Jasper

Border Collies are one of the smartest and most focused breeds around. These sweet dogs are happiest when they have an activity to do or job to work on, whether it’s playing fetch, digging a hole, or keeping an eye on you. Full-grown, they typically weigh 30-55 pounds and stand 18-22 inches tall.

Border Collies can be wonderful family dogs and often get along very well with kids. Great for children who enjoy playing fetch, running around, and spending time outdoors. They may chase, circle, or nip at children's heels, especially when kids run or squeal. This is instinctive behavior, not necessarily aggression. They can learn household rules and good manners with consistent training.

Border Collies are definitely not natural couch potatoes! They’re one of the most energetic and hardworking dog breeds. They can relax and cuddle on the couch, but they usually need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation first. The best way to keep Border Collies active is to give them work to do, whether it’s an exercise like running or a game like Frisbee. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

Border Collies have thick, shiny undercoats and colorful outer coats that come in several colors, including solid, bicolor, tricolor, merle (lighter coat with speckled patches), or sable (light undercoat with black-tipped hairs). These dogs are average shedders that don’t need much grooming. Brush them once or twice a week to keep their coats clean, and only bathe them when needed. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Border Collies are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. They’re adaptable to just about any living setting, so as long as they get enough exercise and attention, they will be happy spending time indoors, outdoors, in warm climates, or cooler places. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

Golden Retrievers embody the idea man’s best friend. They are friendly, happy-go-lucky dogs who love their people. They always have a happy, excited look on their face and are never at a loss for energy. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dogs ever for good reason. Full-grown, they typically weigh 55-75 pounds and stand 21-24 inches tall.

Golden Retrievers are generally excellent with children of all ages. They don’t usually do very well with being outdoor dogs and may misbehave if they are kept apart from their favorite human companions for too long. Golden Retrievers usually get along alright with other pets, especially if they are raised with them from the beginning. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

Are you active? Golden Retrievers sure are! A happy Golden Retriever gets at least an hour of exercise every day. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

Golden Retrievers have long hair that does require regular brushing, which will help control the amount of hair you find around your house. Even with regular brushing, you should know that Golden Retrievers do shed quite a bit. Other than brushing, it’s pretty simple : Give you Golden Retriever a bath after they play in the mud, in salt water, or in a pool, and you won’t have a smelly dog on your hands. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Golden Retrievers are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. In fact, they love them so much that it’s important that they live inside with you. They don’t usually do very well with being outdoor dogs and may misbehave if they are kept apart from their favorite human companions for too long. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

Both make excellent companions, and an individual dog's personality matters more than its sex. Males are usually larger, standing 23-24 inches tall and weighing 65-75 pounds, while females typically stand 21.5-22.5 inches tall and weigh 55-65 pounds. Some owners find males a bit goofier and slower to mature and females a little more independent, but these are generalizations rather than rules.

Put the crate in a busy part of the house and let your Golden Retriever puppy explore it with the door open, tossing in treats and toys and serving meals inside. Once they go in happily, close the door for short periods while you're nearby and build up the time gradually, taking them outside right after they come out. Choose a crate big enough for an adult Golden and use a divider so the space grows with your puppy, and never use the crate as punishment.

There is no officially calmer type of Golden Retriever, and energy level varies from dog to dog. Dogs from field lines, bred for hunting, tend to be more driven and energetic than dogs from show and pet lines, which are often described as more laid-back. Most Goldens settle down noticeably as they mature, typically around two to three years of age, but every Golden still needs plenty of daily exercise.

Leaving a Golden Retriever alone for a full 8-hour day on a regular basis isn't ideal. Goldens are very social dogs that want to be with their people, and long stretches alone can lead to boredom, chewing, and separation anxiety. Adult Goldens can usually manage a few hours on their own, but a midday walk, a dog walker, or doggy daycare helps on long workdays, and puppies need breaks far more often.

One Golden Retriever is usually the best place to start. Raising two puppies at once doubles the training and exercise workload, and littermates can bond more closely with each other than with you. Goldens are social and often enjoy canine company, so many owners add a second dog once the first is grown and well trained.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Golden Retrievers, and hemangiosarcoma, a cancer of the blood vessels, is often called the silent killer because it can grow without obvious signs until it causes sudden internal bleeding. Lymphoma and bone cancer are also seen in the breed. Regular checkups with your vet, and a prompt visit if your Golden suddenly seems weak, pale, or lethargic, give the best chance of catching problems early.

Common behavioral issues in Golden Retrievers include mouthing and chewing, jumping up on people, pulling on the leash, and getting into mischief when bored. Most of these come from their high energy and love of people rather than aggression, and they tend to be worst during their long puppy stage. Plenty of daily exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent training from an early age go a long way toward preventing them.

For many owners, the hardest parts of living with a Golden Retriever are the heavy shedding, the amount of daily exercise they need, and their long, mouthy puppyhood. Goldens also don't like being left alone for long, so they do best in homes where someone is around much of the day. Owners who can keep up with regular brushing, exercise, and training usually find these challenges well worth it.