Golden retrievers?

Hi, Golden retrievers are very lovable dogs, but if you get one remember that’s all they are good for, being friendly and playful, they are not guard dogs or watch dogs, at all!!!

If you want a dog that loves their owners, and will defend you with their lives, get a Chow, I have 3 of them and I can honestly say I will never get another dog, they bark ONLY when they see someone or something is out of place, they don’t need to be house trained, they only do their business on the grass, they don’t trust strangers at all, it takes a real long time before they accept someone new, they will hang around until the “stranger” has left, but they are very very friendly with loved ones, I cant describe the joy these dogs have when I get home in the evenings, each one jumps up and I have to give each one a hug, after that they go ecstatic as if they have just won the lotto….lol
 
B.O.F.H. said:
I know people here will think I'm mental, but English Bull Terriers are also amazing with kids.... (for those who don't know what breed i'm talking about I've posted a pic below)

I watched one look after a friends kid once, the little guy was missioning around the garden and there was a 2m high wall that he could have fallen off, and the dog kept getting in the kids way when he got too near the wall, and once he got around the dog, the dog gripped his shirt gently and pulled him away from the wall.... the lighty then decided it would be a good idea to ride the dog, and the dog was quite happy to let this happen.

I personally grew up with them and there are photos of me standing on the dog so that I could see onto the table, and the dog just lay there and didn't flinch or anything.
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When I was young our Labrador was like that, I remember riding on him and pulling his ears but he would always watch us kids.

He just hated it if we were in the pool and dragged us out once or twice when the gate to the pool was open, was pretty painful cause he would bite onto your arm and pull you out.

@OP just remember if you buy any kind of dog that is bred to do some kind of work like a retriever you need to create a environment in which he can fulfil his instinct which he was selectively bred for.

So with Labs and Golden retrievers etc buy a rubber duck or something and throw it for him\her often.
 
Beachless said:
So with Labs and Golden retrievers etc buy a rubber duck or something and throw it for him\her often.
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Mine would kill a rubber duck - she'd bite it to pieces. Tennis balls works quite well. I've had a Lab before who took tennis balls apart - for her we had a solid, fairly hard, rubber ball.
 
B.O.F.H. said:
I know people here will think I'm mental, but English Bull Terriers are also amazing with kids.... (for those who don't know what breed i'm talking about I've posted a pic below)

I watched one look after a friends kid once, the little guy was missioning around the garden and there was a 2m high wall that he could have fallen off, and the dog kept getting in the kids way when he got too near the wall, and once he got around the dog, the dog gripped his shirt gently and pulled him away from the wall.... the lighty then decided it would be a good idea to ride the dog, and the dog was quite happy to let this happen.

I personally grew up with them and there are photos of me standing on the dog so that I could see onto the table, and the dog just lay there and didn't flinch or anything.

BullTerrierZola.jpg
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My brother has 2 bull terriers. Very good with children. They are more body guards than watch dogs.
 
spiderz said:
My brother has 2 bull terriers. Very good with children. They are more body guards than watch dogs.
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Actually I would agree with that sentiment exactly.. they're not interested if someone is in the yard and up to no good.. but if said person becomes even vaguely threatening to someone in the family, then all hell will break loose.

One of ours has jumped clear over a 6 foot fence to chase someone who came into the yard and tried to grab something from my dad...
 
B.O.F.H. said:
I know people here will think I'm mental,...
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That would be me. I know two of them that killed a person and I've got scars on my leg from one attacking me in my younger years. I hope no kid ever has to experience that.
 
Golden Retreivers is great dogs. I guess you're used to dogs, so it won't matter if I tell you that the first 2 years can be a b1tch with retreivers. They are full of energy and chew on every pipe or sprayer in the garden....
 
This is my boy:

sammy2.jpg


He did tear up the garden a bit when we weren't home when he was younger and he just cant help himself when it comes to bins, but other than that he is the best dog I ever had.

I just make sure to lock the bins in their little area and all is good.
 
Theres one living 2 houses down from me.everyone in the neighbourhood knows and loves him!when he sees you and recognises you his face lights up and he jumps up against the low wall to greet you.such a loving dog!

from what ive experienced, bull terrier + staffie both awesome dogs.grew up with them. also check out a rhodesian ridgeback.my moms friend has 2 and theyre amazing.
 
another breed to consider if you have the patience, is a basset hound.

They are fantastic with kids as well. I got 2 at home and love em to bits, could never have picked another dog. Would love to get a golden retriever as well but we already have 7 dogs so maybe one day.

My favourite dog though is either a staffie(who hasnt wanted a little jock in their family) or a british bull dog(really have always wanted 1).
 
Wow thanks for all the replies.

We are not set on a retriever, so all options are open. I had a bull terrier when I was kid and he was a very temperamental bugger, had a go at me a few times and ate 2 cats and the neighbours dog :( So not to keen on one.

I would be a little worried about the retriever if he is a chewer and digger. We have had a few dogs that have done that and honestly it is a nightmare. The one even ate the kreepy once. lol. :p

If I could I would get another Malamute, gosh they are amazing animals, I miss my big guy so much. But in all honesty they are not built for the SA climate, its actually unfair on them. My boy used to battle in the summer.

I am not in a great rush, so will keep my options open and gather as much knowledge as I can. I also need to find out if there is a training place close by as I think that is a must.

My property is half and acre so space is not an issue.
 
Golden Retrievers are awesome dogs. Easy to train, eager to please and so good with kids. Only prob is they are like R3,500 a puppy. Or consider a Lab. My dad wanted a choc colour lab at one stage....
 
Hi

I logged into this account for the first time in forever to post here. My family has owned many dogs over the course of my lifetime, ranging from a Lab to a dachshund, pavement special, border collie, german shepherd and more. I currently have 2 golden retrievers.

The previous dogs have been great, great pets and friends. However, nothing will come close to a retriever if you raise him/her correctly. They are not so much dogs as children, and will become an integral part of your family. 90% of the people I've met with retrievers say that they will only ever get retrievers again.

Right. My point is that goldens are the best - no questions. Now the challenging bit.

1 - As they are purebred, they will no doubt cost you more in vet bills than a lot of other dogs. Our dachshund and pavement special are still batting on and they have cost less in bills (8 and 10 respectively) than my goldens who are currently 2 and 3.
2 - You will have to take them to puppy socialising classes. Didn't do it with our other dogs and didn't realise how important it actually is. Preferably take your puppy to beginner and intermediate classes too. The nice thing is that if you have a golden training is not a chore at all - it's so rewarding to see them learn so quickly, and see how jealous everyone else is at training because they secretly know that goldens are the best dogs and theirs just isn't as cool.
3- see point 2. People will envy you for having a better dog than theirs, and even though they won't admit it, they know it to be true. I kid! But not really.
4 - Chewing and digging and causing a general ruckus. As long as you give your golden lots of toys they should be fine. Keep a toy box for them, and only them, so they know that anything in the box is theirs and they can go ape with them. The dogs understand intuitively what is theirs and what isn't, and my 2 guys have not destroyed anything that wasn't theirs (except for socks, my one absolutely loves socks, and digs them out of the washing and brings them to me as a gift every morning - sometimes they are delivered a little more easy breathing than before).
5 - Kids. You cannot ask for any better dog with children. Full stop.

Right, so there you have it. I've had plenty experience raising dogs, and can say without question that golden retrievers are the best. I will also say that if you have just one you should consider getting another one later on (about 12-18 months apart is ideal so that the new puppy will bond to a human rather than the older dog and will be easier to manage and train etc.) Goldens love company and cannot stand being alone, and I would highly recommend that you get yours a companion. I'd guess that the people with goldens who have chewing and digging probs don't have other dogs, so that's something to ponder about too.

Realise that before you get a golden retriever they are not like other dogs. They demand your attention and you will feel compelled to give it to them because they deserve it. They do take a lot of effort but it is more rewarding than you can imagine.
 
Mine is 10 months old now, they're really amazing dogs, and I highly recommend one.

As Explicit said, they do need company (not fair the leave them home alone all day), and they need exercise. Leaving them in a big garden isn't enough - they need to sniff and see things around them. It's also really important to socialize them and get them used to different noises, people, cars etc. My girlfriend and I take him for two walks a day 20mins and an hour, and so he doesn't dig, bark or go wild etc.. He's also really friendly, and because I've worked hard with him, I can let him off-leash in a park or the beach or forest and he comes when he's called. He also goes for obedience training which is very important. Goldens need mental stimulation and, because they're very boisterous and strong dogs, it's really important to be able to channel that. Training also helps build a bond between you and the dog. Ours loves learning new things and he's a super-happy dog.

They also love toys and bones to chew on, so stock up!
 
My dad has one, in the beginning you will have chaos, once it gets older the chaos will end :)
 
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