Would a working golden retriever fit well into an active family home? Seen many different opinions on the matter. Does it depend on the breeder? I am looking at doing obedience training and maybe agility. Also plenty of mental stimulation activities, but not working the dog or anything. The breeder I have spoke to said hers are bred mainly as family pets but she works some of them also. Some won’t let puppies go to anyone who is not planning on working them in the fields. Finding it difficult to get an accurate answer. Thanks!

Retrievers are bred, primarily, for picking up.  If you've seen a dog picking up, it involves a lot of sitting and doing nothing, interspersed with possibly retrieving a bird (depending on how good a shot you're stood behind).  So actually, working retrievers, although they do need some stimulation, also need to be steady and sit still for long periods.  I have a working bred FCR who is just like this.  I also have dual purpose bred Labrador retrievers, and the girl I work would be bored out of her skull picking up, so I take her beating instead, which is just as enjoyable and much warmer as you're moving more.  The other thing to consider is that on a shoot day, dogs get up close and personal with all other dogs and people, so they need to have a good temperament.

Either way, a well bred retriever, whether working, show or inbetween, should have the ability to settle down.  It never ceases to amaze me when people say their dogs couldn't possibly go without walking for a day.  I had mild heat exhaustion last weekend, and didn't walk my dogs for two days, they were fine, they just got told to settle (I live on my own).  It does make me wonder how some owners of dogs keep them calm when they need to for health reasons.

Yes - was getting the idea from some people that the dog would constantly be on the go 24/7. Everyone has said different. Thanks for your reply.

You need to talk to the breeder, there's a huge difference between some working lines, some of the field trialling lines seem less able to switch off.

I lost my working GR a year ago to old age. He was my once in a lifetime dog and has to be the easiest dog to live with that I have ever had the pleasure to share my life and home with. Great work ethic combined with an off switch helped to make him extra special and combined with a wonderful temperament I honestly couldn't have asked for a better companion for those 14 years.

He was a leaner build than the show type retrievers, could work all day when asked and competed in agility until he retired when he was 9. He could be a couch potato when I needed him to be and up for anything and everything when asked. He was a totally honest, kind, gentle boy and was the dog that other people wanted their pups to meet when they needed to introduce them to a large but friendly dog.

So easy to train, had a real zest for life and everyone's friend.

You can probably tell that I am smitten with the breed and would have another in a heartbeat if I didn't currently have a rescue collie that can't live with other dogs at this moment in time. But when the time comes I would definitely be looking for a working GR pup from the right background and the right breeder. There is a fb page for owners of WGR's and it is really informative and friendly.

You can see him in my avatar with one of my other dogs.

Aw thanks so much for this reply. Your boy sounds like a beautiful dog. I know some people are picky about working retrievers as certain breeders want them to work. Spoke to many who have said very similar to you though too. Thank You and i’m so sorry for your loss.

I completely agree with all of the above, my 4 are from working lines and just kept as family pets, they can go for as many walks as I will give them or on days where I’m ill or whatever they will quite happily go in the garden and be couch potatoes. All about their routines and how you train them. Some days mine go for 2/3 ten min walks, some days like today they got a 5 mile walk ... very flexible dogs and I’ve had no issues, .with a 2, 6, 8 and 11.5 year old!

Thanks for your message. Your dogs sound like they have the best temperaments! Please may I ask what line they are from/breeder?

To be fair, Lunatunes, that description could equally apply to my four from show lines. They’re just a wonderful breed.