PUPPY OR ADULT
Are you ready to share your home with a Golden Retriever?
Puppies are cute, cuddly and full of antics. Hopefully, that helps carry you both through the period when puppies pee in the house, surf kitchen counters, dig holes, jump up on people, chew your favorite possessions, run away and other annoying puppy habits! |
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Mewzik, age 5 months |
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Read the Top 10 Reasons Why Not To Get a Golden Retriever
Puppies need a substantial investment of time and training for their first two years to become happy, well-adjusted adults you'll enjoy having underfoot. If you have the time to devote to raising a puppy, this can be a joyful and bonding experience. On the other hand, if you question if you:
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have time to raise a puppy
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can cope with 18 months of training a puppy to behave
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can afford the price of a well-bred Golden Retriever puppy
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have met Golden Retriever breeders with whom you're comfortable
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Consider the alternative!
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Every year across the United States, nearly 10,000 Golden Retrievers are taken in by GRCA Rescue organizations. Reasons might be that a family has a new baby; moved to a new house, apartment or retirement home; or encountered medical problems, death, divorce or allergies. Sometimes a home isn't truly prepared to meet a dog's needs for exercise, training and care. Families, unable to pay bills, may even abandon a dog at a veterinary clinic, boarding establishment or an animal shelter. These are not necessarily problem dogs and may have ended up in rescue through no fault of their own. Others may have been rescued from puppy mill raids, are strays off the street or were dumped at an animal pound.
Most rescue organizations screen their intakes carefully for health, temperament and training issues and devotedly work to match their charges with 'forever' homes. Adopting your Golden Retriever from Rescue can be mutually beneficial. An abandoned Golden Retriever finds a loving 'forever' home and you may receive a devoted companion with known habits, personality and training, all at a nominal cost to support rescue efforts. You might wish to read, "Reasons to Adopt a Golden Retriever from Rescue."
Rescue organizations also have senior goldens who have been abandoned because of advanced age or a death in the family. If you feel you cannot take on a 10-12 year puppy commitment, but would enjoy a devoted, slower-moving companion for several months to several years, please consider reading about adopting a great Golden Oldie.
Sometimes conscientious breeders keep a puppy to see how it will mature and t decide at six months to three years that it will not be bred. The breeder understands that puppy would do well to be in a home where it is a beloved pet. Inquire among breeders if they might have such a Golden Retriever and if it's received housebreaking and household manners training. |
