I’ve done videos where I have called the Golden Retriever the Perfect Dog.
In fact, I believe that personality-wise you’d be hard-pressed to find a better dog.
But, like all good things, the Golden Retriever’s perfection isn’t perfect for every home.
Let’s discover 5 Reasons NOT to get a Golden Retriever.
You THINK Getting A Dog As A Temporary Condition
This goes for any dog.
Don’t get one, unless you can commit to being with it its entire life.
Dog ownership is a commitment for the life of a dog, which is generally somewhere between
10-15 years.
If you figure your dog will head for the pound once the kids are in school – please reconsider
getting a pet!
Rescues are full of dogs that have lost their homes as a result of changes in life circumstances.
Some are not preventable and the dedicated volunteers who care for these dogs are ready
and willing to help – but the changes that ARE predictable should be taken into consideration
BEFORE making a commitment to a dog!
IF you can’t make that commitment, may I suggest a Giga Pet, link in the description?
Golden Retrievers Shed!
Goldens shed – a little all year round and then a couple of times a year- look out!
If you have a problem with Golden fuzz becoming part of your dietary fiber or you’re compulsive
about always dressing in black – this is not the dog breed for you!
You’ll need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner and a lifetime supply of lint rollers.
It’s just part of the package.
Goldens also need regular grooming to keep their skin and coat in good condition.
You can easily learn to do this yourself or have your dog professionally groomed, but
grooming time is something to factor into the amount of time you will need to spend
caring for your dog.
They Need Lots of Exercise
You’re not going to be sitting on the couch a lot.
It’s just not going to happen.
Goldens are sporting dogs, bred to retrieve game all day.
They need regular exercise, especially as puppies or they can become destructive and
unhappy.
If your longest walk in the past month was from the couch to your bed – perhaps a more
sedentary pet would better suit your needs?
A French Bulldog Perhaps.
Goldens love to run, swim and of course, they love to retrieve.
It’s literally in the name.
So, expect to be throwing something for them to go get.
A Golden has what is known as a soft mouth, which means it can carry fragile items without
breaking them.
They can even be trained to carry eggs.
What’s the world record for the number of tennis balls a Golden Retriever can fit in
its mouth?
Comment your answer below with the hashtag #lovedogs.
I’ll give the answer a little later.
Need to Live Inside
They shed a lot and need lots of exercise, but part of what makes Goldens “Golden”
is their affectionate, people-loving nature.
Some even say that among dogs the Golden is one of the most empathic.
This trait makes them VERY unhappy when they don’t have a high amount of interaction
with their family.
A Golden confined to the backyard can become destructive and LOUD!
Imagine if you left your children alone most of the time until they reached adolescence.
The wild child you are picturing is similar to what will happen to a Golden left alone
that much.
If you aren’t planning on your dog becoming one of the family – a Golden is not the
breed for you!
But, to be honest, there are very few breeds that are.
How many tennis balls can a Golden Retriever fit in its mouth?
As of May 2020, Finley Molloy, a 6-year-old golden retriever from Canandaigua, Ontario
County, has finally been recognized for his adorable, preternatural talent of holding
six tennis balls in his mouth at once.
Not the Perfect House Dog
Golden Retrievers may be the perfect dog, but they are far from the perfect house dog,
but as we just discovered, they need to be inside with the family.
This creates a paradox for the neat freak.
One which unfortunately can’t be resolved easily.
Aside from the shedding, muddy paws, nose prints on every window in your house and car,
and did I mention the shedding?
They also have that flowing tail that’s always wagging and well it tends to clear
off coffee tables.
Goldens also have the last name - “Retriever”, from the Latin meaning “to put EVERYTHING
in your mouth and dance around with it!”
The retrieving instinct SHOULD be a part of every Golden so if you object strongly to
your dog happily strutting out to greet company with your underwear in his mouth – perhaps
you should continue your search for the perfect breed.
So, do you have what it would take to have a Golden companion?
If you can tolerate the items on this list, you just might.
There are more Golden Retriever videos in the description for you to enjoy.
Don’t forget to smash that like button and the subscribe button.
These really help you to show YouTube that you like dog videos.
And as always, catch ya next time.