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Adopting a dog

ISU_REV

ISU_REV

Active Member
Apr 21, 2006
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We are thinking about adopting a dog from the local shelter. He is part golden retriever and part yellow lab (they think). Rocco is approximately 1 year old and was very responsive when I took him for a walk. Does anyone on here have any experiences with either of these breeds? If I get him I plan on feeding him Canidae grain free pure dry dog food.
 
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I don't have experience with the breed, but just wanted to give a nod of appreciation for adopting one. We adopted our dog, and he's been a great value. Pretty well behaved, partially trained, and a lot of fun.
 
He looks pretty Labby to me. As long as you are experienced in handling dogs you should be fine. He will probably be a little wild till he is 2.5 or so. He should be bright and have a good demeanor.
 
Are you in Ames?? Because one of my best friends and his wife are very active in the central Iowa golden retrievers club. I think he at one time was president of the club but am not sure....and his wife is a vet. Also they are active in the Cyclone Kennel club and have had goldens for as long as I've known them (about 25 years). If you want their number just pm me and I'm sure they would love to answer any questions you have.
 
Golden retrievers are awesome. Supposed to be one of the smartest dogs. Looks like a good dog to me.
 
They are usually sweet, sweet, sweet. Love to go for rides, love to swim, and generally (unless you get an unusual one) love everyone. I've had labs; my neighbor has two labs and a golden; a good friend of mine has several goldens.

The neighbor has a convertible, and takes all three dogs for a ride nearly every evening..doggy ears flapping in the breeze....LOL! As puppies they like to chew and are a bit of a handful, but they "generally" calm down after a couple of years.

I think you will be happy with your new friend...thanks for giving him a new home!
 
I have a 2 year old yellow lab-golden retriever mix. He has been a fantastic dog. Was very easy for house training, which you may not have a problem with starting out at 1 year old. I got mine from a shelter when he was two month old. Friendly with other dogs and children/adults. At one year old they won't get to much larger, just fill out a little more. Like others have said, they calm down at about 2 years. Overall just a happy dog. Pic of the first day and the latest I have, with my parents black lab.
 
Al_4_State said:
I don't have experience with the breed, but just wanted to give a nod of appreciation for adopting one. We adopted our dog, and he's been a great value. Pretty well behaved, partially trained, and a lot of fun.
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What he said first of all.

Second of all, if you have the energy to keep up with him for the next year or two, he should be a great addition to the family.
 
I'd say do it. Both great breeds. Looks labby to me. Just be prepared for tons and tons of energy until about 3 or so. Frisbee/tennis balls would be good toys.

Also would say this is probably two of the better breeds to adapt to a new owner, and with the amount of energy the dog will have, if you spend a lot of time with it playing, running, hiking, etc., it will quickly come to adapt to you.

Good pet to be around kids as well.
 
I've got a golden too. Great dogs. He's now about 2.5 and just starting to settle down.......once in awhile. Really smart and loves everyone.

Don't expect a golden to make a good guard dog. They'd help the criminal carry things out of the house if they got petted and could lick them. At least mine would
 
That's awesome that you're adopting. What shelter?

My wife is the vet at Furry Friends in West Des Moines. Didn't know if that was potentially the shelter.

Our golden is five months old and we couldn't be happier with him. Nicest dog I've ever had. Best of luck and have fun!
 
ISU_REV said:
We are thinking about adopting a dog from the local shelter. He is part golden retriever and part yellow lab (they think). Rocco is approximately 1 year old and was very responsive when I took him for a walk. Does anyone on here have any experiences with either of these breeds? If I get him I plan on feeding him Canidae grain free pure dry dog food.
Click to expand...

I agree with what the others have said about energy and activity for labs/retrievers. They make great family pets. On the food side, find out what the shelter has been feeding him. You may want to mix your food of choice with whatever they were using as a start. I've switched foods before with our lab and it took a while for her system to get used to the new food. Also, if you have kids especially young ones, have them put the food in the bowl. I had our son do this and even keep his hand near the bowl so the dog gets used to human hands (particularly kids) near the food bowl. This also helps establish who is the dominant one.

Those are a couple of suggestions from my experience with labs. Good Luck.
 
He looks more like a lab than a golden to me. Doesn't matter really, both have very similar temperaments, with golden's being a little more high energy. He will basically live his life to make you and the people he likes happy. Give him some love and throw the ball for him allot and he will be happy!

It's awesome that you are adopting. We adopted our two black labs and couldn't be more pleased.
 
ChrisMWilliams said:
That's awesome that you're adopting. What shelter?

My wife is the vet at Furry Friends in West Des Moines. Didn't know if that was potentially the shelter.

Our golden is five months old and we couldn't be happier with him. Nicest dog I've ever had. Best of luck and have fun!
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The shelter is in Fort Dodge. It was built not too long ago. Nice, clean looking facility with tons of volunteers for walking dogs and doing whatever they do with cats. It is always rather noisy, but I assume all shelters are. If anyone is in the Fort Dodge area and is thinking of getting a pet I would recommend going here to look. My vet will be the same vet I had when when we were Beagle owners. She not only graduated from ISU, but isn't bad looking...hehe
 
mkcrawford said:
On the food side, find out what the shelter has been feeding him. You may want to mix your food of choice with whatever they were using as a start. I've switched foods before with our lab and it took a while for her system to get used to the new food.
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I was planning on doing this. I heard he might go through some detox if the shelter is not feeding him healthy food. Is anyone familiar with Canidae grain free pure dry dog food?
 
ISU_REV said:
I was planning on doing this. I heard he might go through some detox if the shelter is not feeding him healthy food. Is anyone familiar with Canidae grain free pure dry dog food?
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I'm sure the food is fine, but ask your vet. It is one of the highest rated foods out there,guessing it isn't cheap.
 
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twistedredbird said:
I'm sure the food is fine, but ask your vet. It is one of the highest rated foods out there,guessing it isn't cheap.
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It is a little expensive ($25 for 15 pounds) but our Beagles did not live very long and I blame myself for not feeding them the best food. This was before I knew of puppy mills and am pretty sure that is where Nala and Simba came from.

I will ask my vet before starting any food switch.
 
Just do some research on your own for food. My vet recommends only Science Diet. Guess what? She sells Science Diet.
 
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