starting research on our first dog!

Nothing is set in stone but I'm getting excited by the idea of finally having a dog !!! I never had a pet growing up and always wanted a dog. DH seems to have finally come around to the idea of adding a furry one to our family! We have two small girls ( now 1 and 4). We are thinking next spring/summer. We both love golden retrievers because they are just such great family dogs. I know they shed like crazy but we do not have many rugs and I'd be willing to deal with hair if this is the right breed for us. DH would really like to get a rescue dog, and I think it would be great too, but I don't want to just pick any "cute" dog from a shelter and not know what I'm getting, especially since neither of us grew up with dogs. Any advice on how to go about finding our first dog is appreciated!! anyone know of any gold shelters??

Re: starting research on our first dog!

I think you sound like the perfect person to get a dog...someone who is thinking before acting and doing research before getting that dog. That's the only way to do it honestly, to have the best experience for both your family and the dog.

I don't have experience with goldens so I can't speak about them. I do know they shed alot so you do have to be aware of that. Hopefully someone else can shed light on them for you. You could always do a breed specific rescue b/c they will be able to give you a history on the dog and how it behaves with children, etc.

Definitely do your research b/c dogs are a LOT of work. Your life will change, much like it did when you had a baby, kwim? Dogs have many needs, and being around people, in the family, is what dogs crave. And puppies are a lot lot lot of work, so keep that in mind as well.

I think planning for next year when your one year old is older and doing your research is the best thing when it comes to making the best decision.

Re: starting research on our first dog!

I think your kids will be at the perfect age to really enjoy a dog next summer. We have a Labrador retriever and I'm really happy with our choice. She's a great family dog. Although, she's pretty hyper and sheds a ton it isn't something that we can't deal with. I think a Golden is another great pick! They seem to be a little more mellow than Labs, but I'm not sure if that is breed wide or just my experience.

Re: starting research on our first dog!

Congrats o making the decision! DH grew up with a golden and he still talks about that dog to this day. They are great family dogs!!

Going through a breeder may give you a bit more insight into the personality / health of a dog but going to a rescue is a great idea too, and the personality will depend on the dog completely. Some goldens are more active and some can be mellow, but if you have 2 young kids I am sure they'll tire him/her out.

Good luck!

Re: starting research on our first dog!

I got my purebred Golden Retriever from Craigslist. Hes a 97lb lapdog! He was first owned by the breeder who then sold him to a puppy store. He was then bought by a woman who became pregnant right after and she immediately gave him up to a young couple. The young couple was then a couple months later being transfered to Boston for work. they couldnt find an apartment which would allow such a large dog. She asked me to write a $100 check to the SPCA and whoala! I have the biggest mushiest couch potato. My mom calls him the rug because he loves to just lay there and wont move if you need to get around him! LOL

I tried our local Golden Retriever Rescue but was very upset when they wouldnt even consider me b/c I had small children! I volunteered at shelters, we have a fenced half acre etc... I just didnt get it. Thats why I started looking on Craigslist. I still look every so often and still see Goldens on there.

I recommend trying to adopt one thats about a year. Everyone said that to me and Im so happy I did it. Someone will adopt your dog as a puppy, do all the hard work, get overwhelmed and put him up for adoption... but usually then the hard work is over!

I also tried to adopt a kitten from a rescue and they wouldnt allow me b/c I had smaller children. they I went to SBU cat network and adopted two!!! So, if someone tells you no, theres always somewhere else.

Good luck!

Message edited 9/1/2012 9:10:18 PM.

Re: starting research on our first dog!

Message edited 9/1/2012 9:18:57 PM.

Re: starting research on our first dog!

I definitely agree about adopting past the 1 year mark. Our first Lab was 9 months old when we got him, past teething, past housebreaking, past sleepless nights. What a relief not to have to deal with that (and we don't have kids!).

For our second we decided to go even older because the older rescue dogs get, the smaller their chances get to actually find a forever home. We worked with Labs4Rescue, and although there were more checks than going to a shelter, we didn't have issues.

I've found that a dog's history is much less important than how you train them. It's an imperfect thing, having a dog as part of the family. It's messy and can be annoying, but can also be life fulfilling, especially for your children. Basically, they adapt to different situations a lot better than we do and if you research training as well as you're researching this, you will have a much easier transition.

Bravo for planning ahead.