Golden retrievers vs labradors vs tiny terriers?

[Solo2]

Always wanted a goldie but not planning to get a dog anytime soon - given everything I read here. However, in the next 2 to 3 yrs would love one.

First question then is,apart from the longer hairs/ shedding, is there any difference in personality and 'trainability' between goldies and labradors? What about any difference on temperament?

Secondly, DS1 wants a little terrier-type dog, rather than a big one. I've told him they're more likely to bark/ snap and be manic and less easy to train to do the kinds of things you can with the goldies and labs. Am I right? and would you go for a larger dog or a little one?

Reason for delaying getting one is I work f/t from home and am a single mum and it really does sound like it'd be 'having another baby'. I 'planned' having children 6 yr before I actually had them (I'ma Choice Mum), ensuring I had the resources in place to manage.

So I want to do loads of planning/ thinking, even looking into a kind of 'maternity leave' from work at first and then - get the puppy a 'nanny' ...ie. ensure someone is there for the puppy all the time, even when I'm working and can help with care and training.

So, please enlighten me about the differences if any between labs and goldies and what kind of life we'd have, instead, with a tiny terrier?

what about a cocker spaniel? they are fairly easy to train; adore people; always happy? many people say they are a good first dog - and apart from the initial chewing/house training we've found that to be true. I am biased because we have a 3 year old. have you looked at the kennel club website. you are right - it is like having another child; and they can't be left - but they are always so happy and think you are so great - so in some ways better than a child!

Sounds like you are being very sensible in your thinking. We know a few goldies, and they are all lovely dogs, but BIG and BOUNCY! I like medium sized dogs best. We have a bit of an all sorts, and I'd recommend one of those too

Thanks for the thoughts and I do like cocker spaniels but had thought they had a reputation for being a bit crazy/ hyper?

Anyone else could tell me what if any difference there might be between golden retrievers and labradors, other than the longer hair - ie in terms of temperament and trainability?

Hello Solo2. I have a 21 month old lab and my family has labs and retreivers so know both breeds quite well.

They are both fab breeds for family life. They respond well to good training, are great with children and are generally lovely dogs.

But they both require lots of exercise. My lab has a walk of about 1 1/2 hours a day with a couple of 2 hour ones every week. They also require good, consistent training as puppies. they can grow up to be large, strong dogs and need to be well behaved and respond to your commands.

I grew up with these breeds and love them. I would definately make sure you have the time and commitment to a big dog before you take one on. However, if you do decide to get a lab or a goldie you will have a fab pet.

i have a black lab, and as a child we had a golden retriever. i would say that labs tend to be more bombproof and are very very patient with children. goldies slightly more neurotic. both are lovely breeds of dog, oh also goldies' fur is more high maintenance - labs fur not.

I have a 16 week goldie. He is already quite big and bouncy, and quite hard work for my young children. What is clear is that he's desperate to please. For example, he wants to leap up on everybody that comes into the room, but knows that's not allowed, so he sits down, sort of wriggling and tail wagging in delight, but with his bottom on the floor, until in the end it just gets too much for him and he has to jump up. I can really see him trying, so I have high hopes that he'll be a lovely dog when he's grown up, but also know that the next few months are going to be a lot of work. At puppy training there are a couple of people with year-old goldies that are completely untrained, and their owners have finally taken them to training school having put their backs out from the pulling on the lead. They're sweet dogs, really friendly and beautiful, but very bouncy, and they're massive. You'd be crazy to get such a large breed without planning to invest a lot of time in training. A friendly leap from a goldie or lab is not very nice when you're on the receiving end.

I don't think size is related to temperament much, nor is need for exercise or trainability - you'd need to look at the breeds (look at the breed profiles on the petplanet website).

There are some silly practical issues to look at with size as well. For example, the only car crate for the dog that fits in our narrow but deep and long car boot is almost certainly going to be too small for our dog when he's fully grown. That kind of thing is a bit annoying and I just hadn't thought about it at all. Also his house crate is too big for the kitchen, and he would really be happier with his bed in the kitchen. With a smaller dog none of this would be a consideration. If you're a real planner, go through all the details of a week or month in your life with a dog and think about all the things you'd need to do and places you'd need to go. You might come to some of your own conclusions that way.

I'd always wanted a goldie, so went and got one the second I could see dh coming round to the idea, and that was that

I've always found golden retrievers very slightly more aloof than labs - they seem to be to be a bit more mature, a bit more stand-offish, at least with outsiders. Both make excellent family pets, and both need lots of exercise, but this needs to be restricted while they are growing (in order to protect their joints) so you end up with a 25kg puppy who is full of beans. Can be hard

Terriers are a different ball game (so to speak!). They also need lots of exercise but they will dig and bark, and dig and bark! They can also be tricky with other dogs, and generally are not as reliable with children.

I'd choose a lab or golden retriever over a terrier any day, but I am a big dog person and love to be out with my dogs, walking miles every day in every type of weather. That's pretty much non-negotiable if you choose a lab or goldie.

Please also do consider a well-vetted mature dog from a rescue centre: these can be the safest bets with small dc as a qualified behaviourist will fully assess the dog's character. Going for a crossbreed would also reduce or eliminate the high risk of hereditary health problems which pedigree dogs carry.