Breed Review – Golden Retriever

(Lifespan = 10-12years)

Golden retrievers are an excellent choice for a family pet, fluctuating between first and second place in the ranking of “Most Popular Dog Breeds, UK.” 

Within this blog, we will explore both the pros and cons of owning a Golden Retriever. These points will be broken down into the following 5 categories, to make your decision a little easier!

1. Costs, from original purchase – Feeding – Vet bills 
2. General Temperament and Behavioural Traits
3. Maintenance 
4. Training abilities 
5. Know Health Issues 

It can be a daunting decision when it comes to selecting a breed, especially if you are a first-time dog owner or you have a young family. Based on both personal experience and professional knowledge, I am hoping that the following points can help you!

• Please note that this review is based on a generalisation of experience with the breed, but not all Golden Retrievers will be the exact same!

Costs, from original purchase – Feeding – Vet bills

Due to their popularity, Golden Retriever puppies are a little pricier. The average cost for a Golden Retriever puppy in the UK is £1,300. However, the range tends to be from £800 to £3,000. This is subject to the quality of the litter and if you are purchasing through a reputable breeder, which is always strongly recommended due to known health complications within the breed. KC Registered bloodlines and those deemed Pedigree will cost a little more, but you should have the peace of mind knowing that the bloodline is clean and hereditary traits are properly tracked.

Another cost to take into account is feeding, as a fully grown Golden Retriever weighs on average 25-32kg for a female, and 30-34kg for a male. This would mean that you would need to spend anywhere from £30 to £160 per month on food, depending on your choice of diet (Kibble, Meat, Raw, Home-cooked, Specialist foods, mix of a few).

Due to the weight of a Golden Retriever, vet bills are higher for routine ops, such as a neutering. This is because the heavier an animal, the more drugs are needed for any veterinary procedure. The average cost for vet bills in the UK for a Golden Retriever, including general checks, vaccines, and flea/worm treatment, is £500 – £2000.

Due to all of this, MegA Blogs would rate the Golden Retriever 3/5 for Cost. 

General Temperament and Behavioural Traits

Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle nature and goofy personalities. Statistically speaking, the breed is only responsible for about 2% of reported dog attacks or bites, making them a very safe breed for active families. Golden Retrievers are also lovers of water and have incredibly strong natural swimming abilities, as the breed was originally bred for retrieving Waterfowl.

As someone who grew up with Golden Retrievers, they are honestly the most relaxed, patient, forgiving, and emotionally intelligent dogs. There is a reason Golden Retrievers are the most used dogs for therapy and emotional support, as children seem to really take to their soft nature. You can not really go wrong.

Overall, MegA Blogs provides the Golden Retriever 5/5 for temperament and behavioural traits. 

Maintenance

Due to Golden Retrievers being one of around six recognisable breeds with a Double-Coat, their maintenance needs are a little higher. This is because an added tool is needed for their grooming routine, as the undercoat needs help shedding. Due to the amount of coat a Golden Retriever has, they are one of the breeds that shed the most hair around the house. This could mean an owner needs to be okay with hoovering and cleaning the house more regularly. If you are someone who does not want dog hair on the house, sofa, car, clothes, etc, the Golden Retriever may not be for you.

Related to their coat type, Golden Retrievers need bathing every 6-8weeks to help remove buildup within their double coat. However, the Golden Retriever is not a breed that needs regular haircuts, as the breed standards suggest a little trim and sculpting. Due to the long feathers on their hind quarters, Goldens may need freshening up in the winter, as mud and other substances can stick to their coat.

MegA Blogs would give the Golden Retriever 3/5 for Maintenance. 

Training abilities

Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and thrive on interactions. Therefore, they are among the easiest breeds to train, making them a safe choice for novice owners. As the breed name suggests, the breed is designed to retrieve, not hunt or kill. Therefore, the Golden Retriever does not have a strong prey drive, making them easier to control outside. As long as you are dedicated to bonding with your puppy early on, the training with a Golden Retriever should be a really enjoyable and rewarding experience. This breed is known for its love of food and balls, so finding a positive stimulus whilst training really helps the process.

Therefore, MegA Blogs gives the Golden Retriever 5/5 for its training ability.

Know Health Issues

When researching any breed, you must look into the known health complications within a certain breed. Whilst any dog can have health issues, there are definitely patterns of common issues within the same breed. For Golden Retrievers, the most common issues are Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Heart Conditions, and various Cancers. Many Golden Retrievers also have allergies to some meat proteins and sensitive skin.

These are not guaranteed within your Golden Retriever, but it is worth researching the conditions in case your dog develops any of the issues. This is another reason why going to a reputable breeder is essential, as the pups, parents, and grandparents would have been screened for health complications.

MegA Blogs has given the Golden Retriever 3.5/5 for Known Health Issues. 

To conclude, MegA Blogs agrees that the Golden Retriever is a great dog for those wanting to expand their family, as the breed is traditionally a very safe and well-tempered dog. Whilst they may be a little more from a cost perspective, and as long as you don’t mind having hair everywhere, Golden Retrievers are a great option. They are kind, gentle, loving, loyal, and playful. 

We love a Goldey at MegA Blogs!