Finding the right golden retriever puppy is generally considered to be an easy task. You just have to go to the local pet store and buy one, right? While it’s only right that pet stores always have plenty of golden retriever puppies for sale, it’s rare that they’ll have the right one for you.
The reason behind this statement is that the stores sell puppies for profit and employ puppy mills to produce them in large quantities. These mills are not very animal friendly because they are usually kept at a minimum cost to maximize profit. The animals are undernourished and overbred, resulting in substandard puppies. This is not only bad for you, it’s also bad for the animals and shopping at the pet store can mean spending dollars to support these practices.
The only way to give yourself and the puppy you are buying the best chance at a prosperous life is to go to a private breeder. This may seem like a daunting task at first, but more and more people are turning to this in light of the above facts about puppy stores. The American Kennel Club can be contacted for help finding quality breeders. Try requesting OFA or CERF documents from potential breeders you are interested in. These ensure that the cub’s parents were in good health and were prime candidates for breeding. This gives the pup a better chance at a healthy life.
Another important step is to get to know your breeder. You know you found a good one when he or she really loves the animals he or she is raising and even cares about the puppy and prioritizes giving the puppy a good home over making money from it.
Once you find the right breeder and get your puppy, you should be prepared for a bit of work. Golden retrievers are notorious chewers, and don’t be surprised if your belongings and bedroom are littered with bite marks if you leave the dog unattended for long. Give him enough chew toys and you’ll be fine. Just remember: a dog doesn’t know the difference between a “chew shoe” and your $200 Nikes!
Goldens get bored very quickly due to their intelligence and will require you to keep them busy with activities from walks, to games and training, which they actually enjoy as a challenge to their brains. If all of these tasks are accomplished, you’ll be quickly rewarded with a great pet and companion.
The golden retriever will be loyal and affectionate to you throughout his life. He will always be a ready learner and quick to learn in training. You may still want to invest in obedience training to get the most out of your canine friend, but overall it will be worth it for a beautiful, intelligent and friendly pet who is good with children and all other people. If you put in the effort to find the right golden retriever puppy for you, you won’t regret it.