Hi

I'm new and this is my first post. Me and my tow daughters have decided the time is right to get a dog of our own. My daughters Jenny 21 and Zara 23 are both at university Jenny is studying animal behaviour and Zara physiotherapy. Zara also has a diploma in dog behaviour as well. I am retired but am still very active. I am reading books on dog behaviour at the moment. None of us have owned a dog but there auntie , my sister has dogs and my mom had dogs so we all have been around dogs. We are a very active family we enjoy day outs in the country as we live in a little village with lots of country side. Jenny enjoys running and bike rides and Zara does agility and heel work to music with her friends dog. We have been to crufts twice but both times walked away not knowing which breed to choose. So I am hoping that if I post on here we might get help and advice as to which breed is right for us. The main problem is that we all have different favourite breeds , Zara is in love with German shepherds and Giant Schnauzers , Jenny is in love with Weimaraners and I'm drawn to rough collies. Jenny is scared of German shepherds as she was bitten when a child so that's why we said no to them, Weimaraners are to high energy and intense for me and Zara, Jenny is the hyper one she loves exercise and being outdoors but me and Zara have half of her energy. Then the giant and collie have to be a no because Zara suffers with a hearing problem called tinnitus so because both are prone to constant barking they don't suit. And I would prefer for us to use our brains and not our hearts as the heart can follow for the right breed.

So what were looking for in a dog is:
1: is happy with around 2hrs of exercise a day.

2: in the house and in nature is calm and laid back , not always on the go or busy as we have been around a lot of Weimaraners and spaniels but there not suited to mine and Zara's energy levels even though they match jenny's as she never tires.

3: does not drool to the extent of a Newfoundland as Zara has a gag reflex as always feels sick when she sees a newf shake its head and drool goes everywhere.

4: is friendly, affectionate, loving , loyal, playful to his owners

5: not a very vocal dog ( due to Zara hearing problem)

6) easy to train and a dog who will listen to all three of us. I know some breeds are one man dogs.

7) fairly healthy

8) grooming is not an issue as Jenny is currently taking night classes in dog grooming.

9) not to challenging for first time owners

10) not aggressive or gaurdy or reserved with people but we don't really want a dog who goes in search of having to say hello to everyone.

11)size wise no smaller than a English Springer size ( I'm talking about showline springers) and no bigger than a Giant schnauzer. Were would consider giant breeds but we're unsure if they would be a wise choice for a first time owner.

Also we will be getting a puppy and we know we would prefer a boy.

Thank you in advance to any recommendations. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think suit us.

Golden Retriever, naturally!

Golden retriever or Labrador.
Good for first time dog owners, friendly, bark to warn but not much after that (my golden hardly barks at all but it does vary and they can be trained not to).
Can be too friendly with people especially labs, but again training will take care of that.
Not guardy, quiet and relaxed round the house once an adult, but will enjoy the exercise also once an adult as care needs to be taken when young not to overexercise any dog to protect growing bones and joints.
Grooming easy on both breeds, goldens need a little more brushing through then labs, both will shed all year and heavily twice a year.
Drooling is very little if at all, but there will be occasions usually over food as with many dogs

Other dogs to consider are the various breeds of setters, Hungarian vizlas and the Welsh springer

Think I've covered most of your points

I agree with the others a Goldie or a lab seems to fit very well .for.me.it would be a golden first  .I don't have either but have a flat coat retriever and a close.family memenber has always had  Goldie's so have certainly have enough experience of.them

Hi , thank you to both of you,

Labrador would be a no as Zara does doesn't feel anything for them she doesn't know why but she said that labs just don't excite her. Golden she likes as it was the only gundog she went up to when we were at crufts. Jenny loves all breeds so is happy no matter what we get as she loves all dogs. I'm pretty much the same as Jenny it's Zara who different and I was shocked she even went up to the golden as all the other breeds she went up to were the GSD and Giant schnauzer obviously with them being her favourites but she also went up to all mastiffs, rottweiler, dobermans, most terriers ( true terriers not bull breed terriers) boxers, leonbergers, most patrol breeds , Akita , cow chow and the only toy dog she went up to was the cavalier and the only gundog is the golden . I was so shocked as you can tell she likes reserved guardy breeds but has agreed there not for us as our first dog.

I think she could tell that I was that shocked she explained why she likes golden retrievers , when Zara was 21yrs old she got engaged to her childhood sweetheart they were very close but he died last year from a car accident before they even got married. With her having studied dog behaviour she tends to know what breed  people would be if they were dogs , she said she would be a Scottish terrier and James she said was 100% a Golden retriever and that's why she went over to them as they make her smile and think of him. So the golden could be on the list I'll ask Zara when she comes home from work, Jenny is here with me and she's happy with a golden. We would be looking at showline Goldens but after seeing Zara with Goldens at crufts and how happy she was I did look into them but I read a few articles saying that Goldens are aggressive and snappy and that there best avoided. But I do keep thinking of how happy she was and she spent 5hrs talking about the golden and cuddling them and yet her favourite breeds she only spent like an hour with them.

I'm still open to other recommendations , I'd like to make a list and then ask the girls.

I would second everything Jodi has said, sorry I didn't reply in similar detail - I was in the middle of dog related stuff. They really are the most loving dogs, and collectible- I'm up to four now. They've all done obedience and two are shown, they're happy to flop if you're busy, but love going out for walks. I honestly don't think I could have any other breed now. Obviously choose your breeder carefully and ensure the relevant health tests are done.

The last thing a golden should be is aggressive and snappy, they are friendly kind dogs with a cheerful happy go lucky attitude to life. I've had four and they have all been fine and so long as you go to a good breeder who health and temperament tests then you will be fine.
I wonder if you have been reading something that was from America as I understand there is a problem with some goldens becoming less friendly mainly due to puppy farms mass breeding goldens and not caring two hoots about temperament.

I think a golden would suit your family well as they are very easy going and forgiving of a new dog owners mistakes.

I don't have Goldie's but have them in the family so have over the years been around  few .all.tue one dive met have good temperament and not in the least agressive nor should they be.  If u become interested in the breed I would.suggeet contacting the breed club to help u find a good responsible breeder

I just wanted to point out that, during this dog's lifetime, your girls are possibly going to leave home and you will be left with the dog. So get a dog that YOU want.

Jenny will eventually move out but that won't be for years yet , Zara on the other hand has no plans on moving out she's told me several times that if she ever did meet anyone else one of the things he would have to happy about would be to live with me , which I keep saying she doesn't need to do that but me and Zara are like best friends not just mother and daughter we get on really well and enjoy each others company, and I got on very well with James and he was happy for me to live with him and Zara. We were all devastated when we lost him and he is very missed and he's still very loved. But she doesn't think she'll find anyone as perfect as James. ( They met at school in dance class and he ended up teaching dance) .

Iv asked Zara ( other than studying physio she works as a physio assistant on her days off) when she got in from work and the Golden is on our list. If anyone does have anymore recommendations I'd be happy to hear them.

I also asked her about the Welsh Springer and vizsla and there both a no. I'm still going to pick a breed I want but I want my girls to like the breed as well as Jenny will begin dogs life for maybe 3-5yrs and Zara will be in the dogs whole life.

For many years I walked a neighbours Golden retriever bitch of working lines.

I have Norwegian Elkhounds, and they got on great with her. Used to walk her with three of my then girls every day.

She lived to a ripe age, and I prefer the overall look of the Working line dogs better, (less heavy heads and I prefer the more even darker coat colour) and did not find her difficult and I was her sole walker.

She was happy to do two school runs and an hours walk in the country park.

Her only  fault was water, be it a puddle or the river.  I once had to wait an hour for her to stop swimming after ducks, but after that I put her on lead when we got to the river and she was very good in all ways, including beter recall than mine, LOL

Mines dual purpose bred, maternal working, paternal show but with a few working bred lines in the pedigree. After having had a pure show line who was as daft as a brush, very sweet natured but with her head in the clouds I know what I prefer.
I like the intelligence of a working bred golden and their keenness to do what you want whether it's seeking a thrown object into long grass or fetching something for you in the house.

I would just like to say have a look at the whippet. I think this most wonderful of breeds may just be the right fit for all your requirements.

I think the working Goldens can be a handful for a novice owner. The show type in my experience are calmer. From talking to other owners they say that Goldens can be very naughty or so calm they nearly fall over. Talking personally I had a very pale coloured show dog and she was just a joy to own. My daughter on the other hand had a deeper gold working type, that still behaved like a puppy untill he was 7 and would destroy the house if left alone.

It depends which lines you get a working golden from gaby, some are very hot, others are not. It's why I went for a dual purpose golden this time, she's a clever dog and has been easy to train, but calm around the house and I've had no troubles leaving her in the house on her own. The only thing she's likely to do is to go and bring my slippers down from the bedroom, doesn't chew them or anything, just brings them downstairs, quite useful really.

Just going to put my 2 pence worth in here

I have Keeshond and Japanese Spitz. Both are very trainable (if you have food then they will do ANYTHING to get it!). They don't drool because that is something I'm not keen on either, only blow their coat roughly every 6 months (boys less than the girls) and even though they have impressive coats on them, they don't shed as much as you'd expect - my aunts Labradors, Goldens, Beagles and my friends staffy all shed more than my spitz breeds The Japs are definitely easier to groom because the Kees is bigger and has a coarser coat, but the Kees doesn't moult as much as the Japs either so catch 22 there

They are known for being vocal breeds but like a lot of other breeds, I've had some which just never barked and then others who love the sound of their own voice. My newest addition is only 5 weeks old at the moment and it seems he's already leaning towards the latter! (He's not with me yet, he's still with his breeder who is my friend). They are good dogs for first time owners, so long as you're willing to put in the grooming to keep their coat in good condition as they shouldn't be trimmed or clipped, but a good breeder would show you how to do all of this. The adults would love a 2 hour walk, but same time they wouldn't mind if it was only 20 minutes around the block or just a cuddle on the sofa

One of my aunts (well, my mam's friend but she always looked after me) had 4 GR that I grew up with, 2 girls and 2 boys. None of them were aggressive or snappy and they were brilliant with the kids. There was one that I'll admit I loved the most, this big handsome boy with a big head and a darker colour and the most laid back temperament and he was quiet as well. The other boy wasn't as much of a barker but would howl but he had more of a domed head so I assume he was more from working lines?

Although I've posted about the spitz breeds, I do love golden retrievers because I've always thought they look like they're smiling so they just make me feel happy and at ease, can't be sad with a smiling face at you!

Hi

Thank you to everyone who has replied, luckily I saw the rest of the replies before Zara went out , so  whippet and Keeshond are both no's as Zara said we're more likely to get a quiet Golden than we are a quiet keeshond and she doesn't want to risk it with the keeshond.

So after talking with them both we are happy to say we're getting a Golden Retriever.

To any members who own goldens or who have been around them if you could tell us more about what there like or what the like to live with we would be very grateful.

Definitely speak to the breed clubs and maybe a visit to next crufts to discover dogs where u can see them in the flesh and ask all.the questions u want . There is also the breeders section here to look at . Make sure u check what health tests should be done on the parents before having a litter and that any breeder has done them . .
All I can say from being round them I think has been said .friendly trainable.happy family.dohs .I would agree the working lines which are often although not always darker in colour tend to be more of a.handfiul for.tje average pet family dual purpose or show seem to be claimed and for.me.would be more.suitsble.as a family pet .my relative has had show.and dual purpose although I've watched working lines at training clubs and like other rbreeds there is a difference .with good reason

That's brilliant news! Good luck

Make sure you understand the health test results too, a family member made sure to ask if the parents were health tested when she was looking for a retriever and just took it as good. The dam's hip score was within the 30's and she didn't understand why I nearly choked when I found out

Definitely agree to go to crufts to see which types you like and their temperaments. Get talking to owners who should be able to point you in the right direction of a good breeder. It may be a case of waiting a while for a litter to come to fruition but the right breeder is worth their weight in gold

Thanks, if just been reading on health test and health in the Golden retriever, and we will be going to crufts on the Gundog day to talk to the owners and meet loads in person.iv been doing a little search on breeders and have found this breeder I like but I'm not rushing. https://www.amabeagoldenretrievers.com

Just a heads up the mother of the litter born 2017 has a hip score of 28 !!!!!!!!! & their dogs are cream rather than golden. You can check for health testing via a MYKC account which anyone can open.

Just because someone does health testing doesn't mean they breed to improve the health of their chosen breed. 28 is way too high a score to be bred from the breed median is 11 & only dogs with a lower score should be bredfrom

Agree with Tommee over the hip score, I like to see them under 11 and close as possible to zero.
I wasn't too thrilled by the request that bitches are not spayed unless for medical reasons. I presume this doesn't mean because you don't want your bitch to suffer pyometra which is why I've always spayed my bitches, the risk of a pyo is too great particularly if it's a closed pyo which could pass largely unnoticed until too late especially as goldens only stop eating when they are at deaths door. Quite happy to leave males entire.
I would say these are all show lines, couldn't see a pedigree on the quick look I took of the website. They seem to be cream coloured dogs in the main, but then we all have our colour preferences and I do prefer a golden that looks golden not nearly white.
Also noticed that they won't sell a puppy to you unless you agree to raw feed, so bear that in mind although once the dog is yours you can feed it whatever you like, I don't suppose the breeder could do much about it if you didn't continue to raw feed.

check pups have been wormed with real vet wormer not some alternate natural product.   there is a lot of all natural stuff happening on that site so I would want to be sure worming has happened with something clinically proven
regarding spaying I would not want an entire bitch unless wanted to breed. pyro is a real risk & frankly seasons are a nuisance in a pet.
ps I do not like that hip score either
pps a good website just means tech savvy not proven top breeder & likewise assured breeder does not mean much

Re raw feeding quite agree it's not something every dog owner wants to do. A friend of mine breeds & raw feeds & likes her puppies to continue to be raw fed & offers back up to people new to raw feeding, but they don't insist on it. The right home is more important

Thanks all, I stay clear of her, iv written down what health tests Goldens need and if just been browsing the web and so far all the breeders I have looked at have high hip scores like 17 or 19 ect. I don't understand why breeders can't just do what best by a breed and only breed from low scoring parents . I hope I can find a breeder who not only health tests but I can find one with low scores. I don't mind the cream colour and I prefer either duel purpose or show types.

Good luck with your search.

I agree with all the above comments/advice.  There is no shortage of GR litters about.  My breed is even more "popular" and again there are masses of litters advertised.  BUT searching carefully for the right breeder who plans litters really carefully, ensures full health testing before they breed and also cares passionately about producing great temperaments does whittle down your choices quite quickly!

However, it really is worth waiting for a puppy from such a breeder - your research and homework will pay dividends.  Finding a great breeder who really cares about the breed, where their puppies are homed and with whom you can have a good relationship is crucial.

Also agree that websites can be very impressive with stunning photos but in themselves do not prove anything.  My newest pup comes from a wonderful breeder whose website is pretty basic - but all pedigrees and comprehensive health test results for each dog are clearly displayed.

Most good breeders I have come across do not dictate to buyers what they should feed their pups or try to forbid neutering - they will discuss and advise - but not dictate!

Progeny not eligible for registration: (Prevents indiscriminate breeding).  These will not be lifted under any circumstance.

So this means 'IF' you end up with an absolute stunner that does really well showing that is still 'tough luck' on any thoughts of breeding - or encouraging unregistered breeding.

Doesn't prevent indiscriminate breeding, only registration of puppies on the full breed register. Once you buy a dog if you want to breed from it there is nothing to stop you, you just cannot register the puppies on the full breed register. No one checks dogs on the activities register if no parents details are given. Costs more to register the puppies I think, but any dog can be registered as a specific breed, except Border Collies the activities name for the breed is Working Sheepdogs.

Yes I realise that, the point I was making was that it is hardly in the interest of the breed ( or any other breed) to put a complete blanket ban on lifting the endorsement.

I also recommend Goldens (of course!). They should NEVER be aggressive or snappy and are not dogs who bark for nothing or at everything. 'Colour' is now in favour again and it is perfectly possible to get a "real" golden colour in a non working line if that is your colour choice. Working bred ones will be quite a handful if not out working most of the day. The bit about water & puddles is certainly true. I think "addiction to water and snorkelling through puddles" ought to be part of the breed standard. Apart from that ( and penchant for rolling in fox poo) they are perfect!

Sadly there are a lot of unscrupulous breeders about and it can be a bit of a minefield! I agree that a MyKC account will be a real help with looking up lines to see some of the scores, and so long as you're clued up on the results, which it looks like you have taken on board, you won't be able to get the wool pulled over your eyes on that one

A good breeder should be willing to say NO to the wrong buyers, and a good buyer should be willing to say NO to the wrong breeder

The last bit made me laugh, I like the cream colour as well as the Golden colour, I'm trying to find a breeder who has low hip scores at the moment, if anyone knows a showline breeder who tests for elbows, eyes and has low hip scores, I would be very greatful, my preference in colour would be golden and then cream.

I'm good at reading and understanding health results, and I am more than happy to say no if I'm not happy. I'm just struggling to find a breeder of the type I like and one with low scores all the breeders iv looked at have some dogs with scores of 16 or 18 total and I contacted the Golden retriever club UK and I was told 16 and 18 are ok results and that the breed average is 19 so as long as there below that then I'll be fine but on here I was advised to go for a breeder who has hip score of 11 or lower, and all the breeder the club gave me had scores above 15 ? This is why I'm hoping someone knows a breeder or can advise me.

You might find a website called K9 data useful. It's primarily for Goldens and also Labs (I think) but it gives lots of information about a dogs pedigree, often including hip scores and longevity of its forbears. It's also iteresting to follow a dogs lines through to the first of the breed, but that's not important now! If you are going to Crufts, buy a catalogue which will tell you who the dogs are in the ring so if there's one you particularly like you will know who he/she is so you could speak to the owner maybe later on when they're not so busy and do some digging into hip scores and eye test scores beforehand. Look at the stud dogs maybe on champdogs and phone to see if there are any litters due, which may not have been advertised yet. Word of mouth is often helpful too once you have some contacts, pm me if you wish, I don't breed but know a few who do (with hip scores and other tests in place) although that said they would be cream rather than gold and there's none due immediately. They're all dark brown when they've been wallowing though! Also, depending where you are, there are a number of Golden Retriever champ shows coming up, Yorkshire GR Club on April 1st, Northern GRA on the 7th and North West GRC on the 8th April. Also the Southern and South Western clubs but they're a bit off the beaten track for me int north. Hope this helps.

Try this  breeder....I know her & she will  probably be able to help you https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/29923

Lovely looking dog on her cd page.lexy  I prefer the darker colours and pleased to hear they are becoming popular again in the show ring .

Thanks Lexy, just from looking at her champdogs page iv found tow breeders who she mated her dogs with and  are Golden and look good  https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/24929
https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/35732 still looking through others who her dogs have been mated with.

Think iv found a favourite https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/28544

Joy does have litters herself...it looks like she doesn't update her cd page with litters as she probably gets them sold by word of mouth/ pre-bookings...so still contact her

I will , just making a list just incase, joy is at the top then the breeder second on my list is the one I said was my favourite.

> I have Keeshond and Japanese Spitz. Both are very trainable (if you have food then they will do ANYTHING to get it!). They don't drool because that is something I'm not keen on either, only blow their coat roughly every 6 months (boys less than the girls) and even though they have impressive coats on them, they don't shed as much as you'd expect - my aunts Labradors, Goldens, Beagles and my friends staffy all shed more than my spitz breeds <img title="wink" class="fsm fsm_wink" alt="" src="/images/epx.png" /> The Japs are definitely easier to groom because the Kees is bigger and has a coarser coat, but the Kees doesn't moult as much as the Japs either so catch 22 there

If these appeal then my breed the Norwegian Elkhound (larger, think collie size) same things apply, but they have a shorter easy care coat.

As a lone female walker their wolfie looks act as a deterrent.

The second and third links caught my eye.
The second link just from looking at the pedigree I can see dogs in their that I rate (and are also dual purpose) from the kennels of Stormerick and Purbarn
The third link I noticed one of their dogs has the same sire as mine (Tesoro De Ria Vela), he is quite heavily used now, but is a lovely looking dog with a great temperament which mine seems to have picked up.

Thanks Jodi I have a list now of 5 breeders however Johnsongrace (the third link) is my favourite so far and am leaning towards them. I'll be getting in contact with her first. I showed the girls and they like her more tow.

> I don't understand why breeders can't just do what best by a breed and only breed from low scoring parents .

All sorts of reasons, most coming back to profit.  Some people don't care, some are only in it to make money, some think a nice, pretty dog is good enough, many don't think health testing is necessary for pet dogs, etc, etc, etc.

I think a lot of it is people only can keep a few dogs & by time the little bitch pup they  chose & lovingly reared is old enough for health tests they are too emotionally involved that she is best dog ever- as indeed everyones beloved pet is- and she is winning at shows, lovely behaved  etc so suddenly those health tests do not seem so clear cut as this is their lovely super dog.  I do not think its normally done in malice but more a love blindness.  its same reason so many  bred from their v unspecial pet bitch-  the owners think special.    to me a better breeder has to be somewhat ruthless- if a dog does not make the grade when all things are looked at with cold clinical detatchment the better breeder swallows their disappointment & does not breed

Don't forget that not all breeders even good ones will have a champdogs page either. I know plenty in my breed which don't and they don't need to advertise litters because they have waiting lists. Something to think about too.

All three of the Golden links you have posted look good on paper: they all hip and elbow score as well as eye test on both sides. The only one I know of is Johnsongrace and she has a good name. I can't comment on the other two as I have not heard of them. Visit and observe, chat and get a feeling is my advice and do that BEFORE the puppies are on the ground.

Yes first choose your breeder, forge a relationship of mutual trust, visit them to meet the dogs and go on their waiting list and let them choose a suitable puppy for your needs.

The breeder is with the puppies 24/7 and sees the developing characters.  When you visit a litter you will only see a snapshot of them and how they behave which could well be misleading.

The sleepy quiet pup, may have been raising hell and hour earlier and just have flaked out.