The Golden Retriever is a very popular breed of dog. In this article, we will look at 50 facts about golden retrievers. Some are well known, some not so much but all interesting nonetheless.
The golden retriever is a large-sized breed of dog that has a thick, double coat and comes in shades of gold or cream. These dogs are known to be intelligent, friendly, loyal, and eager to please. If you own one or looking to buy one, then here are 50 golden retriever facts that you should know.
1. It is believed that golden retrievers originated from Scotland and were bred as gundogs for duck hunting and retrieving large game.
2. The golden retriever’s name comes from their golden-colored coat which is brought on by a recessive gene; it can also come in cream or white colors.
3. They have been used to hunt upland birds, waterfowl, and even rabbits and hares over the years but have become popular with families during the last century due to their friendly nature, gentle temperament, and willingness to please people.
4. Golden retrievers are especially popular in North America where they are ranked as one of the most popular breeds in recent years.
5. They are known to be good with children and other animals including cats, horses, goats other dogs, and small pets.
6. They generally have an average lifespan of 10-12 years but some golden retrievers may live up to 15 years or longer.
7. The golden retriever is the third most popular breed in the US after the Labrador Retriever and German shepherds which are ranked number one and two.
8. There are golden retrievers that have excelled at a variety of tasks including search and rescue during Hurricane Katrina; assisting disabled people such as those who suffer from cerebral palsy; helping guide dogs for blind people and even sniffing out illegal narcotics at airports across North America among many others.
9. The golden retriever has been used for drug detection, finding missing people and even as therapy dogs in nursing homes to name but a few of their talents .
10. They have also featured on TV shows including Frasier; The Simpsons; Cold Case Files; Animal Precinct and many others besides.
11. Golden retrievers are known for being very friendly and sociable with other dogs however they are not so keen on cats though may tolerate them over time if socialized from an early age .
12. There is nothing golden about the golden retriever’s coat color – it comes from the chromosomes passed down during reproduction which means that they only produce one form of each chromosome (either golden or non-golden) .
13. The golden retriever is known as a gentle giant and is not related to the golden jackal that lives in Africa.
14. There are many different variations of golden retrievers including short, long, flat-coated and wavy coats which refers to the way in which their fur grows .
15. Golden retrievers have been used by the Canadian military for search and rescue due to their strong sense of smell which they use to sniff out people trapped under rubble etc from an earthquake or other disaster .
16. They come in at number 3 on list of dog breeds according to American Kennel Club registration statistics with over 82,000 golden retrievers registered in 2018 alone .
17. The golden retriever is at a high risk for two genetic disorders; hip dysplasia and epilepsy which are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner meaning that both parents of the golden retriever must carry one of the genes to pass it on to their offspring . This is similar to how eye color is passed down from generation to generation.
18. They are ranked as number 10 out of 177 breeds by Stanley Coren (1994) for intelligence with a rating of 86/100 according to his book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’.
19. There are many golden retriever rescue centers across North America set up specifically for golden retrievers who have found themselves away from home or in need due to a divorce, family illness requiring the care of the golden retriever from a family member, or just general neglect by irresponsible owners.
20. Goldens are often used to help people suffering from depression due to their friendly personalities and eagerness to please their owners.
21. They can be trained for obedience, search and rescue, therapy dog work and more besides depending on how you choose to use their talents . They have also been known as hearing dogs for deaf people – they wear a special harness with a vibrating collar that alerts the golden when somebody makes a noise then he turns around to look at the person who made the noise; this way the golden is able to alert his owner without making any sound himself it’s similar to how they can be trained to alert an epileptic person when he or she is about to have a seizure.
22. There are three golden retriever fan clubs in the world including one based in London, United Kingdom; one in Australia and even one based out of India.
23. They also make great water rescue dogs because like Labradors, golden retrievers love swimming which means that you do not have to train them specifically for water rescue though they do need some training to learn obedience and basic commands just like any other golden retriever .
24. Contrary to popular belief golden retrievers only shed a small amount of hair – you will find that their fur is very fine, unlike many other dog breeds which contribute greatly to the golden retriever’s golden color which was bred into them over many years.
25. They love to please their owners and are very eager to absorb new commands, tricks and behaviors which means that they can be used as therapy dogs for people with disabilities such as autism or Down syndrome . Not only do golden retrievers have to learn how to behave around someone who is differently-abled but they also need extensive training in public situations (especially important when working as a hearing dog) because many people with special needs get nervous around dogs – remember golden retrievers make wonderful pets too so introducing one into the home of a person suffering from any kind of disability will require careful thought about its impact on permanent residents like grandparents or other family members who do not have golden retrievers.
26. Contrary to popular belief golden retrievers do not shed more hair than any other breed of dog – in fact, they only lose a small amount of fur which is part of the reason why you will often hear golden owners state that their relationship with their golden retriever has been life-long, pledging to never own another type of dog again because golden retrievers are so low maintenance though they may require grooming every 4-6 weeks or so.
27. As puppies golden retrievers are very playful and active but as adults they settle down quite quickly making them a great pet for older people who have plenty of time to spend with their dogs . Because golden retrievers are referred to as ‘velcro dogs’ you will often find golden retrievers keeping close to their owners, following them around the house continuously which means they are very alert and protective of their family too .
28. There are many different golden retriever rescue centers in North America especially across Canada and the United States; you may need to contact your local animal control center first because golden retrievers who have been abandoned by their families or simply found wandering the streets can cause a lot of problems for surrounding towns or cities: golden retrievers love people which makes it very easy for them to run away even if they don’t necessarily mean to do so.
29. If you want a dog who likes water then golden retrievers certainly provide that option – not only do golden retrievers love swimming but they can be trained to rescue people who need help in the water or fetch things from a boat including life jackets, paddles and even fishing nets .
30. Very loyal and obedient golden retrievers make great family dogs because they are very tolerant of kids as well as other pets provided that golden retriever has had proper training and socialization with other animals from a young age which means golden retrievers will get along very well with other dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs etc.
31. Contrary to popular belief golden retriever puppies do not cost less than $500 – you may pay around $900 for an English golden retriever puppy plus another $400-$600 for professional dog training classes which will eventually lead to a golden retriever retrieving competition.
32. The temperament of golden retrievers is easy going and they are well suited for families with children; you may find that golden retrievers do not like loud noises as much as other dog breeds but the golden retriever’s friendly, obedient personality makes them ideal dogs for all adults and older kids though golden retrievers should never be left alone with very young children because golden retrievers don’t respond well to anyone who screams, shouts or yells at them which could potentially scare your golden retriever into jumping over fences in search of somewhere more peaceful – remember golden retrievers make wonderful family pets too!
33. Golden retrievers have been bred from large hunting dogs in England meaning golden retrievers can grow up to 25 inches tall and weigh between 55-80 pounds – golden retrievers are medium-sized dogs but they require around 2.5 cups of dry food daily for optimal growth, maintenance, and energy levels.
34. Golden retriever owners claim that their golden retriever has adorable golden eyes which may change color from deep brown to golden yellow; golden retrievers have also been known to develop cataracts in mid-life which will change the color of their golden eyes: this condition is more common in large breed dogs like golden retrievers so regular veterinary checkups are important especially when your pet reaches eight or nine years old.
35. If you want a golden retriever who listens well then be sure to train golden retrievers from a young age because golden retrievers don’t respond well to harsh discipline which could potentially scare your golden retriever into running away; golden retrievers may be easy-going dogs but they still need plenty of training and regular exercise in order to listen properly to you or any other family member.
36. Not only are golden retrievers obedient and trainable but golden retrievers are also intelligent dogs that will quickly learn new commands provided you reward them with praise, affection, and plenty of treats for good behavior – golden retriever puppies respond best to positive feedback during puppy training classes so be sure to give lots of praise when the golden retriever has performed a trick correctly.
37. Your golden retriever’s coat was probably born golden and golden retrievers are born with golden fur but as golden retriever puppies grow into golden adult dogs the golden coat will change to a light brown or golden tan color; golden retrievers can be trained to perform tricks in exchange for treats, affection, toys and other rewards – though golden retrievers do respond well to positive feedback be sure not to overfeed your dog because it could result in weight gain which is especially harmful to dogs like golden retrievers who were originally bred from hunting breeds.
38. Golden retrievers shed around two times per year meaning they will lose some of their golden-colored hair; if you own a golden retriever then you may want to brush your pet’s coat once per week in order to keep it looking beautiful though golden retrievers will never lose their golden coat completely.
39. Golden retrievers have silky golden fur though golden retrieving dog owners claim their pet does shed a lot of hair so if you own a golden retriever then it’s best to brush your dog after you’ve given them a bath – be sure to purchase some doggie shampoo, small toothbrushes and combs so that you can give your golden retriever an attractive golden hairdo; golden retrievers’ coats should be brushed gently because the dog breed has sensitive skin which could potentially get irritated from using harsh brushes during grooming sessions.
40. Your golden retriever will require at least two hours of playtime each day in order to keep her happy and healthy – golden retrievers are energetic dogs that will need regular exercise to stay fit and in shape; golden retrievers love to play with people, other golden retrievers and pets such as cats, rabbits or guinea pigs.
41. Did you know golden retrievers do not like swimming? – golden retrievers have short hair so their skin may get irritated by chlorine which is found in swimming pools so if you want your golden retriever to swim it’s best to purchase those rubber dog booties for water sports .
42. If you want a golden retriever puppy then be sure to buy from a reputable breeder because golden retriever puppies are considered an “estimated purebred” dog breed meaning they cost around $1,500 – $2,500 which is more expensive than other purebred dog breeds in America; golden retrievers are very popular dogs so golden retriever puppies are not hard to find but potential golden retriever owners should be sure to confirm that the golden retriever puppy has been dewormed, vaccinated and microchipped before they take it home.
43. Like other golden canine companions golden retrievers shed plenty of golden hair around the house especially during springtime when golden retriever fur sheds faster – be sure to spend some time grooming your golden retriever because long-haired hair can get tangled up and cause skin irritation if you do not remove them properly.
44. If you have a golden retriever then you will want to purchase high quality golden dog food and golden retriever kibble because golden retrievers are considered “large breed dogs” so they will need more nutrients than smaller breeds of dogs .
45. A golden retriever’s hunting instincts may emerge when she is subjected to loud or unfamiliar sounds so you should keep your golden dog indoors during fireworks displays; golden retrievers love the company of people, other animals (such as cats), children, and even baby animals (like bunnies) though golden retrievers do not like strangers.
46. Did you know golden retrievers have large noses? – a golden retriever’s nose has a black color that helps them hunt down their prey but most golden retrievers do not shed much hair from their snout – if you own a golden retriever you may want to purchase a golden muzzle so that the dog won’t accidentally lose its golden nose locks.
47. Golden retrievers are considered “friendly dogs” which is why they make wonderful pets for beautiful families who have plenty of love to give; golden retrievers get along well with children and other golden retrievers because the dog breed enjoys being around people, other animals (like cats) and even baby animals but golden retrievers do not like strangers or being left alone in rooms for too long.
48. If you want your golden retriever puppy to learn new tricks then be sure to teach her the golden “stay command”; if you own an older golden retriever then try teaching her how to sit or lie down because golden retrievers are very intelligent and trainable .
49. Golden retriever puppies should not be left alone outside for too long (at most) because golden retrievers love to play with other dogs but golden dog owners should supervise their golden retriever puppy when she plays with other dogs; golden retriever pups can get hurt or even killed while playing so make sure you’re around to supervise their play.
50. A golden retriever’s top canine teeth need regular care so you will want to brush your golden dog’s teeth regularly – one way of doing this is by using a special toothbrush that has been designed for dogs; if you want a healthy golden dog then feed her high-quality golden food which helps to remove golden plaque and golden tartar.
51. Golden retriever puppies should not be left alone outside for too long (at most) because golden retrievers love to play with other dogs; golden retriever pups can get hurt or even killed while playing so make sure you’re around to supervise their play; golden retrievers become very protective over their owners, the owner’s family and even friend s of the owner so they will want to do whatever it takes to protect them from danger.
52. If your golden retriever puppy loves fetching balls then consider buying her a squeaky ball for fun – golden retrievers are considered “playful dogs” because golden retrievers enjoy playing with other dogs, children, and even baby animals (like golden bunnies) but golden retrievers do not like strangers or being left alone in rooms for too long.
53. Golden retriever puppies should not be left outside for too long (at most) because golden retrievers love to play with other dogs; if you have a golden retriever and she loves playing with other dogs then make sure that the golden dog park is supervised by an adult who can supervise the golden retrievers while they are playing together; golden retrievers become very protective over their owners, the owner’s family and even friend s of the owner so they will want to do whatever it takes to protect them from danger.
54. Golden retrievers go into heat during June and December so golden retriever owners will want to keep their golden retrievers away from other male dogs, especially golden huskies; if you have a golden retriever who is pregnant then make sure she has plenty of golden blankets for padding during her golden puppies’ golden birth.
55. Be careful when walking your golden retriever on snow or ice because the dog breed’s paws can get injured easily – one way to protect your dog’s paws is by getting a pair of paw mitts; before buying the mitts, be sure to check out the size chart that comes with them in order to find a suitable fit for your dog.
Conclussion:
If you wish to buy a dog then golden retrievers should be on top of your list and this is why, Golden retrievers are loyal, friendly, fun to have, the perfect companions, golden retriever puppies are adorable and come in different colors. Golden retrievers can be trained to do almost anything. They are very intelligent and they have been used by the military for search and rescue, golden retrievers serve as guides for the blind, goldens assist in finding drugs and in drug raids, assistance dogs will help their partners with daily tasks such as opening doors or picking up dropped items. So why not buy a golden retriever puppy today?
