The Good & The Bad
If you want a dog who…
- Is large, athletic, and natural-looking
- Has a pretty feathered coat
- Has a cheerful, tail-wagging nature
- Thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities
- Is steady-tempered and dependable with everyone
- Is peaceful with other animals
- LOVES children
- Is eager to please and very responsive to training
… a Golden Retriever may be right for you.
If you don’t want to deal with…
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
- “Separation anxiety” (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Mouthiness — carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands
- Regular brushing and combing
- Heavy shedding
- A distinctive doggy odor
- A multitude of serious health problems
… a Golden Retriever may not be right for you.
If you are thinking about getting a Golden Retriever you should consider…
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Golden Retrievers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise, they will become rambunctious and bored — which they usually express by becoming destructive. Bored Goldens can make a shambles of your house and yard.
- If you simply want a pet for your family, and don’t have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed.
- Bounciness. Young Golden Retrievers (up to about three years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying.
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Golden Retrievers need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. Proper training and attention can overcome any daily seperation anxiety issues.
- Grooming. To keep their feathered coat free of mats, Golden Retrievers require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming.
- Heavy shedding and doggy odor. Golden Retrievers shed a LOT. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting, and hide under the furniture. Be prepared for vacuuming. Also note that Golden Retrievers have a distinctive “doggy” odor to their skin and coat that some people find offensive. Wellness Dog Food, Grizzly Fish Oil, & the FURminator can help eliminate almost ALL shedding! See our online store for these products.
- Serious health problems. All retriever breeds are susceptible to joint and bone problems, and eye diseases. They are also very prone to ear infections.
Not all Golden Retrievers are alike!
- There are energetic Golden Retrieverss, and placid ones.
- Hard-headed Golden Retrievers, and sweet-natured Goldens.
- Serious Golden Retrievers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Golden Retrievers, and individuals who love everyone.
If you acquire a Golden Retriever puppy, you can’t know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like.
If you’re considering an adult Golden Retriever…
There are plenty of adult Golden Retrievers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don’t let “typical breed negatives” worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you’re acquiring potential — what he one day will be. So “typical breed characteristics” are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you’re acquiring what he already IS.
Male vs Female
Male Golden Retrievers
Males, Generally Speaking:
- Male Golden Retrievers tend to be “lovable slobs” and “good ol’ boys.”
- Male Golden Retrievers tend to be more vigorously affectionate and more “in your face” than females.
- Male Golden Retrievers tend to be more stable and reliable in mood, less prone to emotional swings, compared to females.
- Male Golden Retrievers tend to be clumsy and silly and prone to acting like oversized kids.
- Male Golden Retrievers mean well and are easy to love.
On the negative side:
- Male Golden Retrievers are more apt to test their owners and engage in dominance struggles, especially during their hormonal adolescent months, which can last from six months old all the way up to two years old.
- Male Golden Retrievers have obvious genitals, which can make for embarrassing moments if they become aroused or decide to lick themselves when Grandma is visiting. Some males are enthusiastic humpers who will mount stuffed toys, other dogs, sometimes people’s legs.
- Most male Golden Retrievers lift their leg to urinate — a consideration if you have expensive shrubbery or lawn ornaments. Some males are serious territorial markers who will spray urine on every vertical object to mark it with their scent.
Female Golden Retrievers
Females, Generally Speaking:
- Female Golden Retrievers tend to be more subtle than males. They’re affectionate on their own terms. They’ll request or demand petting, then reassert their independence by walking away when they’ve had enough.
- Female Golden Retrievers tend to be quicker to learn and are not as easily distracted during training sessions.
- Female Golden Retrievers are less likely to be openly defiant — but they can be passively resistant and manipulative about getting their own way.
- Female Golden Retrievers are prone to mood swings and emotional theatrics. They can be sweet one day (or one hour!) and grumpy the next.
- Female Golden Retrievers are experts at The Dirty Look and The Sulk.
Now, those of you who are nodding your head right now and thinking that these male-female characteristics sound… well… kind of familiar… let me assure you that you’re not alone in thinking so!
Other Male/Female Considerations…
- Consider the other dogs in your household. Unlike many other breeds, Golden Retrievers are usually fine with other dogs of the same sex. But some male Golden Retrievers CAN be dominant/aggressive toward other males, so if you already have a large male dog at home, you may want to lean toward a FEMALE Golden for your new dog.
- Consider the other dogs in your neighborhoood. If there’s a resident bully who roams free, you’d be wise not to get the same sex, else your daily walks may become stressful. Similarly, if your next-door neighbor has an aggressive dog, perhaps you should get the opposite sex to avoid fence-fighting.
The Breed
