Any info on Golden Retrievers

A guy I work with has to give up his 9 month old doggie because his family is moving back to Colorado and cant take the dog with them. Hubby and I are thinking of taking the dog but dont know much about golden retrievers.

Our biggest concern is we both work all day and the dog would be alone for at least 8 hours and he's still a puppy (9 months old)

I really want to buy the dog but I have a tremendous amount of concerns especially leaving him home all day long.

Any info about this breed of dog would be helpful.

Thanks

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

I have one, my best friend got a puppy in June and my former boss's wife is one of the most respectable breeders on the northeast coast.

I did get my Molly Malone when she was two so I didn't go through the puppy stage.

I'm not an "expert" per se. Feel free to FM me any questions/

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Message edited 11/8/2005 9:14:03 PM.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Thank you so much.

I have sent you an FM

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

the puppy stage can be rough, but my god are goldens worth it. ESPECIALLY if you plan to have children. they are sweet and calm and loving. perfect house dog. just give it a lot of love when you get home and he will forgive you for leaving him home all day I cant wait to get another!

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

I just want to say that i absolutly love Goldens. My dad had his golden for 13 years - and he was the best dog. He was great with my brother and sister (they were 3 and 1 when they got him). So friendly, so loving.

The only bad thing with golden's is the hair. Other than that they're perfect! Oh, and my dad's was neurotic - but I don't think that's a common trait, just special to Mike

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Thank you girls so much.

We were talking about it last night and 98% on the taking it. I have to talk to my co-worker today about a few things. The one good thing is I cant take the dog until Nov 30 so that gives us time to "puppy prep" the house. We already thought of where he can sleep, food and water bowls will go and what we will do when we are not home.

The one thing that upsets me and him is the house is 4 months old and we're not home for 8 - 9 hours

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

I would definitely crate him while you're at work if you're that concerned about the house. Speak to the co-worker and ask him honestly about how the dog handles being alone during the day and whether or not they crate him. If you decide you cannot/will not crate, sequester him to the kitchen or another easily cleanable smaller area while you're not home. Leave him with toys and his water bowl and a bed and he'll be fine.

Goldens are probably the sweetest dogs ever. I've honestly never met one I didn't immediately fall in love with. As Deb said, the only thing is the hair, you'll have to keep up on that.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

my SIL had a golden for 17 years and she wants another one sooooooo bad
I was never a "dog" person but when I met her Golden I fell in love
They are well worth it

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

They do shed a lot but the love they give I feel it's the price I pay for Molly's loyalty and love.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

I agree with what the girls have said above. My mom rescued a golden retriever when he was 10 mos old and although he was wild at first, he learned very quickly and was the BEST dog ever. Seriously, he was like a person. Sooo smart. Unfortunately, we had to put Rusty to sleep this Memorial Day A few months later, my mom went and got another golden, she named Bartolo. He is the sweetest puppy ever. Below are pics of Rusty and Bartolo.

Rusty:

Bartolo






ETA: re: the shedding...Yes they do shed a lot. But if you brush him everyday when you walk him, it will help a lot with the shedding in the house.

Message edited 11/9/2005 9:34:22 AM.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Goldens are the best! It will be hard work in the beginning but so worth it!!!

Here's my Reesie (1st one as at 8 weeks and 2nd one is from when she was 5 months)

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Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

I also have a Golden - beginning months were a little tough, but I must say Goldens learn very quickly!

We crate her - since I don't work I am home most of the day. Casey loves her crate. Honestly as I am typing she is laying in there and she loves it there. She has full access to the house and chooses to lay in there instead.

My Inlaws have one also - and she is the crate for about 8-9 hours a day and she loves it too. As long as you exercise them a little in the morning and alot when they come home.

Let me know if you have any questions.

She was about 3 months old.


She was about about 10 months.


Next week she will be 1

Message edited 11/9/2005 6:14:31 PM.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

I rescued a Golden that was about a year old and was abused. At first, he did some things that I wasn't happy about - like marking in the house - but after a couple of weeks, he was absolutely perfect. He was the best, sweetest dog I ever had. When we are ready for another dog, currently have 2, I will probably get a Golden.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

If anyone is ever giving away a Golden please let me know ......it would be a great excuse to give one to my SIL....she is dieing for one but her DH said she cant "buy" another dog(they already have 3) but if she found one he would let her keep it

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Since everyone is posting pics of their pups, here's one of Mike from when he was about 8 or so. He passed away this past summer

ETS: He was much more red than your normal golden, it was so pretty!

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Message edited 11/9/2005 6:54:49 PM.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Ladies thank you so much for the wonderful postings and pictures. All the goldens are so adorable. They have the most kindest face.

Well we decided: TO TAKE THE DOG!!!

my co-worker told me Simba does not shed that much. Since he was born in FL and has been accustomed to the FL weather his coat doesnt shed as much. He shedded in the summer but so far their has been no major sheddings. He's 9 months old and still growing into his hair. He told me he doesnt brush him that often because their really isnt a need to brush him that much. He told me when Simba gets to be about 3 - 4 yrs old that is when he will really start to shed a lot more.

I am very excited about picking him up. Still very nervous about the shedding and adjusting but I cant wait to have him. We get him Nov 30 but I may ask if we can pick him up the Sunday after (this way we'll have2 full days to spend with Simba). We are going on Sunday to see him and interact with him.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

to Simba!!

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

hooray!!! Best of luck :)

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

what great golden pictures!!!

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Thanks. I keep looking at all your pictures and get so excited.

Now it's going to be time to doggy prep the house

And the really great news is I have a doggie sitter. Another co-worker of mine who has 2 dogs offered to doggie sit when we want to go away

Message edited 11/10/2005 8:45:33 AM.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

This is so funny, We are in the same situatuin. A lady that my husband knows through her business has a 17month golden retriever. She also has two other dogs and is in the process of getting a divorce (3 kids) she just cant handle it, so she offered the dog to us. the dog is pure with papers. We we want it but are scared becuase we both work all day. But I talked to her this morning and she says that she crates him during the day and he likes it like someone else says as long as you give them love when you get home. Plus my 10yr old will love him. We are going to see him tonight or tommorow. I just have to do some more resurch on the dogs. She said that he is a great dog?? I know when I go there Im going to want him right away. I just want to make the right decision.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Well, see my post on pets. We have a 1.5 yr old Golden. She is the sweetest thing on earth. BUT we work long hours. She stays in the crate, and now we are having to start leaving her out bc I don't want her crated all day, it's not fair. If she is well behaved, it should be ok. But they really are chewers. Any way you guys can come home at lunch to walk her etc? That's what we do.

ETA Heeeere's Casey!!

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Message edited 11/10/2005 9:41:28 AM.

Re: Any info on Golden Retrievers

Well yeah I do feel guilty leaving her in a crate for 8 hours. Its not fair to them. So Im thinking that once we get used to each other I will leave her out. I live in Lindenhurst and work in Melville, So if I had to go home on my lunch hour it is possible.