Pets bring so much joy into our lives, and when it comes to dogs, golden retrievers are often dubbed excellent family dogs. Fluffy ears, outgoing personalities, and puppy-like personality—what’s not to love about this popular dog breed?
But like other dog breeds, getting a golden retriever is a big commitment. We’re sharing an in-depth look into the realities of getting golden retriever puppies. By the end of this article, you can decide if golden retrievers are the most suitable pets for your home.
Before we discuss the truths behind being a golden retriever owner, let's get to know these sporting dogs first.
Are you ready to become a golden owner? Now that you are familiar with these golden-coated dogs, let’s take a look at the advantages of bringing a golden retriever puppy home:
If you’re looking for the perfect furry family member, you’ll never go wrong with choosing golden retrievers. These adorable pups are well-known for their friendly behavior, making them excellent family pets.
Their good tempers also make golden retrievers a kid-friendly dog breed. Unlike other dog breeds, they don’t tend to snap easily at children. Golden retrievers are energetic dogs, so they have lots of energy to play with your kids. That said, you must still supervise them.
Did you know that golden retrievers make excellent guide dogs or therapy dogs? Because of their intelligence, golden retrievers can be easily trained to bring joy and comfort to people in nursing homes and other facilities.
These golden-coated dogs are also famous for their easygoing nature and eagerness to please their owners. That’s why apart from comforting their anxious owners, golden retrievers are often used to assist in therapy work for people.
If you’re looking for a dog that won’t wake up the whole neighborhood with their constant barking, a golden retriever might be the perfect fit. These furry friends have a happy-go-lucky attitude. Despite this nature, they don’t bark excessively.
Of course, they’ll let out a few barks now and then, such as when they’re chasing their favorite toy or if they feel something is wrong. Besides that, you don’t have to worry about them barking non-stop if you have visitors at home or if they see other animals (especially cats).
If you're thinking about getting a dog and want one that's trainable, a golden retriever should be at the top of your list! With their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners, you can train golden retrievers even without the help of professional dog trainers.
Golden retrievers can learn new commands quickly. If you’re interested in teaching your pup advanced tricks, consider enrolling them in puppy training classes.
Now that you know the perks of owning a golden retriever, you might be wondering about the downsides of owning one. Here are some drawbacks of getting golden retrievers:
Are you searching for a dog breed that can guard your home against intruders? This is where the flip side of golden retrievers' friendly nature comes in. Although they can be protective of their pet parents in some ways, golden retrievers lack aggressiveness compared to other dogs.
This is one of the reasons why this sporting breed doesn't make good guard dogs. If you want a dog as an added security for your home, getting a different dog breed might be a better choice.
If you’re considering bringing a golden retriever to your home, know that their breed is prone to specific health issues. For instance, golden retrievers are prone to chronic health conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, certain eye conditions, and cancer.
Aside from these health issues, you must regularly check your golden retriever’s ears because they tend to develop ear infections. Golden retrievers also need 1-2 hours of activity. Without it, your dog’s weight might quickly increase, potentially leading to other health issues.
Golden retrievers shed a lot, despite not having the longest hair of all purebreds. Your floors, clothes, car— pretty much anything in your home will be graced with their golden strands at some point.
Golden retrievers are not a low-maintenance breed because of their lustrous coat. They shed constantly, and there’s not much they can do about it since new hair grows all year round.
If you’re the type of person who can’t stand dog hair all over your clothes and furniture, then this breed might not be for you. But if you don’t have allergies and are willing to welcome them to your home, grooming goldens regularly is a good investment.
Golden retrievers are purebreds. They are one of the most expensive dog breeds. So, if you want to buy a puppy, expect you’ll spend around $500-3,000. To ensure your golden retriever puppy is purebred, find a responsible breeder.
If you’re committed to bringing a golden retriever puppy home, you’ll need to consider more than just the initial expense. From food to grooming to vet visits, their monthly care can cost a pretty penny, especially considering they’re prone to certain health conditions.
If you still want to adopt rather than shop, try going to animal shelters rehoming golden retrievers. Adopting an adult golden retriever lessens your expenses of raising a puppy, but you must be patient with them as they adapt to their new environment.
Having weighed the pros and cons of having a golden retriever, have you decided to get one? If yes, here are some tips to properly raise those young golden puppies:
Before heading out to find a golden retriever breeder, ensure your home is ready to welcome a new puppy. And once you choose your golden retriever pup, prepare essential pet supplies to use indoors and when you take your pup outdoors.
Indoor essentials include
Outdoor pet supplies include
Golden retrievers are smart and easygoing, but you should never skimp on early socialization and training. A golden retriever puppy exposed to different people and animals will be much better equipped to handle new situations.
Working on your new puppy’s obedience training will help you build a closer relationship with them, on top of ensuring their safety and well-being.
Dogs have different nutritional requirements depending on their age, body weight, and activity level. Golden retrievers tend to eat a lot because they are high-energy dogs. But watch out for overfeeding, as obesity in their breed is a common problem.
Ensure you give your golden retriever puppy a high-quality diet. If you’re unsure about the appropriate amount and type of dog food to give them, visit a vet clinic for professional recommendations.
Also, don't fall victim to those adorable "puppy eyes" begging for food. Avoid giving them table scraps and make a mealtime schedule for them.
Have you got your new golden retriever puppy? If so, your priority should be keeping that pup healthy and happy. One of the most important things you can do for your new fur baby is to schedule essential health checkups and vaccinations during their puppy stages.
Research and take your time finding the suitable vet clinic for your needs. Preferably, the clinic should come with genuine, good ratings from other pet parents.
After finding one for your golden retriever puppy, ensure their vaccines are up-to-date. You can also ask the veterinarian to recommend the right vitamins and supplements for your golden pet.
If you’re lucky enough to have a playful golden retriever in your home, don’t delay training until they’re older. This dog breed loves learning new tricks and pleasing their owners, so it’s best to take advantage of their eagerness while young.
Regardless of the breed, training a puppy goes a long way. Without proper early training, young puppies may establish bad habits that will be difficult to break as adults.
Are you ready to adopt a golden retriever puppy? Owning one involves big responsibilities such as cleaning up their shedding coat, taking them to regular vet visits, and even securing a pet emergency fund for their potential health conditions.
Adopting a golden retriever might be rewarding for some, but we understand it’s not for everyone. If you still wish to have a golden-coated puppy at your home, why not consider lifelike pets? Perfect Petzzz offers lifelike puppies and kittens in various breeds, giving you some benefits of having a real dog without the added responsibility.
Adopt a lifelike pet today and give your family a new source of endless bliss!
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