Are there any Retriever owners out there? I need the warts and all truth!

[AllergicToNutters]

I have been researching breeders of Golden Retrievers and Labrador/Lab Retrievers and have found a few with whom i have registered including ChampDogs. I cannot see all that much difference temperament/exercise requirement wise between the dogs so am open to either. My children prefer G.R.s (purely for cosmetic reasons so that is most likely what we will go for. Does anyone on here have any real life experience of the puppyhood/adolescent stage of GR's/Labs and what I should expect or be prepared for? Is it really like having a newborn baby? I'm quite concerned about leaving a pup while I do shopping/school run etc. I will not be going out for hours on end but I don't want to make a pup totally reliant on my 24/7 presence iyswim. Ta MNetters

I've had both. 2 goldens and now 4 labs.

They are different, but are both bred to have similar temperaments and instincts. Exercise needs are broadly similar.

IMO, a Golden is a bit more demanding than a Labrador, and slightly harder to train. A well known theory is that in the time it takes to train 1 Flatcoat, you can train 2 goldens and 4 Labradors.

A new puppy is very hard work and will dominate your every moment, pretty much, for a couple of months. I think it's a bit like having a newborn toddler tbh. They haven't a clue what's right or wrong, don't understand what you want but can run around the house at a billion miles an hour, wail like a banshee, wee and poo more often that you'd think was possible and can get into trouble or hurt themselves in a flash.

Puppies need to learn to be left alone, so you start with a tiny time and build up slowly. School runs and shopping trips will be no problem in the end, but to start with I always start a little at a time. I don't leave mine for more than 4 hours max.

As any good breeder will have a waiting list for puppies (don't think about buying from a breeder who doesn't - partic with these breeds, and don't forget the health tests you need to check out).

Grooming requirements are more demanding for a golden than a lab - the feathers can bring in a lot of mud and pick up burrs.

I'd strongly suggest you spend some time with both breeds to see which you really like the most; it's a big commitment and choosing just on look is not the best idea tbh.

I will echo what daisy dot says. We're on our second golden now. He's only ten weeks old and gorgeous, but hard work. I would thoroughly recommend crate training him, it has been a lifesaver for him and us. We've hard him a fortnight and the basic training is coming on well.

We looked hard to find a good breeder and we're very pleased. Our vet did a healthcheck today and is also pleased (& covered him in cuddles).

Bramblechooks- in what way is he 'hard work'? I mean, I realise that I will be on pee and poo duty all day and that he cannot go out for 3 - 4 weeks which will make it difficult for me to go too far (I never do anyway). But what else do I need to know. I'm confused about info on here about if they cry at night. Will it be because he needs a pee? So do I ignore it? If I have to go no school run etc. can I take dog with me in the car as long as he doesn;t go out untu after jabs or is it best to leave him alone for 30 mins to get him used to my not constantly being there?

He'll cry at night because he's a baby.

When he first comes home, he will be about 8 weeks old (don't get one younger than this - and if the breeder suggests it, walk away). He won't have been away from his siblings, or even been on his own before. He will likely be frightened, uncertain and overwhelmed.

Crying can mean any of these things or that he needs a wee. But then, he may not know that he needs to tell anyone that he needs a wee yet. Think about it; how would he know that?

He can go outside from the minute you get him BUT he can't go on the ground anywhere other dogs may have been. It is to ensure he doesn't pick up one of the very nasty illnesses which can be transmitted via unvaccinated dogs.

In fact, those 4 weeks are some of the most valuable weeks for making sure he's well socialised which IMO is the single most important thing you can do for your dog.

As you're obviously new to dogs - and trying to find out as much info as you can, I recommend you have a look at this forum lab forum and read all the sticky puppy threads. Although you're looking at both goldens and labs, the fabulous advice there is relevant for both. Honestly, you won't find any better source of information - it is fabulous and written by deeply experienced and committed people.

daisy - thank you so much for that information. I will definitely look at the lab forum you linked me to. I am new to dogs as an owner. We grew up with a golden lab in our family but it seems people are so much better informed nowadays. So i can take him out if I carry him? I can take him to my family's homes then? That's great!

Thanks daisy, that's what I mean! I take my boy out lots and carry him around the village socialising with all kinds of people and noises. One more week until walkers on the floor, although from our back garden lead work th ats going to be somewhat random!

He is wonderful, but I have been up at 7am every morning which is when he needs to go out for wee/poo (although sometimes he hasn't made it and his puppy pad in his crate is soaked, but thats ok). He then needs to play a lot. We do lots of training throughout the day. He can be very boisterous and we are all bring extremely consistent with the behaviours we want to reinforce and those we don't.

'don't shoot the dog' is a great book to read, as is 'the culture clash'

bramblechooks - you have a crate so do you put the puppy pad in a corner of it? That souns like a good plan. How does pup know to use the pad? Or did you just plop him on there when he looked needy?

For me the hard work is first thing in the morning when the kids come down or when the kids come back from school/nursery. This is because the puppy is so pleased to see them, he jumps up and mouths at them and his teeth and claws are sharp. The kids get unhappy and it results in lots of hard work. Fortunately he has calmed down quite a bit now.

Well the idea was the dog bed on one side and the pad on the other. But he just trashes the whole crate bless him. So if he does see in it the pad does catch some of it.

We have another pad in the room, which we have dabbed with his wee, so he is learning what to do. However it is about being very watchful and taking him out when he shows signs of needing to go, and also taking him out lots and giving lots of praise calmly when he does go.

do male puppies raise their leg? I seem to remember reading that tehy sometimes squat - signs are circling and sniffing, right?

The breeder has said that we can go and meet the puppies when they are 4 weeks old and then we can choose our dog and visit every week until he is ready to come home with us. Will he get to know us that way? As they are very scent driven I am assuming that this will go a long way in helping him to become familiar with us???

You'll soon know his signs, but yes, sniffing circling then crouching. It's hard at first as they want to sniff their new surroundings. My pup still squats like a girl!

Lovely to meet them at four weeks. Choose a confident one with a good square head. Make sure you see the mum and are comfy with the surroundings. Photos please!

Bramblechooks - yes Mum is there and on the webiste there are pics of the Dad and records of grandparents etc. She is most definitely a proper breeder. It seems liek such a long way off now! the pups are due in four weeks (then I have to take my place on the waiting list), then another 8 weeks after that - three months waiting - I really do feel like an expectant mother! What is the book everyone recommends - Bailey someone? I'll order it from Amazon. Also I have heard that 'puppies for Dummies is quite useful too.
Ive been recommended a mesh crate. anyone heard of these?

oh and there will be plenty of pictures - without a doubt :-)

Well I am totally and utterly biased I admit,but as someone who has had Goldens for over 20 years I would hardly be anything else !

Don't really agree that they are harder to train ( been to training classes with both labs and goldies ) I do think that Goldens have the edge when it comes to temperament, and are slightly more laid back.

Do be careful when choosing a breeder even on the Champdogs site.

Good luck,I am sure you will adore your dog whichever breed you decide on...although there is nothing more gorgeous than a Golden Retriever puppy!

Madondogs - I know, they are absolutely stunning aren't they? My sister had a retriever and we grew up with a golden lab. Both absolutely brilliantt dogs.

My little yellow peril is flat out besides me and greeted me with a waggy tail, even from his good boy puppy sit as soon as I came tonight. :)

We dropped an old blanket off with our breeder at 6 weeks and we brought it home with pup at 9 weeks for comfort.

Labs will do anything for you, a real people pleaser if a bit goofy.

GRs can have a bit of a haughty air to them but they love just as much!

I have a lab GR cross who is definitely more towards the goof side although he hates his paws getting dirty and despises the rain so the GR comes out too.

bramblechooks - awww , that's lovely :-)