Before You decide on a Golden!

Nearly every site dedicated to Goldens has some type of list stating the reasons NOT to get a Golden. There are top ten list, articles, and other various ways for people to get this point across. There is a reason this is a common theme among sites. It isn’t that we don’t love the breed, but rather because we love the breed so much. Goldens require dedicated owners who consider pets as a part of the family rather than occasional companionship. Nobody wants to see these great dogs end up at a rescue or a human society for the wrong reasons.

From our personal experience, here are a few things to consider before getting a Golden Retriever:

• If you live an inactive or sedentary lifestyle don’t get a Golden-
  Goldens like lots of exercise and play time. I would recommend, at minimum, thirty minutes a day of solid running and or fast walking. However, a few half hour sessions throughout the day are even better. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself with a dog that has a world of behavior problems and eventually health problems. Puppies will require even more exercise.
• If you don’t like dog hair, don’t get a Golden-
  Goldens have long hair and they shed frequently. I brush our two Goldens nearly every day. In addition, vacuuming will become a daily routine.
• If you keep your house perfectly clean, don’t get a Golden-
  Water, mud, grass, bugs, sticks, leaves, and nearly any other dirty thing is nothing more than a good time for a Golden. Your house will never be 100% clean again.
• If you have nice furniture or collectibles, don’t get a Golden-
  Chances are good with their size of between 50-85 pounds and their playfulness, something will get knocked over or broken. In addition, their long fury tails will wag furiously when they are excited. Most likely something will get knocked over.
• If you spend a lot of time away from home, don’t get a Golden-
  Goldens like to be around people. Granted, all dogs are pack animals, but Goldens are known for having separation anxiety. You will NOT be able to leave the house for ten hours at a time on a regular basis. Our Goldens are OK for the occasional long stretch, but a standard work day is even pushing it.
• If you don’t want a 50-85 pound lap dog, don’t get a Golden-
  Sure you can train them to stay off the furniture and off your lap. However, they are relatively persistent and you’ll need discipline to keep them in check. They love to be as close to you as possible.
• If like having more than 25% of the bed, don’t get a Golden-
  If you’ve had dogs in the past and allowed them to sleep on your bed, you’ll find in a hurry that Goldens will take up most of the bed leaving you will only about a quarter of the bed.
• If you don’t like people, don’t get a Golden-
  If you don’t like people then a Golden isn’t the right dog for you. Goldens love people and they aren’t discriminate. Everyone is their friend and a potential new partner in a game of some sort.
• If you want a watchdog, don’t get a Golden-
  Granted, Goldens can be aggressive if persuaded, but their tendency is to like pretty much everyone. This might even include a potential burglar.
• If you are on a budget, don’t get a Golden-
  Vet bills, food, shots, vaccinations, and toys will break the bank. Granted, this holds true with most dogs. However, because of their playful nature, Goldens are more likely to get into something they aren’t supposed to or go through more toys than most dogs. In addition, because of their size and activity level they eat more than your average dog.
• If you lack patience, don’t get a Golden-
  As the case with all dogs, raising a puppy requires patience. Goldens are no different and some may argue it is even tougher to train a Golden. It’s not that they aren’t smart. It’s that they are too smart for their own good. They know how to manipulate their owners into getting what they want.

The same things that make Goldens such great dogs can be too much for some owners. They fall in love with the cute puppy without thinking through the commitment it takes to raise and care for a Golden Retriever. All of the above mentioned issues are going to be present throughout the entire life of the dog. Be sure you are willing to spend the next decade or more walking, grooming, feeding, and playing with your Golden Retriever before you decide on a Golden puppy or any dog for that matter.