At the risk of sounding dramatic, we do not deserve Golden Retrievers. If you are already a fan of these big-hearted beauties then you know exactly what we are talking about. If your not on the bandwagon already then prepare to be charmed by their effortless beauty and super sweet personalities.
A Golden Retriever puppy could cost you between $500 to $2000 when purchased from a breeder. However, due to their popularity and large numbers, it is possible to get a Golden Retriever for free from online forums and rescue shelters, but they may not be purebred. Maintenance of a Golden Retriever on the other hand is a bit more affordable costing between $500 and $1000 yearly.
With all that they have to offer, it comes as no surprise that they have consistently appeared on the top 10 list of most popular dogs in the US for the last several decades. Let’s take at a few more reasons why they can be so pricey as well as what you have to look forward to owning one.
Golden Retrievers cost between $500 to $2000.
If you are fortunate, you could find one for much less through rescue adoption shelters. However, these are often not purebred Goldies.
If you choose to go through professional breeders, here are some of the reasons why these dogs are expensive as well as a few awesome perks of owning a Golden Retriever that make their price tag completely worth it.
Golden Retrievers are second only to the likes of Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds when it comes to popularity. In fact, they have consistently ranked among the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United States for the past several years according to the American Kennel Club.
Due to their popularity, many breeders price them very high, knowing that the demand creates a ready market.
One of the main reasons why the high price tag may be somewhat justified when it comes to Golden Retrievers is how well they fit in as family pets. They are generally very loving and gentle dogs that get along great with children and other pets.
Golden Retrievers are outdoorsy dogs, but they are also really good house dogs.
This flexibility is another reason why you might want to take one of these beauties home with you. They will adapt and thrive wherever they are whether you live in an apartment or in an open property.
As far as raising costs go on the other hand, Golden Retrievers are relatively easy and cheap to maintain. It will cost between $800 to $1000 or even less to take care of them every year.
A Golden Retriever can live between 10 to 12 years.
They are typically very happy and healthy dogs as long as they are well taken care of. However, they do sometimes suffer from a variety of health issues you will have to factor in when making your yearly maintenance budget. Here are a few of the most common ones.
This is a condition that affects the health and functionality of heart muscles. More often than not, it occurs in old age and may cause death in the Goldie through heart failure.
Golden Retrievers are prone to developing skin issues like dermatitis. This irritation is triggered by a number of things from flea infestation to moisture accumulation on skin folds. If not addressed, it could cause your dog to stink while also compromising coat health and aesthetics.
Golden Retrievers suffer from a number of eye conditions. Cataracts are the most common and often happen when the dog is advanced in age. It could cause blindness in the affected eye if not dealt with promptly.
Fortunately, there is hope for reversal with surgical removal of the cataract.
Hip dysplasia occurs in Golden Retrievers that are genetically predisposed to the condition. It is quite rare in prized bloodlines. Dogs bred from the latter gene pool option are often more expensive.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Golden Retrievers. The tumors can occur anywhere on the dog’s body.
Some of the most common types of cancer seen with these breeds include lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, skin cancer, and bone tumors.
Taking care of Golden Retrievers is not very difficult if you understand what you are getting yourself into. If you have no idea where to start, here are a few tips that will help you take great care of the pooch and give them a happy home.
While Golden Retrievers suffer from very few health issues, the few that they are predisposed to can be greatly debilitating and sometimes life threatening.
Early detection and treatment do a lot to prevent complications and generally improve your doggy’s quality of life. You should therefore establish a vet visit routine and actually follow through.
Golden Retrievers may adapt to life indoors but they will always be happiest playing outside. Find them somewhere they can run around and have a good time whether it is a dog-friendly beach or a park.
Golden Retrievers also love swimming. If you can find a place for them to have a splash in, they will definitely enjoy it. It could be an inflatable pool, a nearby bond, or even the ocean.
Golden Retrievers are big dogs with big appetites and health needs. A healthy diet is crucial to their adequate care. We recommend you try the Pet Plate for the best in terms of quality and quantity. They customize their meal plans to meet your dog’s specific proportion and portion needs.
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You could also feed your Goldie human food like peanut butter, cooked and unseasoned meat, as well as fruits like bananas. However, make sure to avoid toxic fruits like grapes, cherries, and avocados.
Finally, make sure to include multivitamin supplements. These come in particularly handy when dealing with specific issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia. They also promote health through improved immunity and general wellbeing.
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One of the best things about Golden Retrievers is their endearing personality. They get along with pretty much anyone who shows them kindness including total strangers.
Here are a few other awesome temperament traits you have to look forward to.
Golden Retrievers are among the most intelligent dogs. They are very responsive to commands and quick to pick up tricks. This makes it very easy to train a Golden Retriever.
It is actually quite cheap to get them professionally trained. In these cases, it could cost you between $50 to $125 per week for basic puppy training.
Golden Retrievers are also very eager to please. This means you could also train them yourself whether it is potty training or fun games you could play together. For better grip on the basics, try the Brain Training for Dogs package designed to make DIY dog training a walk in the park. Pun intended.
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Golden Retrievers are affectionate dogs that thrive off attention and contact including petting and cuddling. The best part is the fact that they extend this affection to most people they don’t deem threatening.
These pooches are also very energetic. They need an avenue to work out their thirst for activity including playtime and simple daily walks. Lack of this physical outlet often causes the Golden Retriever to get destructive.
Golden Retrievers are gentle dogs and it is very unlikely that they would act out aggressively.
However, they are quite protective and may bark or charge at potential threats in very desperate situations.
By far the greatest cost when it comes to maintenance of a Golden Retriever is grooming. It could cost you anywhere between $70 and $100 per grooming session depending on the business and the specific services you want to get for your pooch.
If you want to save some money, you could also do the grooming yourself. Here are a few tips that will help.
Golden Retrievers have very long, beautiful coats and tend to shed a lot especially during Fall and Spring.
Regular brushing helps prevent matting while also getting rid of any loose fur to minimize shedding. A 3 to 4 times a week interval is ideal to keep their coats healthy and your home as fur-free as possible.
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A Golden Retriever should get a good, full-body wash at least once every 1 to 2 months. This helps get rid of accumulated dirt and grime to keep them smelling fresh and looking great.
Goldies have long and droopy ears. If not cleaned, they tend to accumulate dirt and wax. This could provide an environment for bacteria or even fungi to thrive.
Furthermore, make sure to wipe the ears properly after cleaning them to avoid making it easier for the germs you are trying to discourage.
Finally, make sure to take the time to clean your dog’s teeth. If they let you, you could establish a brushing routine to prevent plaque buildup.
You could also use hard chew toys that can kill two birds with one stone by cleaning your dog’s teeth while also keeping them entertained.
Are Black Golden Retrievers Rare? The rarest coat color on Golden Retrievers is solid black. The trait is due to a very uncommon genetic mutation. These Goldies, if you can call them that, are beautiful doggies and are often mistaken for the very similar-looking black, Flat-coated Retriever. The best, most common, and most iconic coat color on the other hand is golden.
Which Is Better A Lab Or A Golden Retriever? Labradors are more popular than Golden Retrievers but only by a small margin. This is because labradors are more versatile, intelligent, and easy to manage. Golden retrievers are also very intelligent but are more easily distracted. One thing Goldies have going for them is their gentle and protective nature which makes them ideal for family.
Granted, both are awesome breeds so it should boil down to your personal preferences.
Should I Get A Boy Or Girl Golden Retriever? When it comes to personality traits, male Golden retrievers tend to be more affectionate, social, and eager to please. If you want a giant lapdog then you should definitely get a boy. However, if you want a more independent pooch with just as much to offer in terms of love and friendliness, you might want to go with a girl Goldie.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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