Golden Retrievers

[Doggie07]

This is what I want in my furry companion:

1. Temperment- Decent around all ages of people.
2. Size- Medium or Large
3. Fur- Can tolerate a little to medium shedding and fur at medium length
4. Intelligence- Enough to be versatile
5. Trainability- Eager or medium
6. Grooming- a little to medium
7. Energy- low to medium
8. Health- decent

So okay, remember when I said I had bought books on Golden Retrievers? Well, I read the parts in the books that describe the Golden Retriever as a breed.

Pros:
Generally healthy, good temperament, size, intelligence, very trainable.

Cons:
Lots of shedding
high energy

Okay, the shedding probably can't be helped but I noticed that the breeder who I was getting mentoring from also breeds what you guys may call "Pet retrievers". So in other words, they were bred to be pets instead of show. I'm assuming that means they have less energy than the standard GR.

Now, the purpose I made this thread is to see what you guys think.

 

[stafinois]

Okay, the shedding probably can't be helped but I noticed that the breeder who I was getting mentoring from also breeds what you guys may call "Pet retrievers". So in other words, they were bred to be pets instead of show. I'm assuming that means they have less energy than the standard GR.

IMO, breeding for "pets" is a red flag that your dealing with a BYB..

 

[Doggie07]

IMO, breeding for "pets" is a red flag that your dealing with a BYB..

Here's his site:
SHADALANE GOLDEN RETRIEVERS - Trained Golden Retrievers, Trained Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale, Golden Retriever Puppies for sale, Golden Retrieve Breeders, golden puppies for sale, golden retrievers, San Diego County, los angeles county, orange

So is he really a BYB?

EDIT:
I think I was thinking about another breeder when I stated there was a breeder who bred for show and pets.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Maybe this is a question for your mentor? FYI, in the eyes of most breeders everyone is a byb except for them.

 

[MicksMom]

...FYI, in the eyes of most breeders everyone is a byb except for them.

:lol-sign: So true, tho.

Another FYI- I saw CERF certificates on their website, but my eyes aren't so good today, so I didn't read them. CERF screening needs to be done annually. I'm not sure what they mean by trained puppies, but no puppy is totally trained. I'll assume they mean they've started training, tho.

 

[Paige]

I also wanted to touch on the fact you want a low to medium energy dog. You can find lower energy retrievers but goldens aren't usually on the low end. Especially not pups.

 

[Laurelin]

I also wanted to touch on the fact you want a low to medium energy dog. You can find lower energy retrievers but goldens aren't usually on the low end. Especially not pups.

I was going to say that. I have not met anything with retriever in the name that I'd call 'low energy' that wasn't a senior dog.

 

[Doggie07]

I also wanted to touch on the fact you want a low to medium energy dog. You can find lower energy retrievers but goldens aren't usually on the low end. Especially not pups.

But I don't want a dog that lays around all day. From what I've read, Goldens are usually high but no dog can be perfect. They also shed alot. The energy and shedding cons are not bad enough to turn me away from Golden Retrievers.

 

[Linds]

I would be looking for a dog with a good off switch.

One that is ready to go when you are but can sleep around the house if you need a few days off. These dogs still need a lot of mental and physical exersize but are much easier to live with because the won't be following you around panting at you with a ball in their mouth, but are still go go go when you want them to be

 

[elegy]

i'd also be asking a lot of questions about cancer in the breeder's lines. goldens are freaking cancer factories. if a breeder says there's no cancer in his/her lines i'd be inclined to think s/he's either lying or not looking.

 

[milos_mommy]

1. Temperment- Decent around all ages of people.
2. Size- Medium or Large
3. Fur- Can tolerate a little to medium shedding and fur at medium length
4. Intelligence- Enough to be versatile
5. Trainability- Eager or medium
6. Grooming- a little to medium
7. Energy- low to medium
8. Health- decent


Goldens. They're very sweet, intelligent, and I'd consider them medium-high energy. Some pups might be on the higher end.

They aren't the worst breed as far as health problems, but they do have them. Cancer is not uncommon, and hip dysplasia is a big issue. I'm not sure about other health problems, but you'll want to check for health testing, especially hip testing, and find out how long the ancestors have lived and how they've died...cancer can be hereditary.

Goldens shed. A LOT. I'd consider them a moderate grooming breed....they probably need to be brushed weekly, but brushing more often will cut down shedding. Feeding a good diet can help shedding, too.

I think you've decided to get an adult dog, correct? You could certainly find a medium energy golden somewhere in rescue.

I would not set your heart on a golden just yet, I think a lot of other breeds would suit you.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I was going to say that. I have not met anything with retriever in the name that I'd call 'low energy' that wasn't a senior dog.

Most of our service dogs are low-energy labs and lab mixes. People with physical disabilities can't handle a high-energy dog, so the energy level is very important when we're doing evaluations. And one of the lowest energy dogs I've trained happened to be a golden. Now, they're hard to find, but they do exist.

 

[Doggie07]

1. Temperment- Decent around all ages of people.
2. Size- Medium or Large
3. Fur- Can tolerate a little to medium shedding and fur at medium length
4. Intelligence- Enough to be versatile
5. Trainability- Eager or medium
6. Grooming- a little to medium
7. Energy- low to medium
8. Health- decent


Goldens. They're very sweet, intelligent, and I'd consider them medium-high energy. Some pups might be on the higher end.

They aren't the worst breed as far as health problems, but they do have them. Cancer is not uncommon, and hip dysplasia is a big issue. I'm not sure about other health problems, but you'll want to check for health testing, especially hip testing, and find out how long the ancestors have lived and how they've died...cancer can be hereditary.

Goldens shed. A LOT. I'd consider them a moderate grooming breed....they probably need to be brushed weekly, but brushing more often will cut down shedding. Feeding a good diet can help shedding, too.

I think you've decided to get an adult dog, correct? You could certainly find a medium energy golden somewhere in rescue.

I would not set your heart on a golden just yet, I think a lot of other breeds would suit you.

I'm leaning toward a puppy from a breeder but I am open to getting a adult, but not as open to getting a puppy.

I haven't exactly made up my mind yet. And then there's still a lot of time left, so I could end up deciding on a whole different breed and that's even if everything goes well.

EDIT:
Also, it's not just apartments I'm looking at. I'm looking at those small houses that you can rent and some of them have backyards.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Retired breeding stock is an option that not many people consider. These dogs are usually health tested, trained, and you'll know exactly what you're getting right out of the gate. Just a thought

 

[MicksMom]

I would be looking for a dog with a good off switch.

One that is ready to go when you are but can sleep around the house if you need a few days off. These dogs still need a lot of mental and physical exersize but are much easier to live with because the won't be following you around panting at you with a ball in their mouth, but are still go go go when you want them to be

No, you can't have Caleb. Oh wait, he's the wrong breed anyway! :lol-sign:

 

[Doggie07]

Okay, I think I've decided on the Golden Retriever. I don't know if I'll buy one from a breeder or rescue just yet. I also don't know if I'll get an adult or a puppy. I perfer a puppy, but I don't know. I could end up changing my mind, who knows, but I really liking the Golden. Just to make it clear, I won't be getting one til I move out and only if I can handle a dog then.

 

[marcp]

The problem with some low energy dogs, especially the retriever/labrador group, they tend to become obese. Watch the diet carefully and you're OK.