Did you know that Golden Retrievers were developed by Lord Tweedmouth in his native Scotland during the mid-to-late 19th century? Golden Retrievers were developed from a mix of flat-coated retrievers and tweed Water Spaniels.
Even though Golden Retrievers were a well-loved breed in the late 19th century, it took a few decades for the American Kennel Club (AKC) to recognize them as an official breed, and they did so in 1925.
Golden Retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds in America and have been for years, currently sitting at #3. They are only behind the Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd, for now at least!
Golden Retrievers have a great sense of smell, seeing as they were intentionally bred to help hunters retrieve fowl game. Due to their specific breeding, they have powerful olfactory skills and nowadays are used to help detect bombs, and assist in search-and-rescue missions.
Did you know that Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds used as service dogs? With their physical abilities and intelligence, they do well being trained to assist those with disabilities.
Golden Retrievers are considered the 4th smartest dog breed. According to Pets WebMD, they are one of the easiest breeds to train, trailing behind Border Collies, Poodles, and German Shepherds.
Golden Retrievers have lived in the White House! Both President Gerald Ford and President Ronald Reagan have owned Golden Retrievers as pets while serving in the White House. Ford’s dog, called Liberty, even gave birth to a litter of puppies in the White House!
Golden Retrievers love the water and are known for being great swimmers. So, next time you go to the pool, make sure to bring along your Goldie for some summertime fun!
A Kangaroo in Australia called Dusty is said to be the adoptive son of a Golden Retriever named Lilly. Dusty and Lilly’s caretaker says he always wants to spend time with his “mom”. She said, “He’s always grooming her, they’re always together, and if Lilly goes out of the yard, he pines for her and sort of hops up and down the fence until he’s let out to go with her.”
A Golden Retriever named Lilly once saved three African wild pups. When the mom gave birth to three puppies at the Oklahoma City Zoo, one male and two females, she wasn’t very interested in caring for them. Quickly, the zoo’s animal care team introduced them to Lilly, who had recently become a mother herself. She took to the puppies instantly and began nursing them as her own pups.
There are two different camps for the Golden Retrievers. First, the hunting camp, which breeds a dog with a shorter and stronger working/retrieving drive. The second camp breeds a dog with a longer coat that is more likely to be a show dog and performer in agility competitions. When looking for a Golden Retriever to adopt, make sure to choose from the right breeder depending on what kind of lifestyle you want to have with your new doggie!
Golden Retrievers were big in the entertainment industry during the 80s and 90s, probably because of their intelligent and easy to train nature. Some of the shows that featured Golden Retrievers include Punky Brewster, Full House, and Empty Nest. They also appeared in the popular family films “Homeward Bound” and “Air Bud”.
Did you know that a Golden Retriever from Australia holds the Guinness World Record for loudest bark? Charlie reached 113.1 decibels to win this title. At that volume, the bark reached louder decibels than a chainsaw, which is as loud as 110 decibels!
Golden Retrievers need mental and physical exercise every day. This can be accomplished by taking them running, walking, playing Frisbee, doing agility courses, or having them as a hunting companion. It is important that they get at least an hour of physical exercise each day. This will help him find acceptable outlets for his energy, otherwise, he might find his own destructive outlets.
Did you know that Golden Retrievers have water-repellent double coats that shed seasonally? This helps them be great hunting companions and definitely makes their love of water better, so make sure to brush your Goldie once a week to minimize the shedding!
Golden Retrievers make great watchdogs, but not the best security dogs. They’ll bark loudly at strangers, but once they physically interact with a person, a Goldie is more interested in being friendly.
In 2010, a Golden Retriever named Angel saved his 11-year-old owner, Austin, from a cougar attack. When the cougar pounced to attack Austin, Angel threw himself between the boy and the cougar. Both animals fought until a constable arrived at the scene and killed the cat. The family thought Angel had been mortally wounded, but according to Austin’s mother, he suddenly sucked in a “big breath of air and then got up [and] walked to Austin, sniffed him to make sure he was all right, then sat down.” Thankfully, the Goldie Angel made a full recovery.
Golden Retrievers are family dogs and love to be with their family “pack.” Just because they are a larger dog does not mean they can be left outside alone for hours. They need to be with their family wherever they are, inside or outside, so make sure if you get a Goldie that you can give him the time and company he needs.
Golden Retrievers are friendly and very good with children, however, their size and energetic disposition can cause them to accidentally knock over smaller children. Be sure to monitor interactions between your dog and children to be sure both are behaving appropriately with each other.
Did you know that a Golden Retriever named Augie has the record for “Most Tennis Balls Held In The Mouth By A Dog”? He held 5 regulation-size tennis balls, that’s pretty good! Just make sure to give them a wash before your next tennis match!
Melissa
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