If you do decide on a Golden - which I highly recommend - and you decide to hunt the dog in country where there are lots of burrs and sticktites - it would be a good idea to get what is called a "field cut" at your groomers. They darn near shave the dog and it aint pretty but it sure saves a lot of grief picking burrs and cleaning mud after a hunt or even a walk in the woods. If there is any mud or water around - a Golden will find it and wallow - that is a given. But, they are so worth the trouble. Wonderful dogs and scary smart. I had a female Golden that was a close in worker by nature - I got her as a pup and we had a great bond and she just stayed close to me always, and she was a grouse addict. If there was a bird anywhere in the area - she was gonna find it and put it up within range. I still miss that lady!!! and she's been gone since 1997.