Now that you have decided that you want a dog, make a list of what you want your dog to do, then compare your list with characteristics of the various breeds available. If you have narrowed your choice down to the Golden retriever then there are some things you must know about selecting a golden pup.
Golden retrievers fit many descriptions. They fit if you want a beautiful animal, a good family oriented pet, a hunting dog, an obedience worker or just a playmate for your kids. Goldens are multifaceted animals. They work as guides for the blind, as tracking dogs, as narcotic detection dogs, for commercials and advertisements among other things.
Think carefully, if you are looking for a watch dog then the golden retriever is not for you. Its size and loud bark may deter the intruder, but a typical Golden is friendly, gentle and loves to carry things around in its mouth...which can easily be the intruder's flashlight!
Goldens shed hair almost the entire year, more so in spring, so if you are picky about hair then re-think your choice. Again, Goldens love to get wet so your Golden will be wet, and possibly muddy more often than not.
Take time to learn about the breed before you think of looking, talk to owners of Golden retrievers and find all there is to know. It depends on what you prefer - whether to raise it yourself, which can be quite exasperating at times, or get one that is house trained.
You surely want a healthy little fella who will grow up to be a sound, healthy representative of the breed. If you take care in your selection now, it will save you a lot of heartache and money later. Indiscriminately-bred puppies have health problems, poor temperaments, breed disqualifications etc.
Look for more than cuteness. With a sturdy build, straight legs, firm and muscular, the pup must be squirmy and active when first picked up. Then the pup should be willing to allow itself to be held and cuddled for a short time. Clean and thick coats; no discharge from eyes, no nose and ear irritation; and no pot-bellied pups are second on your list of things to look for.
Then gums should be pink, not pale and there should be dark pigment around the eyes, along with black noses and footpads. This is important if you plan to send the dog to dog shows. White markings are not accepted in shows. There are basic differences in pups of different litters.
Like there may be one litter that is genetically predisposed for a higher energy level and others who have low energy levels. Some may be very dominating, others not. So select your pup depending on the person it is for. Talk to your breeder who can give you useful information on the different temperaments of pups and whether the pup is suited to your home and vice versa.
Remember here you have a friend for the next 10-15 years so make sure you have the right qualities.
A Puppy Golden Retriever
Many a person longs to own a beautiful Golden Retriever but understandably has second thoughts when they consider how lively a puppy is. Perhaps you are one of these people? Well the answer might well lie in adopting a more mature Golden, one who will easily adapt to your family and lifestyle, and one that will not be as disruptive as a puppy.
Where do you find an older Golden. Well your first stop should be your nearest breeder because strange as it may seem they often do have older dogs for sale. It may be a retired show dog, or a dog which has produced several litters and will not be needed again. There is a whole host of reasons why they might have a mature dog they wish to find a home for, so, give them a call and enquire.
When your mature Goldie comes to you they will already have been house trained, and so adjusting to your particular family lifestyle will be a lot easier. It won't be easy, just easier, and you must expect a period of re-adjustment during which you will need to shower him or her with plenty of tender love and affection, something which, believe you me, it will not be hard to do.
Before actually making that decision to adopt a Golden,do give the matter some careful thought. Meet the dog first, and find out as much as you can about him or her. Find out their eating habits, and whether or not they get on with children, and old people, and do they enjoy going for walks in the country or in the town and so on. Ask if you can take them out for a walk, and make sure that you introduce him to the other members of your family, so that they too are happy about the decision.
With an older dog, you need to take care of him for the first days, and let him know where everything in your home is. You'll need to show him where he sleeps, where he should use the bathroom, and where his food is. Take your time and be patient with him, as it will normally take him a few days to learn how things in your home work.
You should always give your new Golden Retriever at least a month or so to get used to his new environment, before you start his new obedience training. Even though your new dog may have some prior obedience training, you should still enroll him in a new class. This way, he can brush up on training and you can work with him to help him understand. Once you have finished training, he'll understand your commands better and you and him will get along just fine.
So, let me encourage you to seriously consider giving a home to an older Golden Retriever. If you don't think that you have either the time, or indeed the patience to take on a new puppy, then a more mature dog may well be the answer. They may well have more medical problems than a puppy, and this is something you will need to enquire about first, but I believe that any downside is more than compensated for by the benefits of owning a mature Golden.
Both Peter Finch & John Charles are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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