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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if any of you have ever had a golden retriever?

40 replies

Misshannahb · 13/05/2018 22:20

And we're they good dogs? Thinking of getting one.

OP posts:
Numbkinnuts · 13/05/2018 22:24

You'll better off posting in The Doghouse under The Pets section

Smile
ShawshanksRedemption · 13/05/2018 22:24

Great dogs but need lots of walking/exercise. Very sociable, love people so cannot be left on their own all day whilst you work. They like to 'mouth" when young, so you need to train them not to if you don't like it. They will retrieve anything and everything; socks, shoes, underwear....
They shed fur like maniacs and their farts are evil......definitely not for the house proud!

FASH84 · 13/05/2018 22:25

My parents have a chocolate lab and I think they are similar breeds if not related, he's brilliant with kids, trainable but a bit ditsy sometimes, very loving and loyal but they need a lot of exercise as any dog that size does. My dad takes theirs out morning and night for a good few miles and in summer goes for 10k bike rides and the dog goes too. They also love swimming. If verification they're not exercised and stimulated evite as pups they chew...

FASH84 · 13/05/2018 22:26

*enough

FASH84 · 13/05/2018 22:27

Oh yes he does shed like you wouldn't believe and as a pup would steal my mum's bras 😂

angryburd · 13/05/2018 22:27

Lovely dogs but can't be VERY stubborn ime!

angryburd · 13/05/2018 22:28

can be*

Lazypuppy · 13/05/2018 22:29

@ShawshanksRedemption we have a golden retriever and he is happy with 2 walks a day and on his own for 6hrs while we are at work. Had retrievers when i was growing up and they were the same. Can depend whether dog is working or show breed as to energy levels.

OP they are perfect family dogs, very intelligent and obedient if you get the training done from the start

NorthEndGal · 13/05/2018 22:30

Beautiful dogs that like to eat the garbage, basically

cheesydoesit · 13/05/2018 22:30

We had one when I was a child. She was lovely but a bugger for jumping up at the kitchen side and pinching food and very, very hairy. My school trousers were always covered. I think they are your standard family dog. She was very placid, bred to work as a gun dog but given to us by a friend as she just couldn't be arsed to do her job!

theymademejoin · 13/05/2018 22:31

My westie loves them. One of the few big dogs she will approach and beg to play with her.

Probably not much help unless you're a westie yourself.......

ItNeedsMoreGlitter · 13/05/2018 22:32

I have one and he’s a joy. An absolute idiot with no concept of personal space but 100% lovable. But need serious exercise and stimulation as he gets bored so quickly. And then gets into trouble. Also needs people in his line of sight at all times even though he lives in his own little world.

As previous poster said remember they are retreivers. My guy is a total hoarder. Always has something in his mouth on the way to his basket.

Would not be without him for the world. Also have a cocker spaniel who is so so so anxious and needy in comparison. Retreivers live in their own little world of independence and have zero regard for reality and I love that about them. Plus they have the cutest smilies and dopey faces.

MumofBoysx2 · 13/05/2018 22:33

Get a goldendoodle! Totally gorgeous dogs but they don't shed :-)

Wolfiefan · 13/05/2018 22:35

FFS goldendoodles don't shed. They are a crossbreed and so there's no guarantee of anything. other than that they've likely come from a puppy farm
OP get to some shows and talk to owners. Could you cope with a boisterous puppy that sheds loads. Grooming. Exercise needs. What health issues should you be aware of? And how will you avoid a puppy farmer?

BossWitch · 13/05/2018 22:37

Got one now. Does not need a lot of exercise at all! Ours is a right lazy bugger. Get a five min walk first thing in the morning, half hour to forty five minutes at about 5.30, and another 5 minutes at about 10pm. She gets taken out by dh for the odd 2-3 mile run and looks very affronted by the whole thing.

Very easy to train - smart enough to train, not smart enough to try to outwit you.

Ours really wasn't that mouthy as a pup, she chewed the corner of one wicker sofa, but it was in her 'room' and in fairness, it was made of sticks.

Ours doesn't have much of an instinct to retrieve as it happens, but she does like to carry soft toys around. Never had any issue with her taking dds toys though, she seems to just get which ones are hers.

Lovely family pet - docile, fab with kids, cuddly, obedient. But the fur! They shed all year round, and you can't have them clipped because it screws up their temperature regulation. So make sure you can cope with living in a furry house!

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/05/2018 22:38

They’re the best dog ever!! Well mine is the very best, obviously Wink

Do you like eating hair with every meal? Grin

Ebb · 13/05/2018 22:38
appeared on my FB feed today. Grin
Wolfiefan · 13/05/2018 22:39

Zibb dog hair is a condiment no?! Grin

Whoknowswhocares · 13/05/2018 22:40

I have 2. They are awesome. They would not be everyone's cup of tea though by a long shot. The youngster especially would not cope in an average pet home. Without the regular serious work and training he gets daily, he would be a destructive, uncontrollable PITA. I'm a dog trainer though and compete with my dogs so for me he is perfect.
Every breed of dog can be a 'good dog' but no one breed will suit every owner/family. Also be aware that show bred goldies (the cream big ones) are more placid and suited to pet life, but the working goldies (like my boy) are fitter,faster and quite frankly only share the breed name in similarity. And definately NOT generally pet material!

It all depends on whether your lifestyle and the time and energy you have available is a good match for that particular breed, how much time you invest in training when they are young and about a hundred other factors.
Your best bet is to decide what you can realistically put into the relationship in terms of time and energy, then narrow down your breed choices from there.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/05/2018 22:40

Oh and you can’t have a kitchen bin unless it’s in a cupboard that locks Grin

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/05/2018 22:41

It is wolfie! Grin small price to pay for the masses of love they bestow on you via the medium of sitting on you.

VetOnCall · 13/05/2018 22:43

Have you had dogs before? What kind of traits are you looking for in a dog and how much exercise are you wanting to do on a daily basis? Like many gundog breeds Golden Retrievers come in two types or strains - working and show - and they can be quite different in terms of working drive and energy levels so it's important to know what you're looking for and find a good breeder who is producing the type of dog best suited to your lifestyle.

Goldies are generally friendly and people-oriented dogs but they can be sensitive and boisterous. They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation, especially the working strain; as a Retriever breed gundog training is ideal for channelling their natural drive and instincts. They shed a lot if that's a potential issue for you and can be very mouthy/chewy/bitey puppies.

It's important to find a reputable breeder who evaluates their breeding dogs carefully based on temperament, good breed type and health and who fully health tests their dogs - as a minimum they should be hip scored below the breed average and have a current clear BVA eye examination (this needs to be redone annually). Some breeders will also DNA test for PRA. The breed club is the best place to find details of reputable breeders.

tootiredtospeak · 13/05/2018 22:43

I have a female GR shes 7 never been boisterous shes good as gold a wonderful family pet. She does shed hair though be prepared for lots of hoovering.

Wolfiefan · 13/05/2018 22:43

Well you CAN have a kitchen bin anywhere you like. It'll just be empty!
Dog hair is extra fibre surely?! Blush

LellyMcKelly · 13/05/2018 22:44

My friend has one. Wonderful dog, brilliant with kids, will walk and run forever, will swim forever too given the opportunity. Likes being right in the thick of things so very sociable. He’s very smart so needs lots of play - like a very bouncy 4 year old all the time. Likes being petted and fussed - likes to be included in everything. Sheds like mad, but worth it. If you ever have a barbecue don’t let people leave food alone on the ground. He’ll have those sausages eaten before you have time to blink!