Myths and Truths
Golden Retriever Rescue Alliance
Adopt a Rescued Golden. Recycle Love
Exercise - Goldens were developed as a sporting breed able to handle a day's hunting routinely. They need to have consistent exercise daily (20-30 minutes twice a day is usually sufficient) or they may have difficulty adjusting to the "calm house pet" role expected by most owners. A fenced in yard is especially important in providing the dog enough exercise. As a sporting dog they are easily distracted by birds, animals or moving objects; they must be kept leashed when being exercised outside of a fenced yard to keep them from running away.
Shedding - They are a long-coated breed and shed their coats a minimum of twice a year, however they tend to shed moderately all year long. Because of the coat, grooming every other day is to your advantage. If you require a fastidiously kept house - don't get a golden. You will always have dog hair around, especially in rugs, on furniture, and OH YES, occasionally even in your food. Oh - and you will have to vacuum much more often than before - or little furballs will accumulate along your baseboards!
Health & Care - Feeding one medium-sized dog for a year will run you between $250 -$400 depending upon type of food and additional supplementation. Goldens must be fed a high quality premium food to prevent costly skin problems. Veterinary expenses run about $500 a year. This would include a yearly heartworm test and monthly heartworm preventative. If you do not give your dog heartworm preventative, it will could contract the parasite and must be treated which is very expensive. If your dog is not treated, it will die. Topical flea preventative medications, which are very effective are needed monthly in the state of Texas. There are other expenses such as collars and leashes, brushes, shampoos, toys for chewing.
Neatness - Goldens are easily housebroken and make great housedogs. They tend to be messy drinkers, dripping water on the floor after they take their drink.
Training - Many wish to make their Goldens into good canine citizens. A good beginner's obedience class is an excellent investment. Goldens tend to be sensitive or soft in many training situations. They must be handled carefully with a loving, firm, but nonetheless gentle hand.
Velcro Dogs - Goldens are faithful companions. They are usually always by your side. Many will follow you from room to room. They will lie in the kitchen while you cook and at your feet while you watch TV.
Small Children - People automatically assume Goldens are the perfect dog for a family with children. Golden puppies quickly grow up to be rambunctious, strong bundles of energy that easily can play too rough with young children, especially when the dog is 6 months to two years of age. Normally GRRALL will not adopt a Golden under 5 to a family with children under 5.
Guard Dogs - As protective guard dogs Goldens are LOUSY!!! Though they may bark and growl defensively, when it comes down to brass tacks they'd as soon kiss the intruder and show him the jewels as corner him with an I'll rip you to shreds snarl.
Outside Dogs - Goldens make poor outside dogs. They develop skin problems and flea allergies if kept outside. They are able to dig out of a fenced area or sometimes climb over it when left outside for long periods of time unsupervised because they want to be with people. They also are frequent targets for theft if left outside in a backyard when the owner is away from home. Goldens are very social and people oriented; they frequently develop behavior problems when they are kept separated from their families. A happy golden is an inside dog.
Addictive - Very few people own only one Golden, we simply find them habit forming and contrary to popular opinion, they are not cheaper by the dozen!
