Should you adopt a golden retriever?

Although Golden Retrievers are very sociable and lovable dogs, many of them end up in rescue centers each year for a variety of reasons. These centers are usually run by volunteers who care for the dogs until a new owner is found. You may have wondered if adopting a golden retriever is a good option for you. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adoption and where you can find your dog if you decide to adopt.

Should you adopt a golden retriever?

The first question to ask yourself is whether adoption is a good path for you. If you are inexperienced with dog ownership, you should not adopt a dog. Many of these Goldens have been abused and require good dog training and handling skills to revert to being well-balanced retrievers. You must also be sure that you are committed to ownership for the long term, otherwise the dog will not be much better in the long term. If you have had successful dogs in the past, ideally Golden Retrievers, you should definitely consider adoption. You will put your skills and experience to improve the life of one more dog.

Why do the Goldens end up in the rescue centers?

Many abandoned dogs come from less responsible breeders who raise more puppies than they can sell. Some come from owners who neglect or mistreat their dogs. Sometimes, it is not the owners fault for the position of the dog: the owner may be forced to move house or change location where having a dog is not feasible.

Places where you can adopt a golden retriever

There are two main places where abandoned Goldens end up: animal shelters and breed rescue centers. Animal shelters cater for a wider variety of pets (primarily cats and dogs), while breed rescue centers are places for only one particular breed of dog. If you don’t have a particular breed in mind, animal rescue centers would be a good place to look. You could select from a variety of dogs and find the best regardless of breed. If you are determined to adopt a Golden Retriever, you should definitely contact the breed rescue centers in your area and see some of the dogs. In most rescue centers, dogs still receive a lot of attention from volunteer owners who often run foster homes for the dogs. If you decide to adopt a dog, you will need to submit an application and receive a home visit to ensure that you can provide a good home for your new dog.