Golden Retrievers are one of my favorite dog breeds because of their love and loyalty towards their family! Not only that, but they’re such active and happy dogs that love to play, perfect for my children and I. However, not all dogs from a certain dog breed act or look the same, despite having many similarities, which is why you need to make sure to see if the dog breed’s compatible for you AND has the good individual personality!
So when you plan on buying a Golden Retriever puppy, you also have to make sure you do your research! Yes, there are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing one, and while a daunting task, it’s worth it in the long run. So read on as I show you the steps on how to pick a Golden Retriever puppy now!
How to Pick a Golden Retriever Puppy
There’s actually more to picking a Golden Retriever puppy than how cute they are! Here are the important factors to consider on how to pick a Golden Retriever puppy to help you:
Boy or Girl?
This is probably the first thing to consider when choosing any type of dog breed! Not only is it about planning for future puppies, but also about their temperament. Yes, dogs also have different attitudes based on gender!
Females have more of a natural motherly instinct, which is great for families with young children. They’re also more timid and calmer compared to males, who are more hyper and love to play!
Besides this, they also have a slight size difference, with males being taller and weigh a bit more than female dogs. So if you’re set on a male or female dog, you can tell your breeder to narrow down your choices.
Golden Color
Yes, Golden Retrievers have different shades of gold, with the coat colors being between creamy and golden. But do take note that they change colors as they grow older!
One of the best indicators to see how their colors would be when they become adults is through the puppy’s ear color. That’s because their ears are a bit darker compared to the rest of his coat as a puppy.
Besides this, check their body type as well, which should be strong and a bit plump, but not with distended stomachs. Their eyes should also be gray, which will then change to dark brown as they age.
»The Common Golden Retriever Eye Problems to Watch Out For
Healthy Parents
Of course, you want to make sure that your chosen puppies also have the healthy minds and bodies. You should make sure that you secure their medical certificates and other important papers which prove their breed and good health. Furthermore, it’s crucial to also look into their parents, who should be in best health!
Both the parents and puppies should have no allergies or any skin conditions which Golden Retrievers are susceptible of. You can also ask the breeder about the family history and overall health of the parents and past generations. The answers can help you learn about what you can expect from the puppy and how long they can live for.
Their Temperament
You should also consider the overall temperament of your chosen puppy! They act the same and have hyper attitudes, but of course, they have individual personalities, too. With that said, choose a puppy based on your home situation, whether you want a quiet and calm dog, or an active one that loves to play!
You can figure out the temperament of a puppy by caring them. If they lay on their backs and act like a sleeping baby, they’re submissive pups. If they try to move away, they’re most likely dominant and want to be the leader!
What Breeder?
Last but not least, always consider the breeder you’re getting the puppy from. They should have the license and/or certification to breed Golden Retrievers, as well as have the safe environment to breed and care for all the dogs and pups.
I recommend that you look into different Golden Retriever breeders and do your research before sticking to one. Ask around for recommendations and look into positive reviews. You can even interview them and ask about their terms, visiting their homes to evaluate how well the dogs are cared for. This gives you an idea on how healthy the puppies will be.
If you want more context on how to pick a Golden retriever puppy, check out this interesting video:
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re an expert on Golden Retrievers or getting your first dog, it’s important to look into the different elements of choosing one. From the pedigree down to the breeder, make sure that you do your research. That way, you have a purebred Golden Retriever in good health to love you for a long time.
Hopefully, my article on how to pick a Golden Retriever puppy helped you out! So don’t wait any longer and begin making the right choice in getting a healthy and loving Golden Retriever puppy now.
Golden Retrievers are one of the most friendliest and fun loving dog breeds that have a very gentle and playful temperament.