Darby's Mom
Posted : 11/9/2007 3:58:19 PM
Hi, Darby is my second golden, he is just a year old but the weetest boy around. My first golden, sunshine, is the reason we have Darby now and why we are getting him a baby sister in ~month. Goldens are family dogs, pack if you will, they love the whole family including any other animals that may live with you or under your shed. We've had a groundhog under the shed for 12 years, the dogs best buddy. The only draw back i can think of is that they shed, and I do mean shed. I understand the filed goldens don't shed as bad as the "show" goldens. If you don't like grooming and vacuuming then a golden will make you nuts. They are also lap dogs, 90 lbs of love jumping in your lap is something to consider, but on a cold night there is nothing better.
Golden puppies from 9 - 12 months are tough. They have enormous energy and need alot of excerise (to keep yourself sane have play dates with the neighborhood dogs and kids) they stay puppies for ~3 years, yeah years. Then they turn into the most wonderful adult dogs, still playful but with an inner control button.
Without knowing you or your lifestyle I couldn't recommend getting a golden but I highly recommend you do research. Talk to breeders and trainers, Goldens are the number one dogs for obedience because all they want to do is please they're people. They are pretty good at agility.
Good luck