Yep. and to add on to that a lot of these types of dogs definitely won't be in a shelter.

Get a rescue lab and give it lots of love.

Or go all out and get a Great Pyrenees they're awesome I have 2 and they're just the sweetest. Just big clouds with legs.

I think they are going to get a golden retriever, either a rescue or a puppy.

Oh I hope you get a rescue if you can! They're such sweet dogs and they really just want a family to love

Golden Retrievers are great and loving dogs, but keep in mind that they usually have a LOT of medical issues as they get older. More prone to stroke and blood clotting, and seizures as a result.

I would still recommend a rescue lab.

There are certainly some big pluses to a rescue regardless of breed. While adopting an “older dog” is certainly noble, it isn’t for everyone. You get less time with the animal and it may have health needs etc you might not be able or willing to deal with- but adopting an animal that isn’t a puppy but even 1-3 years old is often a smart move. You won’t know what a puppy will really be like as an adult until it’s close to a year old most of the time. So a full grown dog allows you to see exactly what you’re getting (although be aware dogs can behave differently in a shelter or before they are comfortable around you.) You also are likely getting an animal that is potty trained, likely knows some commands or tricks as well, and you won’t have to teach and watch with the same dedication you would a puppy.

This can be a real help for people without lots of time or money to train (or patience,) as while puppies sure are cute- crate training and cleaning puppy messes teething etc- (especially of you have nice floors, rugs. Etc) isn’t fun for most. You get an “out of the box” “ready to run” dog. A dog the shelter should be able to tell you about its behaviors, preferences, does it like to play, does it like to play the games you want like fetch? Is it a picky eater? Does it get separation anxiety? These are all things that with a puppy- you won’t know and will have to find out. You can be much more sure with a grown dog it suits what you want in a dog- wether it likes water play, enjoys walks, is a jumper, escape artist, chewer, etc. at 1-3 years old it also still has lots of life and you’ll be able to make a strong bond from its very young years.

You’ll pay less for the animal more than likely, it will likely come “fixed” and that cost is usually much less from a shelter than a vet, and the recovery has already been completed so no worrying about that or dealing with after care etc. you may be able to get discounts on food or toys as well, and sometimes shelters run “specials.” They also tend to provide advice and care for while you get acclimated to your new friend- and lord forbid you turn out incompatible it’s also usually easier to return the animal if you have to.

Buying a puppy... well- they’re certainly cute. There’s a sentimentality to having seen them grow up and knowing you’ve been there since they were old enough to be weened. If you plan to dedicate the time and resources you can start training the animal and establishing routines and preferences from the beginning- no old habits to break and that sort of thing. The potential let downs or problems of who your dog will grow up to be are there- but so is an excitement of the unknown. There is to many a reward when things turn out to their hopes or just in seeing that development. But....

There are potentially serious unknowns that you get with a puppy you don’t with a slightly older dog. Will it be aggressive to children or other animals? Does it have hereditary health issues that could end in large vet bills or heartbreak? Any early life issues are usually already clear as well as what risks there are later in life with a grown animal. With a puppy you can control it’s socialization from an early age where key development in that area is made- but if you have an adult dog that’s good with people and animals you don’t really have to worry if it was properly socialized- and that saves you the time. Trouble. And expense of going through the process- let alone finding out you have a puppy that just isn’t sociable.

Pros and cons abound. You’ve chosen a solid breed other than the potential health risks and general overbreeding others have mentioned. The “smart” money is usually on finding an adolescent or adult dog that fits what you want in in animal best. The “sentimental” or “process driven” and more expensive and troublesome route (I didn’t even mention that a puppy will need its shots- multiple trips to the vet as it reaches the minimum age and being kept from outdoors and other animals until it does- plus the expense...) is to get a puppy. They don’t stay puppies long anyway so you don’t get to enjoy it long for the work- but I can’t say a puppy isn’t a wonderful thing while it lasts.

This is another “be honest with yourself” choice. Puppies take work- especially to raise well. They will 99% of the time cost much more money l- not just the dog but the shots, training, “fixing,” etc. etc. if you don’t want to or don’t trust to invest the CONSIDERABLE time, effort, and money in raising a puppy- don’t get a puppy. If the dog is going to be left along most of the day etc- don’t get a puppy. With a puppy you’re building a dog DIY. A combination of chance and effort will determine the dog you end up with.

Many of those dogs that get abandoned or cause people headaches are dogs that as puppies, found themselves in a home where the owner couldn’t give them time and attention or spend the money to raise them well. They might act out, destroy the house when left alone, destroy furniture or gardens and lawns. They may have “accidents” at inappropriate times or be testy around kids or other animals- even violent to smaller animals or other dogs.

They might jump or play too hard or be otherwise neurotic. These are often signs of a dog raised poorly. Dogs are pack animals. They crave order and leadership and structure. They don’t like frequent change and noise and activity. They like to eat at a certain time, use the bathroom room at a certain time and place, same with walks etc. without that order they can become anxious or bored or confused and then they “act bad” and the dog is punished or blamed and not the owner.

Don’t do that to a dog and don’t do it to yourself. If your parents want to make this dog the dented of their life for the next year- a puppy may be fine. If they have priorities like work and other things then just get a grown animal. The caveat is that at the end of the day- you may not be able to find an animal that is all you want for adoption. You may not be able to find an animal you even want for adoption. Well.... then the options are get a puppy, and step up to the responsibility; or to change your expectations. Lots of wonderful and generally healthier than pure bred- mutts in the shelters of the world. Consider those too.

Bernese Mountain dogs and Golden Retrievers are pretty friendly

So what’s the follow up? Have you guys decided yet?

Not yet he’s still trying to get a house