What do I need to know about getting a golden retriever?

[Tilllly]

As a puppy

From a reputable breeder

Advice gratefully received ☺️

Hair everywhere
Mud splatters from hair and tail
Mud paws on kitchen surfaces
Steal ornaments to chew
Big and strong, knock people over
Can smell due to long fur even when bathed

Wouldn't swap him for the world 🖤

Love him to bits, he's mostly so well behaved, rarely barks, can be left alone, wouldn't hurt a fly.

My neighbour has a massive one. He's a proper dope. He loves me, bounds up to me and often knocks me off my feet, and I'm no lightweight

If you have any low tables one swipe of a goldie tail can clear them quite effectively!

My neighbour has two. Beautiful looking dogs but my god, the HAIR! I wont go and visit them if I'm going out later as I will need to get changed after sitting on her sofa. You leave the house looking like the Honey Monster.
Her are also very food driven and have been known to steal out of children's hands. If you can cope with wearing golden hair on all your clothes for the next 12 years, fine.

Quick question

Do they shed a lot of hair then?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yes, don’t expect a calm, placid dog straight away- they take a lot of training and puppies are hard work.

I'm prepared for that @Riverlee
I know this will be a sizeable investment of time and commitment to get a contented dog
I also have gin at the ready

Health checks: hip and elbow scores, eyes, breeding co-efficient. Probably more but those off the top of my head. Champdogs is a good website to find a good breeder.

Absolutely gorgeous dogs. I can’t have one currently as my living room is up a flight of stairs, and they don’t do well having to do stairs - but if I move to a house where the living area is on the ground floor, I’ll be getting one.

Mine, big, daft dope

Ours has an amazing ability to work out the most unhelpful place to be, and lay down there. Especially doorways. She gets tripped over / stepped on a lot.

But how can you stay grumpy at that face?!

Love this word.. I call mine my big dope 😍

😂😂

But this face...

🥰 ❤️
Look at those faces

I think everyone's covered it all! Hair, more hair, lots of love ..and being a complete stomach on legs who is happy to steal food/eat anything off the pavement and or counter tops...are my top issues!

However, we got ours from a reputable breeder and she's had cancer, mast cell tumours and a degenerative spinal issue. All of the parental health scores were perfect and the rest of the litter is totally healthy, so I think we have just been very unlucky.

The page I mentioned is run by some long standing breeders/show winners, they are really helpful and will have lists of well bred puppies that are due in your area.

Yes! Bloody doorways!
Or in front of the oven, the sink.right across the floor in front of the sofa so you can't get up...

No advice, but I'd love a Golden retriever, they are the most loyal, lovable dogs. Please post photos when you get him/her!

You need to know that you will never be lonely or sad again. They even smile on their sleep - see picture. They are meant to be intelligent but honestly I think the only thought in my GR's head is "am happy"

I see that and just want to snuggle

They love to lay down in puddles.

Invest in new towels and downgrade a lot of them to dog towels 🤣🤣🤣

Love my GR and wouldn't be without her. Good luck and wishing you lots of luck and licks

An example....

We are puppy raising a goldie for Guide Dogs. We’ve had him for a year and he leaves soon for puppy school (advanced training). Oh my goodness we all love him so much and we’ll miss him greatly. Our Labrador girl loves him too. He’s phenomenally hairy, slobbery, stinky, and far longer than he thinks he is due to his enormous wappy tail. Life will seem very empty without his enormous presence! We’ve now signed up for GD puppy #2! 😄

You'll be heartbroken when they're gone, that's how amazing they are.

Please don't be out working though, they need a lot of attention and lots of walking. Definitely a social breed and perfect for retirement and will go everywhere with you. Part of the family. Ours was more like a puppy til he was about 8!