Golden Retriever advise.

[sugarplumfairy28]

I have another thread about French Bulldogs, but I think we have firmly ruled them out now. I spent the day reading about Golden Retrievers, although I do already have a pretty good idea about the breed already. I know to look out for hip and elbow dysplasia and most of the ads and breeders I can find show parents have been tested, so that's a good start. Can anyone tell me how they did at introducing a Goldie to cats? Both the people I know with Goldies also have cats but I was hoping for a broader picture.

I have seen videos where it kind of looks like a dream, tired/calm puppy let the cat in to investigate at their own pace, repeat. Seems to be good to be true really.

That's really good to hear! Our cats are generally quite easy going, can be a bit spooked at things. So that's reassuring to hear.

I used advice from Blue Cross. Scent swap. Keep them separate at first. Teach the puppy to look at you when the cat is in view. Use a treat. You want the dog to ignore the cat!
You have had superb advice on here about health tests. Get proof! Worth speaking to the breed club about breeders. It is very much buyer beware though. So very many commercial breeders and backyard breeders.

Oh I’m so glad you are considering a Goldie. They are the bestest dogs. I don’t have a resident cat but my sisters cat comes to stay a lot. My goldie pup tries to greet her with a polite tail wag but the cat keeps his distance, pup isn’t too bothered about him after that. My pup is very respectful of my elderly tortoise and calmly shifts herself everytime he looks like he is going to take a chomp of her tail!

He is gorgeous! I am seeing a lot of people who have calm reactions to other animals which is really reassuring. Obviously we love our cats, and their needs are very important too.

Golden retrievers are super dogs, but have bags of personality that doesn’t make for easy puppies. They also take a long time to grow up, other dogs can start to calm down by 2, goldies it’s more like 3.

they are also quite extroverted which can make training difficult. I think they are amazing- but a long way from a frenchie. Double the exercise requirements, much more shedding, stronger if you struggle to train loose lead walking.

Mine has always been fine with the cat. I just worry if you’re automatically expecting a gentle calm puppy though - mine was clinically insane.

And then there is the bitey adolescent phase.

He’s fine now (aged four) but he was a tough boy as a pup.

No of course not, I think the only way I can phrase it is, is looking for a breed with the highest potential, ones that are receptive to training etc trying to stack the odds in our favour. I've also been reading up on Labs too, but in reading it suggests that of course there is lots of potential but in comparison to a goldie they are bouncy and boisterous

I would say labs are more biddable and easier than golden retrievers. Golden retrievers are goofy, kind and lovely and fit into a family but if you are steering away from bouncy then I don’t think a golden is for you- the puppy stages are tough

I’ve found young retrievers to be much more bouncy than labs. Actually knocked off my feet by one.

what breed is the cat?

Goldens (& Black labs) are truly wonderful dogs.......I lost my black lab this Summer - A gentle kind soul who loved all other animals esp cats, all 3 miss him the same as I do.....You cannot go wrong with a Golden I would love to adopt either an older rescue dog, it's just not the same with out one! They usually love children too, wonderful family dogs!
My Orange Cat adored the dog as did the other 2 cats!

Sorry I meant to post image directly

I'm so sorry for your loss. He looks like a dream dog!