Golden retriever?

[WAMozart]

Can anyone talk to me about the pros and cons of this breed? We are experienced dog owners but have only had sight hounds before.

Our situation- two people who mainly WFH. Kids are young adults. We have a big garden and love walking and sea swimming.

No experience of dogs who shed a lot and need grooming so it would be really helpful to know how much work it is to keep on top of this.

Thank you!

I’ve three in the last four years (two Fosters one my own).

Pros: lovely dogs. Really soft and cuddly. Really intelligent. Really social.

Cons: lovely dogs (people don’t even ask before they pat them). Shed everywhere (two grooms a week) and I am consistently covered in white fur despite this. Really intelligent so they learn bad behaviour fast. Really social so they need lots of stimulation and to learn not to approach people.

They are amazing. But in the wrong hands, badly trained, poorly socialised and badly exercised they are time bombs ( as any dog is). I don’t say that to put you off, but to make clear that whilst they have a lovely reputation (and are lovely dogs) they can go wrong, as any dog can, only with Goldies they’re huge - so it’s a problem when they do.

Dog tax paid

What a beautiful dog! Thank you xx

And he knows it! Smarmy git that he is.

Best dogs ever, though totally stubborn and complete food hoovers ! Mine loves water and is never out of it

The pros massively outweigh the cons but you have to be aware of shedding - we have to hoover daily - and some potential breed weaknesses such as hip problems. The puppy period for us was challenging but also massively fun and joyful. Be very firm on things such as jumping up, getting up on furniture and mooching for food as these are annoying habits if someone else needs to take care of your dog.

Pros include temperament, love of the outdoors and water and people tend to feel at ease with retrievers so if you have kids, other parents are probably more relaxed.

You will find walks can sometimes take twice as long because everyone wants to talk to your dog - a great confidence builder for kids.

Based on experience of other breeds, golden retrievers are my absolute favourite ❤️

They're like velociraptors when they're pups !!

Yep - those spiky little teeth 😄

Sooooo much fur. Lovely lovely dogs but can be really bouncy as huge pups. I have wolfhounds. But the only dog to knock me clear off my feet on a walk was a retriever!!

The puppy stage with our GR was the worst - he was so bitey and I tried everything. I wish I'd managed to crate train him as a little pup as that would have possibly helped but he just wasn't having it and to be honest the crate was so enormous it took up half the kitchen (and we were trying to sell our house at the time!) He's now 4 and a delight, but it's taken a while. I would also add that we have a non-clever variety who can't even open a half open door to go through, though the plus side is that he doesn't steal food as it wouldn't enter his big old fluffy head that it was even an option.

If it’s shedding that’s putting you off, go darker. Really surprised in the difference that makes.
And they will jump anywhere to reach to eat paper / wood/ tissues.
And can’t go past water without having a swim.
Strong dogs - but beautiful.

You can volunteer as a fosterer for guide dogs for a few months at a time allowing you to get experience without the 12+ year commitment. They offer all the training etc.

Not all GRs but generally similar temperament.

Have a 9 month old male. He’s got a beautiful temperament and he’s gorgeous (and he knows it). Loves everyone and thinks everyone loves him. Very easy to train as very intelligent. But my God, he can be stubborn. He just stops, drops and rolls then stays dropped if he doesn’t want to move any further. I’m sure this will improve as he gets older but it’s like having a toddler at the moment. 😩

My friend has a goldie that we dog sit a fair bit.

Pros
Absolutely perfect temperament, great with people and other dogs. Other dogs seem to all love her so think she must be hot in the dog world 🙈😂

Trainable although I wouldn't say clever (that's compared to my terrier who is much more switched on.)

Cons
She is a big dog, within 5 mins of coming into my house there is fur everywhere and the house smells doggy.

Everything needs to be supersized, her food bowl, bed etc.

She can be stubborn and there's very little you can do if she decides she's not going to move or wants to sniff something the other side of the park - she is strong!!