One of the most pawpular dog breeds in America, the Golden Retriever is famous for being friendly, playful, and trustworthy. Of course, there’s also the lustrous gold coat for which the breed is named. The Golden’s outgoing demeanor and high trainability make them puptastic family pets, but this medium-sized gundog still requires plenty of care, attention, and yes, exercise! So make sure you’ve done your research before bringing home a Golden Retriever puppy—they may look cute and innocent, but they’re still a big responsibility! While raising a Golden Retriever is not without its challenges, a bit of preparation will go a long way in helping you become a pawsome pup parent!
They Have Energy
While it seems the breed has developed a reputation for being somewhat of a ‘couch potato,’ Golden Retrievers were originally bred as sporting dogs. Because of this, they are naturally energetic animals.
With proper exercise, most Golden Retrievers can adapt to any living situation, including an apartment.
Meeting your Golden’s exercise needs is extremely important. An unexercised Golden with pent-up energy may develop behavioural problems or bad habits. There are many ways to satisfy your Golden Retriever’s exercise needs, such as long walks, jogging or running, hiking, playing a vigorous game of fetch or chase, swimming or canine sports such as agility.
If you enjoy cycling, you can train your Golden to safely trot beside you, or in the winter, your Golden can accompany you on snowshoeing or cross-country skiing adventures. Doggy daycare is another great way to drain some of your Golden’s energy while also providing them the opportunity to socialize with other dogs.
Before buying a Golden, ask yourself if you are ready and able to meet their exercise requirements. Remember, Golden Retrievers are slow to mature and may act like a puppy well into their senior years.
They Were Born to Fetch
I remember sitting on a footbridge one summer with my first Golden, Duke. I was dangling my feet over the side, and not surprisingly, my sandal fell off and dropped into the creek below. Before I even realized what had happened, Duke stood up, trotted down the stone steps, waded into the creek, collected my sandal, and brought it back to me. When our eyes met, it was clear that Duke and I were equally surprised by his actions. It’s just one of those moments where you realize, as retrievers, these dogs were born to fetch.
This natural retriever instinct is linked to the breed’s tendency to carry items in its mouth. This may be a harmless habit, such as picking up a toy and prancing about when they are excited, but it can also be a problematic chewing issue. In addition to mental and physical stimulation, proper obedience and plenty of toys should help
