choosing a dog! help!!

Question
I seriously just need pros and cons and basics and stuff for a golden retriever. And how much the eat. . . pretty much everything I need to know about them. I am trying to save up for it so i need to know the average price. thanks :)

Answer

Hi Zoie,

Any pure-breed of dog is going to have health concerns, for that reason it's important that if you're looking to get a puppy, that it comes from healthy stock owned by a knowledgeable breeder who can provide you with proof (in the way of tests run on the litter's parents) that shows genetic tests were run to ensure the healthiest litter possible. Pet stores and many back yard casual dog breeders can't do this for you.  Goldens are prone to a variety of health problems ranging from allergies to hip dysplasia to cancer. Some of these problems have been determined to be genetic, which is why testing of the parent dogs is important.

The Golden Retriever breed requires a good amount of daily exercise (up to a half hour twice a day), and of course they need daily brushing, to keep all that hair in check! If the amount of exercising and grooming seems like it would be too much trouble to provide, then the Golden isn't the right breed for you.

Any dog that doesn't get the amount of exercise it needs will be "bored", and have a lot of pent up energy, which can make the dog seem hyperactive, and develop some destructive habits since it has so much energy to use up. Habits can include digging, chewing, and barking. Some dogs even develop the habit of self-mutilation if they don't get the amount of exercise they need.

All dogs, no matter the breed require regular health care from a veterinarian. Vaccinations and parasite control (worms, fleas, and ticks), as well as some vaccines. Prices for vet care can range in price, depending on the area you live in. If you want to know what vet care can cost, it's best to call a couple of local vet offices to see what their basic exam fees are.

Food is something else that will range greatly in price. Being a large dog, they eat a lot! Feeding a Golden for a year can cost between $200-$500 depending on the type of food and additional treats or supplementation. "Super premium" dog food diets aren't usually found in supermarkets, you can find them at larger pet stores or feed stores. They are made from better quality ingredients than the cheaper brands, often having a named source of meat as the primary ingredient, rather than using grains. What you feed your dog matters, you should try to feed your dog the best quality food you can afford. You can read more about what to look for in a quality dog food, here:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=betterproducts


If you've never trained a dog (and even if you have) starting a puppy off right, with "puppy kindergarten classes" helps not only with the introduction of obeying commands, but also with socialization.  Puppy kindergarten classes can run from $50-$135 for six or eight sessions. Follow-on obedience classes can cost between $50-$120. Ask your vet's office for a recommendation to an obedience class, or puppy kindergarten class in your area.

Some other basic things most dog owners buy are food dishes, crates (to help with house training), leashes and collars, brushes, shampoos, chew toys, dog beds, and towels.  This initial investment costs around $200.  

There are several "dog breed selectors" online you can try out to see what breeds are suggested based on your lifestyle. If you'd like to try a couple out, to see if there's a better breed suggestion for you, try these:

http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html

http://www.puppyfinder.com/breedselector.php

http://dogtime.com/matchup/question/1


You can read more about the Golden breed here:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/goldenretriever.htm



I hope I've been a help!

~Patti