The following is my opinion and suggestions on the topics below. You may or may not agree with what I say. I hope you will find it helpful. If not you can find a multitude of documents on line and in book shops to help you decide on whether to get a Golden Retriever.
When considering buying or adopting a Golden, remember the following:
Topics: Owning A Golden Retriever
Before you think about buying a Golden Retriever puppy there are a few facts you should consider. Once you have welcomed a Golden in to your lives you have committed to a partnership of 12 - 15 years. You should also be aware that Golden Retrievers are long haired dogs and continuously shed them. No matter where you are you will find your dog's hair has followed. They also love water and get very dirty, so if you are at all house proud, get upset at hair / dirt on your clothes or have light carpets then you should seriously think twice about owning a Golden.
If you do not own a dog you should be aware of the existing moral and growing legal requirement to clean up after your dog (pooper scoop). This is an unpleasant task but a vital part of dog ownership.
With good training most Goldens are impeccably behaved, but they love to take a mile if given an inch. They will always try to find the most comfortable spot like the sofa or spare bed - be warned!
Golden Retrievers are prone to a debilitating disease called hip dysplasia. All breeders should be working toward trying to eliminate this disease. Before a bitch is mated both animals should be hip scored. The lower the score the better. If an animal has a hip score grater than 21 it is generally accepted they should not be mated. (Orlagh's and Chadley's are shown on the Pedigree) this will hopefully over time reduce the problem. Be careful when looking for a puppy to check this out. Ask to see the certificates before you commit.
Both dogs should also be certified as clear of eye problems. A certification is obtained from a specialist vet. Each certificate is valid for a year. Again check that both animals have these certificates and ask to see them. This screening does not guarentee freedom from the disease but helps. If you puppy does develop problems then your vet will be able to give you pills that will make your dogs life much happier and allow them to live a almost normal life. It is well worth insuring your dog from day one, just in case of problems.
Goldens are active dogs, consequently they need lots of exercise and space. Your puppy should be given plenty of free exercise from eight weeks old. (remembering about inoculations -see Your New Puppy page). However you shouldn't do any serious running or hiking, and no hard running at all on hard surfaces (i.e. roads), until the dog is well over a year old and you have let their bones settle. Older dogs have a tendency to put on the pounds especially if they do not get enough exercise. If this is the case watch their diet and keep snacks and treats to a minimum.
Unless you have a large number of Goldens then it is not normally necessary to Kennel them. They are clean in their habits and easily trained. They are therefore ideally suited to being part of the household. They thrive on human contact. If you do kennel your dogs then your Golden should be kennelled with another dog for company and should spent some time in the house as part of the family. I feel this is essential to their well being.
Golden Retrievers will shed their coats several times a year, but will shed hairs continuously during the year - every day, many times a day..... If brushed and combed daily, you may be able to manage this more easily and with less hassle than with an ungroomed dog. Their skin will be healthier and coat shiny and look far more attractive. Brush the coat thoroughly first, not forgetting tummy, feathering and ears. Then go over with a moulting comb. This will remove all the loose hair and will gently ease out any tangles that may be there. You should get them used to grooming from an early age. Praise him and keep giving him the odd tit-bit whilst grooming and soon they will get to love it and ask to be groomed.
You must keep an eye on claw lengths. If your dog has constant road walking, then his nails will wear down naturally, but if most exercise is taken on grass or soft ground, the nails will grow at an alarming rate and need clipping regularly. Overgrown claws can make walking painful. The nail is pale and transparent making it easily see the quick, this is the area of the toe that must not be cut. This will cause pain and probably bleeding. If you are unsure that ask your vet to show you how to cut them the first time. You should use specialist dog nail trimmers to be sure not to hurt your dog.