paveleck@ihldt.UUCP (Bob Paveleck) (10/18/83)
I know a little bit about Golden Retrievers, because we were also thinking about getting one last year. According to a few books I've read on dogs, Golden Retrievers are very gentle with children (thus making good pets), intelligent (although not as smart as, say, German Shepherds or Poodles) and loyal dogs. They are supposedly not the best watchdogs in the world, but because they're big dogs, they can usually frighten would-be prowlers. Golden Retrievers are one of the breeds that are prone to hip problems (dysplasia, arthritis), so owners have to keep an eye on that throughout the dog's life. Unfortunately, I don't know any good breeders (we've usually chosen our dogs for their being good pets, rather than pure breeds), so I can't help you in that respect. Overall, this type of dog seems like it will be good for the kids and household. Bob Paveleck ihldt!paveleck
boss@iwpba.UUCP (Catherine Boss) (11/03/83)
We have a 10 year old Golden and are looking forward to getting a puppy of the same breed soon. He is registered withthe AKC, and is BIG. Goldens are generally very gentle, extremely loyal, intelligent dogs. They need lots of attention so be prepared to run, play with, etc. your dog. While some goldens have problems with hip displacia, we have had no problems so far, and our dog is one of the largest (non-fat) goldens I have heard of (large dogs' hips can not take the strain, thus displacia). I also would recommend training, as they tend to be rambunctious and VERY territorial when it comes to other dogs. Catherine Boss iwpba
unicorn@bmcg.UUCP (01/03/84)
We have a twelve week old Golden Retriever puppy who is quite a handful. Among other things, he is digging into all of my potted plants, uprooting them, and pulling off all leaves. He also is developing the habit of "humping" my 8-year-old's leg, although he leaves adults alone. Does anyone know how to prevent either problem??? Also, just how many cans of dog food does a 65 lb. dog eat? I've never had a big dog, and Shandy now consumes 2 cans a day plus the dry stuff; he only weighs 20 lbs. now.
crompton@vax4.DEC (05/30/85)
Goldens are the best!!! We have a 5 year old female (spayed) and a 1 year
old male (neutered). We have had a purebred dalmation and a black lab golden
mix in the past. Our 5 year old, Brandy, is the only female we've had. All
them were in our household since puppyhood. I will say that females calm
down faster as puppies. Duncan our 1 year old still hasn't calmed down much
as we expect. There are several goldens in our area all of which are males
and just "big old slobs". I think it will be a couple more months for our pup
though. Brandy calmed down inabout 6-8 months. There great with children. We
have 3 kids who love them. Brandy's only bad habit is leaving her toys (rocks)
all over the yard. Goldens love rocks. Brandy will lay around happily for
hours with a rock in her mouth. I could go on and on. They're just great!
Good Luck!
Linda
P.S. The golden mix didn't work out too well.
We had to give him away to a home that would
devote all of their attention to him.