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puppy size

5K views 38 replies 11 participants last post by  pot of gold 
#1 ·
A breeder I knew is expecting a litter and I'm about to reserve my puppy:grin2:.My question is, can I tell what it's full grown size will be, the sire is on the large side (27in 77pounds) and the dam is petite (21in 55 pounds)
They both have exceptional personalities, but I would like one that looks like the sire for hunting.
 
#6 ·
I picked this breeder because the sire of this litter come's from the same line as my golden I lost at 13 and a half.He died in his sleep quit comfortably earlier this year.He was the longest living golden I've ever owned, and from what I understand that is what the breeders pride themselves in.
The oldest dog they breed lived to 19
 
#9 ·
I did have another question, I read a paper recently(https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/golden-retriever-study-suggests-neutering-affects-dog-health/)about neutered guldens being at higher risk for developing certain cancers and joint diseases I know this deepens a lot on the age of the puppy when he is neutered.
I asked my vet and they said it didn't make much of a difference.Anyhow I do plane on neutering him at 6month,but I wonted to know if any of you read the study, and if you think it would make much of a difference for the overall health or longevity of a golden?
 
#10 ·
I read that and there are lots of studies to say you should wait until they are through growing. They need those hormones to mature properly. I honestly wouldn't have a male fixed at all. Spays/neuter too soon and they end up with long legs because the growth plate keep growing. This can cause joint problems & arthritis in the joints. What's the hurry on the neuter?
Remember that the 6 month rule vets usually go by has nothing about what's best for the dog. Way too many strays seen by vets so they suggest getting it done early. Be a responsible owner and you have no reason to do it this early.

Be sure and check your contract if you have one, most breeders specify to wait until 18 to 24 months.
 
#11 ·
The breeder suggested neutering at 1, but I always thought the sooner the better right?
My sister dose not agree at all and says nature made them one way and its not up to her to ''fix'' it.She has two unaltered females for 10 years now and never had a problem with unwonted litters.I tell her not everybody is able protect their females from, should I say, the unwonted attention of nearby males.She simply says that their not responsible owner.This type of conversation usually ends up with me getting frustrated and her looking smug
Now, since reading that article, it ends with me looking confused and my sister looking really smug.
 
#16 ·
OP - Do a Google search for "UC Davis Golden Retriever Spay/Neuter study" and "Zink Spay/Neuter canine athlete" to find more articles on why many of us are choosing to leave our dogs (especially the boys) intact. You can do a similar search on this forum, as it's been discussed often.
 
#18 ·
I would love help looking for a breeder as I am looking for a very specific look in my dog.
I like the red but not red like Irish setters also I prefer the square head to the more round type.
I have decided to not to get a puppy from the breeder I mentioned earlier, as my wife and I decided to wait till after our baby is born, so maybe the end of this year beginning of next.I like the looking of North Western Goldens, but know nothing of their quality, anybody here bought a puppy from them? Or do you know breeders with similar looking dogs?Location is not a problem.
 
#21 ·
I agree with Robin. Getting a golden puppy right after having a baby would be VERY difficult. Golden puppies are a handful. I know because I am raising one. My Coco is almost 6 months old and we got her at 7 weeks. She is a handful. And I only have one child who is a teen. Goldens are like children. They need constant attention and if they are not being attended to and properly trained from early on, they will make sure they get your attention by acting out. And your new baby will need 24/7 attention. I can't imagine raising both at the same time. Regarding the neuter issue, I am waiting to spay Coco until she has had 1 or 2 heat cycles to lower the risk of ligament problems and osteosarcoma. Here is an article/study done by UC Davis...

https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/golden-retriever-study-suggests-neutering-affects-dog-health/
 
#22 ·
I guess you guys are right, and I should wait.It's just been so hard since I lost my old boy 2 month ago.I feel sort of lonely, especially when I come back from work and his not there to greet me.I had him since I was 15 and now I'm 28, we made a lot good memories together.I'll always miss you Big Bear your never far from my heart
 
#23 ·
I'm pretty sure they aren't aware that the measurements aren't from the floor to the top of the head but to the top of the withers (shoulders). At 27" that HAS to be to the top of the head. There is no way a male dog at 27" would weight just 77 pounds. The bone on a male at 27" would have to push a healthy dogs weight towards 95 pounds at least. The weight is basically breed standard but the height is way way way outside of breed standard.
 
#25 ·
Silly question... 1st baby? if it is, you have no idea how your life is about to change :) Save your marriage and wait for a couple of years before taking on a golden puppy. Even then, you can read on the forum how many people are ready to return the puppy by the time it's 12 to 16 weeks because it's biting the toddler. Pup is only trying to play but not sure the child will appreciate the puppy landshark. Potty training a child and a puppy at the same time??? Do you work at home to help your wife? Do you have a full time... live in nanny? If not, give yourself time to mourn your loss and rethink this plan until you can devote the time needed to both the child and the pup... LOL and the wife!
 
#28 ·
I will admit, I'm the one pressuring him to get a dog.We both are runners and would run with are dogs, since Teddy was born 2 years ago we've been running with the baby stroller.I would run with Lily(my 3 year old golden) and Don would run with the stroller and Bear.Lily doesn't like running with the stroller and gets upset when I not there.And I really think it's hard for him not having a dog on his morning and evening runs. Don would get 2 months paternity leave from work and I thought it would be perfect to get a puppy, that way by the time he went back to work the puppy would be trained in all the basics.Again any help you could give us with looking for red golden breeders is welcome.Thank you guys so much
 
#29 ·
Have you thought about looking for an older dog... at least a year old? No puppy is trained in even the basics at 4 months without continued enforcement of the exercises, not goldens anyway. They may know the commands if you are sitting in the floor with them but at this age is when the energy level begins to kick into high gear. But they are not ready for repetitive walks or runs... really bad on the joints as they continue to grow. They won't be ready for this until about 18 months. This is also when the "terrible twos" begin and will move right into the teenage behaviors. Without adequate training and exercise golden puppies can be very destructive. There is a post right now with a 9 month old that is digging up his house plants and he's not trying to juggle a new baby and another kids at the same time.

You are going to need to supervise this puppy full time for every minute or have it crated which will only increase his need for exercise. Your baby is going to be exploring and learning to crawl and this puppy is going to find great pleasure in his new active playtoy, aka baby. Do a search on "landshark" and read about how mouthy golden puppies can be.

I really love golden retrievers but after half a century of merging pups & kids can promise you the golden ret. puppy is the most time consuming puppy I've ever encountered. Having a new puppy at this point is going to be like having triplets and certainly won't be able to provide the time for training a golden that is going to be needed the 1st 2 yrs.

As a mom with a new baby, another child and a golden puppy... someone is going to come out on the short end of the time available stick. I promise you this is a recipe for disaster and disappointment. You have a very whimsical idea of how it should unfold but pretty sure the reality will be very different.

To be honest I'm not sure a really good breeder would even put one of their pups into this situation but I'm not a breeder so would hope some of the breeders would provide their take on this.
 
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