I have owned many dogs, including golden and Labrador retrievers, American Eskimo Dogs, and some mixed breed shelter dogs.
With the options you were presented I would say go for the golden retriever. They are very sweet, gentle dogs and are easily trained. And very intellegent. That is why they are so widely used as guide dogs for the hearing/vision impaired. They have alot of patience and are very good with other pets, people and adapting to different enviroments. They have a few quirks - most breeds do, as goldens were originally bred to *retrieve*. They love a good game of fetch and will often just bring you all kinds of things out of the blue and look to you for approval. This can be cute if its your slippers but not so cute if they are a little drooled on.
A 30 minute walk and another 30 minute playtime with 15-20 min of training a day is enough to keep them excerised and in good health and spirits. Being very intellegent they will require alot of not only love, but different things to do. Its a good idea to give them a nice variety of toys and keep to a regular training schedule, they WILL look forward to it and are eager to learn and please.
I would suggest finding a reputable breeder and giving them a call. Most good breeders will not mind if you are looking for a "pet" "grade" dog and will be more than happy to let you visit and see the puppies, the parents and the grounds they are raised in. It will give you a nice opportunity to see if that breed is indeed for you. There are usually options to purchase an older dog, one that didnt pan out for showing due to injury or not meeting the stringent requirements. From a good breeder, this is a great way to get a dog that is already trained somewhat and has been acclimated to people. It will take awhile for them to warm up to you but they will eventually. There is nothing like raising a dog from puppy to adult, but it does require ALOT of patience and time and even more training. They have no idea of the world around them and its up to you to teach them, just like a child would be.
Adopting a mixed breed from a shelter is a good idea, but I would not think it would be a good idea for a first time dog owner. Heres why. ALOT of shelter dogs come with a boatload of baggage. You are NOT their first owner, they have likely had a rough life and thus many personality traits are already so imbedded that it will either take alot of time to correct or else you w ill have to learn to live with them. Some of these dogs have been abused and beaten previously and show aggression to others once they have warmed up to you. Plus they tend to suffer from seperation anxiety, and other problems.
For example I had a lab/dalmation mix that I had taken from a friend who destroyed my backyard, bit my other dogs and basically reigned terror for months. Another was a cocker spaniel mixture that was so shy she would pee all over the floor if anyone else entered the house, during thunderstorms, loud sounds, etc. And would cower and chew through things when I had company over. It took TWO years to break her of these habits, so I am just warning you. Adopting a dog is a wonderful thing, but PLEASE be aware that there are potential hazards in going that route, and some of them can seem quite daunting when you have an animal on your hands with behavior problems put there by someone else. Dont be one of those people that are doing a "great deed" and "bettering themselves" by adopting a dog only to realize that the one they picked out is something they cannot live with and end up returning the dog to the shelter, thus prolonging the animal's circle of sadness.
I have seen this happen SO many times, and its always been so sad. Also, if you do get a dog be prepared to give him/her your all. If you move, the dog should move with you. Pets get attached, they become family. So whatever you do, read up extensively on whatever breed you are interested in. As others have pointed out, huskies and akitas are stubborn, really intellegent, and huskies tend to make a landmine of potholes out of your backyard as akitas get really attached to one or two people and aggressive to any "threats" they percieve. They were trained to do this. Akitas were guard dogs, huskies were sled dogs. These behaviors served a purpose for their working enviroment. Be smart, be aware and take these things into consideration. Herding dogs will herd, sporting dogs will fetch things or point/flush etc. its in their blood.
Dont assume a big dog will need tons of excerise either. Greyhounds are gentle, sweet, and VERY lazy dogs. They need a good walk but other than that they are done for the day. They were bred to run very fast, for short periods of time and thats it. They have no stamina. A quick walk and some play and they are ready to kick it on the couch with you for the rest of the day and have little interest in the outdoors. They also require little brushing, dont shed much and are easily trained and very friendly. They are a great dog for those that havent had a dog before - and there are tons of rescue ones available as well. Just be minded of the warning about dogs that were previously owned.
A long post I know, but hopefully an important one and you will take these th ings into consideration. I hope you find a dog thats right for you, be it a puppy or adult, purebreed or mixed. Dogs are great companions and even better pets.
ed up and traumatized. No thanks.
