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education |
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older dogs |
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Sammy |
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Home |
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about the breed |
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You think about getting a Golden puppy ? |
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So you think about buying a Golden Retriever puppy. They just look so cute, don't they? Like fluffy little teddybears. And of course you are right. There isn't much that could be sweeter than a cuddly, clumsy, plushy, soft and helpless little puppy dog.
BUT BEFORE YOU EVEN START THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE, PLEASE THINK ABOUT OTHER THINGS FIRST: |
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Why do you intend to buy a puppy ? |
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Remember, a dog is not just for christmas, and you can't just hand it back once you - or the kids - get bored of it. Or if things don't work in the way you want them to. Your sweet little fluffy puppy will not forever be small and cute and clumsy, and it will need more than just the occasional cuddle, that you generously give it when you feel like it. Your new dog has needs that you will have to fulfill for many years.
DON'T FORGET - A DOG IS NOT A TOY - YOU'LL HAVE IT FOR LIFE. |
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Answer these few questions honestly
1) Does every single member of your family really want a dog?
2) Can you guarantee there will be someone around the dog
at all times - at least within the first year of its life?
3) Do you provide the space a large dog needs?
4) If you don't have a huge garden, is there a park nearby
where the dog can regularly be exercised?
5) Are you prepared to skip your holiday and stay at home with
your dog if you can't find anyone trustworthy enough to let
them look after your dog for a couple of weeks or longer?
6) Are you sure that nobody around you is allergic against pets?
7) Can you afford a dog? The annual costs for a Golden Retriever
can easily add up to � 800 or more for food, toys and medical costs.
8) Are there no other pets already in the house who might not get
along with your new family member for some reason? |
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If you can honestly answer every single of these questions with "yes", a Golden Retriever will be very happy in your household. If not, you might rather decide against buying a Golden Retriever puppy straightaway. |
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All right - now you have got enough time and the space for a large and lively dog and you decide to go ahead with your plan to get one. But where do you get one - and what does the puppy really need? |
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First of all, a puppy should not be removed from its mother before the age of eight weeks. Ideally, it will stay with her and the rest of the litter for about 10 weeks. The mother will provide the pup with breastmilk which helps strenghtening the little dog's immune system, and the feeling of security which the small pup experiences within its natural family will help transforming it into a confident young dog. |
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No decent breeder will give away puppies younger than at least eight weeks of age, but if someone does try to sell you a younger one, you should simply refuse to |
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take it, unless it can be arranged for the puppy to stay with its mother for a little while longer. |
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But where do you find a decent breeder? You could, for example, ask your local vet for advice. Also very helpful can be Pet Shop assistants. Even if they don't offer any dogs themselves, most of them know breeders or at least have a list of breeders in the country. The Kennel Club has got loads of breeders listed, all of which have been thoroughly tested before they have been accepted for the list. |
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Breeders can also be found by searching the ads in your local newspaper, or you simply ask someone on the street who walks their Golden Retriever where they got theirs. And, of course, there are some pet shops who offer golden pups
(see the links page for addresses in the UK).
Although I got my own dog from a pet shop - against everyone's advice - I would strongly recommend visiting a breeder as you can see for yourself, how the puppies have been raised, you'll meet the puppy's parents, and you will be able to get answers to many of your questions that pet shop assistants are often simply not able to give. |
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When visiting the breeder - ideally you'll do that a few times before you actually buy the pup - you'll see that each puppy of the litter has got their own individually personality already formed. You'll be able to choose one that compliments your own character - if you are more the quiet type, you'll rather choose a calmer puppy, if you're more the hectic type, you might be more attracted by a livelier one.
After you finally buy your puppy, you should take it to your local vet straightaway to make sure it gets all the medical support its young body needs. The doctor will also advice you on the right kind of food for the puppy.
Usually little Goldies are not very fussy about food, but better make sure you start with little portions, 4 times a day. Special puppy food from the supermarket will not be too heavy for the little stomach. The best you can give your new puppy dog in these early days, is lots of time, lots of affection - and
a great deal of patience. Don't expect too much from the pup in the beginning. |
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