Thinking about becoming a proud owner of a healthy and happy Golden Retriever? This breed of dog is a friend to many individuals and families.
They have a pleasing disposition, love human companionship, and are eager to please.
A Golden Retriever's health is closely connected to a loving owner so they want you to be proud of them.
It's important to ask yourself whether or not you would be a good partner for your animal.
Your answer is the key to whether or not you should move forward with your plan to become an owner.
Let me share a secret with you that might help answer the above question.
The secret to raising a healthy and happy Golden Retriever is doing research on the traits of the breed before you adopt.
Finding out more about the breed will help you decide whether or not this dog is a good fit for you.
The secret may seem obvious, but if you don't take some action you may not be happy with the results.
A fundamental part of doing your analysis is to ask yourself a few key questions about what you expect of the breed: 1.
Do you see your Golden Retriever as a watchdog? If you answered yes, you might consider a different breed.
While they are protective of their owners, this particular dog is anything but a watchdog.
Goldens are known for their gentle, friendly ways, and prefer to be non-aggressive.
Oh, sure, he'll be barking at the stranger at the front door, but look at his tail.
It's wagging at full speed asking the question, "Will you pay attention to me?" Not too much of a menace to a would-be bad guy! 2.
Do you have the time, the perseverance, and the stamina to devote to this breed? You really need to think about this question before answering.
Golden Retrievers possess seemingly boundless energy.
They love being active on a daily basis-swimming, running, and fetching are a few examples.
In terms of your time and energy, the Golden Retriever is demanding in her own charming manner.
Can you devote your attention consistently? 3.
How often do you travel? Here's one question many people don't consider.
This is not the breed of dog that is content spending much time in a commercial kennel.
Separation from their family can cause anxiety.
Do you know someone who the dog is familiar with that can watch him while you're gone? If not, with a little searching, would you be willing to find some hotels that accept pets these days? 4.
Are you willing and able to make the long-term commitment needed with owning a Golden Retriever? Your new dog will be a part of your family for a long time- the average lifespan of these dogs is about 12 years.
Can you foresee changes in your lifestyle that will make this a tough commitment? The future can be hard to predict, but you certainly don't want to leave your friend at a rescue shelter unless absolutely necessary.
5.
Do you have sufficient room - inside your home and out in the yard- for this breed? Do you live near a park? This breed is quite adaptable, but routine physical exercise is still important to maintain their mental and physical health.
Too much inactivity in a small house can create problems.
It's also important to have available spaces in which they can run such as a large yard or a nearby park.
Your dog will be looking to you provide activity in a safe and fun environment.
6.
Can you afford him? The initial purchase price of a Golden Retriever can be expensive, but the costs don't stop there.
Other expenditures include grooming items, bedding, and don't forget food.
Goldens are large dogs and love to eat.
A routine trip to the veterinarian can be expensive, but it's necessary.
After considering these questions, are you still interested in adopting a Golden Retriever? Why don't you come up with your own list of questions that you consider important? The better your questions and more accurate your answers, the more likely that you will choose a dog which will fit into your lifestyle.
This will be positive for both you and your Golden Retriever's mental and physical health.