Everyone loves Golden Retrievers - they're the crowd-pleasers of the dog world. But what makes them so universally likeable?
They're easy to train Goldies are some of the smartest dogs in the world, which means they're easier to train than many other breeds. They pick up new commands easily and, moreimportantly, they remember them. This doesn't mean you don't have to put in any groundwork though - good training requires a good teacher, too.
They love exercise Being a sporting breed, it's no secret that Golden Retrievers need plenty of exercise. If they don't get it, you could be in trouble as their energy has to go somewhere - just don't let that 'somewhere' be inside your house! Goldies are also at risk of obesity and need exercise to stay healthy. Just don't over-exercise Golden Retriever puppies - check with your vet, but many people go by the '5-minute rule'. (That is, five minutes of exercise per day for every month your puppy's been alive - up to 12 months, anyway.)
They're enthusiastic You'd be hard-pressed to find a Golden Retriever that isn't bright-eyed and (literally) bushy-tailed about life. If there's one thing you can depend on this breed for - it's enthusiasm.
They're good with kids While they're also full of energy, Goldies are well known for being great with children - which is probably why they're such a popular family pet.
They get along with other pets Kids are one thing, but will your dog put up with other pets in the home? Luckily for Golden Retriever owners everywhere, these kinds spirits tend to be pretty good at 'playing nice' when it comes to other animals - especially cats, rabbits and other domestic pets. But that doesn't mean it doesn't require a bit of training. With a little bit of work from you, your Goldie should be pretty happy in a multi-pet environment.
