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au071 au071
 
January 05, 2009 02:59 PM

Is a golden retriever a good "starting" dog?

We are thinking about getting a dog. This will be the first dog for both of us, we really like golden retriever, will that be a good choice for a first dog?
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drmatt drmatt
 
 January 05, 2009 03:08 PM
We just got a Black Lab/Bulldog (don't ask) puppy. In doing research AFTER the fact, this is a good dog to have, but it takes LOTS of work to be a good pack leader. (Never get a puppy unless you're ready for the commitment).

Labs are typically short hair, so they don't shed as much, but they can be hyper. Labs are pleasers and don't grow to be huge dogs. They're more of a medium size dog. Labs require quite a bit of attention...

Here's a link to a good site that I found about labs (it also has good information about many other breeds):

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/training/labradorretrievers.html
Source(s):
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/

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spoon spoon
 
January 05, 2009 03:13 PM
I have always owned Black Labs and would strongly recommend them to anyone. The only thing to note is the amount of attention they do need. If you can't be available to give the dog attention most of the day be prepared for some issues. My last Black Lab actually had to be put on medication for Seperation Anxiety... after a couple of years he was fine without the meds but until he was about 3 years old he would destroy things if we were away because of the condition.

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drmatt drmatt
 
January 05, 2009 07:21 PM
By the way, I bought and downloaded the e-book from this website as well. For $14, it has some GREAT information about getting going with a Lab puppy including housebreaking, crating, and other training ideas (sit, stay, stand, down, off, etc.)

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jamesabels jamesabels
 
January 05, 2009 03:50 PM
With my experience with Golden Retrievers, which is limited. If you train them well enough as puppies they grow up to be very loyal dogs. All that I have came in contact with have been very nice and have minded their masters well. This also goes for most black labs that I have been around. One thing with the Golden Retrievers is the long hair would be a bit more of a pain than a black lab if in the house. Though both suggested dogs are good choices.
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559624 559624
 
January 05, 2009 04:12 PM
This would really depend on your or your families desires. For instance, my best dog was a Greyhound. If they are retired racers then they are already trained to listen to humans thus he required very little effort on my part to convince him to behave. Also they are quite content to lay around the house vs needing a lot of physical play time.

My Golden was great too but he required a good deal of hands on training and constantly wanted to physically play. Putting in the effort to train him as a puppy was very rewarding in the end but a lot of work.

Of course generalization about a bread aren't the whole store because each dog has their own personalities.

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krystyne20 krystyne20
 
January 05, 2009 05:02 PM
I love dobermans. They're super smart, loyal and protective. But Golden Retrievers can be good dogs as well. I know someone who as two of them. The only problem is that they shed A LOT!


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