If you are thinking of buying a golden retriever puppy then you will probably have a lot of questions regarding the breed and if they are a breed suitable for you, there are numerous books available on the breed and websites specialising in the golden retriever but to get you started here are some of the most common questions that are asked about the breed.

Golden retrievers guide

There are many different types of retriever and they all make great pets and companions, of course one of the most common is the Golden retriever with its luxurious golden coat, but there is also the Labrador retriever with a smoother shorter coat, the Curly coated retriever and the Flat coated retriever all of which make excellent pets and are good for those families with children. The Golden retriever is the most popular not only due to its long wavy coat, but also for the fact that is has a delightful nature, however at the same time they are one of the larger breeds of retriever and can be quite boisterous, while they do make an excellent pet to have around children the excitability of this breed can mean that they could knock over a very small child. As with all dogs very small children should never be left alone with them.

The Golden retriever is one of the easiest breeds of dogs to train due to their nature and the way they love nothing more than pleasing their owner, however training should begin at a very young age to establish who is the boss, because due to their large size and their playful attitude a large dog can get out of hand. Although it has to be remembered that while the dog might look big it isn’t fully mature until around the age of 2 and in some cases the dog doesn’t lose its “puppy ways” until the age of three.

The Labrador retriever is another very popular breed among the retrievers and again has a very gentle nature; the Labrador retriever has a shorter coat than the Golden which of course doesn’t require as much grooming. The Labrador retriever is around the same size as the Golden and they don’t shed as much. The Labrador retriever is well known for its excellent temperament and is considered to be very gentle which makes them a suitable dog for those with children.

Although the Labrador retriever isn’t specifically a guard dog they can be very protective with members of the family and in particular when around strangers. The Labrador retriever is also known as an hunting dog and as such they love to please their master and are willing to learn and adapt very well to training which should start at a very early age due to their robust size.
The curly coated retriever is well known as a hunting dog but they also make for great and loyal companions and shouldn’t be overlooked when considering one of the Retriever family members as a pet and companion. Because they are hunting dogs they are very easy to train and are loyal, they are also excellent around children and have a wonderful temperament while at the same time having character, which sometimes shows through as being mischievous. They are however a very “lively” dog and they do require plenty of exercise and love being out doors so aren’t suitable for those who only have a small yard.

Finally don’t overlook the Flat coated retriever when choosing from the retriever breeds, it is devoted to its master and this makes the dog very easy to train. The same as the other breeds of retriever, the Flat coated retriever has a wonderful, gentle temperament which makes it an ideal and loving companion. Again this breed does require a lot of exercise and is not a dog to just lie down quietly in the corner of a room; it has what sometimes seems to be boundless energy and if left cooped up can become mischievous even to the point of destroying your belongings. While it does make an excellent pet this is a breed that does require a little more attention.

If you are thinking of buying a golden retriever puppy then you will probably have a lot of questions regarding the breed and if they are a breed suitable for you, there are numerous books available on the breed and websites specialising in the golden retriever but to get you started here are some of the most common questions that are asked about the breed.

Do golden retrievers shed a lot?

Due to the golden’s long feathered coat they do shed a lot more than most breeds do, this can be controlled to an extent by regular grooming but the dog will always shed constantly.

Are golden retrievers a good choice for a family?

The golden retriever has a wonderful kind nature and is usually excellent with children; however you should never leave any dog alone with a child particularly a small child. They are a large breed which can get very excitable and as such they can knock over a very small child but they are generally thought to be good around children.

How much exercise do they need?

Being a working dog originally they do need a lot of exercise as they do have a lot of energy, puppies under the age of 6 months while having what seems to be endless energy do need rest and should be encouraged to have periods of rest.

Are they a breed that barks a lot?

The golden retriever is not known as a barker but they are a very excitable breed and they can get a little carried away when playing.

Are golden retrievers easy to train?

The breed really loves to please and because of this they are generally very easy to train, of course training should begin at an early age and some dogs will be more stubborn than others. When the dog is going through its teenage years they can show dominance but if you are firm and patient with the training then you will usually be rewarded.

Which makes the better pet the bitch or a dog?

Both make equally good pets and usually its just a matter of personal preference, bitches can tend to be a little moody sometimes while the dog can be a little more independent and show some dominance particularly when younger. Both have the good and points so really it’s just a matter of personal preference.

At what age is the dog fully grown?

The golden retriever is usually fully mature by the age of 2 years however they can often act like puppies right up to the age of 3 years.

How big do golden retrievers grow?

The golden retriever is a medium to large dog with the bitch getting to around 22 ½ “and the dog around 24″.

The golden retriever is an excellent choice of breed for the family; they are a very gentle intelligent breed who is excellent around children. They adapt well and quickly to a new home and are generally very easy to train as they love nothing better than to please. There are however certain things to take into consideration before buying your puppy, the golden retriever loves to be around people and doesn’t like being left alone for long periods of time so you should ask yourself if you have the time needed to take care of a dog. Due to the golden’s long coat they also shed profusely and need regular grooming to keep them clean and healthy, they also need a lot of exercise as they are a very active breed.

Choosing your new puppy

You should always buy a puppy from a reputable breeder and make sure that you see the puppies with their mother and if possible also see the father, if this is not possible then the breeder should be able to show you photographs of the father. The breeder should also be willing to show you health certificates for both the mother and father of the puppies as the breed can have several health problems some of which are inherited and can be passed onto the puppies.

If you have a family with young children then you shouldn’t go for the quiet puppy, try to choose one that is interacting well with its littermates but not overly boisterous. A golden retriever puppy should be inquisitive, confident and interested in who you are and shouldn’t shy away from you all the time.

Golden retriever puppies coats will look a lot lighter when they are puppies than they will when they are fully grown so colour at this young age is nothing to go on. A rough guide to the colour they will be when fully grown can be seen on the fur on the ears, of course the colour of the mother and father will give you a better idea of how the puppy can turn out.

Always ask the breeder about each individual puppy, a good breeder will have spent time with the puppies and will know the temperaments of each, some puppies will naturally shy away from strangers so just because the puppy is sitting in the corner looking a little wary of you doesn’t mean it’s always like this.

Once you have chosen your puppy then make sure that you are given all the proper documentation including any health certificates and kennel club registration papers. The breeder should also make sure you know you can contact them at anytime and they should also give you advice on things such as feeding, care and grooming along with tips on caring for your new puppy.