Calling all Golden Retriever owners....

[AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy]

We’re hoping to get another golden in the next year or so. Just wondering whether the dog is more loving than the bitch? We have a 3 year old girl. She’s beautiful and we love her to bits. She’s always been quite independent though. She loves to play but can be quite possessive and growly. She’ll let you cuddle for a bit but then wanders off, as if to say, “enough!” This isn’t what I remembered my childhood golden to be like. Years ago, we had a dog who was very affectionate and loving.

Wondering whether anyone who knows the breed could say whether the boys are more affectionate and biddable?

TIA

I don't have a goldie but do have a male springer - so another gun breed.

I replied because your description of your female matches my male to a tee. He only wants cuddles for short periods of time and on his own terms.

@Miss...😊. I think my girl has Aspergers. She won’t play in a group...it needs to be 1:1. She’ll only allow contact when she wants it. Doesn’t like being brushed but will be stroked. Wants to go HER WAY on walks and follows a strict route 😁. If I deviate, even a little she throws herself to the floor and will NOT move. Her recall, despite lots of training is only reliable when there absolutely nothing else to dig/sniff/play with/look at/eat. I love her, but my childhood goldie was obedient, loyal, loving and very patient with me. (I was 3 and the dog was very gentle). I would not, under any circumstances leave my girl alone with a child. I personally can get things off her, gently, with much persuasion but, no one else can.

The breeder tried to encourage us into having a dog as he said they were just big cuddly bears. I wanted a girl.

She has her moments (see pics) of silliness....now and then but the body puff thing, she has in her mouth, she had for hours and would NOT give it up!

Never had a male goldie but I have met one or two who did not like being stroked much.

My female goldie, who is a mix of working and show lines, will sit forever being stroked. She particularly loves having her tummy rubbed. No possession issues and she is an angel in the house. But a terrible scavenger outside. Her recall is pretty good most of the time unless she gets led astray by the scent of rabbits. No separation problems but she is a little anxious and can get stressed if I go away for more than a day. She very much likes her routine. When I get up in the morning she is lying at the foot of the stairs waiting for me.

I think they are all individuals. By 8 weeks each puppy's' characteristics will be apparent to the breeder who can hopefully help you choose the right dog.

They are funny, aren’t they? Actually p, she does follow me everywhere. If I go upstairs for any reason, she’ll come find me and then settle where I am. I’m in the bedroom and I’ll here her feet padding upstairs. Then, 10 mins later, I go downstairs and she’s like Mr Ben 😁. She appears, at my feet. Perhaps that’s her way of being affectionate?

Battendog differs in that he can be a social butterfly - he likes other people but LOVES other dogs. Wherever he goes, they flock to play with him. With me, sometimes he likes a cuddle - just when he wants one and not at any other time. He likes to know I am around, though.

Not of the same breed, but I have known some exceptionally soft and affectionate female dogs.

I think there is a saying: if you want a good dog, get a dog; if you want a great one, get a bitch and hope for the best

Like Mr Ben

I think my dog is like one of the weeping angels from Dr Who, because if I look away, when I look back he’ll have moved an improbable distance, but always standing stock still and staring at me. Honestly, it’s not at all disconcerting.

I have a boy GR. he is my shadow. Wherever I am, he is. He thinks he is a lapdog. The scales disagree

Oh and he has no interest in other dogs whatsoever. He completely ignores them and if they get in his face (pups mostly) he walks away. He would rather listen into the parents conversation than play with dogs.

I’m on number 4 and they’ve all been different

1. Liked family only, worshipped us but off hand with other people, neutral about other dogs
2. Very quiet and shy with people and dogs
3. ( only bitch) loved all people - to the extent she was annoying but not keen on other dogs
4. Very passionate about everything to the extent he can’t be off lead but once the effusive greeting is over he’s not bothered. Gets on well with most dogs and loves to play with them

All different, all awesome

@Hopping.... they ARE awesome! Was in Copenhagen recently, short break and we saw so many of them. Very popular breed there (unless it was the week we travelled 😐). I can’t help myself being drawn to them. Anyone want to post pictures? I’ve had other family dogs but this is my first as an adult.

@Zibbidoo. My girl is 35kg and I was so worried about her being overweight. The vet said “no, she’s just a big girl. Big head, massive feet”. I love it when she drapes herself next to me on the sofa. Warm as a blanket and the weight of her leaning on me, is very reassuring.

@Squirrel. That’s weird! Am image flashed into my mind of the long long corridors in Stephen King’s The Shining. There were stills of those twins standing at the end of the corridor at The Overlook Hotel and in the next frame, they were in front of you 😊. Bit like that, your dog?

@Battenberg, I think it might be an age thing. As they get older they’re less out there and just want to snuggle in comfort. Hope so. What were the exceptionally affectionate breeds you’ve encountered?

Also, she doesn’t want to walk as often as I’d imagined. She gets an hour in the morning. Field walk so, running, playing, sniffing, digging, swimming in the river. Her afternoon walk around 4 pm gets shorter and shorter. Every 20 paces, she sits down as if to say “...go on without me...”. Sometimes, she plants herself in the pavement and will not budge. She just looks at me with her “ an we go home now” eyes. I’ve NO idea what she’s thinking.

A JRT (who is increasingly snuggly as she ages), a cocker who has been addicted to fussing all her life and a Rottie who was also always soppy but got more so after a broken paw - I think all the fuss and sympathy she got just confirmed to her how much she like a cuddle

Battendog is young still (11 months) so you may have a point...

Yes, quite like that, Aunty He’s at the living room window...turn away for a second and he’ll be behind you in the kitchen. Just watching. He’s an, um, ‘special’ dog.

We had a female who was quite aloof. Liked a little bit of fuss but preferred her own space. The children could do anything with her though and she would give you anything. Literally anything even if she had to search to find something to give you. She once brought me the rug from the hallway. She lived to be almost 15. Beautiful girl.

Its less about gender more about breeding. I have a 10 month old bitch (cream coloured) and she is soo cuddly - will sit on your lap like a cat and hide between your legs. She will also want to play with every dog she meets.

@Squirrel 😆😆😆. Love that!

@BestIsWest, that’s so sweet. I must admit, my girl always brings something when I come home. Yesterday, it was son’s Mason Pearson Hairbrush. I nearly passed out!

@Downbut, lovely photo there. She sounds super. You’re right of course, the breeding is everything. I visited the breeder last year just to show her to them and I saw that her mum was a real “guarder”. The two of them got very heated over a fluffy duck. Her dad (never met him) was a real champion and there were many champs in her lineage but, as I say, there are certain flaws in her character that are very hard work!

My boy (8m) is an absolute cuddle monster. Sticks to me like glue and loves nothing more than sleeping at my feet or cuddling on the sofa. He is also obsessed with other humans (hasn’t gathered that they might not all want to talk to him) and loves playing with children and other dogs. He’s just the best.

@Stellarbellar, he’s gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous! (I know, you know...just confirming it)

I am on number 5, and all have been males. Each and everyone has had their distinct personality and also the inherent ' goldenness" that makes them the best dogs in the world!
All have been affectionate. One was slightly aloof, and you would only get a kiss very occasionally, but at the same time, I knew he would have laid down his life for us. He was a very special boy and I miss him everyday.
Our youngest comes from a famous working line and literally will not leave you alone, a true velcro dog!

@Tooty 😊, they all sound lovely. I think losing a special dog/pet is devastating. I think of my girl as a person. To me, she is a person. And I know that sounds ridiculous but that’s how it is.

My 5 year old golden bitch is the cuddliest, most docile and loveable creature you could ever hope to meet.

We have a GR boyand he really Is a teddy bear. Cuddly, friendly to all, sociable and gentle.

We have a male GR, he's 2 next month. He absolutely loves cuddles, will sit on my lap and follows us around and sits at our feet. The breeders had grandsons who would handle and cuddle the pups which may have something to do with it.

I grew up with a male GR and he was also very affectionate but more cheeky.

@DoYouLike....he’s gorge!!

Had my girl clipped (first time. She’s 3) last week. She looks younger now. Hadn’t realised how woolly she’d gotten 😊

Ahhhhhhhh!

We have a male golden who is 16 months and he is just so snuggly and loving. When we were talking to the breeder she said that boys tend to be more "mummy's boys" while females will be more independent. Our boy is certainly very very attached to us all (and especially me) and I wouldn't change him for the world. He is just so gorgeous and dopey and sweet.