Golden Retriever?

[WolfieWolfie]

Considering getting a show line golden retriever. A few things putting me off …

“endless energy” … are they really bouncing off the walls 24/7?

“Can never let them off lead as they’ll want to play with every dog they see despite training” - so you really can’t train them reliable recall?

“difficult to train as so stubborn”

Can anyone in the know shed any light?

Show line GRs are not bred for the correct, biddable, temperament. They are bred for looks. Working GRs are bred from good working dogs that live to please you and work.

I've had a number of working line Retrievers, did obedience with two of them. Both had excellent recall, my current dog never has to be on lead, trots along by my side on command. Knows the difference between left side and right side and will go to either on command. It's hard to get a proper working line dog unless you want to do something with the dog - good breeders want the dogs to have something to keep their brains occupied. I was allowed a pup because we were going to do obedience.

The best advice we got, when going for our first dog, was from our vet - he recommended going to a dog show and meeting breeders and seeing their dogs. We ended up by the agility ring and so the breeder of our first dog was an agility person rather than shooting.

If you want a dog that has a biddable nature then you need to get it from someone who has dogs with that nature.

Our goldie is 8 now. She's gorgeous and had very good recall until she had a bout of chemo/steroids for a mast cell tumour. Since coming off her medication, she is a total and utter pain around food despite a huge amount of training, so I only let her off lead when we are in the woods/away from people. (That said, even on lead she managed to grab s a croissant out of someone's hand as they walked past us in the street )

The amount of hair she sheds is horrendous, but she is the sweetest goofball ever and I wouldn't change her. They are great family dogs.

My GR has perfect recall and is easy to train. The key is to get a set pitch dog whistle and from the day they come home blow the same pitch whistle immediately before every meal. So put bowl down, have dog sit, blow whistle to indicate that it can eat.

This way you are conditioning the dog to think whistle = brilliant things.

When using whistle out and about always give a very tasty treat when they recall. Plus don't just call them away from exciting things or to go back on the lead. Do it randomly, give them a treat and let them go again.

She needs a good amount of exercise but then is perfectly chilled at home.

Ours is very high energy but crashes out in the evening and sleeps really well until about 8am. She is absolutely the most loving dog ever and wants to greet everyone and even has made friends with sheep and cows in fields nearby.
Her recall is 'variable' but she's off lead when away from roads and most of the time comes back after a few minutes of calling. Very food orientated so usually chicken does the treat.
Hair. What can I say? Yes there's an awful lot.
Temperament is fantastic

This is brilliant advice, thank you. I’ve heard of a book called Total Recall which I think I might buy too

Thank you everyone for your input on this, I think I’m sold 🥰 just need to find a good breeder!

We've had goldens for over 40 years.

Only one has had dreadful recall- and that was largely because we made the mistake of getting litter sisters, and didn't do enough training in our defence we were a lot younger and inexperienced!

Our current girl has pretty much perfect recall, the others could be distracted by pheasants, or lovely mud/water.
Training is vital- find a friendly dog training group and book yourself in (not just for the 6 week puppy classes either!)
They are generally laid back and gentle- but they can be real land sharks as puppies and typical stroppy teens.
Be prepared for shedding- I have often wondered how they stay so fluffy but shed so much!
Most love water and mud, and are food oriented (which is helpful for training).

Look for a breeder who breeds for temperament not just show line looks.

We got several of our from the Mastamariner kennels- their website is very helpful in terms of what to expect from a Goldie.
Pic is of one of our old girls - at 10, practising a down stay at dog club.

What training classes would you recommend? I’ve got a basic obedience and advanced obedience class in mind as well as KC award classes but I’d also like to do ringcraft (mainly for the socialisation aspect, being around dogs but not interacting, being examined by someone else etc etc)

Our GR is just over 2 years old and a mix between show and working. He needs 2 off lead walks every day of about 45 mins and a couple of small lead walks for toilets(won’t go in garden). Other than that he’s very lazy.

Recall all depends. He’s not food orientated outside but we had some success training with fresh Turkey breast! He doesn’t like coming back to us but he will wait for us to get to him (doesn’t see the point in coming back if he knows the route we’re going!). He used to want to run up to every dog but this is getting better.

If he smells a female in season, he can run with no recall but he generally knows the walking routes and we can find him or talk a short cut and know where he’ll end up. I believe this may be a male dog thing not just GR thing!

He doesn’t run off when I walk him as he tends to listen more to me and is a bit more protective so probably weighs up whether he can leave me.

He’s very goofy but very intelligent. I remember a dog training telling me after I’d given him a command ‘He’s hears you, you just need him to choose to obey you’. I think this sums it up.

He’s brilliant with our teenage daughter and loves to be with all of us but we can happily leave him for 4 hours no problem (we don’t need to do this on a regular basis though)

He has a dog walker a couple of times a week and goes on group walks and loves this.

Ha! Goldens I've had some wonderful ones and a character trait they've all had is they want to do it all yesterday . Patience is not their strong point but they are highly trainable .

We have a gr in our extended family…
she has a wonderful temperament and it’s just a lovely dog

she has 2x one hour walks per day minimum

she is walked long line as cant be trusted on recall

Hair gets everywhere and there is a coating that comes off on Hands…I’m guessing it’s some sort of waterproofing

is strong!

is daft

Totally agree. We had our first 34 years ago and are now on our third. Adorable breed, recommended by the vet.

We have our 4yr old girl and luckily live next to vast fields/woods so she gets the hours of exercise and exploration she needs. However on the odd day we have to cut that short she's still a sweetheart. . . as long as there are cuddles etc on offer.
We talk about her recall in terms of pecking order ..
Deer/squirrels trump
Mud which trumps
Water which trumps
Humans which trump
Other dogs which trump
Food which trumps lying down and snoozing.
We own three hoovers

Mine has:

Great recall - is always walked off lead, not a bother.
Bugger all energy - will sleep all day if allowed to.
Is smart enough to train easily but stupid enough not to wonder why she's taking orders.

She does develop slight selective deafness around water but I can still walk her off lead next to a river / pond / stagnant hell-pool and keep her out of it with a stern enough "no" so long as I say it early enough.

Incredibly easy dog to train and live with.

Except for THE HAIR. THE HAIR!!!

I actually would not get the dog to associate good things with a certain pitch of whistle. You want the dog to associate good things with you, not the sound of the whistle itself. Anyone can blow a whistle. The whistle you'll need for different commands (mine knows to stop on a stop pip, to recall on a recall pip etc) too if you ever do remotely serious training.

I'm on my third GR. My first was a shitter off the lead but I could let him off, you just had to be way ahead of him. There are ways to work with even the tricky ones but if you don't live in an area with relatively safe spaces that's when it becomes super tricky.

Make sure you teach them to be calm and settle for periods of time. Do not over exercise both for joints and overstimulation reasons. I would recommend gundog training classes even for a showbred. They don't need to know GRs but knowing gundog breeds and how they work will do. It is important to start them off well and nip any issues in the bud in case you get a pushy one. My youngest was allegedly a pushy one but he's so chilled out he's practically horizontal. My first really was the trickiest but also my very best friend. He was an ask me don't tell me dog, and he would leap over five bar gates to chase a pheasant that flew off in front of him up into the sky. He was by my side every day. We have fertility issues and when I did get pregnant with my DD and had HG he would come and find me wherever I was when I was being sick and just be 'there'. Not wanting a fuss or getting in the way, but just being around. He was truly fantastic. I shall never have another like him, one can never be that privileged. But they are all wonderful in their own way.

I love my GR. I know her mum well and her big sister lives down the road. All absolutely fabulous dogs.
She's been the bestest, warmest, most affectionate goofball addition to our family. Such absolute enthusiasm for life I think she feels truly glad to be alive.
No teenage nightmare yet and as they just love you and food so much they are easy to train as so eager to please you.
Lovable clowns. Impossible to be sad around them.

Our first Goldie had terrible recall - we swore he’d go home with anyone when he was young. Then I started taking him to the stables with me and he was so good, he ended up coming out round the lanes with me when I rode my horse. Just quietly followed us and if a car came I just said “in” and pointed behind me and he’d get out the way. Very nervous and neurotic about certain things though like flooring and thresholds. Sadly lost him at 10 very suddenly. Still not over it 😪

Our younger one who’s 2.5 now is a whirlwind of energy - loves people and other dogs. But I’ve noticed a drop in his hellos as he’s aged and his recall is about a 7/10. He frequently fucks off out of sight but will always make his own way back to me or come on the whistle. No naughtiness really, just total distraction.

He also has no stamina. 30 mins running after a ball in a field and he’s happy to lounge and snooze the rest of the day. He sheds like an absolute bastard and I have to literally scrape the carpet like you’d get ice off a car windscreen AND hoover multiple times a week. He also sleeps on our bed. DH regrets not putting his foot down more. But we adore him and he is a wonderful family dog who is friendly to everyone and all dogs.

I find these replies quite surprising.

GR are used as guide dogs for a reason! It’s because they are easy to train, loyal, biddable, eager to pleased, gentle and just amazing.

I don’t know who told you all that about them but it’s not something I have ever come across. I know a hell of a lot of GR for various reasons. They are a bit more challenging during adolescence but in my experience less challenging than other breeds due this period. They are much calmer than any other dogs I know. They do have energy because they are big dogs so do need regular walks and mental stimulation but they cope if they have to miss one walk occasionally and are happy to potter about or sleep after a walk or game. Working line will have a bit more energy of course.

I totally disagree with the pp who said show lines are not bred for obedience. Never experienced this in all my years.

They do love company and people but can be left for reasonable periods.

All mine have perfect recall. Even in the presence of deer or rabbits. I can walk them off lead anywhere even by roads and can bring them to heal and walk them to heal whenever.
Mine have never been destructive or chewed etc…
Mine will not approach dogs or people unless invited to. They actually are uninterested in others and prefer to mooch along smelling. One does venture quite far but will recall and always finds us. I know she’s not up to mischief even if I can’t see her as she’s just occupied sniffing stuff.

They do like mud and water and the fur is unreal. You will have fur on furniture, clothes, in food and even in things the dog has never been near. It just gets everywhere no matter how much you hoover. They splatter mud on walls etc even if you wash them after walks because of their double coat it’s impossible to get it all off. You need to groom them a lot.
I have never met a GR that drools.

If their recall is rubbish or they are a pain etc it’s down to inadequate or lack of training. For a breed that is the most chosen to be trained to guide it’s unlikely that they are so poorly behaved and hard to train just coz. Of course they all have unique personalities and quirks because they are animals and are not perfect but I find it hard to believe that a dogs recall is crap purely down to who they are.

they are greedy yes.
most are absolutely bomb proof and patient with dc etc.
never met a bad one.

Have you seen the Golden Retriever formation group that performs at Crufts every year? They are a great example of how trainable Golden Retrievers are. I have had many over the years and most have had great recall - our current puppy is a bit of a challenge as he is very ball motivated but still a work in progress but they are such a fantastic breed that we will never be without a golden or two in our household. They are loving and loyal and terrific with kids. They are highly trainable but need you to put in the effort - just like with any dog. And I have never met a bad one either. :-)

Ours was a wonderful dog. She wasn’t stubborn, far from it, she lived to please. They grow out of wanting to play with other dogs. Our dog’s recall was excellent. The trick with recall training is to let them off as soon as they are allowed out. To start with they stick to you like glue, because they are cautious about the outside world. This gives you the opportunity to practice recall with tasty treats, until recall is as natural for them as is sit. GRs are easy to train, as they are very food oriented. The only drawbacks are, they can be food thieves, they shed a lot and they love mud and water. As a pet for a growing family they are just the best, as they have a wonderful nature.

Love my boy! Endless energy- no.
Never had him off lead so don't know.
Hard to train- god no! He's so obedient
Digs holes- yes
Big soft beautiful dope- yes 🖤

we had Male golden boys growing up. These posts are so true. Loving, brilliant with children , gentle.
Love a long walk, water , mud .
Crazy when young - chewing wellies digging holes in the lawn, running laps Round the garden. In between and when older - long naps , lolling around ( ours liked the sofa and in front of the fire) .

very very loyal to family.
recall mostly ok but if rabbits, other wildlife around hopeless.

Definitely a wet dog smell if they love water like ours did.

I adored them. DH is allergic to pet hair…. 😩

We had one when I was a child.

I had a navy school uniform - it doesn't work well with GR hair.

She was a bit thick, as a puppy she slept next to the fire on the side of the fire place, as she grew her head would fall off so she would get up, bark at it and try to go back to sleep. She even occasionally sat there as an adult looking confused.

She would also lie in front of the fire until her fur singed.

I never got to eat my birthday cake my aunt made for my 16th because the dog got there first.

She retrieved EVERYTHING match boxes, toys, underwear from the wash basket, huge tree branches.

Loved being in the car, to the extent she would sit in the car while it was being washed.

She would wander around the house with one of the cats hanging off her tail for a ride apparently oblivious.

The best advise we were given was that GRs are puppies until they are five.

Yup. I have one of those. 🙄 I can tick every statement.

Lovely dog, but no recall whatsoever. Mine is stubborn /selectively deaf. Will look at you, hear you and ignore you.

Show tends to be prone to weight gain, so be careful with the treats and watch the joints. Good insurance is a must.

I take it you’re a puppy raiser?
my partner’s guide dog is a gr. very inteligent, very wilful, but an excellent guide dog.