Golden Retrievers...Not for Everyone!

'Golden Retrievers are GREAT with kids' 'Golden Retrievers are the best family dogs' 'Golden Retrievers are very obedient'
I am sure many have heard these statements, and likely said them! While I would have to agree, it also has to be stressed that Golden Retrievers, like any dog, aren't just born knowing how to act/behave. It takes time, patience, training, patience, socialization, and patience. I always like to say, you get out of your Golden what you put into them. If you spend the time to train, socialize, and exercise your Golden the sky is the limit! If you spend 10+ hours away from home, do not have time to attend a training class or devote 30 minutes a day to a training 'session' (in addition to routine all day training (telling your dog to sit before a meal etc)), a Golden may not be the best choice for you.

Golden Retrievers = HAIR
Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coat which can range in colour from Cream to Dark Deep Gold. It is a sight to behold...but not as beautiful when it's on your carpet , over your black pants as you leave for work, or in your salad. Golden Retrievers have on average two seasonal coat sheds per year. During this time clumps upon clumps of hair will fall out. To lesson the hair in ones home daily brushing is the best way to combat this unavoidable time. What some books may not tell you, Goldens will continue to shed all year long just not near the same amount as during their seasonal shed. Like humans, Goldens shed dead hair daily as new grows. If the thought of vacuuming once or twice a day is not appealing, or the thought of showing up at a function with the odd strand of Golden hair glistening in the light is not appealing, a Golden may not be the best choice for you.

All That's Golden...
Golden Retrievers are a very affectionate breed, that likes to be by your side as much as possible. They will greet you at the door when you come home and make a big deal out of it, as though you have been gone for a week, even if you only went to the store for five minutes. If having your own 'me' time is a high priority, a Golden may not be the best choice for you.

Golden Retrievers are not very good at being guard dogs or house protectors. If a burglar breaks into your house, a Golden Retriever will probably help him carry the merchandise out the door if he thinks there is a biscuit in it for him. If you are looking for a dog that will keep people away, a Golden may not be the best choice for you.

Dog ownership is not a trial run or experiment. It is a myth that purebred dogs who cannot stay with their original family will easily find a new, loving home. Dogs passed from family to family usually end up being abandoned or taken to a pound or humane society. These dogs have a much greater chance of being euthanized than they do of finding a permanent home. Millions of dogs each year, many of them purebreds, are put to sleep because there are not enough good homes for them. If you are unable to ensure that you can provide a permanent home for a dog's lifetime, DON'T GET A GOLDEN!