Congrats Michelle,
We have a 12 month old white English Golden Retriever named Gracie Lynne. The English/European breeds are very different than their American counter parts. Somethings are better, some not. We have had several American Goldens, and this one is way different. She is the most intelligent dog I have ever owned, which again is typical of the English breeding, however that may not be good...she can figure many things out. They love toys, as I see Harlee has one in her paws. We were told to shower her with toys, so we did and she has never chewed a single thing in the house except for her toys. She got out of her enclosure in the laundry room at four months and we found her on the sofa with two toys, so we started to leave her out for a few minutes, then an hour by herself, etc etc. Now she is one year and stays out by herself when we are at work.
The internet said that dog breeds are the same regardless of where they are from.....I disagree whole heartedly. She isn't even built the same as an American Golden. This dog and two of her sisters that we know of are much calmer and very big lovers! They seem more attached to their owners than other Goldens, and we thought all our other Goldens were people lovers.....but this one has taken it to another level. She has zero athletic skills, all our other Goldens were all about tennis balls, and it was all about the catch. This one has never caught anything, she turns her head and lets the ball bounce off of her, then grabs it and lays down with it. But she looks good doing it!!!
Good luck with your new girl....You will have a ball!
Mike