Choosing a Pet: Is a Golden Retriever the Right Dog for You?

According to the American Kennel Club the Golden Retriever is among the top five dogs in popularity. Known as a great family dog, the golden is energetic, loyal and well, man's best friend. However, before you run out and purchase one do some research and ask yourself is a golden the right dog for me?

Golden Retriever puppies are fluffy, bouncy balls of fun. They have quite a personality and are very inquisitive. They also require time, energy, room to run, and training. If you live in a small apartment the golden may not be the dog for you. A female golden can mature to 55-65 pounds and a male can range from 65-75 pounds. That can be a lot of dog in a small place. It is important to remember that while your dog may have reached his/her full growth, mentally they are still a silly puppy that will race around the house. A house with a fenced yard is the idea place for a golden, and if it was up to your golden they would prefer a pool for as a general rule they love the water!

As with any dog your golden needs to be groomed, bathed, and requires regular yearly trips to the vet. Goldens do shed so weekly grooming is important to ensure your dog doesn't mat up and be aware you will often leave the house with one or two golden hairs on your clothes. They are prone to ears infections especially in warm climates or if they are frequent swimmers. Yearly vaccinations are needed to insure your dog's health and in most counties a rabies vaccination is required by law.

This author personally owns five of these wonderful dogs, and can attest to the fact that they are fun loving, personable and yes work! However, there is nothing more rewarding then to come home to these wonderful dogs that vote you the most important person in their lives. They are wonderful with children and will bark and carry on when someone approaches their home and then will lead them to the cookie jar. If you are missing an item always look to your golden first, they love to carry things around with them.

So now that you have decided that a golden is for you here are some tips on purchasing one. First, stay away from pet stores. They are usually overpriced and you don't get a proper background on the puppy. Check out your local Golden Retriever Clubs or newspapers. If you are looking for an older dog find a Golden Retriever Rescue Group. This is a wonderful organization that takes in goldens' that people couldn't keep. When you go to see the puppies ask if the parents have had their hips x-rayed for hip dysplasia. This is a common problem in goldens and you want to ensure your dog is not going to have problems. By knowing the parents have good hips this increases the odds of your dog not having hip problems but doesn't guarantee it. Make sure the puppies are playful and healthy looking. If the puppies have a cough, eye/nose discharge or are lethargic stay away. Make sure the puppy has seen a veterinarian has its first shots and a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian.

Goldens are wonderful dogs that bring years of love and enjoyment. Raised properly they are an excellent companion for the very young to the very old. Always happy they can brighten the dreariest days and bring a smile with just a wag of their tail.