Golden Retriever - smallish house

[ClaireEclair]

Hello. We have been researching dog breeds for years. After falling in love with a few GRs on our daily walk and finding out that I am not allergic, I think this could be the perfect pup for us!

However, my DH thinks that our house is too small. We live in London in a standard three bedroom house with front and back gardens (not very big gardens although the back is enclosed). Our downstairs is open plan with a conservatory attached. Upstairs is the usual two good size bedrooms, one box room and bathroom.

We live near woods and large fields which are used regularly by dog walkers. Both WFH full time, no kids.

Do GRs need a lot of space in the home? Should we look for a smaller type of dog?

I love them so much! Every GS we meet on our daily walk wants to come and say hello. One often sees us and sits down, refusing to move until we are close by to say hello. They are so sweet!

I'm no authority, but I reckon as long as you can walk it twice a day, the size of your house shouldn't be an issue.

It's good you've got a garden that you could let it out into a couple of times, if needs be, too

(also, I totally agree - they are so sweet! I'd love a GR!!)

As long as you are prepared to get them the amount of exercise they need, the size of your house won't matter.

I had my best friend for 12 years. GR mix (not pure) and I have a smallish house and no fenced in yard. I took him for a marathon walk or to the dog park every morning, then out for shorter walks to conduct business a few times.

They are great dogs. Goofy and loyal. He was great with the kids too and loved everyone!

If you do go for a GR go for a bitch they tend to be smaller . I have done it with two , not by choice I might add as we were armed forces family and we got one quarter I had never seen such a small house ! I do think if she gets plenty off lead walks and freedom such as beach runs and forests you should be ok

Thank you so much everyone! This is great to hear. I will show this to DH. He loves poodle cross types which I also love but two I know are very hard work and not very social :(

We have a very small house and a very big golden retriever and it all works out (we do have a garden).

Honestly the biggest problem is his desire to be with everyone at the same time so he lies right in the middle of the hallway so he’s right in everyone’s way - we have a nightlight in the hallway at night so no one falls over him!

OMG! That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard!

The trouble with GRs is that THEY don't think they're big so will try to sit on your lap!

@Communionmom @PictureOfFlorianTray

Yes on both counts!! My guy was always busy trying to be with everyone and night time was a struggle! He’d go on patrol and try and spend an hour of bedtime with everyone, then park himself across the hallway!

I miss him so much.

Yes GR have no idea the size of their arse !🤣

I would love one, and sadly I think our house (1935 ex council semi detached 3 bed house) is too small. This is because my dd has a chronic pain condition and the worry about one bashing her with its huge wagging tail. We have a cocker spaniel and though a bouncy dog, she doesn't have the weight behind her a GR would have.
However, if we ever move to a place with bigger rooms, then I'd have one on a heartbeat.

We love our GR. They need regular grooming and you may need to hoover daily. They are a joy and our boy is the love of our lives. Choose a breeder carefully and ensure you also attend training classes to get the basics in early.

We have a 3 bed semi with a decent garden and plenty of walks nearby.

My golden retriever is the funniest, most affectionate, friendliest, goofball addition to my family.
At the start, to help with training, she only had the run of the kitchen and conservatory so the size of rest of the house didn't matter. She's also a dainty wee thing so it's her very waggy tail that would do most damage to niknaks and coffee cups. You soon learn to keep everything out of the way. Mine is also a trip hazard but she'd get in the way regardless of house size.

They are the best family dogs! They do shed lots of hair and ours loves muddy puddles so we struggled to keep our smaller house clean and tidy but wouldn't have changed her for the world. They are always found at your feet IME so house size doesn't make a great deal of difference. Very chilled out in the house but love a good run outside.

We have a GR puppy and he's now 4.5 months and he's just a joy. He is mostly in the kitchen under my feet or trying to get as close to any of us as he possibly can, he's the snuggliest cuddliest boy and has a brilliant temperament and incredibly easy (so far!!) to train.

I think a smaller house would actually be an advantage though, as less to clean - we have a pretty big house which just means more of the house gets dirty as he really does track in a lot of mud at the moment. We have tried to baby-gate him into the kitchen with a lino floor but I can see that's not going to last long.

Where we will need to think about size is the car - we have an Astra estate, but the dog is definitely going to need the whole boot to himself which means when we go away we'll need a roof box. DH is already muttering about maybe needing a bigger car.

Puppy tax!

As people have said they do have to be by your side so will lie outside the toilet door or want to come in with you! Mine totally trusts us to step over him when in the way and never just moves. Once past puppy stage they are very lazy dogs and as long as you have some outside space to toilet they are happy with an hour's walk a day. I used to think they'd need more but my vet who has 3 and has also bred them said that was the advantage of the breed, that they are really lazy and are happy with one hour long walk a day. You can obviously do more w alks if you want but I don't think your house size matters.

We have two labs in a smallish 3 bed house, no kids. It's not an issue at all. I don't think house size matters too much until you get into giant breeds. Even large dogs are smaller than humans. As someone up thread mentioned, cars are potentially more of an issue and large dogs cost more (eat more, higher vet fees as lots priced by weight etc.)

Don't think house size matters (unless yours is tiny). We had a border collie in a flat! (with gardens and right next to countryside). I realise GRs are bigger but BCs are notoriously energetic.

As someone upthread said, a GR will get in your way and sit on you and squish beside you in a chair even if you have an enormous house

@Xiaoxiong adorable (and yes you do need a reasonable size car)

We had 2 at the same time and, looking back, I don't think size of house matters that much.
Ours had the run of a large house and a big garden but they would often just lay by someone's feet. Or sleep on one of the human beds.
They need very good outdoors exercise but at home they are very chilled as a breed so they won't go mad. Also very gentle so no accidental breakages.
Having a smaller house would be a bonus: quicker to hoover! You really do need t hoover every day and brush them all the time.
I would advise against a GR poodle mix: I know 3 and they are totally bonkers! Gorgeous but utterly mad and never calm.
I miss my boys.

How about this beautiful girl !

About the tail. Perhaps it depends on the dog but ime they are surprisingly soft and feathery, actually - not like eg a labrador's tail which has more oomph about it.

I grew up with GR. No they don't need a big house they just lie in the most inconvenient place what ever size house you have! Usually in the middle of the kitchen or under the dinning table at any meal. They are where you are size is irrelevant really. The tail wagging will knock a mug off any coffee table so be warned!
Basically a good walk and then they are happy to plod all day. A garden for nipping out for a wee or play is best.
Go for it they are absolutely lovely dogs.