I breed Golden retrievers, and until recently was living in Bearwood. What a co-incindence! Some of the pups I bred are in your area. I am happy to reccomend good puppy classes if and when the time comes.

I would absolutely reccommend a Golden, provided you don't mind the hair and a dog that can find a muddy puddle in a bone dry field!

We have three currently and I didn't even want a dog to start with, it was my husbands dream to have a Golden Retriever. I have three children, the youngest is aged 4 and has Downs Syndrome. The oldest is 12. I can happily let my 12 year old take the dogs for a walk on his own, they are totally trustworthy and do exactly what he asks them. They are excellent with my youngest son and even my friends daughter, who is terrified of dogs (as is my friend, her Mum!) loves them. They are also nto so big an dheavy that they woudl do a lot of damage accidentally to a small child if they knocked them over, and their tails, although waggy, are not 'whippy' so won't hurt a small child either.

They are an excellent first dog, they love everyone and are very easy to train. As adults, they will happily walk all day, but if I ever can't take them out due to one of the children being ill they will happily lounge about indoors all day too.

Do be warned though, you very rarely see anyone out walking with only one Golden retriever, they are addictive!

Let me know if you want to know anything else.