Disadvantages of Owning Golden Retrievers

Thousands of golden retrievers are abandoned or turned over to local humane societies by their owners each year. Given all of their wonderful characteristics, how can this be? Well, the same things that make people claim goldens are the perfect family pet also make them a challenge to live with. The golden retriever is not the dog for everyone! Before you decide to bring a golden into your family, think hard about the disadvantages of owning one. We've listed a number of the disadvantages of goldens below--click on a disadvantge for a discussion of each.

There is more bad news? If you still want a golden after thinking about these disadvantages, and discussing them with your family (if you have one), then go to Diseases of Golden Retrievers to find out about the health problem facing golden retrievers.

• Size
• Housekeeping Demands
• Daily Exercise
• Health Requirements & Costs
• Care
• Training is a Must!
• Watchdogs They Aren't
• Everyone's Friend
• Perpetual Puppies
• Lifetime Commitment
• Lifespan
• The Golden Addiction

Size. Although goldens are medium in size relative to other dog breeds, they tend to fill whatever space they are in. The combination of their size, enthusiasm, playfulness and desire to be very close to their owners makes them seem larger than they are.  According to the Standard, male goldens should be around 23 to 24 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 65-75 pounds. Females should be 21 1/2-22 1/2 inches and weigh 55-65 pounds.  However, the size of goldens seems to be creeping up so, although not correct, 25-inch, 90-pound dogs are common.  To enjoy living with a golden, you need uncluttered space indoors and must be able to tolerate a lot of activity in your house. If you prefer a calm, quiet household filled with beautiful, fragile items--DON'T GET A GOLDEN!    

Housekeeping Demands.Because goldens are typically happy dogs, their tails are constantly wagging. They are the perfect size to be able to clear coffee and end tables with a single sweep. They also shed their lovely long gold hairs--a lot!  Although goldens shed most heavily twice a year, spring and fall, their coat also sheds lightly year round.  With a golden in the house, you will always have dog hair around, especially in rugs, on furniture and clothes, and, even in your food. Goldens are also naturally attracted to the Great Outdoors--they love rain, snow, mud, fields, puddles, gook, slime, etc. They love to share this fun with their owners so muddy footprints on your shirt or rugs must be expected. Although the ideal golden coat does not hold dirt or burrs, even the best coat may not dry between your morning walk and the time you leave for work.  It will also hide fleas and ticks.  Frequent baths and weekly grooming are a requirement. If you prefer a spotless house or are a fastidious dresser--DON'T GET A GOLDEN!  

Daily Exercise.Very few of us hunt our dogs daily so giving goldens the exercise they were bred to handle is difficult. They must have hard, consistent exercise daily (20-30 minutes twice a day is usually sufficient). Bored goldens with energy to burn are often hyperactive around people and prone to digging, chewing, and barking.  Since we have strongly developed the need for goldens to put things in their mouths, they are likely to chew things when they get anxious. A bored golden left alone while his owners are at work can do monumental damage to carpets, furniture, and other items. If you cannot fit vigorous, twice-daily exercise into your schedule--DON'T GET A GOLDEN!   

Health Requirements and Costs. Like all dogs, golden retrievers require regular health care from a veterinarian. Vaccinations and parasite control (worms, fleas, and ticks) are the most basic requirements. However, because goldens are such active dogs, there are usually additional visits for injuries.  Goldens are also prone to a variety of health problems (see Health Problems in Goldensfor specifics), ranging from allergies to hip dysplasia to cancer. Some of these problems have been determined to be genetic in origin but the cause of many others remain unknown. Although a good breeder seeks to reduce the risk of these problems in the puppies she breeds, it is not possible to ensure any golden will be free of these diseases. Health care requirements also vary during the life of a dog--puppies and senior citizens require the most care. Basic veterinary expenses for a dog's first year are usually betwen $200-300 depending on veterinarian and locale.  For pups with any of the more common puppy ailments (urinary tract infections, growing pains, parasites, etc.), the cost can easily double.  If you do not want the hassle of vet visits or cannot afford these costs, DON'T GET A GOLDEN!   

Care.New owners need to buy some basic items for their dog's care--food dishes, crates, leashes and collars, brushes, shampoos, chew toys, dog beds, and towels.  This initial investment costs around $200.  Thereafter, there will be annual costs to feed a golden and replace items. Compared to other dogs of their size, goldens are relatively easy keepers. This means they don't require huge amounts of food once they are full grown. However, they do eat more than smaller dogs. Feeding a medium-sized dog for a year will cost between $200-$400 depending on the type of food and additional supplementation.  If you cannot afford these costs, DON'T GET A GOLDEN!   

Training Is a Must!Although goldens have a strong desire to please, they are not born with manners. Making them into good canine citizens requires regular, careful training. Goldens tend to be more sensitive than other sporting or working dogs so they need clear, gentle but firm training. Most people do not have the knowledge to do this on their own so they turn to obedience trainers or clubs in their community.  Puppy kindergarten classes usually run from $50-$135 for six or eight sessions. Follow-on obedience classes cost between $50-$120. Additional training for obedience, hunting and/or agilty is even more expensive. Training also requires training equipment--leashes, collars, jumps, training dummies, whistles. If you do not have the patience, time, knowldege and finances for training a dog, DON'T GET A GOLDEN!   

Watchdogs They Aren't. Although goldens  are successful in many activities, they fail miserably as protective watchdogs. They may bark and growl defensively, but when it comes down to brass tacks, they are more likely to run away or bring an intruder their tennis ball than bite or corner him with a snarl. If you are looking for a watchdog, DON'T GET A GOLDEN! 

Everyone's Friend. Goldens are gregarious animals.  They love everyone-- children and adults, family members and strangers.  They are very fickle; their best friend is the  closest person with a tennis ball in hand.  They are drawn to people in need, especially those who are ill or sad.  It isn't that they are disloyal, they simply have hearts big enough for many people. If you are looking for a one-person dog, DON'T GET A GOLDEN!  

Perpetual Puppies.  Golden retrievers are usually slow to mature  mentally and often remain as playful as puppies throughout their lifetimes. During their first two years, they present many challenges for their owners.  Young goldens are exuberant, powerful, often clumsy animals as they grow into their adult bodies. They require constant vigilence because of their strong need to chew.  They demand attention, often by plopping soggy tennis balls in their owner's lap.  They seem to have an insatiable desire to play--with other dogs, cats, children, strangers, and their families. One minute, they are immune to corrections, greeting your scolding with laughing eyes and a wagging tail. Yet, when you finally get angry, they are overly sensitive and fearful.  Around 24 months, they turn the corner and become adults.  But, even with this maturing, golden retrievers retain puppy characteristics.  They love to play and want to be close to their owners (in the house is essential, in the same room is better, touching is ideal).  Even the most dignified golden will occasionally dissolve into silliness. If you cannot tolerate two years of puppyhood and lifetime playfulness, or if you are looking for a sedate, dignified pet, DON'T GET A GOLDEN!  

Lifetime Commitment.Dog ownership is not a trial run or experiment. It is a myth that purebred dogs who cannot stay with their original family will easily find a new, loving home.  Dogs passed from family to family usually end up being abandoned or taken to a pound or humane socienty. These dogs have a much greater chance of being euthanized than they do of finding a permanent home.  Millions of dogs each year, many of them purebreds, are put to sleep because there are not enough good homes for them.  If you are unable to ensure that you can provide a permanent home for a dog's lifetime, DON'T GET A GOLDEN! 

Lifespan. In recent years, goldens seem to be dying at an earlier age.  While 13-year old goldens were commonplace twenty years ago, today we consider eleven or twelve years a good lifespan. Although no one wants to plan for their dog's death, you must be honest with yourself regarding the realities of owning one--can you both make a lifetime commitment to this animal while still accepting that you will most likely outlive it?  If you cannot, DON'T GET A GOLDEN! 

The Golden Addiction.Finally, it is hard to own only one Golden; they are habit forming. After seeing a pair of goldens playing, most single dog owners start contemplating adding another golden to the family.  Contrary to popular opinion, goldens are neither cheaper nor easier in multiples.  It will cost twice as much and take more work to have two goldens rather than one. Three is even more of a challenge.

If you still want a golden after thinking about these disadvantages, and discussing them with your family (if you have one), then go to the next page to learn more about the genetic diseases the breed faces.