John,

Sorry if I didn't respond seriously enough to your question when I responded last night. I was ganging up on you in support of your son! But the kids aren't the ones who end up paying the bills, cleaning up the hair, buying the 40 pound bags of dog food, cleaning up the messes......so you have to do what is right for your family.

You've had some more serious responses to the question this morning. The only thing I would add is that Golden Retrievers are very much family dogs, as most dogs are. They are social, they want to be where you are, and sometimes that means on the couch, on the bed, etc. They are smart though and can be trained to behave appropriately.

You and your family will be able to settle on the perfect dog that each of you can love. It may be a Golden, a mix, a mutt......but it will be loved, and that is what is important.

I chose my Goldens for pure love of the breed and I just wanted to share a little of my happiness with you when I posted the picture of Honey and Lilly with my daughter at the beach.
Good luck, whatever your decision.