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Original poster

Should we get Golden Retriever

15 replies

Oscara · 02/09/2005 08:06

DH came home from work last night to say that he knows of a couple that are splitting up and will have to rehome their 8 year old golden retriever. He is apparantly house trained and good with children.
We have a 7 month old son and 2 cats (8 and 5yrs old).
We have both been hoping to get a retriever but were going to wait and get a puppy when ds was a little older - but I can't stop thinking about this dog.
Has anyone got any advice - I would really like to get it but DH isn't as convinced.

OP posts:
Windermere · 02/09/2005 09:04

I would wait until ds is a little older. Babies can be a bit rough with animals and you will be forever having to make sure they are not on their own together. I think when the youngest is about 4 or 5 is a good time to get a dog.

BadgerBadger · 05/09/2005 02:14

I think it would be better to wait then get a puppy later on. My mother adopted a golden retriever who took a disliking to me (he wasn't too bad with everyone else though). He would go for me if I went within ten meters of him if he was eating. (G*t!)

So this is obviously based purely on my personal opinion (and I did take it very personally!).

hellsbells4 · 05/09/2005 08:03

We didn't get a dog until dd (youngest child) was 10. I've never been keen on the idea of young children and dogs together - loads of MESS/ risk of child teasing dog and dog retaliating/ finding time for walkies etc etc etc. I'm really glad we waited. The dog has been a fantastic addition to the family and even dd is old enough to be helpful with feeding/cleaning up/walking etc.

Original poster
Oscara · 05/09/2005 08:40

Thanks for the help - we've decided to wait a few more years. Good sense prevailed!

OP posts:
BadgerBadger · 05/09/2005 11:27

Oscara, FWIW, I think you've made the best decision. I know how tempting it is to take an animal who needs a home, but the right home for him will be out there somewhere .

janeybops · 05/09/2005 11:57

Personally I would take an older dog. I would be reluctant to have a puppy but would love a dog iyswim.
If he is a nice natured dog I would have him. I find retrievers a bit mad when they are younger so not that fond of them but they seem to calm down once they 'mature'.

edgetop · 05/09/2005 13:39

i had a one year old dog when my ds was born as mush as i loved my dog i would not do the same again,i could not leave them for a minute alone,just incase anything happened.when he started crawling i was a bag of nerves.my dog is a beautiful westie she is very loving,to see my ds & her together it,s really great she loves him & he loves her,yesterday he was spiderman &she was a baddie he was running around garden & so was she.

princesspeahead · 05/09/2005 14:12

no. golden retrievers have a mean streak (despite looking like lovelysofty soppies) which makes them one of the highest ranking breeds for having to be put down after attacking children. I wouldn't trust one with such a small baby, especially if the baby is already there, you don't know the dog, and the dog is trying to work out the pecking order in a new household. It really isn't worth it.
Get a puppy when your child is older, and try and make it something other than a retriever...

LittleB · 08/09/2005 12:02

Have to stick up for retrievers. My parents got a retriever puppy when my mum was pregnant with me, it was hard work for my parents when they were training her but she was brilliant with me and my younger sister, she died when I was 13 and I missed her so much. She was a real softy and we both learnt to walk by pulling ourselves up on her, she'd come and get my mum if either of us hurt ourselves while playing outside. My grandma also had 2 retrievers who were great with us. I think any dog needs to be tained and socialised well to be good with kids.

charellie · 08/09/2005 12:25

Princesspeahead I have to disagree. I have never heard that Golden retrievers have a mean streak.

We have an 8 year old golden retriever and dts 3 years. The dog is so laid back and let the girls do anything to him. Having said that because he's been around them since they were born they don't tease him and have never pulled his tail or fur.

He is protective towards them and will put himself between them and another dog.

I have never worried that he would turn and as he is a retriever if he did bite it would be a soft bite because they were originally bred to retrieve dead birds etc without damaging them.

Luckie · 09/09/2005 10:35

Have to agree with charllie. Retrievers are thought to be "bullet-proof" as child friendly dogs. I know a lot of people with them and had one myself as a child with no probs whatsoever.

andif · 09/09/2005 10:55

I have never met a golden retriever with a mean streak. My parents had to have their 15 yr old one put down yesterday - she had been the perfect family pet and despite not growing up with babies, has let their 5 grandchildren crawl all over her without even a growl!

We have a one year old flat-coated retriever and I am expecting our 3rd child next week - I have no worries at all as he is such a softie, although will obviously have to keep an eye on him. I think it's lovely for children to grow up with a dog - our ds1 (8) and ds2(6) totally adore him.

Luckie · 09/09/2005 11:14

Andif - sorry for your parents pet, it's so sad when that decision has to be made .
I wonder if princesspeahead was thinking of Rottweilers??

andif · 09/09/2005 11:26

Thanks Luckie - it's been traumatic for the whole family.

Luckie · 09/09/2005 12:00

Good luck andif with the baby next week, let us know how it goes.

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