Should we get a golden retriever?

[jas1906]

Hello,

We are considering getting a golden retriever puppy in a few months, but my youngest (15 months) has infantile asthma. Just wondering if anyone had any advice on whether or not this was a good idea.

We have 3 small children, and the youngest has special needs, hence the resason for choosing this breed. We've heard golden retrievers are very good with children.

Another one we're looking into is a goldendoodle. Just wondered if this was a better choice since they have less chance of causing allergies.

Thanks for your feedback!

[SteveR]

I'd be concerned with how much a golden sheds if your baby has asthma. They shed a ton. As for being good with children, they are great with everyone but as pups and young dogs they are very excitable. Though it is so extrememly rare for them to intentionally hurt or bite a child, they have been known to send a few flying in their exhuberance so they have to be closely supervised when they are young. If you are not too familiar with the breed then there are other things that you must consider:

Prone to a variety of health problems so you must buy a certified pup. This makes them expensive. Vet bills could amount to a good deal of money.

High energy dogs. Need regular excercise.

Very sociable animal and will constantly be underfoot. These are not independent dogs like some breeds and will always want to be in your company.

Can be mischievous so you must supervise them when they are young.

Probably the most affectionate dog breed there is. Loaded with personality.

So smart it's scary. Easily trained & housebroken.

Other than the shedding and health issues I would consider the golden retriever to be the perfect dog breed. Anyone else have anything to add?

[Touchka]

Go for a poodle. As far as I know they are allergy free. The Goldie just looses so much hair that youir child will be wheezing constantly.

[Skyesmom]

I know how it is having a child with asthma. Our daughter had it when she was little. Hopefully your child will outgrow it too. We did not get any pets when she was still having asthma. The risk of her develpoing an allergy was just not worth taking at that time. Talk to your pediatrician and ask his/her opinion. If you do decide to get a dog maybe an air purifier might help.

[Ruth181]

:dogbark As a person with asthma I can tell you that my two Golden's do not effect my breathing or trigger attacks. I also have a daughter who is 5 and was diagnosed with asthma when she was 2 and the dogs don't affect her. I guess there are all types of triggers for people with asthma, so you would have to wait and see. Do you ever visit people with animals that have long hair and does it effect your child? I would spend some time in the home of a dog owner and see if that triggers anything. Don't just assume that your child will be allergic to a Golden because of the shedding.

As far as getting a puppy, it will take at least 2 years before that puppy with be a real companion for your children. My puppy is 4 months old. We've had her since she was 7 weeks old and each day we have to correct her. She is a barrel of laughs to watch and sometimes to play with, but like the other posts have said puppies don't always play nice - sometimes they bite and jump up and scratch when they don't really mean to hurt. Do you have a Golden Retriever Rescue in your area? Sometimes you can get an older GR who just needs a home because the previous owner cannot devote enough time to the dog, has moved away, or has died, etc.

[Me and Gracie]

I don't have any comments on asthma, but I'd like to agree with Ruth181's comments about young dogs not always 'playing nice' with small children. Gracie, at 19 months, can play like crazy - running fast, barreling over people, chasing anything that moves (including running 4-yr olds). I have two nephews (ages 9 and 4). The older one can hold his own with her and they get along great. The 4-year old is a different story. He wants to play with Gracie, but gets very upset when she gets right up close to him (she's tall and there's a lot of face to face action). She outweighs him so it's easy to knock him down and literally sit on top of him. Then he's mad and tries to push her off - but gets carried away and starts hitting her... so I step in and separate them.

I'm a firm believer that dogs belong in the house with the family... but, when the nephews come to visit Gracie quite often gets some 'alone time' in the garage or in the yard by herself.

[SweetDaisyDew]

My son has had asthma since he was a baby. It's not severe but he uses his inhaler every day. My golden has not affected his asthma, one way or another.

I agree that you need to be attentive when you have a golden around small children. Daisy could knock over a small toddler with her tail alone !! But I can also say from experience that my golden is never so happy as when she is in the company of children.

[highway9]

Prone to a variety of health problems so you must buy a certified pup

1st to clarify:

a pup will not be certified (unless it is an older pup (6 mos ) gone through the required processes). the parents will be certified from a breeder who as gone through the required processes. it is important to ask the breeder to see the papers indicating the certifications of the parents. for an example a pup from hip certified parents could get hip dsyplesia.

if you have not already, discuss this issue with your child's doctor.

temperament of golden's is truly unique and i would suggest you look for a kennel who breeds for temperament.

also, most responsible breeder's will pick a puppy best suited for the client. they will evaluate the litter and typically rank the puppies. the breeder will ask you to fill out an application which helps them place the puppies in the appropriate home.

for my wife and i with no children are young, active lifestyles, the breeder chose an alpha pup for us to take home.

pups will be pups and through persistent obedience training you will have a well behaved dog that will be a pleasure to have in the home.

[CanadianGolden423]

Do not get a Goldendoodle. They are merely crossbreeds from irresponsible breeders and are very prone to health problems.

A Golden Retriever breeder should show their dogs, the dogs should be titled on both ends (a conformation championship and performance titles--ie CD, NA, NAJ, etc.--the breeder will explain what titles the dogs have). Both parents and all/most ancestors, especially grandparents, should be certified free of eye, heart, hip, and elbow problems (genetic ones, anyway). The breeder should show you all the CERF and OFA certificates.

Good luck!

[highway9]

A Golden Retriever breeder should show their dogs, the dogs should be titled on both ends (a conformation championship and performance titles--ie CD, NA, NAJ, etc.--the breeder will explain what titles the dogs have).


very debatable and not necessarily a required circumstance in purchasing a dog. many responsible kennels breed for temperament with out having conformation or show titles. it is a choice made by the breeder to do so or not.

genetically, a pup from those lines will be more apt to training for obedience trials as well as having a sound temperament; however, mother nature can deal bad cards.

i think it is important to purchase a dog from a breeder with show, obedience, field lines and etc. if it is a future owners intent to obtain certificates or titles.

since my intent is to train for field competitions, i purchased my pup from champion field trial lines. i also want the hunting instinct which will make a keen retriever with effective training.

purchasing pups from parents with show or conformation lines will be more expensive but will have better chances to be a well tempered pet.

i still feel there are well tempered pups from responsible kennels who do not have champion lines; however, it is important to purchase a pup from a kennel who has the proper health clearances. this type of pup will be ideal for the family or individual seeking a well mannered companion yet has the time to train him or her to be that behaved dog.

[angenbear]

Some things you need to take into consideration:

* Having 3 little kids, do you have time enough to play with the puppy, since the puppy loves to play a lot and receive attention

* Having 3 little kids to watch, will you have time to make sure your puppy doesn't go into mischief, and teach him to be potty trained?

* Will you have time to take him to vets and get his nails groomed if you can't do them?

* I just realized that Golden Retrievers are sensitive to what they eat, they have allergies as well. They may have diarhea for awhile, are you willing to put yourself and your family in risk of stepping on one of them accidently in the house?

* You should also consider how your kids will be around the puppy, ie...pulling tail, kicking, hitting them? As well as the puppy around the kids. I introduce my nephews, 4 and 3 (the 3 yr old is mildly autistic) to Bear, and Bear loves them, yet he plays a lot. He would go to my 3 yr old nephew, and tug his tape measure that he likes to carry along, or jump on my nephew to lick his face. My nephew doesn't mind that, but you have to be around to make sure the puppy doesn't go wild. Their nails are sharp in the beginning, I got scratches to prove that.

* You also got to take into consideration that they love to chew, even on people, so in the meantime of you teaching the pup not to chew on people, you have to make sure they don't chew on your kids. Make sure you get plenty of toys for the pup to play with and to divert when he does want to chew on someone. So if your kids are fond of some toy, make sure you put them in a distance from the pup.

Having a pup is like having a baby, I would say the best thing is to get a 1 yr old dog, that way the dog isn't too much for you and your kids to be around. If you can handle those factors, then go find that golden retriever pup!

[CanadianGolden423]

My opinion is that no dog should be bred unless it is titled on both ends. There are enough dogs that meet this criterium and are also tempermentally sound that it isn't necessary to breed those that cannot achieve at least a Novice obedience or agility title.

[nhgolden]

IMHO... I would have to agree that a responsible breeder should at least have novice level titles in their choosen discipline. Again my humble opinion is at least this shows a dedication/commitment and knowledge to their lines and the breed. I have been on both sides. Purchasing a Golden who had nice temperment as did his parents and siblings etc.. and my current girl (RockywoodsBennysDreamBonnie)aka.. Bonnie, who comes from very good lines. Benny who was from a local breeder who was AKC registered and breed for temperment( more like $)had thousands of dollars worth of health issues and died of brain cancer at 3.5 years old. Actually it was a year ago on 8/19 how time flies but the memories will last a life time! Bonnie is 10 months old, has champion lines, great tempement, so far no health issues and is a big bucket of love.

There are far to many less than adequate breeders out there. That is why so many Golden boys and Girls wind up in shelters/rescues. The breeder who simply acquires an AKC dog finds Joe AKC Golden down the street and lets the problems begin. Champion lines are great but not all folks can afford them even at pet quality. As stated there are no 100% sure things regardless of where you get a Golden baby. I guess to sum it up, make sure you do as much research as you can on the breeder and ask those tough questions. A responsible breeder will have the answers, a responsible breeder will take the dog back if it develops health issues, issue a limited registration and have a spay/neuter contract if you do not plan to show etc.. They will also give you references, see the litter often, see at least one if not both the parents and the list could go on.

[CanadianGolden423]

A good, well bred dog from titled parents should not cost any more than any other dog. I think good breeders try to keep prices low rather than trying to profit. My well bred Golden was $800 USD, which I consider cheap. Buying a well bred Golden shouldn't be a stretch for anyone's pocket who can afford a dog.

[angenbear]

IMO if you want a dog for a companion, a pet to play with and spend time, and just to have a pet spending more than 400 is too much. Who cares if they have a title if you are just going to have a dog as a pet. Yes, I'm sure I'm going to get hounded, but this is my opinion.

Now if you want a dog for show or breeding, and want a title then spend more on it and have the titles from the parents. There's a lot of dogs that need a home, are you going to ignore them just because they don't have a title on both ends and cost over 300? You got to also consider your budget, having to buy dog food, toys, training, vets, medication, not to mention other expenses, can you afford getting a title gd puppy that will cost 800 or more? 800 may be nothing to some people, but to others it's a lot.

[andymutt]

Yeah Angenbear! I agree with you, it should not cost $800 or more for a good pet. When we decided to adopt another puppy we were shocked at the cost of pet quality dogs, $800 - $1500 ! We wanted a pet not a show dog. We ended up buying a nice AKC GR from a local family who had an AKC and breeded her with a neighbor's AKC for a cost of $350. So far no health problems and you could not ask for a sweeter personality or a smarter dog, she is totally golden! I have to question the motives of some breeders who say they are not in it for the money but charge way too much $$ for your average family. Do they want good homes for their pups or do they want to make a killing. I know a lot of people disagree but this is how I see it. My husband and I provide a good loving home for our animals but cannot afford $1000 more or less to purchase a pet.

I also am of the opinion that families with young children should not have dogs until the children are old enough to understand the needs of the animal. Very young children do not understand that a dog is a living being with needs and emotions. My mother-in-law was a breeder of show quality dogs and would not sell to families with young children as often the dogs would be returned to her for "being rough" with the children.

[highway9]

A good, well bred dog from titled parents should not cost any more than any other dog. I think good breeders try to keep prices low rather than trying to profit. My well bred Golden was $800 USD, which I consider cheap. Buying a well bred Golden shouldn't be a stretch for anyone's pocket who can afford a dog.

first, your opening sentence might be valid in canada but in the usa, specifically the pacific northwest, there is a significant difference in prices from a kennel that has titles and clearances and one that does not have one or both of the those things. look in the classifieds to get a perspective between prices from breed to breed or within the breed though most if not all in a the classifieds come from the backyard breeder.

to get a puppy from champion lines and clearances look to spend a least 1,000 dollars in the pacific northwest; however, purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder that has clearances, selected well-stocked parents, provides a contract with warranty and maintains superior facilities for breeding will ask between 600 - 850 dollars.

i'm glad 800 dollars is cheap for you. angebear said it well in her post. your last sentence would be similar to telling a grocery clerk you should by a Lincoln since you can afford a vehicle.

my previous responses in this discussion clearly state my intention in having a golden from titled parents. also, i said this would be a very debatable subject.

i firmly agree it is best for the breed to buy from reputable breeders. in addition, i believe one should not purchase from pet stores or the backyard breeder. there are many responsible kennels that go through the clearances, select well tempered stock and have very adequate facilities yet that do not have titled parents. kennels should belong to organizations such as the grca and get there dogs in the show ring or hunting test/field trials and etc. to see how good his or her dogs really are yet may not title. competition in my opinion allows kennels to produce a better dog.

my point: there is nothing wrong for a family to purchase a 300 to 500 dollar golden who wants a companion yet must be aware of health issues that can arise or not having a the best temperament. it would be best for them to spend the extra money to lessen the risk of future health problems but i know of people that have spent 800 on a dog, whose parents have hip/elbow/heart/eye clearances yet end up with a dog that has hip dysplasia. i also know many 350 dollar goldens that live free of health issues and have a temperament as good as any 1000 dollar golden.