Fun Facts About Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are muscular and athletic dogs known for their long, shiny coats that sway when they move. They are favourite family pets because of their beauty and lovable personality. Though many dream of having these creatures as pets, there are lots of facts about Golden Retrievers that not everyone know.

A Hunting Scottish Breed

Golden Retrievers was developed in Scotland during the 19th Century by banker and dog breeder Sir Dudley Marjoribanks. He purchased a yellow-coloured flat-coated retriever named Nous and bred him with a liver-coloured Tweed Water Spaniel named “Belle.”

They are bred for hunting, especially to retrieve birds during hunting games. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized Golden Retrievers as a breed in 1925.

With a Golden Heart

Though considered a large breed, Goldens are gentle, passionate, sympathetic, and intelligent. They are top choices for families with children and are known to guard and care for their little humans.

Because they are also easy to train, they make great service dogs for people with disabilities. Also, they are often seen in hospitals, serving as comforting and calming buddies for patients, especially those undergoing an operation.

Read: Fun Facts About Labrador Retrievers

Built for Water

Though Goldens are fluffy dogs, they are built for water. Their coats contain two layers - the long and repellent outer layer and the short and dense inner layer - that keep them dry and insulated. They also have webbed feet and long tails that make them excellent swimmers.

The Golden ancestors are trained to retrieve ducks during hunting season, so they have an instinct to dive into lakes and other bodies of water. They are best for people who love water activities.

Cotton Mouth

The Golden Retrievers have soft mouths. They can carry live ducks and fish without damaging them. Their mouths are so soft that some farmers ask them to retrieve eggs, and they can collect some without cracking a piece.

12 Golden Years

Goldens usually reach their senior status at seven years like their short-haired counterparts, the Labrador Retrievers. Their average lifespan is from 10-12 years old. 

The oldest recorded Golden Retriever in history is August, also known as Augie. She was born in 2000 and passed the Rainbow Bridge in 2020.

A Perennial Favourite

Golden Retriever is also a perennial favourite dog, according to the AKC. They usually rank 3rd and 4th place in the annual list. 

Other Fun Facts

• In 2012, a Golden Retriever named Charlie smashed the Guinness Record for the loudest dog bark. He registered at 113.1 decibels, beating a German Shepherd's former record of 108 decibels in 2009.
• Two US Presidents, Gerald Ford and Ronald Raegan, had Golden Retrievers.
• Golden Retrievers are the most in-demand breeds in movies. They were featured in Movies Air Bud, The Parent Trap, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, A Dog’s Purpose, and Hawkeye.
• Jimmy Fallon, Oprah, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Dean Koontz own a Golden Retriever.
• The first photo uploaded on Instagram featured a Golden Retriever mix sitting near a taco stand in Mexico.
• Golden Retrievers named Bretagne and Riley helped in the search and rescue operation after the September 11 attack in New York.