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Getting a golden retriever puppy, what should I expect?

13 replies

CrickCabana · 01/04/2023 15:21

I’ve previously had high energy obedience dogs but now want something a bit more chilled out. Couldn’t decide between GR or Leonberger but I think the GR has won out (unless anyone can persuade me otherwise?)

What should I expect from a show line male GR?

OP posts:
hashbrownsandwich · 01/04/2023 15:31

🤣 chilled out?

Skybyrd · 01/04/2023 17:04

They can be quite mouthy/teethy puppies, due to their gundog-retrieve-with-mouth heritage, but you'll be used to the puppy biting after having had high energy breeds in the past.

We had one that barely mouthed/bit at all as a young pup, whilst our most recent is the other extreme and took 'land shark' to a whole new level, but she has some working retriever in her bloodline and is a complete fruitcake anyway.

As a PP said, show line golden retriever pups are usually pretty chilled. We've also found that they are very sensitive to our emotions and really easy to train because their sole aim in life is to please their humans. All our goldies have been very clever, playful, fun to be around and have loved people so much that it's like Christmas each time they see someone they know.

They also love food, adore water to the point that as pups they can endanger themselves in ponds, rivers etc, and all goldies are mud-magnets, though they can be trained out of this. We haven't because of the sheer joy ours get from mud and water on walks and because cleanup at home is fairly easy -- because of their love of all water, lol. Oh and most of them shed a lot of hair, a lot of the time. (Our current one doesn't but I think that's the working part of her.)

I grew up with a border collie, gsds and a doberman at various times, but since getting my first goldie I've never looked back. They just fit in so well and are such happy dogs, whether we're hiking, relaxing, playing or socialising, though they really really hate conflict and can apparently get very depressed in a hostile environment.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 01/04/2023 17:47

My DPs family have always had show line GRs and yes like any dog they can be a bit giddy when young but if you’re used to obedience collie/mally types they’ll likely be a breeze!

Panicmode1 · 01/04/2023 17:57

Hmm, I wouldn't describe our showline GR as chilled out...well not until she turned about 6! You can expect LOTS of hair, everywhere, no matter how often you brush/hoover, huge exuberance, lots of love and a whole lot of mud. Ours is very strong willed, but food obsessed which training easier than friends with dogs who couldn't care less. However, although she will do what she is told about 97% of the time, for the 3% when she doesn't want to do something, she WILL NOT! Best dogs ever though!

Xarrie · 01/04/2023 18:17

Hair everywhere. Constantly.

Nat6999 · 01/04/2023 20:20

My brother's GR spends all day asleep on the sofa, if anyone gets up he is straight in their place.

Markasread · 01/04/2023 20:22

Keen to please provided you don't shower with attention. Easy to train. Not aggressive.

Quite mouthy at first.

Yes ultimately very chilled out dogs or likely to be, provided you're in charge from the off.

Markasread · 01/04/2023 20:23

But if you give them the impression they're at a party, they party.

Riverlee · 01/04/2023 20:36

They grow big quicker than you expect. They’re adorable. They destroy toys. They’re adorable. They can be bitey, little monsters. They’re adorable.

Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap · 01/04/2023 20:38

Quite mouthy and very bouncy to start with. Thinks all people/dogs/animals they meet are going to be their new best friend, will literally just sit in the street and not move if they think the person coming might interact with them.

Easy to train in things where there's an instruction to do...ie sit/lie down/walk nice/recall etc. Not so easy for things they shouldn't do, such as jumping on folk or diving at every muddy puddle they see.

Mud, lots of mud. If there's a muddy puddle, or just a puddle in general, they will head for it and roll/dig/lie down and be happy as can be.

Can have quite sensitive stomachs apparently.

Love our GR pup to bits but she's definitely not chilled yet (8 months).

BigBundleOfFluff · 01/04/2023 20:50

They are the biggest bundles of joy with wonderful enthusiasm for life. So loving, devoted, warm and affectionate. Impossible to sad around them.
Impossible to take for a walk without people stopping you in the street as they are so beautiful.
Bestest dogs.

BeeBB · 01/04/2023 20:55

Ours is lovely quiet, gorgeous, affectionate, chilled and sleepy in the house. Friendly towards humans and other dogs.

But lots of hair.

Tootyfilou · 02/04/2023 13:20

You can expect to fall head over heels in love. 😁😍Best dogs ever.

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