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Reader Stories: Living with a Golden Retriever

By , About.com Guide

Golden Retrievers are medium-sized athletic dogs with energetic natures. Goldens are known for are known for their kind eyes, loyalty and enthusiasm for life. Here's a profile of the breed that describes common characteristics of Golden Retrievers. But like people, each dog is unique. If you own a Golden Retriever, we'd like to know more about your pet. Your story will help prospective owners decide whether a Golden Retriever is the right pet for them.

Talk About Your Golden!

Bear, Playful and Kind

Bear was so easy to train and housebreaking was a piece of cake. They learn fast! My dog has no medical problems, but he does get checked up for heartworm and fleas once in a while. He's so pretty sw…More

Sophie, My Introduction to the World of Dogs

Sophie is a lovely playful little girl that gets so excited to see you that her whole body wiggles! She will always greet you (we get this every morning) with a present in her mouth, that being one o…More

Celine - AKA Celiny-Bean

Celine protects her "brother" kitties and is the sentry for the farm. She is also the doorbell....and I know if someone arrives before they reach the door! I had to get her a wading pool to keep her …More

Cooper, More Precious Than Gold

A member of the family. Actually in some ways he is one up on others...never talks back, doesn't make a mess, greets me every every time I come home and never complains about what's for supper.Cooper…More

My Zoe is Awesome!

She is such a good, genuine dog. She looks at you with these eyes that just have so much soul. They are so innocent and filled with the good and love that you don't see in humans. She loves the beach…More

Jake is My Best Friend

A good listener and oh so smart. Because he was almost 10 weeks old when I took him home he was very easy to train. I do not believe he has ever had an accident in our house. He has an wonderful gift…More

Beaureguard is a Clown

Wonderful. He had one accident in the house when I could not get to the door fast enough. He has not had an accident in the house since, I put him on a regular potty schedule. He has no medical probl…More

My Girls Levity & Jasmine

Levity is my gentle refined proper girl with the perfect manners. She is the dark red version taller version of the breed. She is just beautiful and the perfect example of an older Golden. She adapte…More

Rowdy is a Real Poppet

A real poppet. He was very easy to train and was housebroken in 2 weeks. So far no real medical problems except for an occasional skin infection and a proclivity to acquire ticks :( But nothing serio…More

Smokey - My Best Buddy

Well, Smokey is what my vet calls a miniature golden retriever. His Dad is full golden but his Mom on the other hand is part black lab part cocker spaniel. Smokey looks like a golden but he is shorte…More

Smokey & Casey

Goldens just love being around people, balls, kids -- they are all-around great dogs and faithful companions. Don't let their size or the hair situation scare you -- they are gentle as lambs and the …More

Hienz J. Mutley

The most wonderful, obedient, charming pet I've ever know. It is as if Hienz knows exactly what is going on all the time, and takes everything in stride. He listens when we talk to him and knows what…More

Erika, a Loving and Smart Girl

Erika is extremely smart, I only have to direct her to do something maybe three times before she catches on and does it just with verbal or hand signals. She is not a cuddly dog, she prefers her own …More

Dusty The Golden Retriever

Dusty came to us very well trained. It took me some time to figure out all what he was doing (he had some funny rules about steps). But he got me trained eventually. When you walk with Dusty you have…More

Dixie is Our Baby

Our best friends after both of our children got out on their own. She is so loving and always wants to please us. She is a sock thief though because she always requires something in her mouth. Loves …More

Biggs, Our Golden Retriever

He's a sweetheart; he's attentive, needs to stay with his pack/people; he's gentle, not a bully-type. He will run off, but usually if you keep reminding him of your presence, he will stay. We need to…More

Molly & Benny

My dogs are the hunting variety - long-legged and oversize. Both are over 90 lbs. They are red and the female's coat is longer than her brother's. They are very sweet, but very needy. They do not und…More

Ellie Mae - Good as Gold

Very smart, sensitive so she can't be yelled at or she'll fall apart. Although there is no need to yell at her because she is always so good. She was so easy to train. She maybe chewed a flip flop bu…More

Bella

My dog is cute and is trained well. She has only one problem with her eye. She is also a bit on the fat side, but she is losing weight really quickly. The only other way I can describe her is cute. L…More

Chief

Chief is wonderful - he is one of the best Golden Retrievers! He watches out for the family. He loves attention, and he also loves running and swimming. Overall, Chief is an excellent family dog. He …More

Jake, the Leader of the Pack

Both came housetrained. However, anything the younger one has learned, he's learned from Jake. We took several obedience classes and we do practice. But the young one always looks to the older one fo…More

Sweet Sasha

Very Sweet. Everyone that has ever met Sasha has fallen in love with her. Going on walks, people would remember her name but not ours. She loves celebrations like her birthday when she gets to wear h…More

Zipper & Brandy, Our Golden Retrievers

My first Golden had never been in a house, at age 10 yrs..he lived in a kennel. I had to house train him/house break him but it only took a week or so....same with my second Golden, he it seems had a…More

Beloved Golden Retriever Sam

Our dog is a fun loving, energetic 16 year old. It was hard to housebreak him at first, but then he caught on quickly. When he was a puppy, he ate an energizer battery, so we think that's why he has …More

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