You might gravitate toward the loving, intelligent breed of the Golden Retriever but soon find their need for attention to be overwhelming or discover they shed too much for your tastes  and tear up your garden. A terrier might suit the size of your house but drive you nuts with their wiry disposition.

Keep these things in mind when choosing a dog:

Research the breed and determine what characteristics best suit your needs and situation.  Matching the dog to your lifestyle means considering the size of your house and yard, your activity level, the amount of time available, if the breed is typically people oriented or more aggressive or hyperactive.  Every breed has its common characteristics that you will want to consider. If the puppy is a mixed breed, research the common traits of both or all the known breeds in the family line. Don’t just pick the first cute puppy you fall in love with.

Consider the cost of animal care; it goes well beyond the initial purchase. Expenses include:  heart-worm medication for life, flea, tick and parasite preventative medications,  food, toys, leashes and collars, bedding, vaccinations, license fees, grooming (whether just a few brushes or professional grooming), veterinarian care, spay or neuter fees, dog care whenever you leave town, and a ton of time and attention.

People said it was a crazy idea but we did it anyway.  Two puppies at once came into our lives recently and those bundles of golden fur were a highly treasured addition to our household.  They were also a substantial bit of work, and continue to require constant care and attention.  Getting two new dogs was an easier task for a couple with no children at home than it might be for a household full of kids or a residence with no yard. 

However, the task is not something done lightly or completed in moments.  Puppies act like puppies even when they weigh eighty pounds and they need care every day.  Care doesn’t consist of just a bowl of food and water.  Puppies and young adult dogs need playtime with humans, affection, and training.

When you decide to take on a new canine family member it is hugely important to know what kind of dog suits you.  We chose golden retrievers because they are one of the most loving and intelligent breeds and they make great companions.  If a guard dog was in order, they wouldn’t have been an ideal choice.  Little golden retrievers Halo and Bliss are more likely to lick a stranger and wag their tails than to bite an intruder.  However, the male has exhibited some protective characteristics but the female is like a huge lapdog that wants anyone and everyone to pet her. 

These two beauties like to dig holes in the yard and they shed considerable amounts due to their double coats that protect them in their waterfowl retrieving tasks … that is if they were to perform such tasks.  They are family dogs even though they demonstrate great skills in the sport for which they are favored.  Fetch, swim, soft hold, and comprehending sign direction are all natural instincts to them but the two retrievers have their individual strengths.  The girl loves water so thoroughly it would be an important training task to keep her out of a backyard pool if we had one. 

Whether it’s a spray, a puddle, a bowl or a lake she’s ready to get wet. The boy required some coaxing to get him in the water but once a fetch was added for a prompt, the water couldn’t hold him back.  He loves to retrieve endlessly until he is too hot and tired to go anymore.  Halo jumps to catch frisbees, balls, and sticks flying through the air while Bliss runs along a bit and comes back to get more caresses and petting instead of competing for the fetch.   

Two golden retrievers under one-year old will keep any family busy playing, feeding, and training.  The rewards in return are pure love, loyalty, and companionship.  Its worth the task if you are willing to put the heart and time into raising them with care.  If you don’t want a dog that begs for a considerable amount of love, it is best choose a more independent breed.  If possible, make sure to meet the parents of the litter to determine if they are healthy, intelligent, and genuine thoroughbreds.  This is not to say mixed breeds or adopted pets can’t be a fabulous choice. 

Its just helpful to know the character and quality of the kind of animal you are bringing into your home. We wouldn’t trade our goldens for anything else even with their annoying quirks and constant care.  After being dog-less since moving out of my childhood home, I was surprised at the depth of love I felt for these precious creatures.  They are family and our babies.

  They could have been turned into hunting dogs just as easily as simple, cherished pets but they would always have been animals in need of love.  All dogs need love to some degree and its my belief that its criminal to own a dog for the singular purpose of guarding or fighting or looking cool.  You don’t have to dress them in cute clothes, have them ride in the cab of your truck, hold them in your arms or let them lean into your legs for contact in order to give your dog some respectable attention and care.  Even a guard dog can be loved in his own fashion.

All photos copyright by Susan and Hiram Raines

If you liked this article you might also like these by Susan Raines

Turning Fifty – The Quandaries of Aging Gracefully

Interracial Relatilonships: Black and White

Truck Driver Loves Big Wheel as a Child