What To Know Before Adopting a Golden Retriever

There are many ways to expand a household. Adopting a pet is one of the most popular and exciting ways to expand a family, especially as children get older and can help to care for it. Also, many types of pets, especially cats and dogs, can provide great companionship for families that don’t have children.

No matter what type of family you have, a dog can bring joy to the household. Unfortunately, it can also bring some negative things, such as fur. Golden retrievers are one dog breed full of both joy and plenty of fur. Keep reading to learn what to know before adopting a golden retriever so that you can properly care for this breed.

Golden Retrievers Were Bred for Sports

Different dog breeds are ideal for different homes and lifestyles. Golden retrievers were originally bred for sport, which means they’re energetic and active. Some people still use them for hunting or train them to compete athletically. These dogs need lots of regular exercise to work off this energy if they’re not hunting or training. Otherwise, they can develop behavioral problems.

Luckily, there are few forms of exercise that your golden retriever won’t want to do. You can train it to safely trot along your bike if you like to cycle. These dogs love water, so if you’re near a body of water, you can take yours swimming. Fetch and long walks are also great ways to keep it entertained and well-exercised.

They’re in the Top 15 Worst Shedders

Unfortunately, having a golden retriever isn’t always golden. When ranking the worst dogs for shedding, the golden comes in at number 13. This puts them lower than some dog breeds but much higher than others. Golden retrievers tend to shed heavily twice a year, but they will shed mildly throughout the year as well. If you’re not prepared for this high shedding volume, you can find it frustrating. Make sure you have a good de-shedding brush and can regularly bathe your golden to lessen the number of furballs you find around your home. Professional grooming can also help.

Aging Goldens Are Prone to Mobility Problems

Another unfortunate trait within goldens is that they’re prone to mobility issues as they age. There are many dog breeds that are prone to mobility issues but goldens find themselves in the top five. This isn’t necessarily an issue if you know how to address it. If you’re adopting a senior golden or plan to keep your golden through its golden years, you can speak with your dog’s vet about treating and preventing these problems.

They’re Very Smart

The intelligence of goldens is both a pro and a con to many potential families. A smart dog is a lot of fun to have around because you can continually challenge it. It also makes a great search and rescue dog and therapy dog if you’re planning to put this new family member to work. Unfortunately, its high intelligence level requires almost as much exercise as its body. You must work hard to provide that mental stimulation, such as sending it to doggy daycare, providing puzzle toys, and training it in obedience or sports.

Adopting a golden retriever can bring a lot of joy to your household, even if it also brings a lot of fur. Now that you know what to expect before adopting one, you can decide whether this is the ideal breed for your family and lifestyle.