How much do Golden Retrievers cost? Are you sure you want a Golden Retriever?Jokingly, are we talking about the monetary costs or mental costs? Being more serious, Golden Retrievers can cost between $400.00 to over $1500.00. The cost is dependent upon whether they are pet quality or show quality dogs.

According to the American Kennel Club statistics, in 2007, Golden Retrievers rated fourth in popularity. Based on their popularity, their beauty, and their overall reputation as a good family dog; several years ago we purchased Katie Joy. However, before you choose a Golden Retriever, let me share some of my experiences.

Rule number 1

Golden Retrievers like to be the center of attention all the time. Whether it is Nickie, the cats, or us; Katie is always trying to get someone's attention. It does not matter if it's three-o-clock in the morning, Katie will be there, head on your lap with those big, pleading brown eyes. "Please just one more pet." However, one pet is never enough.

Rule number 2

Golden Retrievers do not always play fair. Nickie is our other dog. She was the first dog. Being part German Shepard, Rotweiller, and Husky, she developed torn knee ligaments on both the rear legs. She was more susceptible to it because of the German Shepard and Rotweiller mix. Since the surgery costs $900.00 per leg, I could not afford the operation. Since Nickie was limping and slowing down, I thought a playmate might help her be more active.

In a way, Katie was just what Nickie needed. In time, Nickie was running and romping right along with Katie. However, it was not all fun, especially for Nickie.

Since Nickie is shorthaired and the cold makes her legs hurt more, one year Nickie recieved a doggie coat from Aunt Jan. Poor Nickie did not have the coat for a week, and Katie literally tore it off her body and into shreds. Additionally, Nickie cannot wear a collar. If Nickie wears a collar, Katie will take her by the collar and drag her around the yard.

When the dogs are playing outside by themselves, they are usually perfectly quiet. However let someone come outside, and the fighting begins. They wrestle and scuffle to see who can get the attention first. However, with Nickie's legs, Katie is always the winner.

Rule number 3

Golden Retrievers are not a one-person dog or a good watchdog. When strangers arrive, Katie will ramble towards them in exuberant anticipation of being petted. If Nickie barks, Katie will bark too. However, she is not brave. She runs behind Nickie before she will start barking.

.Rule number 4

Believe me, Golden Retrievers like to mouth and chew things. Katie has a penchant for socks and sticks. If there is a sock to be found, leave it to Katie, she will find it. When she does find one, she brings it to you with a wagging tail and her whole body wiggling in an excited frenzy. She is so proud of herself; one would think it was a roll of a hundred dollar bills. Dirty socks, clean socks, it does not matter. In addition, no matter how many times you discipline her, she has the same attitude. After all, what is wrong with those people? Who wouldn't want a dirty sock?

Sticks. Northern Minnesota is the stick capital of world. Trees abound. There is never a shortage of them. As if the yard does not have enough sticks, Katie will go out to the woods and drag in more. I have seen her drag a four or five foot limb without any difficulty. Furthermore, once she gets them in yard, the serious work begins. Then she needs to peel all of the bark off them. This dog could get a job at a sawmill debarking logs. If you do not mind picking up sticks and raking up bark, a Golden Retriever is the one for you.

Rule number 5

Golden Retrievers are overly sensitive. When they look at you with those soulful, brown eyes, it is almost impossible to discipline them. Yet when you do discipline them, those soulful brown eyes turn into the most sorrowful brown eyes you have ever seen.

Rule number 6

Golden Retrievers take a long time to mature. Katie turned one-year-old on June 13, 2008. She is still as much of puppy as she has ever been. Just like the Energizer Bunny, she keeps going, and going, and going...

Now, you have heard about some of the disadvantages of Golden Retrievers. If you do decide to choose a Golden Retriever, be prepared to lead a very active life. You might even lose weight without trying. In fact, it is even better if you have children to help them run off their energy. Signing up for a dog obedience class will help too.

Although Katie Joy is not always a joy, I would not trade her for the world. She is a loving, loyal, people-pleasing dog. In addition, she is one of the best mousers in Northern Minnesota. She should be teaching our cats how to mouse.

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