Golden retriever - suitable for semi-detached house?

[EightToSixer]

I grew up with Goldens and adore them. DH grew up with dogs but never wanted one. DS and I are desperate for one. I think it would be an excellent time for DS, at 14 to own a dog, he’s very caring for his cat. DD has left for university so we are all feeling a little empty nest here. I’m currently losing a marine amount of weight and DH has finally agreed that if that continues it would be good to get a dog to encourage more walking and activity.
My work is currently home-based but even when I return to work there are a lot of other dogs that are brought in to our individual offices so I know I could take him to work if I wanted to, though it’s likely that almost every day either DH or I would be am working at home.
My only concern is whether it is selfish to get a dog while living in a semi- detached house? We have a paved back yard and a grasses fenced in front garden. Immediately opposite the house we have a big park.

Will my neighbours hate us if we get a retriever? Or are they fine for that? Obviously we would go to training classes etc.

[tabulahrasa]

Um...

Sorry, genuinely confused as to what difference your house being a semi makes?....

[Guardsman18]

I have one and I live in an end terrace if that helps!

[IrmaFayLear]

My gr never barked... well, he would do one quick bark if he needed to go out to the loo and no one had heard him jingling his collar. I don’t think they are barky dogs. And not ones for jumping or escaping, either.

Even my really grumpy neighbour liked our gr.

As long as you’re out in that park for hours on end you’ll be fine!

[Bergerdog]

I have two 70kg leonberger plus a German shepherd and live in a semi.
Can’t see what business it is if anyone else’s.

My leonberger have never ever barked so don’t cause a problem. I think small yappy dogs are worse for noise.

[Scattyhattie]

I had 4 dogs similar heights (not bulk) to retriever in a semi so sure you'll be fine with one. Gardens are great to have but aren't actually necessary to ownership as can do all exercise on walks. Just have to make sure the breed/dog you go with is the best match for your lifestyle. I like my dogs low energy, not too mentally active (or clever they train me instead) & don't require much coat maintenance much like myself.

I would be bit concerned about husbands level of interest so would make sure he is actually willing to be involved in dogs training, walking & daily care. The last thing you want is any resentment building about dog things like mess/shedding/smells & general restrictions to spontaneity they bring.

[PuppyMonkey]

My golden boy doesn’t really bark at all, if that’s the worry. He will occasionally do his big scary growl bark at an unsuspecting weathervane, say. Or yesterday it was a haystack. But in general, compared to neighbours dogs, you hardly hear him.

[PuppyMonkey]

They are quite big dogs though, is that your worry?

[tabulahrasa]

@PuppyMonkey

They are quite big dogs though, is that your worry?

Well that’s why I was a bit confused... I can’t work out why the semi bit matters, lol

Like space, your house is the size it is whether it’s a semi or not, barking isn’t really any better because you don’t share a wall... I mean, a really noisy dog upsets half your street, not just right next door.

[catnoir1]

My goldie barks when he knows we're coming home, if someone comes into the house or if you close a door and he's in the room with the door closed.

[PollyRoulson]

You can move in next to me with a goldie

[EightToSixer]

the semi-detached reference was for barking yes. My childhood GRs only barked in our garden, but that was several decades ago so my memory may be hazy. I know a dog will fit in the house ok.
DH is reluctant but I know he will love the dog as much as the rest of us. I’ve been asking about a dog for 6 years or so as has DS, so he may be outvoted.

[EightToSixer]

@PollyRoulson

You can move in next to me with a goldie

I’ve been wishing one would move close to me. I see a few in the park opposite and have to stop myself running over the road to talk to them!

[Whoknowswhocares]

Goldies are a fairly quiet breed by design, due to their intended work. A gobby dog on a shoot would be disruptive, so they are bred for quietness. as long as you get some training help early on it’s unlikely that barking will be a big issue . I have 2, one barks (a single bark) if a cat or pigeon invades the garden if she is out there and it startles her, the other never barks

[IrmaFayLear]

The only problem would be the hair drifting over their fence! Golden retrievers are very hairy and extremely generous with the hair...

[crimsonlake]

I think you are very thoughtful for considering your neighbour's in case of potential annoyances that could occur with a dog barking whilst living semi detached. It would appear from the breed of dog you are suggesting all will be okay, good luck.

[CityDweller]

We have friends with a GR and they live in a small terraced house. Their dog rarely barks. In fact the only time I’ve seen it bark is very politely to be let out the back door for a pee!

[Hoppinggreen]

We have one (my 4th) and have friends with a couple. They aren’t very barky dogs in general

[Wolfiefan]

Barking wouldn’t be my first thought. It’s the hair. It’s biblical!
They are also big dogs. Can be clumsy pads as adolescents.

[Wolfiefan]

Pads??
Oafs!

[averylongtimeago]

I have had a number of goldens over the years. At the moment we have one, a 7 yr old bitch. We have had up to 3 at once, all bar one have been bitches.
So- I think they make great pets, they are not great barkers and tend not to be as hyper as spaniels for example, generally when they are grown up they are pretty laid back.

But: a few things to think about.
Fur. That beautiful golden coat? You will be wearing it as well. Your whole house will be covered, you will need a large and powerful vacuum cleaner and you will never wear black trousers without hair ever again.
Mud. Goldens are mud magnets. They love to roll, and it's bonus points if the mud also has added fox or cow poo.
Size: They are big dogs, my bitch is not a big girl and she weighs 28kilos. My aunts dog (which is bigger and fatter) is 35k. The males are bigger.
You need to consider the sheer amount of fur, mud and water your pet will bring in everyday, because of course their coats are waterproof and they love walking in the rain, then shaking all over your car/house when they get home.
Training: to get a calm well behaved dog,especially one which can very easily knock you over or flatten a child, you need to put the effort into training.
Goldies a very good orientated, so good manners round food and no stealing or counter surfing are important lessons to teach.
Health: sadly goldies are prone to cancer and hip problems- vets bills can be very expensive
I hope I haven't put you off: after 40 years I wouldn't have any other breed.

[IrmaFayLear]

I agree that goldens are not necessarily calm, especially a young male! Yes, they are clumsy and 35kg on your foot is quite painful. They are also strong and stubborn and not as biddable as labradors.

They love a muddy walk and I think it is cruel to deny them. I know one person with a gr and the poor dog is always on the lead "in case it gets dirty" . I feel like kidnapping it.

However they have the best personalities and are probably the most human-like dog. My dog was far more intelligent than many people I've met...

[EightToSixer]

It’s lovely to hear so many of you talking about how much you love your dogs. I guess it’s a little like someone asking whether they should have a child. Children are also exhausting, expensive, make a mess, take up space in your house, require training etc but the love you have for them means you wouldn’t change a thing.

[AlwaysLatte]

I would have thought location rather than house size would be more important, so if you have a big park opposite that sounds perfect.

[AlwaysLatte]

Do they really moult a lot? We've got our hearts set on either a Golden Retriever or possibly another rough collie. But I've heard GRs do mould a lot...

[Collidascope]

They're not noisy dogs, generally. We're surrounded by little dogs and they make far more of a racket than our golden.