Golden Retrievers: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting One

October 19, 2014

by Natalie Secretan

Golden Retrievers: 5 Things You Need to Know About Adopting OneIf you’re thinking of adopting a Golden Retriever, you might be surprised to learn that this popular breed unfortunately still finds it way into a number of animal shelters.

Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle nature and are described as being loyal and eager to please, yet like all breeds Goldens have their quirks.

5 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Golden Retriever

  1. Shedding – Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs but all that beautiful blonde hair comes at a cost: they shed a lot. So if you’re particular about housekeeping and lint-free clothes, this is not the dog for you. Consider instead a Goldiepoo.
  2. Highly Active – Golden Retrievers were bred for a full day of hunting, running and swimming so they have energy in spades. These dogs do better in a country setting where they can run off steam regularly, but are so adaptable they do very well in the city too. Provided they get enough exercise combined with games of fetch every day, your Golden will be content and restful at home.
  3. Chewing – Golden Retrievers love carrying things in their mouth and love to practice chewing on just about anything they can. They will chew out of boredom and when they’re teething, so be prepared to teach them prevention techniques to keep this behaviour under control and your sofa free from harm.
  4. Dominance – Golden Retrievers are naturally dominant and confident dogs, but sometimes this can lead to aggression issues. Be aware in your training and understand what triggers aggression in dogs so you can avoid and recognize it.
  5. Health Issues – Golden Retrievers like all breeds suffer from inherited diseases like hip and elbow dysplasia. It’s important to be aware of the health issues of your golden retriever and do a thorough background check on your dog’s parentage.

If you’d like to know more about adopting a Golden Retriever, visit Golden Rescue and the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Toronto.

Photo credit: Andrew Morrell Photography