. I realized that I could not deal with all that fur. My Standard Poodle sheds about a handful in a week. It is well worth what i pay in grooming fees 4 times a year to have a non-shedding dog.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I have a female Goldendoodle- the best dog we have ever had. I love having a female - gentle, great with kids, doesn't run away.

See if you can borrow a crate - that will save some money. Yes dogs are pricey bur worth every cent.

Just curious- does she shed- seems like a great mix of dog!

Jackie

 

[sunlver]

I havent read all the responses yet. I have 2 dogs, a golden mix and a yellow lab mix, and a foster dog who is a beagle. All of them are females. I also petsit out of my house for a petsitting service. Some boy dogs are markers, and I cant stand that. I dont care if they are fixed or not. I have had boy dogs come and lift their leg at dift places in my house.. So I refuse to ever buy a boy dog. Not all my boy dog customers have done this. As a matter of fact I have many who do not. Girl dogs do not mark because they smell a good smell.
I am home all day, and I let my dogs all out whenever they want. They mostly like to be inside with me though.
Crates are wondeful for potty training and a lot of dogs just like to have it as a safe place to go to feel comfortable.

 

[PaulaSue]

Thank you everyone for the refresher course!!!
Dh and I will talk more and hopefully decide in a few weeks.

 

[nliedel]

They will chew everything in sight for the first year or so. Their jaws grow so quickly it hurts them and they have to relieve the pain some way. Slippers and shoes work. Get TONS of chew toys and crate train, crate train, crate train. It will help with everything and makes the dog feel safe. I am an owner (owned by) of a Siberian Husky and I love bigger dogs.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I am sure Golden's shed too, but I don't have a whole lot of experience with them.

Dana

Shedding is an understatement! I'd call it "major hair loss" on a daily basis. Would I change a thing about her? Nope. It's a small price to pay.