Golden Retrievers

[StephMK]

We had a rescued Golden, Mickey (yes, after the mouse), 90 lbs at his highest, until we had to put him down last summer.

He was a shelter stray & about 1-2 yrs when I got him. I highly recommend a younger dog out of the puppy stage. Yes, we missed the cute, cuddly puppy he probably was but it's great to have a dog that doesn't nip or need potty training.

Awesome dog in many ways but also a huge pain in the rear sometimes. He HATED a crate, went nuts, chewed stuff, ate my bathroom linoleum one time, full of energy for some years. Shed year round, enough to build another dog most days! He'd always end up sleeping in the middle of the walking paths in the house so we constantly tripped on him. Big dogs are bigger all around - more food, bigger poop to clean up, take up more space, more expensive boarding bills, higher bills for meds due to higher weight.

However, in my mind, a dog is like family in that way - they may drive you nuts sometimes & piss you off, but they're still family. You take the good with the bad for the long haul. The kids grew up with him, crawled all over him, sat on him, he didn't blink an eye. He got "paid" in all those dropped bits & crumbs when they ate & forget leaving a snack on a coffee table!

We added a beagle rescue along the way & since Mickey's passing, it was too quiet so we rescued Pete, a smaller lab mix.

I'm sure there are many great place to get dogs but rescue dogs seem very appreciative & for the most part, ours have been truly great & extremely loyal. If you go with a rescue, still do your research, there are many types out there, some better than others.

Good luck with your search!!

 

[fletchers5]

I have had 2 goldens ( not at the same time) BOTH of them were EXCELLENT dogs............ My last golden ( we just had to put him down a year ago, He was 9) WAS THE BEST DOG. Absolutely EVERYONE that ever met him LOVED him.

He DID NOT stay in the puppy stage. He was housebroken at 4months old where we could leave him all day and not worry. Crate training is the way to go. He never chewed on anything that he shouldn't have except he would chew ONE shoe a year. I know....weird. He had never bit or growled at anyone. He was the most LAYED back dog we have ever had. If you would have visitors over......he would walk up to them, get petted and then lay down. (had a friend who had a golden that would jump all over you) Honestly, when we put him down everyone I know was sad. I think I cry at least once a day missy my dog........ and it's been a year. That is how GREAT of a dog he was.

The only downfall on goldens is they do SHED. Lots and lots of shedding but believe me when I say they ARE GREAT DOGS. I think that if you are more layed back people and do not have out of control children......the golden will be fine. My kids were a little older when we got the last dog so that may have helped.

My son just got a golden and now I am a grandma to the puppy. I take the puppy to work with me every day and then take him to my son's when I am done. That has helped with the need to get another dog.

Now to get back to the poster.......they are expensive. Mine always had ear problems, hot spots ect. but I think that just comes with the territory.