Golden Retrievers can cost between $300 and $2,000. They are the most popular dog breeds in the USA because of their relatively long lifespan for medium-sized dogs. Hence their demand and price are on the high side. However, it is likely possible to adopt one from a rescue for free since this breed is more common. Expect monthly maintenance costs to be about $100 to $150.
Golden Retrievers were originally bred to help hunters retrieve games. Now, they are mostly considered family pets. They are gentle-natured and playful, making them good companions for children of all ages. They can be pricey, but there are many reasons why you should consider owning one.
Why Are Golden Retrievers So Expensive?
Golden Retrievers cost between $500 to $2000.
Some people find a Golden Retriever for less money through rescue adoption shelters. However, these dogs might not be purebred.
If you want a purebred dog, you will have to pay more because professional breeders charge more for their puppies. But there are some great things about owning a Golden Retriever that make their high price tag worth it.
Golden Retrievers Are Generally Quite Popular
Golden Retrievers are second only to Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds when it comes to popularity. According to the American Kennel Club, they have consistently ranked among the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United States for the past several years.
Due to their popularity, many breeders price them very high, knowing that the demand creates a ready market.
Golden Retrievers Are Fantastic Family Dogs
One reason why Golden Retrievers are often expensive is that they make great family pets. They are usually very loving and gentle, and they get along well with children and other animals.
Golden Retrievers Are Flexible To Different Environments
Golden Retrievers are good dogs for living in apartments and houses with yards. They are flexible and will do well in either situation. They are also relatively easy to take care of, costing between $800 and $1000 every year.
Related: Best Golden Retriever Dog Food
Why Are Golden Retrievers So Smelly?
A Golden Retriever can live between 10 to 12 years.
Golden Retrievers are typically healthy dogs, but they can suffer from health problems. You will need to budget for these problems when planning your yearly expenses. Here are some of the most common ones.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the health and functionality of heart muscles. More often than not, it occurs in old age and may cause death in the Goldie through heart failure.
Skin Irritation
Golden Retrievers are prone to developing skin issues like dermatitis. Several things trigger this irritation, from flea infestation to moisture accumulation on skin folds. If not addressed, it could cause your dog to stink while also compromising coat health and aesthetics.
Cataracts
Golden Retrievers are prone to several eye conditions. Cataracts are the most common and often develop as the dog gets older. If left untreated, the cataract could cause blindness in one eye.
Luckily, surgery can remove the cataract and restore vision.
Hip Dysplasia
Some Golden Retrievers are born with hip dysplasia, which is a condition that affects their hips. This is more common in some bloodlines than others. Dogs from the latter gene pool option tend to be more expensive because they are less likely to have this condition.
Cancer
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Golden Retrievers. The tumors can occur anywhere on the dog’s body.
Some of the most common types of cancer seen with these breeds include lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, skin cancer, and bone tumors.
How To Take Care Of Golden Retrievers?
If you are thinking of getting a Golden Retriever, you must understand what is involved in taking care of them. If you are starting from scratch, here are a few tips to help you care for your dog and make them happy.
Invest In Routine Veterinary Care
While Golden Retrievers suffer from very few health issues, the few predisposed to can be exceptionally debilitating and sometimes life-threatening.
Early detection and treatment do a lot to prevent complications and generally improve your doggy’s quality of life. Therefore, it would be best if you established a vet visit routine and followed through.
Make Sure That They Are Playing Enough
Golden Retrievers may adapt to life indoors, but they will always be happiest playing outside. Find them somewhere they can run around and have a good time, whether on a dog-friendly beach or a park.
Golden Retrievers also love swimming. If you can find a place to have a splash in, they will enjoy it. It could be an inflatable pool, a nearby bond, or even the ocean.
Feed Them The Right Food
Golden Retrievers are big dogs with big appetites and health needs. A healthy diet is crucial to their adequate care. We recommend you try the Pet Plate for the best quality and quantity. They customize their meal plans to meet your dog’s specific proportion and portion needs.
You could also feed your Goldie human food like peanut butter, cooked and unseasoned meat, and fruits like bananas. However, avoid toxic fruits like grapes, cherries, and avocados.
Supplement The Diet With Multivitamins
Finally, make sure to include multivitamin supplements. These are particularly handy when dealing with specific issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia. They also promote health through improved immunity and general wellbeing.
Can You Leave Golden Retrievers Alone? Temperament Of Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are known for their great personalities. They get along with anyone kind to them, including strangers. They also have other great qualities, like being friendly and good with kids.
Intelligent
Golden Retrievers are among the most intelligent dogs. They are very responsive to commands and quick to pick up tricks, making it very easy to train a Golden Retriever.
It’s highly recommended to get them professionally trained. It could cost you between $50 to $125 per week for basic puppy training in these cases.
Eager To Please
Golden Retrievers are also very eager to please. This means you can also train them yourself, whether potty training or fun games you could play together. To better grasp the basics, try the Brain Training for Dogs package designed to make DIY dog training a walk in the park. Pun intended.
Affectionate
Golden Retrievers are affectionate dogs that thrive off attention and contact, including petting and cuddling. The best part is that they extend this affection to most people they don’t deem threatening.
Active
Golden Retrievers are also very energetic. They need an avenue to work out their thirst for activity, including playtime and simple daily walks. Lack of this physical outlet often causes the Golden Retriever to get destructive.
Even-Tempered And Gentle
Golden Retrievers are gentle dogs, and it is unlikely that they would act out aggressively.
However, they are pretty protective and may bark or charge at potential threats in desperate situations.
Should You Cut A Golden Retriever’s Hair? Grooming Tips For Golden Retrievers
The most significant cost of caring for a Golden Retriever is usually grooming. Grooming costs can range from $70 to $100 per session, depending on the business and your services.
If you want to save money, you could do the grooming yourself. Here are some tips that will help.
Brush The Coat 3 To 4 Times A Week
Golden Retrievers have very long, beautiful coats and tend to shed a lot, especially during Fall and Spring.
Regular brushing helps prevent matting while also eliminating any loose fur to minimize shedding. A 3 to 4 times a week interval is ideal for keeping their coats healthy and your home as fur-free as possible.
Wash The Goldie Once Every 1 To 2 Months
A Golden Retriever should get a good, full-body wash every 1 to 2 months. This helps get rid of accumulated dirt and grime to keep them smelling fresh and looking great.
Clean And Dry Their Ears Regularly
Goldies have long and floppy ears. If not cleaned, they tend to accumulate dirt and wax. Eventually, it will create an environment conducive to bacteria and fungi growth.
After cleaning them, be sure to wipe the ears properly to avoid making it easier for the germs you are trying to discourage.
Invest In Their Dental Hygiene
Finally, make sure to take the time to clean your dog’s teeth. You could establish a brushing routine to prevent plaque buildup if they let you.
You could also use hard chew toys that can kill two birds with one stone by cleaning your dog’s teeth and keeping them entertained.
Related Questions
Are Black Golden Retrievers Rare? The rarest coat color on Golden Retrievers is solid black. The trait is due to a very uncommon genetic mutation. If you can call them that, these Goldies are beautiful doggies and are often mistaken for the very similar-looking black, Flat-coated Retriever. On the other hand, the best, most common, and most iconic coat color is golden.
Which Is Better, A Lab Or A Golden Retriever? Labradors are more popular than Golden Retrievers but only by a small margin. The reason is that labradors are more versatile, intelligent, and easy to manage. Golden retrievers are also very intelligent but are more easily distracted. Goldies have going for them because of their gentle and protective nature, which makes them ideal for a family.
Both are fantastic breeds, so it should boil down to your personal preferences.
Should I Get A Boy Or Girl Golden Retriever? Male Golden retrievers tend to be more affectionate, social, and eager to please when it comes to personality traits. If you want a giant lapdog, then you should get a boy. However, you might want to go with a girl Goldie if you want a more independent puppy.
