Is a Golden Retriever Right for you?

It’s no surprise that we, as members of the Golden Retriever Club of WA (GRCWA), think Golden Retrievers are just about the best breed ever! And that’s because the sum of all the features that define the breed are a good fit for what we want in a dog and the inconveniences (yes, there are some!) are manageable to us.

Not everyone agrees with us, of course, and that’s exactly the reason that there are literally hundreds of dog breeds. Each breed was created with its own set of physical characteristics, temperament, and aptitude that make it desirable to some people, but less suitable for others.

If you are looking for a low maintenance dog that is just going to sleep all day don't even think about getting a Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are exceptionally good looking, just have a look at the photos on our site, they are fantastic with children and other animals, they're loyal, biddable and love to please their owners. They have wonderful mischievous personalities and love to play. They are highly intelligent and can be easily trained, excelling in all dog sports and as well as being used as assistance dogs. What is there not to like?

But before getting a Golden Retriever there are a few things to consider to see if a Golden Retriever is the right match for your family. A golden is a kind, friendly and gentle dog by nature. If you are looking for a one man dog the Goldie isn’t for you they socialise with everybody and everything, they love to be part of the family and involved in daily routines. Life in a kennel isolated from its family is a punishment to the Goldie who is a very sociable animal.

 

Origin	Scotland i
Temperament	Kind, Friendly & Confident i
Weight	Male: 65 - 76 lb (29 - 34 kg)  Female: 55- 65 lb (25 - 29 kg) i
Height	Male: 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm) Female: 20 - 22 inches (51 - 61 cm)
Coat	Double Coated and can be straight or wavy, grooming is necessary i
Colour	Any shade from cream to gold
Life Span	12 - 14 years i
Exercise	Daily exercise is a must  i
Training	Training is a must i
Classification	Group 3 Gundog i

So is a Golden Retriever the right dog for you? 

Don't get a Golden if you have a small home, must keep your home immaculately clean, prefer a sedentary lifestyle or are short on time or money. They shed a lot of hair all year round, require a lot of time for exercise and are a 10 to 15 year commitment of your time and money. Golden Retrievers are adorable in their looks, temperament and personalities. The are a great family pet, life companion and friend, but you need to know and be prepared for what is involved with owning a Golden Retriever.