tell me about your goldens please (long)

[issa]

My family consists of Husband (loki) our 8yr DD and our 11 month DD and of course myself.

I have been waiting to get a dog for about 7 years now. my old baby died at the good age of 16 and I have missed haveing a compaion like that in my life. Due to apartment life and money and new baby...getting a dog keeps being pushed back.

Well, we now have a home in Sunny florida with a nice back yard and plenty of room. Sooo after lots of talking...and lots of looking we thought we found a perfect dog for us in a vizsla mix (mix was maybe pitbull..which i have no problems with the breed) We were told she was in a foster home with twin 16 month old girls..and two older children under 10..lived with 3 other dogs and 2 cats and was an ABSOLUTE love.

We went and met the cutie and brought her home..she was very timid but I have worked with dogs in a kennel and as a basic trainer, so I thought she would just need time.

Well she bonded to my 8 yr old..too well infact to the point where she would growl if I walked inbetween the two and eventually nipped my face because i picked up the remote where my DD was previously sitting...so back to the rescue she went. In fact all she did was growl at my husband We were all heartbroken but I simply cant risk it with my children. (p.S the dog was GREAT with both girls....no a worry with them...she just growled at my husband and I (no kill rescue..no worries animal lovers)

So...my husband has now swore off of shelter dogs and my little girl is crying over an empty dog dish. I couldnt sleep last night and poured over and over diffrent breeds. I myself have always liked greyhounds, vizsla's, whippets and the like. But I am putting aside that for what I belive would be the best breed for children....a golden retriver. Its in thier make up not to have a mean bone in thier bodies and though I know any dog can bite...it helps if the dogs breeding leads it to be more tolerate of children.


Sooooooo does anyone have a golden? do you also have small children in the mix? anything you can share about shareing your life with them? anyone have a thought to a better breed with children? We want this dog to be part of our family...going to outings, camping, walks, possibly 4H for my older girl.

I know the basics of the breed but am looking for some real world thoughts on the dogs. I am a SAHM so puppy would never be left alone really and I have found what seems to be a VERY good breeder. I am looking for the reliablity a purebred dog would posess in temerment, as my husband does not wish to go with the wild card of the shelter again.

thanks bunches

 

[ZachnElli]

I have one golden mix now who is 10 and we recently (in April) lost our 12 year old pure bred golden. Both dogs have been great with our 2 kids (9,5). They have put up with being displaced as the babies in the house as well as the kids learning to crawl, pulling hair and well, my son was just flat out mean to them both in his toddler years. He would hit them with anything he could find, kick them, on and on and they took it. Never growled, never bit, never fought back. They are great dogs. Oh, my son wouldn't hurt a flea now (really, he lets bugs out of the house instead of swatting them ).

 

[onecoolmama]

I have a golden. He is definately my dog, but he is sooo good with the kids.

He does shed a lot..but that is really my only complaint. I mean the kids hover all over him and he woudl care less.


The only other dogs that I know are good family pets are labs. They are a little more tame than goldens..

But I love my golden!

 

[Feralpeg]

I have an 8 year old male golden. He's a love. In fact, he loves everyone! Golden's are prone to allergies. The darker ones seem to have less problems than the light ones. We had to have our beautiful golden Scout put down a little over a month ago. She was only 8 years old, but had so many health issues. She was a light golden. She had terrible allergies, a thyroid problem, hip problems and congestive heart failure. She was the sweetest thing. We miss her so much. Golden's are wonderful dogs, just make sure your breeder is good. I think that was half the problem with Scout. We got our other Golden, Griffin, from a different breeder and he has had no major health problems. He is, however, very afraid of thunder!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

We had two when I was a kid, we had one put down when I was 18 and the other when I was 19. We had them both for 13 years. They were the best dogs!

Buffy was the big dumb one - she was the most mellow thing on the face of the earth. She seriously wasn't the brightest bulb but she was so sweet. She just wanted to hang around with everyone and LOVED kids. Amber was a darker red color and she lived up to the red head thing! She was fiesty and smart and always on the go, but she wouldn't hurt a fly! Our friends son used to climb on her back like a horse and she'd just lay there.

We're planning on getting a golden when we return from WDW in November. I miss my pups!

 

[avdeane]

We have a golden as well!!! She's the sweetest dog I have ever known!! My youngest is 9 but he can be rough with her at times and Maggie just takes it all in stride. I would definitely recommend a golden. That being said, remember that there is always an exception and not every dog is alike. If you go to a reputable breeder, they can tell you how the parents are like and mostly likely the grandparents! Generally temperment is passed down.

I agree with peg that they can have allergy issues. This is why I feed my girl a brand called Canidae. It was recommended by other golden owners. Maggie had an ear infection and I was told it could be due to an allergy to her food. The Canidae is a natural food. This food does wonders for their coat and has helped a bit with the shedding problem, which is the only downside of the golden IMO!!

I hope you find the perfect dog and I'm sorry things didn't work out with the other pup. It was great that you tried to give a shelter dog a chance but it doesn't always work out.

 

[Lanshark]

We have a wonderful 3 year old golden. He is our second. They are the most loving dogs we have ever had. They do shed a lot but we solved the problem by keeping ours shaved down in the summer months. They are definitely not a guard dog. A mass murderer could come into my home and Jake would lick them to death.

He is always with us in what ever room we are in. He is no problem in the house and spends most of his time sleeping. We do have a fenced yard and he gets played with on a daily basis. He does not like to stay outside unless someone is out there with him.

Do a lot of research. The money you spend up front is well worth it. They are prone to hip and heart issues. Ours has a wonderful temperment. I could remove food from his mouth while he is eating, not that I would, and he wouldn't care. He has never snapped or growled at anyone. In fact, he is kind of a wimp.

Our old golden who died a few years ago was a rescue dog. We adored him but he was not as patient with kids as the one we raised from a pup. When it came time to get another DH wanted a pup so we knew exactly what we were getting.

 

[KristiKelly]

sent pm

 

[goofy4tink]

We're on our second golden and dh's mother/father have had 3. First of all.....find a good breeder. Check with your area golden rescue people. They may be able to steer you to a good, reputable breeder. This is very important. Don't be afraid to spend the money for a pup from a good breeder. You'll be saving money down the road. So....you won't find a gentler breed with kids. They will be nippy as puppies. They do shed. We have golden tumbling tumbleweeds around our house but a Swifer is wonderful for that issue. Ear infections are a big problem. If you get in the habit of putting a few drops of 50% alcohol/50% vinegar into their ears once a week, it should help. Heat does tend to bother them a bit, but you would most likely have central air.

Training, training, training. Get a crate. It is invaluable in housetraining a pup. Get into a puppy class as soon as your pup has had all his shots. Get some good books. Socialize that pup like crazy. I could go on and on. All I can do is relate this one silly story....
My first golden had to be 'let go' at the ripe ole age of 14 1/2. Many health issues...arthritis in his spine, thyroid (Cushings) issues, cancerous tumor in his brain. So, when we decided to get another dog, we went to a dog show in our area to check out other breeds. We had decided to get a smaller, non-shedding dog. So. We get there, look around, see the goldens and next thing you know...we're talking to a new breeder (new to us) who has finished showing. She gave us her card and 4 months later we have another golden. The breeder has been wonderful. Has stayed in touch with us after almost 4 years!!! She wants to be kept abreast of our pup's health and such. So much for a smaller, non-shedding dog!!!

 

[Pembo]

Our golden is 10. He is very good with our kids. In fact if they crawled over to his food dish while he was eating he looked up at us as if to say "hey, could you get this kid away?"

He does have allergies but no other health problems. He does shed but I vacuum everyday anyway. He was pretty easy to train. Quickly learned to go outside. In fact he's only had one accident in our house and that was my fault. He's the best dog.

You won't be sorry.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

from a breeder. The Breeder had children herself so our dog was raised well for playing with little kids. Kringle is a truly wonderful dog for little kids. When we met him, dd tripped and fell on him- he just licked her.

But had a friend who bought a Golden puppy from a bad breeder. Her dog bit a visiting child in the face (serious wounds) and was put down. Two other friends had each bought a puppy from the same litter and their dogs also had problems.

So the Breeder is at least as important as the Breed.

 

[mtemm]

we had a golden, but not as small children. Don't think it would have mattered...gunner was the sweetest dog on the face of the earth. couldn't recommend a dog more highly than a golden. definitely need space to run, and he LOVED to roll around in a baby pool we set up for hot days.

I would own a golden again in a heartbeat.

One thing, the reason we got our dog is because my uncle got him as a hunting dog. unfortunately when he was a puppy they discovered he had hip dysplasia, so uncle didn't want him anymore. In fact, he was going to put him down (!!!!). My mom, very allergic to dogs, was horrified and we had him shipped from MO to MA. Best thing we ever did!

Miss him still!

 

[jenniferma]

since you're all on the subject-- does anyone know of any good breeders of goldens in the Cleveland, Ohio area?

How do they feel about 9 year old grumpy cats?

thanks!
jen

 

[Micheme]

I have two goldens and a 15 month old and they get along great.

I've had my 5 year old goldie since she was a pup. She was easy to train, but some are chewers (mine was for a few months after 1 year). I also adopted an older golden from a breeder. She is 8 now and is wonderful.

They are loving and gentle dogs. The baby crawls all over the dogs, kicks them, uses them to get up etc. They are great with her.

Good luck on your search

 

[Rippington'sFan]

Our Golden just turned 12 last week. We got her when she was about 7 weeks. She was the runt of the litter. She turned out awsome! Great dog! Golden's are the best aren't they? It's sad to see her starting to slow down now but she's still got some energy to play once in awhile. She love's people and is wonderful with our kids. We never kenneled her. We take her everywhere we go on vacation if we can. If not we have people to take her. She was so easy to train. We do not have a fenced in yard and she never left the yard. She still doesn't. She always wants to be with us. Golden's are awsome!

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by Wish I lived in Fl
So the Breeder is at least as important as the Breed.

ITA!!!

 

[poohandwendy]

We have a 13 yo golden, Grover. His health is failing fast (cancer), but he has been the absolute best, most loving, loyal and trustworthy animal I have ever had the priviledge to know.

I would have another in a heartbeat. I do agree about the breeder, very important. And ask about history of hip/elbow dysplasia. Very common in goldens. We were lucky that Grover didn't show signs until he was 10, but it can be a big problem.

Good luck in your quest....

 

[issa]

thank you all so much fo shareing your experiances with your goldens!!!, Its wonderful to read how so many have turned out to be great family dogs.

ITA with looking for a great breeder and will be contacting the local goldie rescue group and club to get referances. I am willing to put a good sum of money into a pup that will be not only our dog..but compainion and family member.

some of you have mentioned health issues so I will defiently research more on that and be sure to ask the breeder very specific questions regarding the lines health.

Its been wonderful...please add more !!

 

[Lanshark]

I believe we got our breeders name from our vet. The breeder we dealt with only had a few litters a year. They interviewed us before we were able to get on their list.

They told me right up front if we were wanting a puppy right away they were not the people. We met and played with the Mom and she had a wonderful temperment. She was also a big golden. We wanted a big golden. Some are fairly small but our old boy had a huge head and frame and we wanted the same with our pup.

We put $100 deposit on a male from her next litter. I believe we waited about 6 months before we got the call that she was pregnant. We were able to meet the pups when they were around 6 weeks old. We had to wash our hands and before we could touch them. At about 12 weeks we were able to pick our boy, Jake, out and bring him home.

 

[RNMOM]

Issa,

We have had two goldens. Our first was a female and had not been around children until she was about 7-8 yrs. old. She was very quiet and good with the boys but often just chose to not be where they were. When she got older and they were more mobile and toddling, she would sit by the garage door and ask to be let out there. We had her water and such so she could be comfortable there if she wanted. As they got older she was better and would play with them.

After she died we got a male. Boomer has been hands down the best dog we have ever known. We bought him from a young man who had both the father and mother. It was their second litter. He was a pet dog. In no way a show quality dog. He has dark gold/red hair and his muzzle is more hound like. We loved the parents. Boom crawled up in my lap and up to my shoulder, put his muzzle on my neck and fell asleep. He was mine. He has done that to me all his life. He loves "Mama hugs." When I have had my minor surgeries, he lies on the bed that way with me.

He was just 6 weeks old when we got him on the Forth of July. He has been a sweet, playful, active bundle of fur his whole life. Now he is over 13 and can't hear or see hardly at all. He has a lot of trouble getting up and forgets what he used to do with tennis balls. (the boys and DH would throw the balls OVER the house and he would run around to the back yard and bring it back. Over and over and over. No wonder he has arthritis now.

He has always stayed in the yard. We feel bad for the dogs with invisible fence. He didn't chew very much but did munch on the skirt of the sofa and a couple of MY shoes. We did choose to crate train him. I worked part time so he was only in it as needed. We had people come over to let him out mid day as needed.

He has had "sports" injuries from getting toes caught on chain link fence and he tore a tendon once. He has the sole of a saint and looks at me and communicates with me so clearly. I am heartbroken to see him age and go down hill. I wish I could fix things for him to be healthy again. I love him so.